Launch of Brian Antoni’s South Beach: The Novel brought out VIPs

South Beach novelist Brian Antoni hosted an evening soiree with his parents, Dr. Robert and Lynette Antoni, Bob and Janine Antoni, and publishing house Grove/Atlantic, to celebrate the publication of Antoni’s second book, South Beach: The Novel.

Miami’s top VIPs from the business, arts and entertainment world gathered at the 1920s Mediterranean mansion, owned by Antoni’s parents on Flamingo Drive. Guests includes songwriter Desmond Child; Miami Beach Developer Robert Wennett; Owners of Rubell Family Collection Don and Mera Rubell; Visual Artist Carlos Betancourt; Artist Janine Antoni; winner of the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and novelist Bob Antoni; Owner of Books & Books Mitchell Kaplan; Philanthropist Merle Weiss; Editor-in-Chief of Ocean Drive Magazine Glenn Albin; Miami Herald columnist Lesley Abravanel; Miami editor of Avenue Magazine Daisy Olivera; President/CEO of MTV Networks Latin America Pierluigi Gazzolo; Director of Public Affairs of MTV Networks Latin America Mario Cader-Frech; Owners of Kiss My Face Bob MacLeod and Steve Byckiewicz; designer Debbie Ohanian, Author’s Edwich Danticat, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera and Vicky Herdricks; Photographer Iran Issa-Khan and Socialite Alan Randolph.

Guests were greeted by Books & Books representatives who were selling copies of Antoni’s novel. While sipping margaritas made from Partida Tequila and cocktails by Alchemy Vodka around the poolside dock, guests enjoyed a fireworks display produced by artist Robert Chambers. Antoni’s sister and wellknown conceptual artist Janine Antoni, who won the MacArthur Genius Award, showcased video art of her walking on water, along with a showcase by Dara Friedman, artist and filmmaker, whose work has appeared in the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, who also screened a surreal movie shot at one of Brian Antoni’s parties 15 years ago, along with video art of early South Beach Art Deco design.