Once in a blue moon someone comes up with a really cool venue for a party that gets people excited about going -- Michael Capponi's birthday party at Jimbo's a few years back, Jeff Soffer's birthday party at the Opa-locka Executive Airport, this writer's Sweet 16 at a Marilyn Monroe-themed disco on Long Island. Well, OK, the latter was a good idea in the '80s, anyway. Add to that list, Tigertail Productions' Moon Over Miami fund-raising event Saturday at the Ichimura Japanese Garden, on Watson Island at 1101 MacArthur Cswy. From 8-11 p.m. guests are encouraged to dress in Asian-inspired outfits or, according to a press release, ''to hark back to Hollywood's Golden Age stars, such as actors Don Ameche, Betty Grable and Robert Cummings, who were the leads in the classic 1941 film Moon Over Miami.'' Hmmmm . . . we'd say the Asian-inspired dress is a lot easier than trying to look like Ameche, but at any rate the party will also feature some seriously amusing elements, including live entertainment from tap artist Katherine Kramer, performance and drag artists David Rohn and Adora, a so-called gossip booth with former Miami New Times publisher Jim Mullin, food and open bar with Gary Farmer as guest bartender and bon vivant Merle Weiss as the celebrity door person. A silent auction will feature works from several Miami-based artists and proceeds from the $100 tickets benefit Tigertail Productions, one of So Fla's longest running nonprofit presenters of innovative cultural events. Call 305-545-8546 or go to www.tigertail.org.
Always a welcome change from the usual disco -- er, club parties -- is a house party, such as the one taking place at the home of former wine bar Stop Miami owners Dan and Alexandra Brody from 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday. The Brodys' Polynesian Pig Roast and Tiki Bear Adventure will benefit the arts outreach programs of Artoconecto, specifically the internationally juried, pre-Art Basel cutting edge showcase at the Bakehouse Art Complex this fall. There will be a raffle of exotic booze, live music, food and Tiki drinks created especially for this party. Cost to attend: A suggested donation of $20 and a possible hangover the next morning. For information, e-mail StopMiami.Danny@gmail.com.
Should you experience a brutal, post-weekend hangover, consider catching Martini Tuesdays next week, when the usual weekly cocktail confab transforms into Mutts & Martinis for a Humane Society of Greater Miami fundraiser from 9 p.m.-midnight at the Raleigh Hotel's Oasis Pool Bar, 1775 Collins Ave. Dogs (and their owners) are welcome and The Humane Society will be taking donations at the door. Speaking of Martini Tuesdays, its mastermind, Edison Farrow, has joined forces with Jason Tamanini and Halo, 1625 Michigan Ave., to create Halo Happy Hour, from 4-9 p.m. Fridays, featuring half-price drinks, free hors d'oeuvres, music and mingling. It's about time this city realized the proper time for happy hour isn't 11 p.m.
Speaking of time, Pacific Time, the pioneer of what was once a hip, bohemian hangout known as Lincoln Road, is set to reopen, this time in the hip, bohemian hangout known as the Design District. Chef/owner Jonathan Eismann is set to debut his space on Northeast 40th Street in the spot formerly known as The District. We hear the new PT will offer moderately priced eclectic menus for lunch and dinner, a big bar area and a fabulous enclosed courtyard. To please the eco-maniacs out there, Eismann has incorporated a self-carbonating, filtered water system eliminating the cost and waste associated with those frivolous bottled waters. Eismann also plans to feature, like his neighbor Michael Schwartz, local, natural and organic products. To beat the rush, we encourage you to join Eismann's Preferred Guest program, which will allow you a house account (that you will pay for in advance, of course), preferred reservations, event invites and food and bev credits. E-mail JEismann@the-beach.net for more information.
From Pacific Time to East Coast, for those who love taking those ''Which Sex and the City character are you'' quizzes on Facebook (even though the show has been off the air for years), consider the Sex and the City look-a-like contest Thursday at Nikki Marina, 3660 S Ocean Dr., Hollywood, where a winner will win a weekend at the Westin Diplomat and dinner at Nikki Marina. Party goes from 9-11 p.m. and features free cosmos for women and a $22 dinner menu. Think you look like Carrie & Co.? Submit a photo and contact info to SexandTheCityMiami@gmail.com by Saturday.
Blue Martini at Mary Brickell Village is also jumping on the SATC bandwagon, throwing a happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday featuring a raffle for passes to the flick's opening day (May 27) as well as Carrie Cosmos and memorabilia giveaways. Whether you win or not, you can always go party and ponder if Mr. Big will die. How's that for an exciting party premise?
