Buddy System on Watson Island

Comedian Dave Attell got the ball rolling by giving a shout-out to any coke dealers in the audience.

By Jon Warech

’Twas the week before Christmas and everyone’s bugging, about New Year’s plans and which champagne they’ll be chugging. But in the holiday spirit some were thinking about giving, to Best Buddies and those with lives worth living. OK, I’m out of rhymes, but in the week between Art Basel and the holiday week from hell, there was a gala event that reminded everyone that Miami can party and raise a lot of money at the same time. The Best Buddies’ 10th annual Miami Gala dubbed “A Colombian Affair” brought Miami’s VIP scene and a handful of celebrities to Watson Island on Saturday night. Among the notable names were actress Vivica A. Fox, super-sexy Ryan Seacrest, former Olympian Carl Lewis, Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth of Apprentice fame and actress Daphne Zuniga. Hosted by philanthropist and die-hard Heat fan Anthony Kennedy Shriver, who founded Best Buddies International in 1989, the evening featured a performance by Latin star Carlos Vives and even a little juicy gossip. See, all of the Miss Hotties (Teen USA, USA and Universe) were supposed to be in attendance, but Miss USA Tara Conner was a no-show since reports were circulating that she may get the axe by Donald Trump (who co-owns the Miss Universe Organization) for being naughty and partying hard at the under-age of 20. She was spotted earlier in the day in Bal Harbour for Audi’s “Drive for Friendship” event, also benefiting Best Buddies, but after further review pulled out of the gala, which had its fair share of alcohol. Reps wouldn’t talk, but the PR police were on such high alert that Miss Teen USA Katie Blair wasn’t even allowed to be photographed with Seacrest (although, who can blame her for wanting to avoid that photo-op?). The juiciness added to the fun of the evening and, all in all, a lot of money was raised for a good cause.

NOTHIN’ SWEETER THAN BEING JETER

Photos by Getty Images Publicity

Even though it’s baseball’s off-season, it is still very good to be Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. He was recently linked to hottie actress Jessica Biel after a night of partying in Vegas, and last weekend he hit Miami solo and had women ogling him at every stop. He started out sipping Grey Goose and Motley Bird outside on the terrace at Social Miami at the Sagamore. He scoped out the crowd (which included women who would sell their Pomeranian to the devil for a chance to chew off Jeter’s pinstripes) and then headed to Mansion, where music producer Scott Storch was celebrating his birthday alongside pal Ludacris. There Jeter held court at the Diddy table where, get this, extra security was called in to protect him from the flocks of women who were slowly inching closer to the slugger. A couple of ladies were able to make contact with the ball, but no one seemed to get to first base (if you know what I’m saying) and Jeter ducked out at 3:30 a.m. with just a group of dudes. The fun continued on Saturday night, when Jeter partied inside the Red Room at Shore Club’s Skybar and again hung with a group of male friends. And proving attracting ladies isn’t the only reason why it’s good to be in Derek Jeter’s crew, sources say he generously purchased at least eight shots of Remy Martin Louis 13th, at $350 a pop. Now that’s an all-star play.

HIP-HOP HOORAY

It’s been a big week for party hosts Michael Madd and Abebe Lewis. Last Monday they joined forces with Floyd Raglin to host Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown’s birthday celebration at Santo Monday. Wednesday night they returned to Santo for their weekly Miami LIVE soiree with Big D, and had T.I., Rick Ross, Digital Underground, Coolio and Jim Jones in the house and on stage. The fun continued over the weekend when Dre of music-producing team Cool & Dre celebrated his birthday with girlfriend Christina Milian at their “Social Snacks” party Saturday night at 510 Ocean and again at a private party they put together on Sunday at The Penthouse Lounge on 14th and Collins. All in all, it was a star-studded week.

HOME OF THE BRAVERY

Sunday night got a kick in the ass with a top-notch soiree at Pawn Shop Lounge, downtown. New York rockers The Bravery gave a private performance and treated the crowd to songs from their upcoming, unreleased sophomore album, The Sun and the Moon, due out in April 2007. Guest DJ Steve Aoki was killing it all night, and according to sources, The Bravery boys stayed and partied like, well, rock stars. Comedian Dave Attell (whom you may know from Comedy Central’s Insomniac) played host and got the ball rolling by giving a shout-out to any coke dealers in the audience.

HAVANA CLUB OPENING

Although up and running for quite some time, the official grand opening for The Havana Club at The Miami City Club took place Friday night. Hosted by Mayor Manny Diaz, the soiree featured special live performances by hometown favorites Jon Secada and Arturo Sandoval. The Havana Club features fine dining, a cigar lounge and elbow-rubbing opportunities for all of Miami’s business tycoons and social climbers, and a number of bigwigs showed up for the first official celebration. During all the hoopla, music producer Scott Storch enjoyed a private birthday dinner party within the Macanudo lounge with about 30 of his closest friends, including Cool & Dre and recording artist Rick Ross.

UPCOMING …

New Year’s Eve is around the corner, and as usual the celebs are expected to flock south for the holiday. Want to party with the stars? DJ AM spins at Mansion alongside Travis Barker, and Wilmer Valderrama plays host for the third consecutive year. Dave Navarro, Kristin Cavallari and James Franco host Opium Garden and Prive while Samantha Ronson works the ones and twos. Jessica Alba, Haylie Duff, Hilary Duff and Ben McKenzie will watch the ball drop from the Setai at a soiree with sounds by Steve Aoki, Exacta and M.O.S. Michelle Trachtenberg, Taye Diggs, Kimberly Stewart, Maxwell and Sofia Vergara are expected at the Delano, with performances by Cassie and Robin Thicke. Over at the Shore Club Luke Wilson, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Robert Iler and Tyson Beckford will ring in the New Year at Skybar as rapper Q-Tip runs the mike. Rapper/actor Ludacris hosts and performs at Social Miami at the Sagamore, Jared Leto counts 30 seconds to New Year’s at the Raleigh, party professional Mickey Rourke brings the noise to The Fifth and actor Pauly Shore holds it down at Glass at The Forge. Mokai hosts an after-hours soiree, which should pull in a high-profile celebrity crowd and by 5 a.m., who knows, Jerry’s Deli could be celeb central. Happy hunting!

SPOTTED …

• Ryan Seacrest partying at Mokai on Friday night and hitting the nightlife scene Saturday night with Matt Heien and TV producer Ben Silverman in the Red Room at Skybar and Mynt.

• Girlie band Danity Kane hanging out at Ink on Saturday night.

• Professional jackass Steve-O crashing the Opium Group employee holiday party at Lucky Strike Monday night and helping himself to the free buffet.

Got the 411? Send comments, questions and news items to Jon@miamisunpost.com.