Trouble Sizzles in Miami’s Paradise

Circuit party showdown

by j. brotherlove

So much attention was on Imus last week I forgot to comment about Ryan Lee’s “Competing Memorial Day weekend events spark conflict” article in SoVo. On one side, there’s Dwight Powell, publisher of Clik Magazine and organizer of Sizzle. On the other side, Paradise, organized by a group of Atlanta promoters, will also be competing for black gay dollars in Miami that weekend.

Powell is up in arms over the Paradise events planned by Atlanta promoters Reggie Thomas, Ed Givens and Maxine Blue; even throwing around the race card regarding the inclusion of Miami club owner Art Mann who is white. Detractors dismiss Powell’s accusations as “ridiculous”, claiming he is self-serving.

In emails, Powell accuses Paradise organizers of “trying to destroy what I have worked for and built for the past five years.” There are numerous warnings addressing the competing parties on the Sizzle website including a strongly worded notice and reminders that “VIP Cards From Our Groups Ate Not Honored” [translation: VIP cards from other groups are not honored].

Reggie Thomas views things differently: “You still have 2,000-3,000 people standing outside of [‘Sizzle’] parties, and why not give them somewhere to go?” If that’s true, then it makes sense to me to give the crowd more options. So why can’t everyone join together to make a bigger, better event? The last paragraph of the article offers one unsurprising clue:

“Powell responded that he has not attempted to incorporate other party promoters into “Sizzle” “for business reasons.”

Sounds like old-fashioned greed to me. Granted there’s nothing unique or expressly wrong with businesses trying to turn a profit. However, organizers of these black, gay events should be cautious of professing how they are serving our community (one reason I bowed out of the San Juan Brothas organization after the first year).

Club and party promotion has always been a messy business. Unless promoters begin to deliver a unique experience there will be continue to be an increase in competition. After all, it’s not terribly difficult to rent out a few clubs, round up some strippers and host hip hop parties all weekend.

I love that you cover stories like this and do it so well. I have nothing useful to add to the discussion, just saying thanks for your voice.

So basically Mr. Powell would rather have folks pack into one hot club instead of having options? We barely have enough places to go on the regular so now when I’m ON VACATION I shouldn’t have any either?

Is he Lex Luther?

Mr. Powell seems to have amnesia. After all, he chose to have his event on the same weekend as the most popular and well attended pride at the time. Any anyone can tell you that now that there is his weekend and the San Juan trip, things in DC haven’t been the same. Not sure if this point supports his claim or not, but it does illustrate how what goes around comes around!

great story.

well im waiting for someone to say it.

clik is a terrible publication with bad writers, bad editors, bad stories, bad everything, bad boss.

its like Noah’s Arc as a magazine.

Maybe I’m just too pragmatic but business is business right? If there are 2000 people standing around waiting for a good time, it stands to reason someone is going to want to cash in on that. Maybe I’m also being naive and am just not aware of personal history between the parties involved, but why does Mr. Powell automatically have to feel like it’s a personal, vindictive thing? He needs to stop flinging accusations around and just focus on providing the best entertainment around. The rest will take care of itself. But then, again, maybe I’m just being overly naive.

I am a virgin in more ways than one. All said and done with, I have never been to one of these events. I am finding it interesting just reading about them and all the politics behind the parties/celebrations.

I wasn’t going to respond here, but felt compelled to. As a former employee of Reggie at Tower II, I know for a fact that Reggie has never been to Sizzle. As a person that has been to Sizzle 3 times, I know for a fact that there are no crowds outside of the clubs. All venues are big enough for the crowds each year. As the events gets bigger, so do the clubs they use each year. Anyone that has been to Sizzle can tell you guys that. As I said, I and most of Atlanta are going or have been to Sizzle, and probably all would tell you that it is the most organized and well planned event. Maybe Reggie and those other promoters should finally go to Sizzle and learn. I don’t know about the magazine you guys speak of, but the event is off the hook. Also, about those notices on the Sizzle website, those have been there and in their program bookets since 2005. This is not a new notice. I just check the copies I have

I read this blog often and it seems as if you guys really hate Mr. Powell. You nor the writer of the article probably bothered to do any fact checking on this story.

As a reader and a fan of your blog, you might want to let us in on whether there are personal issues with you and Mr. Powell. I have read your comments about him in past posts. A you really don’t seem to be a fan of his.

Mr Big…you’ve been to Sizzle 3 times and you’ve never heard of CLIK Magazine? What were YOU doin? LOL I’m sure your “Mr. Powell” and his marketing team would not be happy to hear that!

Great story….I have been to Sizzle just about every year since it’s inception. And in my opinion, competition for Sizzle can only be good thing to ring in Dwight Powell and his greedy ways.

Have you seen the cover charges published for Sizzle 2008 on their website? How can you NOT think greed? Think about the clubs in your city; ATL, NYC, DC, Detroit and how much you pay to get in? I was floored and felt kind of sorry for those visiting our fine city.

For a visitor to come here, dish out for a hotel room, rental car, food, misc. spending money, then to spend on clubs and alcohol…if you bought the VIP card you are fine, but if not, good luck not breaking your bank account.

The clubs Dwight has rented out are straight clubs on regular nights and are known for their high drink prices, which is not going to change for the Sizzle event held that night.

I encourage Paradise and other events during Sizzle weekend. Give patrons options, YES!, we are in a recession. Competition is good for all parties involved, better venues, decent cover charge, etc.

Competition is also good, which I think Dwight has forgot about, for those guys and girls looking to have a good time in Miami, Memorial Day weekend.

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