We’re now mid-July, and for Miami natives and NBA appreciators, that means Zo’s Summer Groove is back in action. In addition to a lineup of celeb-infused events for the four-day charity event, Headliner Market Group scheduled a guide of after parties for celebs, athletes and VIPs to get down to once the sun set. Queen Latifah made her way down to the InterContinental Hotel to host the Publix ZSG Benefit Dinner, raising $50,000, which was something to celebrate on a Friday night. With a silent auction in progress, tastemakers sought out the after party to get rowdy. Making their way over to Parkwest Nightclub in Downtown Miami, Zo, Tracy and Wade brought a crew of noisemakers along for the ride. With Shawn Marion, Dorrell Wright and Earl Barron in tow, clearly the jam was ballin’. Actress Gabrielle Union (who has old ties to Wade) posted nearby two-time NBA champ James Posey, who played DJ all night in the booth as notable Doug E. Fresh and DJ Clue made love juice flow through the speaks. The second night of ZSG proved to rake in the movers, shakers and plenty of money makers.
While Zo and Co. were getting their “Groove” on, throwing dollar bills out for a good cause, one ex-NBA all-star decided to spend his money to benefit the underpaid mistresses off Hallandale Boulevard. Dennis Rodman sipped Jager, entertaining a slew of strippers over at Scarlett’s Friday night. Accompanied by a male companion, Rodman landed at the lot around midnight and was posting well into the morning hours. Hooking the ladies up with “whatever they wanted,” the switch-hitting fan put transitive moves on the masculines as well. After a respectful “hello” was paid, a friend claims Rodman abandoned his table to get in on some old twenty-something bachelor fun. Along with his buddy, D. Rod charged up that bar tab, treating hes and shes all night long. Rodman, seriously? Lay off the innocent bystanders, take a break from the freakshow and shell out some Benjamins for the kids, not the twins.
Miami took a brief hiatus from the ZSG hoopla Saturday night and turned the stage over to Chris Tucker over at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, followed by another late night in Spirits nightclub. Miami’s ZSG participation resumed Sunday outside the American Airlines Arena. The venue held things down with an outdoor block party from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. followed by the Carnival Cruise Lines ZSG All-Star Basketball Game at 6:30 p.m. Terrell Owens came out to show some love for his b-ballers dribbling with his stunna shades all around the court. Newest members of the Heat, Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers made time for the kids and then kicked some ass on the court, a satisfying preview for the upcoming season. The New School Team, lead by Wade and Lebron James, consisted of the Heat newbies, Kevin Durant, Nate Robinson, Kenyon Martin, Mike James and Chris Paul. Zo lead the Old Schoolers, Damon Jones, Penny Hardaway, Tim Hardaway, Alan Henderson, Sam Cassell, Damon Stoudamire and James Jones. Though the game itself was a joke and a half, the crowd pleaser had to be when Wade and Lebron got on the court to accompany the AARP’s excuse for an elderly dance club as they did the Soulja Boy, bobbed heads to “I’m So Hood,” and made moves to “Lollipop,” – a true treat. Good for a Sunday Funday, I can see why the families flocked to the game, but it ain’t no nail biter. New School came out on top in the end and the house was packed tighter than any mid- to end-season game the triple A hosted during the season “we prefer not to talk about...”
The Sunday night party lasted ‘til 5 a.m, over at the notorious Forge for yet another headliner event, attracting celebs and VIPs by the pack, literally. The close to another successful fundraising weekend, Zo and Wade came out for one last hoorah. Posting in their cozy nest inside The Forge, Trina and her lovebird Kenyon Martin made eyes at only each other. A stampede of athletes crowded inside Glass, including celebratory winners and losers Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Damon Jones. Lebron was big pimpin’ in an outrageously orange ensemble, tallying up the most bottles in the club, with plenty of Diddy’s Ciroc ($300 a bottle) surrounding and groupies out the door.
James Posey was gettin’ comfortable as well, a true chick magnet, loving every minute of it, poppin’ bottles of Moet Rose for everyone’s enjoyment, as teammate and fellow champ Sam Cassell showed face. Actress Meagan Goode chilled with beau Thomas Jones, who’s in town promoting Myko Slim, who was within earshot of Young Money fresh face Tyga. Fubu’s Daymond John was nearby music vid star-gone-actress and poster gal for Sean John, Lauren London, who arrived with Terrence J and Rocsi from 106 & Park and comedian Marvin Dixon. Glass had to expand into some of the Forge’s private dining rooms and patrons were packed on the outdoor patio. Patrick Ewing even showed some love, but still, no sign of Rodman. That flakester was probably winding down from his performance at LIPS’ Sunday brunch drag show over in Laudy Daudy. Ouch.
- Tracy Block
