Nick D’Annunzio and Brian Antoni’s “Totally 80s” birthday bash at Viceroy’s Club 50 last Friday night was, simply put, the most fun party we’ve been to all summer, maybe all year. We could even exaggerate a bit and say it was the biggest blast we’ve had in almost two decades. Perhaps it was the 80s theme, reminiscent of a time when life was less complicated, before flat-irons and Facebook, Blackberries and Botox, texting and Twitter. A time when the humidity made for a “good” hair day, being that “big hair” was in, every song on the radio or cassette was totally awesome, the ideal outfit consisted of pretty much anything you could find and throw together, people actually danced at parties and even talked to each other on occasion, and South Beach was a quiet, retirement community. Or maybe we were just a bit (quite a bit) younger. The party’s success could also be due to the fact that business and life partners, Nick D’Annunzio and Queen of the Night, Tara Solomon, Principal of Tara, Ink., know a thing or two about throwing a party. The guest list consisted of over 1,000 of Miami’s most influential VIPs, socialites and hipsters, many of whom dressed for the occasion, just adding to the hilarity and excitement, who danced all night- on the floor, on the tables, on the couches…well you get the idea, to excellent music by master DJs, Sean Drake and Johnny the Boy.   Solomon, who barely stopped dancing for a second, commented:

“How can you not have fun dancing to Madonna and Duran Duran, 50 floors high at the gorgeous Viceroy in honor of two of Miami Beach’s most popular guys? Every one was dancing like crazy — it was like a party scene from “True Blood.” Nick’s birthday parties are always a highlight of the summer but this one really took the cake — Rubik’s cube-themed, of course. I loved playing dress-up, but won’t miss the ’80s hair; I looked like I had a bad perm!”

The cake to which she’s referring was a one-foot by one-foot double chocolate Rubik’s cube cake glittered with sparklers created by Yummy Cakes and More. After the brief pause for the singing of “Happy Birthday,” the party escalated, with the appearances of the “King of Pop himself, “Michael Jackson” and Daisy Deadpetals as “Madonna,” who danced and moon-walked across the dance floor, dancing with guests. This is one party where the photos just don’t do justice. The birthday boy, Nick D’Annunzio, explains, “I love my birthday because it’s always a fun thing to do in Miami in August and the love from my friends and their generous donations to Make-a-Wish (which D’Annunzio asked for in lieu of presents) makes it even more special each year. This year I think I started a new tradition with an 80s theme. It was too much fun to not repeat. “We agree, wishing we could relive the night over and over, despite our aching feet and required emergency doses of Geritol!

Notable guests embracing their inner (and outer) 80s child, wearing everything from the brightest of neon to shoulder pads and jellies; leg warmers to fingerless gloves and track suits: Dania Ramirez of NBC’s “Heroes;” Eric Mier of E!’s “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami;” renowned author, Dr. Robert Antoni and wife, Lynette Antoni; Merle and Danny Weiss; celebrity attorney Bradford Cohen; NBC “Today Show” reporter Michelle Kosinski; NYC socialite Tracy Stern; filmmaker Alfred Spellman; singer/songwriter Jamie Jo Harris; swim designer Luli Hanimian; restaurateur Ken Lyon; Luca Luca CEO Amir Amir; jewelry designer Daniella Swaebe; Jose Ortiz; interior designer Lily Zanardi; architect Chad Oppenheim; interior designer Sam Robin; developer Robert Wennet; construction mogul Tom Bendt; photographer Iran Issa Kahn; socialites Alfredo Beracasa, Marisa Toccin, Ferne Toccin, Vivianne Kurzweil, Dana Shear, Alison and Mark Zhuk and Dr. Sanford and Dolores Ziff, to name a few.

Coming Up:

The Setai welcomes Au79 Jewelry for the launch of the Opportunist Collection August 13, as part of the weekly Serenity Thursdays party. Guests can enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers courtesy of Ice St. Tropez, Xante and The Restaurant at The Setai from 9:00-10:00 p.m. along with the unveiling of the custom Au79 inspired-Lamborghini presented by Prestige Imports Miami. A unique fashion show, featuring body-painted models will take place at 10:30 RSVP:  chrissy@thegoldshovel.com.

RA Sushi in South Miami’s one year anniversary party will take place next Thursday, August 20, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. The theme for the restaurant’s special celebration is a “Mad Hatter’s Sake-Tea-Ni Party” complete with themed food and cocktails, dance beats by DJ Johnny the Boy and local celebrity drag queen Daisy Deadpetals reigning as the night’s “Queen of Hearts!” The party will boast everything from wild and crazy hats worn by staff, to a “Pin the Grin” on the Cheshire Cat game, flavored hookahs, and themed décor throughout.  Specially priced rolls and cocktails will be available throughout the night, with $ 2.00 from the purchase of each menu item going to The Wellness Community of Greater Miami. A crazy hat contest will give Sake-Tea-Ni party-goers the chance to win a $100 RA Sushi gift certificate. In honor of the highly-anticipated Miami Dolphins football season, RA presents the Fins roll, from Aug. 17, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010, starting with the Dolphins first preseason game at home. The “Fins Roll” – an eight-piece spicy lobster roll topped with fresh salmon and avocado, drizzled with a spicy mayo sauce ($12.00) is designed to resemble the colors of the team’s uniform and logo. Dol-fans can bring in their same-day game ticket stub for $2.00 off the roll all season long.

Sizzling Summer Steal:

During the months of August and September, including weekends,  Red,The Steakhouse will offer a three-course, prix fixe dinner menu featuring tantalizing signature dishes created by Executive Chef Peter Vauthy for $35 (excluding tax and gratuity).  Guests at Red are invited to combine the Miami Spice menu with other weekly specials at the restaurant. Every Wednesday, all bottles of wine on Red’s extensive wine list under $100 are half priced and every Tuesday through Friday, from 5pm to 8pm, guests can indulge in Red’s Happy Hour featuring 2-for-1 delicious handcrafted signature cocktails created by the restaurant’s in-house mixologist.

Celebrity Sightings:

Rapper, T-Pain, hosted the unveiling of the Dolphin Cheerleaders’ calendar at Casa Casuarina on Friday night. Ving Rhames partied at LIV, also on Friday. Supermodel, Cindy Taylor, champion boxer, Nate Campbell, actress, Gabrielle Anwar, Grammy award-winning musicians, Gloria Estefan and Nestor Torres, Academy Award winning actor, Louis Gossett Jr., and actor/producer, Steven Bauer, attended the wrap party for Work of Genius, a new reality series, at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel on Saturday.  Drew Rosenhaus, renowned NFL sports agent, owner of Miami-based Rosenhaus Sports and muse for Tom Cruise’s character in Jerry McGuire participated in Equinox South Beach’s cycling classes on Tuesday.