Here is a list of the best parties throughout the weekend.
During the first week of December, for the last 10 years, the contemporary art world descends upon Miami for what can only be described as a 24/7 feeding and drinking frenzy. Art Basel Miami is a four-day event at the Miami Beach Convention Center, opening to the public on 1st December. It brings together 260 leading galleries from all corners of the world, who will show works by more than 2,000 artists. Art Basil Miami always produces the best parties beyond the scope of any of the other American Art fairs. Art aficionados join forces with the VIP opening of the fair today, but what will they be doing for cocktails tonight? Whether anyone has the energy left to trek to the over-kill abundance of private collector spaces, museum shows, artists’ studios, local galleries, pop-up stores, temporary exhibition spaces and other art events, remains to be seen.But hey that’s what were all here for, right?
Wednesday, Dec. 1
• ABMB early birds convene at the Rubell Collection for the first morning of Jennifer Rubell’s annual breakfast installation featuring a yogurt and honey piece called “Incubation.”
Open to the public. Free.
• Van Cleef & Arpels hopes to lure Baselites north to Opa-Locka Airport, where a Wolfsonian gala includes performances by Vanessa Beecroft and Nick Cave.
Invitation only.
• The Miami home of A-Rod plays host to a new installation by Nate Lowman and a resulting party.
Invitation only.
• Following a dinner hosted by MOCA Los Angeles and the Kingdom of Morocco, Jeffrey Deitch brings back his long-running beach party behind the Raleigh, this year with music by Soulwax and alter-ego 2manydjs.
Invitation only.
• The Swiss Institute commandeers the divey Mac’s Club Deuce on 14th between Washington and Collins to celebrate Harmony Korine and Rita Ackermann’s book collaboration.
Invitation only.
• Paris Paris Cabaret opens under the Shelborne hotel — a Le Baron franchise now offering karaoke as an after-hours option.
Invitation only.
Thursday, Dec. 1
• NADA returns to the Deauville and opens to the public at 2 p.m. The selection of younger but still legit galleries promises surprises — like Night Gallery’s back room run out of a hotel room upholstered in black velvet.
Open to the public. Free.
• OHWOW‘s annual “This Ain’t Fair” exhibit opens in the Design District (81 NE 40th Street), with a special performance by Michael David Quattlebaum Jr.
Open to the public. Free.
• Art Basel has commissioned Performa, the performance art biennial, to curate a spectacular evening celebrating 10 years of ABMB. More than 1,000 A-list guests are safeguarding the secret location.
Invitation only.
• Interview Magazine and the Andy Warhol Museum host a sneak peek of the never-seen Warhol film “San Diego Surf,” followed by Interview’s annual party, at the Standard Spa.
Invitation only.
• James Franco touches down at the Mondrian for a party following a screening of “Caput,” the new Harmony Korine film he headlines.
• Erin Wasson and T’s Todd Selby host the Alchemist Garage Party (1111 Lincoln Road), featuring video art by Paris Kain and music by Jesse Jo Stark, NVM and Krisp.
Invitation only.
Friday, Dec. 2
• “LIKEARTBASEL,” a group show curated by the Internet personality Ryder Ripps, opens at Workshop Collective (171 NW 23rd Street) at 6 p.m., presenting works by young, tech-friendly artists like Petra Cortwright and Rafael Rozdendaal.
Open to the public. Free.
• At 9 p.m., BYOB (Bring Your Own Beamers) at Mamushka’s Midtown (31 NW 36th Street) hosts a similar set for a night of video art beamed from borrowed projectors and organized by Daniel Leyva and Katrina Toimill.
Open to the public. Free.
• The Nick Cave party at Fendi Casa presented with Beats by Dre promises a surprise, Miami-caliber musical guest.
Invitation only.
• The Visionaire party, grande dame of ABMB nightlife, moves to The Delano this year.
Invitation only.
Saturday, Dec. 3
• The Taplin’s annual Art Basel brunch at the Sagamore serves up much needed mimosas to legions of exhausted collectors and dealers.
Invitation only.
• The artist Naomi Fisher will perform during brunch at Villa Vizcaya, James Deering’s 1916 Italian Renaissance-style estate in Coconut Grove.
Invitation only.
• MoMA PS1 celebrates the artists Ryan Trecartin and Lizzie Fitch at the Mondrian, over sunset cocktails and a Kim Kardashian lookalike contest by Dis Magazine.
Invitation only.
• Ghe20 Goth1k and D.J. friends (Total Freedom, Yentech, Physical Therapy and Trecartin) host an all-night rave at Grand Central in downtown Miami (697 North Miami Avenue).
Go to grandcentralmiami.com.
Sunday, Dec. 4
• The Misshapes wind things down at the Standard Spa for Le Baron’s “Lazy Sunday” barbecue.
Invitation only.
• Kehinde Wiley implores those still hanging on to meet at the Shore Club for his annual fish fry.
Invitation only.