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’Tis
The Season?
 Tonight
pop artist Kenny Scharf and his pimped ride get down at the
Raleigh.
By
Jon Warech
I’m
so stoked for the events coming up this week that it almost
makes up for the disaster that was last week. And by disaster, I
mean D-listers not attending their own parties, people not
showing up to a party hosted by a Grammy-award winner, and a
South Beach season that has yet to get its kick start. But, hey,
Art Basel is this week and Nicky Hilton is hosting a Star Island
gala and Andy Roddick’s got a poker tournament up his sleeve, so
things HAVE to turn around, right? And for that, I’m pumped. As
for last week, well, Michael Jordan was here. That was cool….
AIR
SOUTH BEACH
The
great Michael Jordan, who knows a thing or two about
basketball, could also give Paris Hilton a run for her money on
the party scene. Wednesday night His Royal Airness hit up the
Forge where he hung with longtime sidekick Charles Oakley.
Tayshaun Prince and Nazr Mohammed of the Detroit
Pistons were also spotted partying at The Forge and then Glass,
which is usually the Miami Heat’s secret weapon (party all
night, play terrible the next day) but maybe Jordan rubbed off
on them, because the Pistons walked away with a win the next
night. Friday night, Jordan hit up Social Miami with a party of
10. He drank double Absolut on the rocks and scarfed down a
number of the restaurant’s signature dishes before moving to a
cabana outside.
Svetlana’s pals sipped champagne, while the birthday girl
seemed to chug-a-lug the stuff.
Getty Images
 REAL
WORLD BIRTHDAY
The
super-sexy Svetlana from Real World: Key West
(where they rob you of your last name but turn you into a
pseudo-celebrity) celebrated her 21st birthday at
Mansion on Saturday night. Svetlana’s pals sipped champagne,
while the birthday girl seemed to chug-a-lug the stuff as the
crew took over the corner table south of the stage at the packed
club. A three-tier cake with white icing and sparklers made it
official and, of course, the whole thing was caught on film for
a special to be named later.
Getty Images
 LEGENDARY
PARTY?
Last Tuesday, musician John Legend performed up in
Broward but trekked down to South Beach in a white stretch limo
to host an “official” after-party at The Fifth. Officially it
was an after-party because, well, it was after the concert.
Calling it a party, though, may be a bit of a stretch since even
promoter Louis Oliver was (like the Dolphins secondary in the
early ’90s) nowhere to be found. Legend, being a true celebrity,
didn’t even seem to notice as he sat at his VIP table, sipped
cocktails and chatted with friends. James Posey of the
Miami Heat added some star power, but as for the rest of the
crowd, well, I’m going to have to plead the Fifth.
Getty Images
 OUT
OF INK
Speaking of parties where no one shows up, Ink rolled out the
red carpet for music producer Scott Storch on Saturday
night — and the guy known nationally as the producer of Paris
Hilton’s album didn’t make it out. His Bentley must have had a
flat tire or something ‘cause even though his face was on fliers
all over town, Storch was missing in action. Trina was
there, but Missy Elliot and Pharrell Williams were also
no-shows. Remember when Miami was so cool that we used to lie
about A-listers like Britney Spears coming to town? Now we can’t
pull in the D-list? I miss the good old days.
HONORING MODEL AMERICA
GQ
magazine, which recently threw a Dwyane Wade party at Mokai,
returned to South Beach for a slightly less glitzy four-day
soiree at Hotel Victor dubbed the GQ Lounge. The party kicked
off Thursday night with festivities hosted by actor Channing
Tatum. Tatum, whom you may recognize from absolutely
nothing, is known more for his modeling. IMDB tells us he got
his first runway gig at Level nightclub on South Beach for a
Men’s Health fashion show, so I guess it’s nice to see his
career come full circle. Girlfriend Jenna Dewan (who
incidentally celebrated her 26th birthday over the
weekend) accompanied Tatum to the party and added more hotness
to what was a good crowd of party-goers. The fun continued
through the weekend with events hosted by footballer Ray
Buchanan and former Diddy umbrella-holder, Fonzworth
Bentley. Sad that you missed it? The Lounge returns Dec. 15.
DOWNTOWN CLUB GETS FACELIFT
Area 51, the nightclub in the spot formerly known as Metropolis,
is up and running in the downtown area. Still a huge place, the
club continues the former spot’s trend of mixing up the vibe in
each room. There is a mix of hip-hop, house, Latin and rock
beats depending on which room you find yourself in, and in an
attempt to class up the joint, the club is also set up for
corporate meetings, conventions and special events. Hopefully,
the new name and redesign will have party-goers forgetting the
violence (and all-around scariness) that existed at Metropolis,
and happy days will be here again for the downtown locale.
ARTSY PARTIES
That’s right, it’s Art Basel time. Parties all around town
should be a great way to increase your knowledge of the art
world and get liquored up at the same time. Most events are
private parties, and I’ll have the full update next week, but
tonight Yoko Ono celebrates the debut of her XM Music series at
Social Miami, while on Friday the MisShapes spin at Mansion,
followed by an acoustic set from Wyclef Jean presented by Stoli
Elit & Chivas Regal 12, and the New York Dolls spin at Rok Bar.
On Saturday JC Cognac & Gran Centenario Tequila Present “Couture
Assassins” hosted by artists Futura, Dave White and
Methamphibian at Privé. Also, check out the Art Lounge at Skybar
or the Art Bar at Delano all weekend long and if you are slick,
work your way into the various private parties for some
celebrity action. Pop art prince
Kenny Scharf
rolls into town for an exhibition and performance in
conjunction with Art Basel tonight at 10 poolside at the Raleigh
hotel, and designer Todd Oldham throws an Art Basel bash
Saturday evening at the Fairfax on South Beach, featuring an
installation by New York artist Daniel Joseph.
Todd Oldham Art
Basel party,
featuring “Drunken Letters to Stray Balloons,” an installation
of personal ephemera, panting, drawing, sculpture and video by
New York-based artist Daniel Joseph, 6 to 8 p.m., The Fairfax,
18th Street and Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Free admission.
RSVP at rsvp@thewolf.fiu.edu or 305-535-2645.
SPOTTED …
-
Singer Robin Thicke lounging by the bar at Mokai’s
Favela Chic party on Tuesday night and producer Brett
Ratner partying there Wednesday night.
-
Formula One racer Justin Bell and Red Sox owner
John Henry checking out the hot rides at The Collexium –
the exclusive drivers club – party in Fort Lauderdale on
Thursday.
-
Fonzworth Bentley singing and dancing on the couches
in the Red Room at Skybar on Friday night.
-
Shaquille O’Neal pulling his old-school convertible
into the gas station on Fifth Street and filling his tank
with regular gas on Saturday morning.
-
Tennis star Andy Roddick partying in the VIP section
at Suite on Saturday night.
-
Channing Crowder of the Miami Dolphins, working the
crowd as celebrity bartender at The Park Sports Club at
Seminole Hard Rock. Cheering him on were teammates Ronnie
Brown, Chris Chambers and Randy McMichael.
Got
the 411? Send comments, questions and news items to
jon@miamisunpost.com. |
