July 23, 2018July 23, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

MICHAEL GONGORA

As one of the few native Flordians—who was also the first openly-gay commission in Miami Beach, and the first openly-gay Hispanic elected into office in the entire state—Commissioner Michael Gongora has seen many things come and go in Miami Dade over the years, not the least of which were the legendary Versace-era clubs of the 1990s.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Coral Gables, but I grew up in Miami. I moved to Miami Beach in 1992 right after Hurricane Andrew. How long have you lived in South Florida? I’ve lived here my whole life except for high school, when I lived in St. Pete. Where do you live now? In Miami Beach. What do you like most about living here? I like the weather, the great mix of people, and all of the special events that are here. It also helps that most of my friends and family live here, too. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? Warsaw will always be magical in my memories. I miss many of the classic Lincoln Road venues including bars—Score and MOVA; also, 721, if you count Lincoln Lane—the Lincoln Road Art Center, and many unique, small businesses such as Pink Palm, Fly Boutique and Lupa di Roma. Where do you hang out in South Florida? I hang out mostly in Miami Beach. I still spend time on Lincoln Road. I also enjoy the Sunset Harbour Shops, a lot of the restaurants in North Beach—especially Prima Pasta and George’s Italian—and O Cinema.

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What place is a hidden gem in Miami Beach? The happy hour at Doraku on Lincoln Road is an amazingly good deal. I’m surprised that more people don’t take advantage of it. What was the best event that you went to in South Florida? If we’re talking “ever,” then this is a tough one. The White Party at Vizcaya in the 1990s was for sure one of the best events. Back then everybody used to get dressed up, and the best way to arrive was by yacht. Many celebs attended, including Madonna. You could also spot her dancing at Warsaw back then, too! My 24^th surprise birthday party at Amnesia in the VIP room was pretty special, too, and a great memory. Which award are you proudest of? I’ve been fortunate to receive many distinctions over the years, but two stand out. In 2013, the three premier Latin organizations—the Miami Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and CAMACOL—collectively gave me the “Hispanic Leader of the Year” award. And in 2014, I was selected by popular vote at the Pink Flamingo Awards as the first ever “Favorite Local Hero.”

Besides the office that you hold now, what’s you dream job? My dream job would be to communicate and educate through television, or other media, on a variety of topics such as law, politics, social issues and more. A talk show, of sorts. Which one of your old jobs most prepared you for what you do now? In college, I pursued acting and was fortunate to land a national TV commercial for Subway. The experience of auditioning for so many different types of things honed my confidence in public speaking on a wide variety of topics. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as a good son, a supportive friend, and someone who gave back to the community. I live to make a difference for myself and others. Will you ever retire? I doubt it, although I do fantasize about it. What’s the weirdest question that a “fan” has asked you? I’m not sure that I have fans, but I do have followers on Facebook! One of the oddest requests from someone that I’ve never met in person was to come by their apartment for ice cream. What celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? Probably Joe Manganiello, because I found him so good looking. Also, Lady Gaga. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Facebook.

What’s the best place that you’ve visited? The Amalfi Coast in Italy and the isle of Capri. They’re breathtakingly beautiful, the food is delicious there, and I love Italians. What’s the last thing that you watched on TV? Big Little Lies on HBO. I’m catching up before Season 2 comes out. What’s the craziest thing that you ever did? Personally, probably flying out to Rhode Island when I was in college with very little money, no credit cards, no cell phone—they didn’t exist then—and hoping someone I barely knew would be there to pick me at the airport. It somehow all worked out. Politically, filing to run at the very last moment for state senator in 2016 in an un-winnable election. What’s your favorite book? I have many. Back in 1997, I really loved Memoirs of a Geisha. More recently, I enjoyed Gone Girl. I also loved The Southern Vampire Mysteries—I read them all. What’s the best concert that you ever went to? Every Madonna concert has been amazing, but I will never forget the first one, The Virgin Tour, because I was so excited to see her. I’m also a big fan of Whitney Houston, and I went to see The Bodyguard World Tour twice. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? To fully fund my 401(k). What did you learn from your parents? The value of being loved unconditionally.

GONGORA WITH HIS MOTHER IN THE WHITE HOUSE

What public figure do you respect? Oprah Winfrey. She’s a completely self-made billionaire who impacted so many people’s lives for the better through her television show and financial generosity. What’s your best characteristic? Loyalty. How do you enjoy spending your time? Surrounded by people I love, or, if alone, getting a deep-tissue massage. What celebrity do you have a crush on? Channing Tatum and just about every actor in the Magic Mike cast. Who do you admire? My grandparents for having the courage to leave Cuba and leave everything behind to start over again from scratch in their 40s in a country where they didn’t speak the language. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? My grandmother. I miss her every day. Where would you go in a time machine? To the French court under Louis XIV. I’d also like to be able to time travel to the 1970s disco era and visit Studio 54 and all the other hotspots of that era. What would your last meal be? A zarzuela de mariscos with lobster and shrimp, a bottle of a good-quality Falanghina wine, and a chocolate soufflé for dessert. What do you worry about? Not being able to maintain my current lifestyle financially. It gets me out of bed every morning.

What are you afraid of? Illness. I’m not so afraid of death, but living with poor quality of life petrifies me. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A flute. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Who depends on you, and for what? My parents, and for emotional support. Who are you closest with? My parents, and my tight-knit circle of close friends. They know who they are. What would your autobiography be called? Prisoner in the VIP. What music do you listen to when you’re upset? Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston—they’re both amazing vocalists. What’s on your bucket list? An African safari, and a trip to Southeast Asia, especially Thailand. What’s your greatest regret in life? Not getting in on the real-estate market before it exploded. What’s something that you never told anyone else? If I told you, I would have to kill you. Where can we see you? Everywhere. At Miami Beach commission meetings, on Facebook, through my email blasts, at a concert, or walking down Lincoln Road!

December 25, 2017April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

MICHAEL TRONN – PART 1

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.

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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…

October 23, 2017April 1, 2018 MIKE JEKNAVORIAN Local Interviews

CITIZEN JANE

A “305er” for life, DJ Citizen Jane talks about what’s hot in South Florida, the lessons she learned from her mother, and who she’d like to raise from the dead

Where did you grow up? I was born in Miami Beach, but I grew up in Dade County’s finest—Hialeah. Then I moved to Coral Gables, and I lived there for the most part. How long have you lived in South Florida? I’ve lived in South Florida my whole life. I’m one of the few that was born and raised in South Florida, and I still live here. I guess you can say that I’ll be “305” till’ I die. What part of South Florida do you live in? I currently live in Miami, of course. Right near the beach! What do you like most about living here? Aside from it being my hometown—which I’m very proud of—I love the warm weather, the beaches, the women (Miami has the most beautiful women) and being near my family. My family is so important to me. What South Florida venue do you miss that’s gone? Tobacco Road. I performed there a few times when I was singing with my band. Plus, it was such a cool hangout full of musicians and all walks-of-life. Where do you hang out in South Florida, and why? I love Wynwood because it’s a great spot for bar hopping and art galleries. I also love having lunch or dinner on Lincoln Road. It’s a great place to people watch. What DJ or musician do you admire? Lady Gaga, for being her true self, taking risks with her music and for being so unique. And Madonna for always expressing herself and not caring about how people perceive her.

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