Favorite Pool Parties
But the rain didn't kill the Defected Pool party, instead it gave everyone a break to run inside and enjoy the air-conditioned lobby at the National. After a brief break to dry off, the party relaunched as Miss Barbara Tucker held court and led everyone for a good time.
For sheer insanity with big names and up for it Spring Breakers, Wet Grooves was off the hook. The Shelbourne hosted two days of pure insanity with wild music and wild people. A few times I thought to myself - how can this be legal?
Watch out for the deepaSUEÑOS party next year, I can definitely see it growing into a major event for next year. The Deepa crew hosted the event at the Sagamore with Harley and Muscle and Lefunken on the wheels of steel. The Absolut giveaways were a nice touch as well.
Favorite Parties (hardest list to make because there were so many)
1. Ultra Music Festival
2. BBC Radio One Live Broadcast at Nikki Beach
3. Juicy Party at Amika
4. Let the Artist Be Heard at the China Grille
5. Hed Kandi at Opium Gardens
6. Sasha's Mansion Party
7. Defected Pool Party
8. Milk n 2 Sugars Anniversary at Amika
9. New Order opening party at Mansion
10. Slip n Slide/Kickin party at Bash
11. OM Party at Mansion
12. Cielo/Armani Exchange party at Versace Mansion
13. Def Mix party at CroBar
14. WetGrooves at Shelbourne
15. Ultra party at Yuca Lounge
16. Cirque du Soleil at Surfcomber
17. X-Mix Productions at Opium Gardens
18. One Nation Under a Groove at Twist
19. Bedrock OS Party at Yuka
20. Onitsuka Tiger Industry Lounge
21. Dutch / Exposure artists at Nikki Beach
22. DJ Central Party at Clevelander
23. Laid/Raves.com party at Leslie
Party I wish I could have stayed at forever
Let the Artist Be Heard - There is something truly special about artists coming together, sharing stories and singing for each other and their fans. Put together by Georgie Porgie and Barbara Tucker, this event grows each year and is one never to be missed.
Best Mashup
Greenskeepers live at Mansion for the OM party, dropping the Missy Elliot "Rim Shots" acapella over their live set. Unexpected and refreshing, hip-hop and dance rock fit together well.
Best Live set (with band)
Greenskeepers at Mansion of course. Second Sun with Tiffany at the Macarena. Venus Hum and Brazilian Girls at the International Dance Music Awards. Infusion and Moby at Ultra. Ananda Project poolside.
Best Live set (with tracks)
Barbara Tucker - she worked her record EVERYWHERE. Therese and Peyton at Hed Kandi/Opium Gardens. Lea Lorien at International Dance Music Awards. Jenna Cunetta and Mynt/Kim Sozzi at Yuka. Digable Planets at M3 Sunset Sessions. Gadjo and Juliet at BBC Radio One Party. Georgie Porgie, Michael M, Dolce, Pepper Mashay and Rachel Panay at Twist. Leanna at Tantra.
Best Performance (other)
Cirque du Soleil at M3 Sunset Session. It's hard to describe what they did on that stage - involving fire, stilts, insane chorography and music from the upcoming double CD remixed set.
Most mispronounced name
Eric Prydz - rhymes with grids not rides. I learned this the hard way at the Amsterdam Dance Event.
Things I am kicking myself for missing.
Bravery live at Onitsuka Tiger Lounge. Mylo live at M3. Ben Watt at the Buzzin Fly party. The second half of Let the Singer Be Heard. I wish I could have split myself in two and made it to these shows.
Best quote
"I think Guns & Roses is good dance music" - Moby (during interview with Michael Paoletta)
"Its like two f*king ninety degrees" - Samantha Cole describing the heat
"After you handle the contracts, its all bits and bytes" - Mike Conte - General Manager MSN Marketpalces
Only in Miami Award
Breakfest in B.E.D. - Dave Ralph spinning at BED at 11am. Banging choons with a packed dancefloor, this could only happen in Miami.
