From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Party like a rock star

compiled by Joanie Cox

August 24 2005

When the MTV Video Music Awards show made its Miami debut last year, the venerable cable network's annual salute to pop music's biggest stars was staged without a host. Apparently, that move was only slightly more successful than 2000 VMA hosts Shawn and Marlon Wayans, who bombed harder than Martha Stewart at the Apollo, because MTV has once again enlisted a master of ceremonies to oversee the dispensing of shiny, silver Moonmen to the makers of this year's top videos.

Yet a problem with the new host has already presented itself: remembering what to call him. While his birth certificate lists his name as Sean John Combs, the hip-hop mogul formerly known as Puff Daddy, Puffy and P. Diddy now wants everyone to call him just Diddy. And as anyone who has watched an episode of Making the Band can tell you, what Diddy wants, Diddy gets. So Diddy it is. And in the days leading up to Sunday's VMAs at the American Airlines Arena, Diddy will make his presence known throughout the Miami area, hosting parties at South Beach nightclubs, zipping in and out of traffic on a motorized scooter and making surprise appearances at parties thrown by his fellow millionaire pop stars.

So it will come as no surprise if this year's VMAs are even flashier than expected, especially because Diddy has promised to bring along $100,000 in cash to give to the best-dressed man and woman in attendance. While we can safely assume that The Game won't be in the running, Diddy will have his work cut out for him, as Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Jessica Alba, Usher and Kirsten Dunst are among the scheduled award presenters. The performers also are a generally well-dressed lot, including Coldplay, Shakira, Ludacris, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, Green Day and 50 Cent.

Finally, MTV has made one major improvement over last year's event: This past Saturday, about 2,000 tickets for the show were made available to the public on Ticketmaster. If you were lucky and quick enough to score one, congratulations. If not, take comfort in the fact that you still have a shot at attending any of the following VMA parties and concerts taking place through Sunday.

Except as indicated below, most parties will start at 10 p.m. and run through 5 a.m. Contact individual clubs for cover charges and other details.

Tonight (Wednesday)

Doubletree Surfcomber

1717 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/532-7715, www.doubletree.com

Transformed into Hotel MTV as the official headquarters for the VMAs, the Doubletree will kick off the week with a concert featuring Boyz N Da Hood, B5, Black Rob and Chopper (a.k.a. Young City, from the reality series Making the Band). The concert is only open to people who win tickets through contests being held by South Florida radio stations Power 96, 103.5 The Beat, Y-100.7 and 99 Jamz.

Friday

Mansion

1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305/532-1525, www.mansionmiami.com

Remember Diddy's incredible "Welcome to Miami" party last year? Expect to be similarly impressed when he hosts this party at Mansion.

Privé

136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/531-5535, www.theopiumgroup.com

Pamela Anderson will celebrate the launch of her second novel, Star Struck, at this soirée. The book, which was officially released Aug. 16, is a follow-up to her 2004 novel, Star. Video director and filmmaker David LaChapelle will co-host, and Nicole Richie's better half, DJ AM, will man the turntables.

Opium Garden

136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/531-5535, www.theopiumgroup.com

Three-time Grammy winner Nelly will host this extravaganza.

Nikki Beach

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 305/538-1111, www.nikkibeach.com

Beginning at 10 p.m., Nikki Beach will salute and celebrate with four top video directors: Little X (Nelly's "Hot in Herre," Usher's "Yeah!"), Benny Boom (Cassidy's "I'm a Hustla," 50 Cent's "Just a Lil Bit"), Eric White (Nelly's "Over and Over") and Jessy Terrero (50 Cent's "Wanksta," Snoop Dogg's "Tell It Like It Is").

Saturday

Nikki Beach

1 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 305/538-1111, www.nikkibeach.com

Meet up with Diddy again when he hosts this swanky party.

Mansion

1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305/532-1525, www.mansionmiami.com

VMA nominees The Black Eyed Peas and John Legend will host this event, along with Linkin Park. Some unannounced performances are expected, and DJ AM will spin throughout the evening.

Privé

136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/531-5535, www.theopiumgroup.com

Viva la Bam! star Bam Margera will team up with former TRL host Carson Daly to throw this shindig.

Opium

136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/531-5535, www.theopiumgroup.com

Fresh off a series of odd commercials with Lee Iacocca for Chrysler, Snoop Dogg will be the man of the hour at this party. Snoop's "Drop It Like It's Hot" has earned two VMA nominations, for Video of the Year and Best Hip-hop Video.

Lyric Theater

819 N.W. Second Ave., Miami, 305/358-1146

Missy Elliott, who has snagged six VMA nominations for "Lose Control," will host this juke-joint-themed party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fat Joe and Jermaine Dupri are scheduled to attend.

Amika Night Club

1532 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305/534-1499, www.amikamiami.com

Reggae star Shaggy will co-host this City Link-sponsored event for Pure Records with actress Jill Marie Jones of UPN-TV's Girlfriends and actor-producer Bryce Wilson, who co-starred with Queen Latifah in Beauty Shop. R&B singer Natasha Watkins -- who goes by Na'sha and is the first artist signed to the South Florida-based label -- will perform. Doors will open at 10 p.m., with red carpet and celebrity appearances taking place from 11 p.m. to midnight. Invited celebrities include Cool and Dre, Fat Joe, Kevin Carter of the Miami Dolphins, model Tyson Beckford, singer Mario Winans and boxer Shannon Briggs (who has a fight at the Hard Rock Live the night before). Everyone's favorite lisping rapper, Biz Markie, will work the turntables.

Sunday

Mansion

1235 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 305/532-1525, www.mansionmiami.com

Some of Island/Def Jam's biggest artists -- Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, The Bravery and The Killers -- will host this party for the label.

Privé and Opium Garden

136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305/531-5535, www.theopiumgroup.com

Usher, who is nominated for Best Male Video ("Caught Up") and Best R&B Video ("My Boo"), is scheduled to attend this party.