In a two-part exclusive, founding club kid, artist and promoter Michael Tronn tells us what South Beach was like before the Versace era, before letting us into the elite world of some of New York’s and Miami’s hottest clubs
Where did you grow up? In New York, across the street from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. How long have you lived in South Florida? I moved here in 1997, but I was visiting here since about 90’ or 91’. What was South Beach like then? My first trip was fairly spontaneous, and I knew nothing about South Beach except that it was a cool, secret spot for New Yorkers and fashion people. This was before Versace, before Lincoln Road—the place was virtually a ghost town. Back then, the Versace mansion was a run-down apartment building for seniors. Ocean Drive was lined with elderly people in plastic chairs sunning themselves with reflectors under their chins. The only things that were going on then were photo shoots and some very hedonistic nightclubs, such as Warsaw and Paragon. Why did you move here? I decided that if I could get a good job at one of five companies that I was interested in, then I would move permanently—and I did. Liquid hired me to be the new creative and marketing director, and I stayed in Miami from then on. What part of South Florida do you live in? When I’m in Miami, I live in South Beach.
ADVERTISMENT
What do you like most about living here? The ocean, the air, and the amazing memories that I have of South Beach’s heyday, such as the beginning of Wynwood. Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why? I don’t hang out at any one spot like I did in the past, but I find that Wynwood is the most interesting neighborhood. In some ways, Churchill’s is my favorite. What’s your claim-to-fame? I was one of the co-creators of the “Club Kid” scene in New York. That was in 1987. I also promoted and/or launched many notable clubs in New York such as Tunnel, The World, the Red Zone, Mars, The Saint, Studio 54, Roxy and MK. In Miami, I’m known as the director of Liquid, building and launching the Ice Palace Film Studios, launching Crobar and promoting ANTHEM Sundays there, opening the restaurants Rumi and Studio, and for having my own art space in Wynwood. How did you come up with your name? People think I made my last name up, but Tronn is an old Russian family name. Whose fashion look do you admire, and why? I much prefer style over designer clothes, and I always have. My favorite style idol is Iris Apfel. She’s 100 percent unique and real, and she dresses only for herself.
What’s your favorite place that you’ve lived? It’s a tie between Miami from 1991 to 2006—there was never anything as amazing as that, and I don’t think there ever will be again—and New York in the 70s and 80s. That period was New York’s golden age in so many ways. What New York venues do you miss that are gone? Palladium, The World, Area, Danceteria, Mother and Studio 54. What are your favorite events that you’ve produced in New York, and why? Well, I’ve produced over 1,000 events, but three New York events stand out: one, a hair-sculpture completion at Tunnel (we had salon tables in the basement… the creations were amazing). Two, the opening night of the “It” party at The World (I had the entire first floor done in tin foil as a tribute to The Factory, the entire stairwell—including the floor—was painted with the sky and clouds as a tribute to Magritte, the top floor was designed and decorated red as a tribute to Diana Vreeland, and I had mountain climbers rappel down the face of the building while the crowd waited for the doors to open). And, three, the opening Night of Crobar New York (the production was over-the-top, and we had 15,000 people).
What South Florida venues do you miss that are gone? Warsaw and Paragon. Warsaw is a heartbreaking loss. At least the site of the original Paragon became Level, and then Mansion [it closed in 2016]. But Paragon really is the best venue in Miami. What are your favorite events that you’ve produced in Miami, and why? Once again, there are three major standouts: the Grand Opening of Crobar, which was insane. I had a $70,000 budget, and I staged a car wreck out in front with live models—people still talk about it today. The “White Starz” party at The Coconut Grove Convention Center, where I not only transformed the entire space, but I had Yoko Ono perform in between the sets of Junior Vasquez and Tony Moran. And “GUIDO” on Fridays at Liquid, which was in the VIP lounge. We had immersive themes there each week, such as a “Bollywood” wedding, and it became the place for major fashion launches.
Stay tuned for PART 2 next week…
hello!,I like your writing very much! share we communicate more about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
In this grand scheme of things you’ll secure an A with regard to effort. Where exactly you lost us ended up being in all the details. You know, people say, the devil is in the details… And that couldn’t be much more accurate here. Having said that, permit me inform you just what exactly did do the job. Your authoring is actually rather persuasive and that is probably the reason why I am taking an effort in order to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Second, despite the fact that I can easily notice a jumps in reason you come up with, I am not necessarily certain of how you appear to unite the points which in turn help to make the actual final result. For now I shall yield to your issue but trust in the foreseeable future you actually link the dots much better.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again
I have seen loads of useful things on your web site about pcs. However, I have got the thoughts and opinions that laptop computers are still not quite powerful sufficiently to be a good selection if you often do things that require a lot of power, for instance video croping and editing. But for website surfing, word processing, and most other typical computer work they are okay, provided you don’t mind your little friend screen size. Many thanks sharing your opinions.
I am glad for commenting to let you be aware of what a amazing discovery my cousin’s daughter developed reading your web page. She mastered lots of issues, including how it is like to have a very effective coaching mood to have many people with ease comprehend a variety of hard to do matters. You truly did more than her desires. I appreciate you for rendering those warm and helpful, dependable, revealing and in addition cool tips on your topic to Kate.
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness for your submit is just great and that i could assume you’re a professional on this subject. Well along with your permission let me to take hold of your feed to stay updated with coming near near post. Thank you one million and please keep up the rewarding work.
I keep listening to the news update lecture about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i find some?
Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
I have noticed that in old digital cameras, extraordinary receptors help to aim automatically. The actual sensors with some camcorders change in contrast, while others employ a beam with infra-red (IR) light, particularly in low light. Higher specs cameras often use a mixture of both programs and may have Face Priority AF where the video camera can ‘See’ some sort of face while keeping your focus only upon that. Thanks for sharing your notions on this site.
Howdy are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!