‘Kick COVID-19 in the butt’: Miami cops take stage at Cedric Gervais balcony concert
Despite being locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic, Miami nightlife was alive and well over the weekend.
EDM superstars David Guetta and Cedric Gervais both held separate outdoor concerts downtown to help the community. Guetta’s Saturday night concert, unfortunately, caused crowding in the streets around One Miami Condo and police broke up the fun.
But over at Gran Paraiso Residences in Edgewater on Friday night, the cops were the stars of the party. Gervais linked up with various local organizations for a so-called mask balcony party to honor the first responders.
About 1,500 residents live at Gran Paraiso, a luxury 53-floor complex of four towers.
The livestreamed concert was organized by WRE Cares, launched by local celebrity photographer Seth Browarnik, who owns World Red Eye. He teamed with the Miami Heat’s DJ Irie, LIV owner Dave Grutman, as well as the Miami Marlins and several South Florida charities to put on quite a show.
WRE Cares has been working on the front lines, assembling a network of 20-plus seamstresses and designers to make thousands of face masks, including a partnership with the Marlins, which helped donate masks made from game jerseys. Hundreds have already gone to the Miami Police Department, Miami Beach Fire Rescue and the University of Miami Health System, Browarnik told the Miami Herald.
Video shows the photographer’s event unfold, starting with a parade of police cruisers and fire trucks outside the building.
On site at Gran Paraiso by the pool, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who pulled down his mask for a few seconds to yell into the mic, “Miami, how you feeling tonight?” as the crowds in the sky cheered from their balconies. Suarez recently recovered from coronavirus, after suffering few symptoms.
“Be patient,” Miami Police Commander Freddie Cruz told the attendees. “We will kick COVID-19 in the butt.”
Browarnik said the EDM gathering started promptly at 7 and ended right before 8. It was organized, orderly and people appreciated it.
“People want to be entertained right now,” said Browarnik, who has been covering the nightlife scene for decades. “What Miami is known for is having a good time. People are stuck now. Especially those in apartments.
“You can keep us in our homes, but you can’t keep us from dancing.”
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 12:33 PM.
