Scene in the Tropics

Aretha Franklin, Courtney Love & more make for a musical, motley, magnanimous time at Blacks' gala

It was a scene straight out of the Star Wars bar Saturday night when the Blacks' Annual Gala took over the appropriately named Sparkle Ballroom at the Fontainebleau to raise money for childrens' charities. As promised, a motley crew of boldfacers attended including Courtney Love, demurely dressed in Valentino and drag queen Elaine Lancaster-brand lipstick and about whom host Roy Black, a friend not her lawyer, asserted is quite brilliant.We spoke briefly with the former grunge rocker turned actress, who told us she wasn't sure about any future role in the final season of Sons of Anarchy as she just started a role on the Fox show Empire. Then she skipped out for a cigarette.

TV judge Karen Mills-Francis, aka Judge Karen, was also there, personally invited by the night's headliner, Aretha Franklin, whom Mills-Francis met earlier that day at Carpaccio in Bal Harbour. Apparently Franklin told Mills-Francis she was a big fan of her book, Stay In Your Lane: Judge Karen's Guide to Living Your Best Life, and sent over tickets later that day.

Before Franklin took the stage, we spoke briefly with hip hop artist/ producer Swizz Beatz, who was also there without wifey Alicia Keys, sitting at a table with Haute Living publisher Kamal Hotchandani. Nearby was a newly single Nick Loeb, Sofia Vergara's ex, whose facial expressions we could not catch when host Lea Black, who referred to her former gig, The Real Housewives of Miami as a 'debacle,' was auctioning off a walk on role on his ex's show Modern Family. At some point in the auction, gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, sporting a very casual short sleeved shirt, hopped on stage, as did racecar driver Helio Castroneves, who, unlike Crist, was involved in one of the auction items.

And then there was Ms. Franklin, The Queen of Soul, introduced by a gracious Gloria Estefan, whose husband Emilio joined the drummer for a few, and belted a some hits including Chain of Fools, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and her newest, rousing and stellar cover of Adele's Rolling in the Deep, before abruptly deciding to leave the stage without finishing a few bars of Respect. An awkward conclusion by TV's Ross Matthews, aka Ross the Intern, who arrived to the event late, had people scratching their heads. Why the abrupt exit? "She was just done," said an insider. And she was. One of her handlers jumped on stage and grabbed the legend's pocket book, which she was stowing visibly under the piano. 

During Franklin's performance, Flo Rida was busy fielding fawning female fans. Rumor has it one of those happened to be V. Stiviano, best known as Donald Sterling's mistress. Backstage, Franklin was holding royal court at a meet and greet, where she went through the requisite photo ops before asking one of her assistants to grab her fur stole, which meant she was ready to roll in the deep of the night. She said she liked Miami and was thinking of staying an extra day.

And despite rumors that Oprah Winfrey, in town for The Life that You Want weekend,a comic con of sorts devoted to all things Oprah, was going to show, the talk show titan was busy making apologies outside Prime 112 to a woman whose foot was run over by her driver. Winfrey, supping with her best pal Gayle King, got out of her Cadillac Escaclade to make sure all was well. It was. In fact,  it was better than well as the woman--who was fine--and countless fans seemed elated to have a brush with the big O.

N. Korean ambassador Dennis Rodman steals The Real Housewives of Miami's thunder at Blacks' gala

Philanthropist and The Real Housewives of Miami cast member Lea Black is really a mad social scientist of sorts, fusing a motley crew into one big philanthropic Petri dish. Her latest concoction was seen Saturday night at the Fontainebleau at her and her defense attorney husband Roy's haute hootenanny to raise money for a cause bigger than all the egos in the ballroom--children.

And while we expected some people to act like children, the whole scene was surprisingly civilized and drama free. Sure, there were the grand camera-ready entrances of RHOM cast members Lisa Hochstein and Joanna Krupa, in attendance with their RHOM alum, the smart one that got away, dentist Karent Sierra. The other half of that show was busy showing solidarity for each other and took their drama to the gay polo tournament in Wellington. Footage of both forthcoming, only by Bravo. There was also a handful of hilariously colorful women at the party who should have been cast on that show, especially the one who introduced herself to us saying, "I'm not a stripper. I'm not a hooker. I'm a socialite."

But it was nothing compared to the grandest entrance made by erstwhile cast member, drag queen Elaine Lancaster, who entered with long time BFF and recent, unofficial North Korean ambassador and Kim Jong-un idol Dennis Rodman. The duo was joined by former Miamian Lisa Pliner, who seemed to provide the larger than life Rodman with more than his fair share of amusement. Toto, we're not in Pyongyang anymore.

Speaking of North Korea, Rodman spoke to us exclusively on his controversial trip there. "I have been contacted by the FBI and I met with them. They wanted to know what went on and who's really in charge in North Korea. I have been invited back to North Korea in August and I want to go. I'm not a total idiot. I know what Kim Jong-un is threatening to do regarding his military muscle. I hope it doesn't happen because America will take whatever actions to protect America and our allies. I do think, umm, you know, that we have to talk to people who want to cause us harm so hopefully they won't. I've been talking to folks for years who don't get what I'm about but that's cool, 'cause once they walk away they like me. I might be able to keep folks' heads cool. We all going to find a way to get along and keep peace. Peace and love is where it is at, Lesley."

Indeed. But beyond those politics, there were no doubt party politics taking place around the room, as young Miami mixed with not so young Miami (and some famous visitors including Lance Bass and Kardashian appendage Jonathan Cheban, who talked to us about his aspirations to become the "next Simon Cowell," because of his penchant for judging people) for a fun filled night of selflessness despite the inevitable presence of a few party crashing freeloaders who were captured on camera not so surreptitiously lifting a VIP gift bag.

American Idol winner Taylor Hicks provided the dinner music, a mellow, bluesy mix of Doobie Brothers and Elton John, while local fave Flo Rida got the crowd--and some willing and able women--up off their feet, onto the stage and, for some, almost out of their clothes with a powerhouse show of his greatest hits.

So further beyond the politics, baubles, Botox and ballers, how much was raised? "We're still counting," Lea Black told us. "It was a packed house of people partying until one in the morning. Between Taylor Hicks, Flo Rida, DJ Whi5ker5 and his incredible light show, and all the generosity, it was, hands down, one of the best parties yet." We agree. In what universe would you ever expect to see Kim Jong-un in the same blog post as The Real Housewives, Taylor Hicks, Lance Bass and Flo Rida? Now that's so Miami.

Ingrid Casares & Chris Paciello Back in Biz with The Light Group at the Delano?

If you believe the rumors, South Beach is about to go retro, back to the days when people actually danced at clubs, when real celebrities came to party because they wanted to and not for a carefully orchestrated, trite tabloid photo op, and when the words South Beach and hip together in the same sentence was anything but oxymoronic. That's right, we have excellent sources telling us that the Captain and Tennille of 90s Miami nightlife, Chris Paciello and Ingrid Casares, are teaming up again, this time as partners in the food and beverage operations at the Delano left recently vacant by Jeffrey Chodorow, who was bought out by the hotel's owners, Morgans Hotel Group, for $20 million. 

Paciello, a convicted felon who paid his dues (though some would disagree) in prison for six years on a ten year sentence after pleading guilty for his involvement in a robbery/murder on Staten Island, was most recently living a quiet(ish) life running some pizzerias in Los Angeles. Casares has been out of the nightlife game for a while herself, focusing on raising her young son and working in her family's window manufacturing business. The two together at the Delano could be a game changer, especially considering the already successful Florida Room. Throw in an arrangement with Las Vegas nightlife and restaurant heavies The Light Group, whom we hear is also behind this (and was incidentally founded by Andrew Sasson, a former doorman at old school and also lamented South Beach hotspot Velvet), and you've got at the very least a good night out and one that celebrities and their publicists, tabloid reporters, party crashers cum bloggers, paparazzi, and plain ol' party people looking for a good time will no doubt want in on.

The legions of Liquid alumni still kicking around and yearning for nocturnal nostalgia will relish in this news as well, but will remain cautiously optimistic that the reunion won't be the clubland version of the Footloose remake. Whatever it will be, if it will be, will perhaps serve as the shot of adrelanine to reawaken what some would say has become a pretty insipid, sell out of a scene. Stay tuned for more details.

Take two: Bravo tries again with Miami Social Club

As we've said so many times, Bravo is not filming The Real Housewives of Miami. Finally putting that rumor to rest is the announcement of the voyeuristic network's new series, Miami Social Club (working title), starring, among others, Lea Black (wife of famed attorney Roy) and, in this scene at the Original Penguin store over the weekend, Black's right hand man Jason Clarke and drag diva Elaine Lancaster with a cameo by Dennis Rodman. Motley Social Club's more like it. Casting for this started way back in June of last year with all sorts of names in bold stepping up for their chance at having every tabloid dig for skeletons in the deep, dark recesses of their closets the big time. As for the rest of the guinea pigs publicity hounds castmembers (the network tells us because it's "just a pick up," there are no official cast announcements or details on air dates as of yet), according to our reality show rat they are: public relations professional/erstwhile socialite Marysol Patton, Christy Rice (ex wife of former Miami Heat player Glen Rice), Alexia Echeverria (executive editor of Venue Magazine), socialite and gallery owner Adriana Sidi (also known as Adriana de Moura), and Larsa Pippen (wife of NBA's Scottie). The official word on the series is as follows: "This new docu-series follows Miami's social elite--a glamorous circle where money, hard work, status and beauty rule. Get a fascinating fly-on-the-wall look at life on the sizzling hot Miami scene. MC Filmworks is producing this series for Bravo with Michael McNamara, Sheri Maroukfkhani and Jack Tarantino as executive producers." Our sources also tell us this show has absolutely nothing to do with that other failed experiment show with the words Miami and social in it. To nobody's surprise, that one has not been renewed. Let's hope they get it right with this one.

Rihanna rocks South Beach until 4 a.m.

While her outfit may have been somewhat half-assed and according to some so were her vocals, Rihanna had a fabulous night following her gig at the free Pepsi Fan Jam concert on South Beach, partying at Mansion and SET with a gaggle of galpals until the we hours of the a.m. Wearing a more completed outfit this time--a skin tight beige dress, Ri-Ri sat front and center at her party at Mansion where she sipped on Grey Goose and grape juice and danced to songs by Jay Z and Drake as the masses of athletes clamored to catch a glimpse of her. At around 1 a.m., the Mansion team presented her with a cake in the shape of a golden Grammy to congratulate her on her two Grammy wins, out of which she took a big bite. Shortly after, she and her posse made their way to SET where they snuck in through the back entrance and set up shop at a table not far from Jermaine Dupri. Sipping on Grey Goose and Ace of Spades champagne, Grammy’s golden girl giggled with girlfriends throughout the night, dancing on top of her table to songs by The Ting Tings and Journey before calling it a night around 4 a.m. and heading back to her hotel.

Photo/Daily News/Kravitz/Film Magic

Exclusive Lady Gaga video: she tweets, fans Score

Video/Eugene Ramirez

Following her show Saturday at the James L. Knight Center, Lady Gaga tweeted "Hmmmm...I wonder if I'll score tonight." And while many a single and looking hot blooded male may have taken that as a hopeful invitation, what she was really saying was that she was with her bestie Perez Hilton at Score, the gay bar on Lincoln Road, where she sang a few bars of Bad Romance and worked the crowd into quite the fanatical frenzy. "The crowd is going wild when she goes to the balcony," says our eyewitness on the scene, CW morning show host Eugene Ramirez, thanks to whom we have a little snippet of it all to share with you. And while no one, not even employees, according to Ramirez, was alllowed upstairs into the VIP room, drag diva Elaine Lancaster, who introduced Gaga to the crowd, was hanging with the newly annointed pop royalty. One thing we'll say about Lady Gaga is, love or hate her, she takes care of her loyal fans and tonight, they're the ones who did the scoring.

James Davis (aka Elaine Lancaster) and Lady Gaga at Score

No, silly it's not Halloween again, it's Lady Gaga's New Year's Eve Party

Forget Art Basel for a moment and focus on a few weeks from now, when it will be Halloween in December as Lady Gaga hosts a crazy big New Year's Eve party at the Fontainebleau. Following her sold out show that night at the James L. Knight Center, Gaga will head over to the resort where she will lead her fans and disciples in the countdown before giving her very first performance of 2010. The poolside event itself starts at 9 p.m. with DJ David Berrie warming up the crowd. Tickets don't come cheap to this spectacle, ranging from $375 general admission to $35,000 for what we hope is at least a lap dance or ten from the Lady herself. For more info, go to www.newyears.com or call 877-854-4389.

Adam Lambert Goes 'Glampire' in Boca

 

While American Idol winner Kris Allen was preparing for his Sunday game day performance at Landshark Stadium, runner up Adam Lambert was busy at the Boca Raton Resort & Club where he performed at the Party City Halloween Bash and Industry Awards last Saturday. Dressed as a 'glampire' complete with fangs and eyeshadow that would make all the Bubbes in Boca proud, Lambert, whose debut album For Your Entertainment  will be released on November 23, sang the Johnny Cash classic Ring of Fire among several other hits from his Idol tenure. The vampire look seems to suit him more than the overly airbrushed Xanadu meets Duran Duran's Nagel-ified Rio meets Glamour Shot one as seen on his album cover, no?