Instead of resurrecting the 80's hit series Miami Vice, producer Michael Mann chose a modern and edgy vibe for the 2006 version. The movie screening and after-party followed suit, with not one brightly-colored tee and white jacket combo (like those worn by Don Johnson's television show character) in sight.
Proceeds from the event benefited the department of urology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Center for Urologic Research Education & Diseases (CURED). Mel Dick, CURED's campaign chairman and president of Southern Wine & Spirits, and Cecile Barker, one of CURED's board of directors, worked with event chair Emilio Estefan on the premiere. The actual screening took place at the Lincoln Theater, where guests were welcomed with a champagne reception.
The after-party at Mansion for 1,500 revelers took three months to coordinate. Susan Holtzman of Eventures Special Event Productions handled all the logistics, while Sean DeFreitas of Designs by Sean had the challenge of transforming the 40,000-square-foot club for the night. "It was a challenge working in the large space and bringing the distinctive looks of more than 14 vendors into one cohesive design," DeFreitas said. He made sure to use every square inch of the space and took the club's existing decor and embellished it—even the bathrooms got a decorative touch. "I wanted everything to be an experience," he said. Clear bud vases were attached horizontally in a row to the mirror above the sinks in the men's bathroom. Additionally, small video screens placed above the urinals ironically and intentionally flashed ads for Viagra and erectile dysfunction treatments when guests stood in front of them. However, there was nothing "lifeless" about the rest of the decor.
Bacardi set up a bar at the entrance to promote its Mojito cocktail. The display featured various lime green tones and plenty of branding, such as AVS Entertainment's eight-foot-tall water-filled tube that had four eight-inch LCD screens floating inside, playing Bacardi's latest Mojito commercial on constant rotation.
In the next area, Thierry's Catering's executive chef Philippe Coupe and the company's event logistics coordinator Paul Heslop created a menu that gave everyone a taste of South Florida's eclectic cuisine. Each station was brimming with dishes from a specific region. Highlights included croquetas and black bean soup at the Little Havana station, and sliced aged beef tenderloin in sun dried tomato brioche with mini twice-baked potatoes at the downtown Brickell Avenue station. To represent some South Beach flavor, Thierry's served fennel encrusted salmon with a citrus dipping sauce as well as tuna ceviche with avocado puree in a toasted corn cup. Red bean and rice cakes served with sour cream gave guests a taste of Little Haiti. If guests wanted to walk on the wild side, alligator chili and frog legs provided just that. Throughout the night, 58 servers also passed hors d'oeuvres which included sushi, beef carpaccio, shrimp cocktail, goat cheese parcels with crushed macadamia nuts, and more. How much food does it take to feed 1,500 people? In total, Thierry's made 180 pounds of beef tenderloin; 2,000 frogs legs; 5,000 assorted kebabs; and 250 gallons of alligator chili—not to mention hundreds of bite-size desserts, from dulce de leche cheesecake to orange tartlets topped with meringue.
The dining area was enhanced with vertical floral arrangements that hung on columns behind each food station. Handmade metal frames with troughs were filled with wheatgrass, blue hydrangeas, yellowish-orange orchids, white roses, and other flowers. Highboy tables from Soirée Event Rentals were covered in white spandex and topped with mod arrangements of wheat grass, white lilies, and metal accents. Soiree also provided 8,000 pieces of glassware; 3,000 forks; and 3,500 plates.
The main room was divided into separate sections for the different levels of guests. This party had more than one type of V.I.P. For those with blue entrance bands, DeFreitas built a five-foot perimeter using So Cool Events' lit acrylic columns and stretch fabric. Within the perimeter, CORT Event Furnishings set out comfy leather couches arranged with lit acrylic cubes that were branded with sponsor logos. Each cube was topped with AVS Entertainment's personal view monitors: picture one base with four mini-monitors attached to it so everyone can see what's on the screen, no matter where they are sitting. On the screen? Images of the auction items up for bid, so the very important guests didn't have to get up from the luxurious surroundings and walk to the auction table to drop a few grand on signed Miami Vice posters, getaways, or jewelry. Suspended above the area were chandeliers surrounded by sheer fabric and shimmering jewels. This area also put guests directly in front of the stage to view several live performances, including Brooke Hogan (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan's daughter).
Those with orange entrance bands retreated upstairs to a smaller, intimate area filled with orange pillow accents and acrylic cubes lit in an orange glow. The areas were color coded so everyone knew where they could hang out. Those who didn't have access to these limited spots still could view all the action from the main floor with access to two bars that featured grand arrangements made for Southern Wine & Spirits and Bacardi.
Although Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx failed to make a cameo appearance, there was enough to see, eat, and hear to keep even the most experienced South Florida partygoers from noticing.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Proceeds from the event benefited the department of urology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Center for Urologic Research Education & Diseases (CURED). Mel Dick, CURED's campaign chairman and president of Southern Wine & Spirits, and Cecile Barker, one of CURED's board of directors, worked with event chair Emilio Estefan on the premiere. The actual screening took place at the Lincoln Theater, where guests were welcomed with a champagne reception.
The after-party at Mansion for 1,500 revelers took three months to coordinate. Susan Holtzman of Eventures Special Event Productions handled all the logistics, while Sean DeFreitas of Designs by Sean had the challenge of transforming the 40,000-square-foot club for the night. "It was a challenge working in the large space and bringing the distinctive looks of more than 14 vendors into one cohesive design," DeFreitas said. He made sure to use every square inch of the space and took the club's existing decor and embellished it—even the bathrooms got a decorative touch. "I wanted everything to be an experience," he said. Clear bud vases were attached horizontally in a row to the mirror above the sinks in the men's bathroom. Additionally, small video screens placed above the urinals ironically and intentionally flashed ads for Viagra and erectile dysfunction treatments when guests stood in front of them. However, there was nothing "lifeless" about the rest of the decor.
Bacardi set up a bar at the entrance to promote its Mojito cocktail. The display featured various lime green tones and plenty of branding, such as AVS Entertainment's eight-foot-tall water-filled tube that had four eight-inch LCD screens floating inside, playing Bacardi's latest Mojito commercial on constant rotation.
In the next area, Thierry's Catering's executive chef Philippe Coupe and the company's event logistics coordinator Paul Heslop created a menu that gave everyone a taste of South Florida's eclectic cuisine. Each station was brimming with dishes from a specific region. Highlights included croquetas and black bean soup at the Little Havana station, and sliced aged beef tenderloin in sun dried tomato brioche with mini twice-baked potatoes at the downtown Brickell Avenue station. To represent some South Beach flavor, Thierry's served fennel encrusted salmon with a citrus dipping sauce as well as tuna ceviche with avocado puree in a toasted corn cup. Red bean and rice cakes served with sour cream gave guests a taste of Little Haiti. If guests wanted to walk on the wild side, alligator chili and frog legs provided just that. Throughout the night, 58 servers also passed hors d'oeuvres which included sushi, beef carpaccio, shrimp cocktail, goat cheese parcels with crushed macadamia nuts, and more. How much food does it take to feed 1,500 people? In total, Thierry's made 180 pounds of beef tenderloin; 2,000 frogs legs; 5,000 assorted kebabs; and 250 gallons of alligator chili—not to mention hundreds of bite-size desserts, from dulce de leche cheesecake to orange tartlets topped with meringue.
The dining area was enhanced with vertical floral arrangements that hung on columns behind each food station. Handmade metal frames with troughs were filled with wheatgrass, blue hydrangeas, yellowish-orange orchids, white roses, and other flowers. Highboy tables from Soirée Event Rentals were covered in white spandex and topped with mod arrangements of wheat grass, white lilies, and metal accents. Soiree also provided 8,000 pieces of glassware; 3,000 forks; and 3,500 plates.
The main room was divided into separate sections for the different levels of guests. This party had more than one type of V.I.P. For those with blue entrance bands, DeFreitas built a five-foot perimeter using So Cool Events' lit acrylic columns and stretch fabric. Within the perimeter, CORT Event Furnishings set out comfy leather couches arranged with lit acrylic cubes that were branded with sponsor logos. Each cube was topped with AVS Entertainment's personal view monitors: picture one base with four mini-monitors attached to it so everyone can see what's on the screen, no matter where they are sitting. On the screen? Images of the auction items up for bid, so the very important guests didn't have to get up from the luxurious surroundings and walk to the auction table to drop a few grand on signed Miami Vice posters, getaways, or jewelry. Suspended above the area were chandeliers surrounded by sheer fabric and shimmering jewels. This area also put guests directly in front of the stage to view several live performances, including Brooke Hogan (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan's daughter).
Those with orange entrance bands retreated upstairs to a smaller, intimate area filled with orange pillow accents and acrylic cubes lit in an orange glow. The areas were color coded so everyone knew where they could hang out. Those who didn't have access to these limited spots still could view all the action from the main floor with access to two bars that featured grand arrangements made for Southern Wine & Spirits and Bacardi.
Although Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx failed to make a cameo appearance, there was enough to see, eat, and hear to keep even the most experienced South Florida partygoers from noticing.
—Vanessa Goyanes
For the Miami Vice premiere, Bacardi's branded bar featured AVS Entertainment's water-filled tube with floating LCD screens that ran its latest Mojito commercial.
Thierry's Catering created a varied menu and served bite-size portions on slabs of granite.
Designs by Sean made vertical floral arrangements that hung on the wall to decorate the food stations and save some much-needed space.
Models from Evian and Champagne Pommery Pop greeted guests with trays of beverages.
Lush tropical floral arrangements for Southern Wine & Spirits were displayed at one of the bars.
Various shades of green flowers were used to design Bacardi's branded area at one of the bars in the main room.
One of the V.I.P. areas had a lounge-like feel with glowing lit cubes and plush furniture.
In one of the V.I.P. areas, So Cool Events' acrylic cubes glowed a soft blue and featured sponsor logos on them.
AVS Entertainment provided monitors in the V.I.P. area that showed guests the auction items on display in another room.
Budweiser's display had lit cubes showing videos of shadow dancers.
