A Very Special Snatchiversary

“We have been blessed by the most beautiful people, celebrities of the highest caliber.”

By Jon Warech

A Snatcherrific weekend: Lehmkuhl and Diddy. Photo by Seth Browarnik/Red Eye Productions

Time flies, doesn’t it? As 2006 creeps to a close, it is hard to imagine where the year went. What’s even harder to believe is that Snatch, the rock ’n’ roll-style nightclub on the corner of Washington and Española, is already a year old. The club celebrated its first full year in business with a blowout Friday night hosted and guest DJed by rock star Tommy Lee. After clearing away the women who flocked to the DJ booth, Lee and DJ Aero bounced to the music and rocked the house with a combo of old school jams and new hits. In typical Snatch fashion, Lee ended his gig by hopping on the mechanical bull as the crowd cheered him on. The Oronoco rum was flowing as owner Mark Lehmkuhl celebrated with friends and employees like Marketing Director Wesley Adams and Manager Dave Maggard. Everyone partied hard – a common theme at the club throughout the year. It’s been a great run for Snatch in its rookie season as the club has hosted celebs like Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Will Smith, Matthew McConaughey, Lance Armstrong, Paris Hilton, Colin Farrell, Mischa Barton and Hillary Duff, and night owls can expect plenty more where that came from. “Snatch has exceeded my expectations,” says Lehmkuhl. “We have been blessed by the most beautiful people, celebrities of the highest caliber and nights that will forever remain in the memories of all those who have shared this year with us … and we’re just getting started.” Rock on!

Michael Capponi and girlfriend Erin Henry, along with a big group of volunteers and the Miami Rescue Mission, led an effort to feed 1,500 homeless people on Thanksgiving Day in Miami. Photo by Mitchell Zachs/Magicalphotos.com.

TURKEY DAY, MIAMI STYLE

Although Rosie O’Donnell reportedly enjoyed Turkey Day at her Star Island abode, Adam Sandler was spotted celebrating in Boca and rumors were flying around South Miami that Orlando Bloom was giving thanks in the neighborhood; the celebrity scene was kind of dull over the holiday weekend. While the club scene wasn’t exactly packed with stars, the parties were still kickin’ thanks to the number of natives who return home for the holidays. But in true holiday spirit, nightlifer Michael Capponi created the best party of the weekend. He joined forces with the Miami Rescue Mission to provide 1,500 meals to the homeless at an outdoor block party downtown. DJ Irie provided dinner tunes and folks like J.R. and Loren Ridinger, Jim Cavanaugh, Shareef Malnik, Eric Milon, Dr. Jeff Kamlet and the owners of Rosinella restaurant joined 300+ volunteers to contribute their time and services to the event.

SHAKIRA SHOWS OFF FOR CAMERAS

Those preparing to watch Shakira shake her hips and belt out her popular hits at AmericanAirlines Arena on Dec. 9 should make sure they look their best. The concert —an unprecedented fifth Miami show on her “Oral Fixation Tour” — will be filmed for a DVD version of the tour that will undoubtedly wind up in Christmas stockings around the world. Special guests at the show will include Wyclef Jean and Alejandro Sanz.

SOUTH BEACH TEA PARTY

While the fight for no taxation without representation led to one gangster tea party, nowadays there seems to be no press (or parties that get press) without representation. So in the spirit of colonizing South Beach, Tara Ink has added Nikki Beach to its list of nightclub clientele. The 10-year anniversary of all things Nikki is set for the weekend of Jan. 27 so expect big things. Also, Harrison & Shriftman picked up Washington Ave.’s latest addition INK, to add nightclubs to its resume. Daniel Kohn and Gabriel Flores just started “First Class Saturdays” at the club and this week they get some celebrity flair with music producer Scott Storch hosting the soiree. And, The Company and Roc-Away PR just signed Sin nightclub, a new club opening next month in the spot formerly known as Amika. Owners are redesigning the space for an erotica-themed environment expected to attract sin-sational VIPS.

STEVE SMITH TO THE HALL OF FAME

OK, fine. Former Miami Heat star Steve “Tricky” Smith isn’t going to the Basketball Hall of Fame, but he will be inducted today into The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. The Olympic gold medalist and NBA World Champion (with the Spurs), will be enshrined as a member of the Miami Heat at the Hall’s annual induction ceremonies in Boise, Idaho, along with other inductees Steve Largent and Harmon Killebrew. Smith is being recognized for his $2.5 million contribution to Michigan State University, which helped to construct a student-athlete academic center named for his late mother, Clara Bell Smith. Smith also contributed an additional $600,000 to fully endow an annual MSU scholarship for high-achieving students from his Detroit high school, and won several citizenship awards throughout his career.

WHITE PARTY IS NICE.
I LIKE!

Partying at the White Party’s “Night of European Elegance” ball at Vizcaya on Saturday night was ’80s music sensation Jody Watley, who grooved alongside partygoers to sounds provided by DJ Tracy Young before taking the stage herself. Making a grand entrance to the ball in a Cinderella-esque carriage was The Snow Queen, the mascot for Snow Queen Vodka, which launches in Florida in January.

The Queen (who I hear is dating that Burger King guy) and her vodka hail from Kazakhstan (enter bad, played-out Borat reference here) where Jody Watley is probably #1 on the charts.

UPCOMING …

Local public safety officers strap on the gloves for the fifth round of “Rescuers in the Ring,” this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Hosted by South Florida Boxing and Mayor David Dermer, the event presents South Florida’s finest, bravest and toughest battling in the ring. This year even features some girl-on-girl action with a battle between Coast Guard and Fire Department members. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $30 and all proceeds benefit the South Florida Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

SPOTTED…

• Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons signing autographs in the Phat Farm section of the Macy’s Men’s & Home Store in Aventura Mall.

• Busta Rhymes hopping on stage at Mansion Friday night to perform songs off his new album.

• Wrestler/reality star Hulk Hogan waiting in line for lunch outside Lime on Alton Road Saturday.

• Pharrell Williams praying before enjoying a meal at Epicure on Monday afternoon.

Got the 411? Send comments, questions and news items to jon@Miamisunpost.com.