by Eileen Kinsella and Sarah Cascone for Artnet News
We’re well aware the snark factor is high—at least a ten—but after several years of extensive coverage it has become an artnet News tradition to tell our readers which Miami parties you’d die to be on the guest list for, but are sadly… not.
We’ve compiled our predictions for what we think will be the hottest, wildest, weirdest, and most exclusive events of the jam-packed Art Basel in Miami Beach week. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: if you’re not on the list, you’re not getting in. That’s how it is.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Sunset Cocktails with Jorge M. Pérez and Sculpture unveiling with Rafael Domonech + Claudia Arce Fashion Show
Cuban artist Rafael Domenech will unveil a site-specific installation outside of the soon-to-be-complete Hyde Resort & Residences Hollywood. Following Domenech’s installation is the unveiling of a massive mural by Douglas Houkzema that scales the façade of the property. The evening will wrap up with drinks at the neighboring Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails and a private fashion show previewing the latest trends by Claudia Arce.
5–7 p.m. at Hyde Resort & Residences, 4111 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood Beach Invitation only.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
The HAAS Brothers host the Pink Party
Nikolai and Simon Haas (aka the Haas Brothers) host the PINK PARTY in celebration of nightclub Basement’s two-year anniversary. The invite warns guests to “be prepared for creatures great and small, Haas hats & hoodies, serious tunes from THUGFUCKER and friends and 50 SHADES OF PINK.”
11pm until “late” 2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
Celebrating Paloma Picasso
Interview magazine and Peter Brant celebrate Paloma Picasso and her 35 years with Tiffany.
7:30–9:30 at 1 Hotel South Beach 2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
Julio Le Parc at the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Top collector and tastemaker Estrellita Brodksy will lead a walk-through of the show, which she curated, followed by drinks and a seated dinner at the museum, hosted by Galeria Nara Roesler of New York and Brazil.
6:30 at PAMM exhibition galleries. 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. Invitation only.
A night with jazz musician Eric Lewis (ELEW) at 1
Curated art from Toronto-based contemporary artist Daniel Mazzone will be featured throughout the oceanfront penthouse suite. Passed cocktails and appetizers will be served while guests mingle with the famed jazz musician ELEW. The night will end with a private performance in the suite overlooking South Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
10–11:30 p.m. at 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach Penthouse 102 24th Street, Suite 1609. Invitation only.
An Enchanted Experience Created by Simon Hammerstein
Taking place at Casa Faena in the chic Faena District, Perrier-Jouët and Hammerstein, in partnership with Vanity Fair, will transform the entire building into an artistic universe that will “enchant, inspire and celebrate curiosity and wonder through touch, smell and sensory manipulation,” according to the invite.
9pm–1am at Casa Faena, 3500 Collins Avenue, Miami. Invitation only.
Cocktail Reception at Locust Projects
A cocktail reception to celebrate the debut of the Comet and the Glacier, a new video opera and immersive installation by artist Alexis Gideon.
7–10 p.m. at 3852 North Miami Avenue in the Miami Design District. Invitation only.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Davidoff VIP Botanical Garden Cocktail Party
Davidoff Art Initiative celebrates jointly with Art Basel partners BMW and UBS to kick off the fair. Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, CEO of Oettinger Davidoff AG will be in attendance as the company celebrates the second Limited Art Edition by Jamaican-French artist Olivia McGilchrist.
7:30–9:30 p.m. at the Davidoff VIP Lounge at the Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
Perez Art Museum Miami Stewardship Dinner Hosted by Jorge M. Pérez
Billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Jorge Pérez kicks off Miami Art Week 2016 with a VIP dinner honoring the supporters of the Pérez Art Museum Miami. The event will take place at the newly opened SLS Brickell, which features interior designs by Philippe Starck, a new restaurant concept by Jose Andres, and a 40,000-square-foot mural by German artist Markus Linnenbrink. Other artists represented on the property include Ray Smith, Katja Loher, and Bernardi Roig. Attendees will be among the first to hear news of a major art-related announcement from Pérez.
7:30 p.m at SLS Brickell, 1300 South Miami Avenue. Invitation only.
Istanbul Meets Miami
The Art Law Group at Herrick Feinstein is throwing a cocktail party to celebrate Turkish art and culture with Contemporary Istanbul.
7:00–9:00p.m. at the Setai Courtyard, 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
ARTXTRA: The Perrier Art Experience
Interview magazine and Perrier celebrate ARTXTRA: The Perrier Art Experience, featuring DJ sets by Wild Belle and NAR.
7:30 pm to 10:30pm at a beachfront tent at the Nautilus, 1825 Collins Avenue, South Beach. Invitation only.
Cocktail Dinatoire
Claude Picasso, Sir Norman Rosenthal, Krystyna Gmurzynska, Mathias Rastorfer, and Isabelle Bscher host a cocktail reception to celebrate their always innovative booth design at Art Basel in Miami Beach.
9:00 p.m. at Faena Hotel, 3201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
Cocktail party for Jean Nouvel
The newly completed Monad Terrace Annex fetes its architect, Jean Nouvel.
1300 Monad Terrace, Miami Beach
From the Heart
A cocktail party and silent benefit art auction featuring the work of students in the inclusion art program at the South Florida Academy of Learning. The event is hosted by Janice Feldman, CEO of design company JANUS et Cie and Architectural Digest publisher Giulio Capua.
4:00–8:00 p.m. JANUS et Cie Miami Showroom, 3930 NE 2nd Avenue.
Resident Advisor at Art Basel
The online music magazine hosts its first Art Basel event, featuring the Floating Points, Dâm-Funk and the Black Madonna.
10 p.m.-5 a.m., at the Factory, Magic City Warehouse, 6301 NE 4th Avenue, Miami
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1
Opening of the new Bamford Haybarn Spa
Bamford CEO Carole Bamford, 1 Hotels’ CEO Barry Sternlicht, and 1 Hotel & Homes owner and developer Richard LeFrak, celebrate the official opening of Bamford Haybarn Spa.
As the first in the US, it will provide a calming spa retreat for guests and locals looking to nurture themselves through specialty treatments, including massages and facials, as well as yoga, Pilates, and meditation. Helmed by company founder Carole Bamford, the spa’s natural and sustainable philosophy mirrors the 1 Hotels’ brand mission to provide a unique experience to relax and escape.
Held at the newly constructed spa on the second floor of the property, the ceremony will also include culinary creations by plant-based chef Matthew Kenney and Organic Casamigos cocktails
5–7 PM at 1 Hotel South Beach, 2341 Collins Ave, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
Cocktail party in support of charity Water for People
The annual cocktail and art auction supports the charity Water for People, featuring work by Hugo McCloud. Hosted by Paddle8 co-founder Alexander Gilkes, CEO of Absolut Elyx Jonas Tahlin, Water for People CEO Eleanor Allen, and Sean Kelly, the event features cocktails by Absolut Elyx and a live performance and DJ set by Melo-X.
7–10 p.m. at Nautilus, South Beach, 1825 Collins Avenue Miami. Invitation only.
Transformation, a late night fête with Dom Pérignon
The champagne will be flowly freely as real estate magnate Aby Rosen and art dealer Vito Schabel host Dom’s annual Art Basel bash. Music by Angel + Dren and DJ RUCKUS.
12 a.m. until late at the WALL, W Hotel South Beach, 2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Invitation only.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2
VIP Breakfast with Jaume Plensa and Unveiling of ‘Looking into my Dreams, Awilda’
The Related Group and the Pérez Art Museum Miami will welcome Awilda, Miami’s newest monumental piece of public art, with an art discussion hosted by Jaume Plensa, the creator of the stunning 40-foot tall sculpture. Guests will be treated to a first-hand account of the artist’s inspiration for the piece, as well as the significance of making Miami Awilda’s permanent home. The sculpture was previously exhibited in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Three Poets (Body Soul God, Country, Water Fire), another work by the artist, is currently on view at Related’s Park Grove condominium project.
9:30–11:30 a.m. at Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami. Invitation only.
Raising Malawi With Madonna
Madonna is hosting this charity benefit for Raising Malawi, the NGO she founded to support orphans there. It will offer “music, art, mischief and live performance.” There will be special guest appearances by Chris Rock, Ariana Grande, and Sean Penn; plus James Corden will be master of ceremonies. Only 400 tickets will be available and the cheapest ticket is $5,000.
8:00–11 p.m. at Faena Forum 32nd Street & Collins Ave, Miami Beach.
The Famous Art Critics Dinner
Famous Art Critics is a cohort of multicultural art enthusiasts who gather for dinner and dialogue annually during Miami Art Week. They discuss, highlight and elevate diverse individuals, institutions, and best practice for pathways to cultural equity in art: journalism, and curation.
7–11 p.m. at the Miami Science Barge 1075 Biscayne Boulevard. Open to PRIZM VIP pass holders and those who purchase tickets for the event via eventbrite.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 3
Corona Electric Beach Party
Corona Electric Beach, a nationwide event brand that throws free events, is hosting a party featuring dance music DJ du jour Matoma alongside a live art installation by King Saladeen.
3–8 p.m. at Clevelander Hotel, 1020 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. The event is free with RSVP to: matomaceb.eventbrite.com. 21 and over.