Art Basel Miami Beach is a horrible, crippling beast. It stands, hovering over the first week of December, forcing free drinks down your throat, making you listen to terrible music and look at bad art.
Sometimes, though, every once in a while, it takes a step back and shows you the light, something that expands your perspective on art and life, gives you a tasty drink, and lets you enjoy a moment of quality music-making.
The other nice thing Basel does is bring celebrities into town. Not that celebrities are good or nice or worth anything special. But they're fun to look at and point at and gossip about.
Last night, P. Diddy and Naomi Campbell hit up Design Miami's opening night. Who cares, right? But it's sort of neat. Don't lie, you want to see Puff Daddy.
Definitely, you will find the art elite breakfasting at the Rubell Family Collection, but you'll have to go elsewhere to peep celebs of the lower-brow ilk. Here are a few suggestions for your Baseling pleasure!
The Power of the Deitch
Jeffery Deitch hosted an art talk at Soho House two days ago and Pharrell appeared. Impressive? Typical. Deitch annually throws a private dinner for collectors at the Raleigh the Wednesday before Basel officially kicks off. In the past, there have been magical David Byrne sightings at this musically enhanced event. A live concert accompanies drinks and dessert. Shows we've seen there before include The Gossip, Devendra Banhart, and last year, LCD Sound system. Tonight, this is the best Basel place to see stars and hear live music. Expect performances by 2 Many DJs and Soulwax at 1775 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.
Love Me Some Jeremy Scott
Jeremy Scott is filling Base on Lincoln Road with his fashion genius for a weeklong pop-up shop. If you've been to the store, you know that you can not only listen to music there, you can also purchase hard to find CDs. Celebs love Scott, so expect to see someone famous. The VIP party is tonight from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at 939 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach and features 42Below Vodka. The store will be up for a bit.
Making Brigitte Proud
Bardot has a crazy lineup this Art Basel week. Tonight, there's Macy Gray. Tomorrow, it's Neon Indian. But Friday will be the night that you'll get to see and hear Moby. He's the kind of guy who's still hot on the scene after many, many years, hitting up Pulse's opening and art events all over the place. We bet some other famous person who stays in the loop will show up too. The DFA Basel Bash on Saturday will also pull in a few big names. Catch them all from 9 p.m. to midnight at 3456 N. Miami Avenue, Miami.
LIV, Of Course
Santigold will be performing with Wale at the Dirty Harry, Poplife party at LIV. She also appeared two years ago onstage at the Deitch Raleigh party. Pretty much LIV and Santigold equal a celeb sighting with an emotional soundtrack. Check it. The party takes place at the Fontainebleau, 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.
Overthrow Undressed
There are no guarantees in life, but we'd venture to bet that there will be a few familiar faces at Overthrow's Hard 2 Leave strip club music extravaganza. The last night of Basel will bring with it an intense lineup of DJs like Craze and Caligula, naked ladies, and probably hungover actors. The party starts at 11 p.m. at Gold Rush, 29 NE 11th Street, Miami.
Everyone Loves LCD
Thursday night's Toyota Antics party at Grand Central will be packed with musical goodness certain to attract a music loving actor or two. You've got your James Murphy and Pat Mahoney for an LCD DJ fix and The Black Lips to get you all worked up for four more days of Basel. No way James Franco's missing this party. It goes from 10 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 697 North Miami Avenue.
Just Us Famous Kids
James Franco. Again. He's featured in Caput, Harmony Korine's new film that'll be screening at the Mondrian. Afterward, these famous bastards are all heading over to, where else ... The Deuce. There you may even be able to jam out with the Kids writer to Metallica on the jukebox. The screening is at the Mondrian Sunset Lounge, 1100 West Avenue, Miami Beach, at 9 a.m. in collaboration with MOCA. The Deuce party is in celebration of a book by Korine and Rita Ackerman.
Interview This
The Standard is the best place to peep stars and the people who work for them. This Thursday, Interview Magazine and the Andy Warhol Museum will be screening a never-before-seen Warhol film called San Diego Surf. Following the film is Interview Mag's bash, certain to draw in famous folk of all kinds. The publication was nicknamed The Crystal Ball Of Pop, so expect pop music and hopefully some surf rock. The screening starts at 9:30 p.m. at The Standard Spa, 40 Island Venture, Miami Beach.
Cheers, This Video Is Hilarious!
Sunday is the perfect day to chill the hell out with some drugs after you enthusiastically enjoy the benefits of a hair iron. New York trio Misshapes will be DJing at the Standard Spa for Le Baron's Lazy Sunday barbecue. There will be YYYs and The Knife and probably a few familiar faces from the big or little screens.
Ricochet Who?
Ricochet is being so invite-only about their Basel parties that no doubt celebs will be milling about at the shows. The lineup is pretty sick with Nas, TV on the Radio, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and artists like Kalup Linzy and Luis Gispert. If you can get past their door people, you'll be in music stargazing heaven.
Happy Baseling!
Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL.
