LEVEL 54

When Gerry Kelly threw his first Level 54 party to celebrate the heyday of the now infamous New York disco Studio 54, it was a high-profile birthday party for himself in early June that turned into a public and media spectacle. Given his stature as the couturier-turned-grand master of South Beach nightlife, Kelly put a lot of pressure on himself to pull off such an over-the-top event once, much less twice. After all, what could top Sarah Brightman in a white ball gown atop giant stilts -- the most stunning moment of Level 54 #1.

But now, Kelly has returned with another triumph -- Level 54 #2, held Thursday, October 5, in the vast, 44,000-square-foot Art Deco palace. As is the historical custom for one of Kelly's major parties, virtually everyone in town showed up, in this instance to time-travel back to the outrageous fashion and musical statements of the late 70's disco era. 
Sponsored by Tequiza and produced by Level's brilliant musical director, Maxwell Blandford, Level 54 #2 once again set a standard for drama and excellence that are almost impossible to equal for theatrical value. And for the record, Kelly and Blandford took a good run at topping Sarah Brightman -- with a spirited and much-appreciated live performance by disco diva Thelma Houston.

"Gerry Kelly is a genius," said Fashion Times publisher Tim Clark after the performance. "Nobody else in South Beach could throw a party like this."

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