Scene in the Tropics

Free tix to MTV's Sucker Free Awards at the Fontainebleau

So it's not the VMAs, but nonetheless, MTV is taping its Sucker Free Awards at LIV on November 11 and they are "casting" the audience---in other words, they need to fill seats and are giving away free tickets. For those of us for whom anything remotely MTV these days is a foreign language, here is the official translation: "MTV's longest running franchise and #1 weekly Hip-Hop countdown show, Sucker Free is crowning the Kings and Queens of hip hop. The Sucker Free Awards will honor the year in hip-hop with a unique look back at the music, moments and personalities that made 2011 so memorable. Seven categories will be determined by a combination of online and social-media voting and tallies from tastemakers throughout the music and entertainment industry." Expected to appear at these awards are "the biggest names from the YMCMB (Young Money Cash Money Billionaires)." Show will air on December 4. Tickets are for those 21 and older and available at http://onsetproductions.com or  www.onsetproductions.com.   

Sir Richard Branson's unlikely South Beach pad thisclose to NYC cop shooting

While some say there's definitely something shady about the NYC police officer shooting at 12th and Collins on South Beach, imagine how you'd feel if you lived in that neighborhood? We'd love to ask Sir Richard Branson, because, well, he lives right there. We just discovered that, contrary to images of a grandiose beach pad, the bazillionaire actually owns the penthouse at The Islander, located at 1255 Collins Ave. Registered under his wife Joan's name, the apartment was bought back in 2009 for a bargain (for Branson, anyway) $399k.

The building, whose residents are mostly elderly, is far from a place you'd expect a mogul to call home, with a non-functioning pool on the rooftop among other amenities, or lack thereof. When he bought the place, Branson told a fellow resident that he dislikes buildings with doormen, valet parking, concierges, etc., and that he doesn't want people to know his comings-and-goings. Oops.

But, really, with the recent shooting and the fatal Memorial Day weekend shooting a block away at 13th Street, will it be long before the Virgin emperor packs up and high tails it to a safer part of town? We couldn't tell you, but one resident did have some advice for him, saying, "He and his family members might be safer in those high-rises south of 5th or the two high-rises at the end of north Ocean Drive." And get this: Branson's not the first rich guy to live there. Rumor has it that hotelier Ian South Beach Wine & Food Festival founder Lee Schrager was the penthouse's previous owner.

Miami Babylon or babble on?

While some people may be worried that their covers will be blown in esteemed author Gerald Posner's new Miami expose, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power. A Dispatch From the Beach, the best part about it is all the on-the-record stuff that people are saying about each other. Snap! We scored an advance copy and have picked out some of our faves:

Thomas Kramer on his short lived partnership with developer Jorge Perez: "We did a lot of party and pus*y."

Kramer on banning gays from his short lived club Hell: "I  have nothing against faggots, but I wanted a club with beautiful women and men like me."

Kramer on the accusations he molested a little boy in a NY bathroom whom he claims was horsing around and bumped into him at a urinal: "[I told him] If you don't stop this, I will rip this off [grabbing the child's crotch.] And then the little mother*ucker ran off to his mommy to say I molested him."

Ex Miami Beach mayor Niesen Kasdin on Kramer: "Kramer was like watching a train wreck in slow motion."

Ingrid Casares on teaming up with so called club kingpin Chris Paciello in the night club biz: "I needed a substantial profession to prove I was more than just a drug addled sycophant."

Paciello on whether he'd return to Miami: "Most people in Miami respect me. Who knows if I'll end up back there one day. Miami wouldn't be the same without me--and I don't mean that as an ego statement."

Former promoter/club owner Gary James on Paciello's unlikely return to Miami: "Chris seems ready to reclaim his glory. I'd advise him to do it in Los Angeles where he's a new face. No matter what he thinks, South Beach isn't kind to yesterday's stars."

Developer Craig Robins on fellow developer Don Peebles: "His legacy in Miami is not particularly meaningful."

Peebles on Miami: "Miami is just not comfortable with  blacks. I don't acquiesce. I am married to a white wife, I make a lot of money, and my problem is that I don't know my place."

Robins on Lincoln Road developer Michael Comras: "Comras is parasitic, not a visionary."

 

Miami $nk

En route to the polling place, we just spotted Ami James of Miami Ink fame on the corner of 14th and Washington---driving a Bentley. That's a lot of ink. How much do tattoos cost these days anyway?

Tinsley Loves Dior and Peter Griffin

Dior Ambassador and NYC's fave socialite Tinsley Mortimer was at the Ocean Drive party at Ritz Carlton South Beach for Patrick McMullan's new book, Glamour Girls last night. We spoke at length with Tinsley and was impressed by her vast knowledge of and love for---Family Guy. Yeah, yeah, she's designing handbags and loves Dior and blah, blah, blah, but after discussing Dior mascara and fake eyelashes, the convo took a turn for the best when somehow her love of the racy, offensive Fox cartoon came up. Tins also likes the new CW show, Gossip Girl, not because it may or may not resemble her life, but because it shows such  pretty shots of the city. Anyway, we have a newfound respect for the girl and her admission of love for Peter Griffin and co. For those hoping to see her at the Flamingo Sunday, no such luck. She's en route back to NYC for a wedding--or to catch the new episode of Family Guy.