As Copa Room’s entertainment director Tatiana Stewart hurries through the crowd on her way backstage, we compliment her on the polished intensity of tonight’s performance and query her about the effort it took for her performers to achieve the level of energy and finesse we’re seeing. She flashes a big smile, snaps a selfi of us together, then hustles off to more pressing business. Later she tells us about the arduous process of talent auditions, selection and rehearsals which culminated in tonight’s performance. Tatiana, who also owns Aura Entertainment, tells us …

“I had an idea of a team in my head based off of talent I had worked with previously. I auditioned every person that is on the team to give [owner Shawn Shahnazi] an example of their independent talent. Ultimately, he entrusted me with the ability to hand pick the group of talented professionals at Copa. [We] didn’t receive the green light to begin rehearsing until within a month of our preview opening… obviously, that presented a lot of stress and challenges amongst the team to deliver what we felt would be a suitable performance to our audience. [The] Copa Family came together rehearsing 5-6 days a week into the wee hours of the night throughout the holiday season.”

Asked if producing a show on the scale of Copa Room is worth all the hard work she and her team put into it, Tatiana says …

“Being able to wake up and live your passion everyday is a gift both myself and the performers don’t take for granted.”

Moments later the curtain opens and headliner Lexa Paige takes the stage flanked by four shirtless males as they launch into Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” silhouetted by Copa’s giant LED screen. Before the night is over, Lexa will also work her way through Madonna’s “Vogue” and “Express Yourself,” along with J-Lo’s “On the floor.” Busy night for a sexy 26 year-old who’s been dancing all her life. As Lexa puts it…

“I love being in the spotlight, I always have ever since I was a child… the feeling that takes over me when I’m performing for a crowd. In that moment, I step away from who I am and become whoever I want to be on stage… I believe it was something I was put here to do… I feel most alive when I have a chance to perform.”

Lexa’s enthusiasm for the stage is well-founded, especially for this particular stage here at Copa Room since it’s one of the most famous nightlife venues in all of Miami.

Copa Room’s 1235 Washington Avenue location was originally built as the French Casino supperclub, a luxurious theater-restaurant based on Clifford Fischer’s Les Ambassadeurs in Paris, along with its sister clubs in New York, Chicago and London. It opened on January 22, 1936 when the extravagant French inspired Folies Parisienne Revue relocated from the New York club down to Miami Beach for the winter season.

After closing on November 22, 1937, the French Casino morphed into the Cinema Casino movie theater as part of the Paramount Theaters chain, and after a stint as a combination movie house and live Yiddish Theater venue in the 1970s, it re-entered the nightlife arena as Club Z in the early 1980’s.

During South Beach’s Miami Vice years it was a series of dance clubs including Prince’s Glam Slam and the uber-flamboyant Paragon, a gay club often frequented by South Beach resident Gianni Versace. The late 1990s belonged to Gerry Kelly’s Level nightclub up until 2004 when it became Mansion, then finally Icon.

But, now it belongs to Copa Room owner Shawn Shahnazi who intends to market South Beach’s flash & glam to each and every one of the 15.5 million tourists that pass through Miami every year. Approximately half of those visitors come from South America, which is why Time magazine recently christened Miami “the Capital of Latin America,” a title which helps to explain why Miami hotels are able to charge the highest room rates in the United States, fifth highest in the world, as of 2015.

Opening up a non-VIP, non-DJ-driven club in Miami is a big gamble, but Shahnazi, who also operates Prohibition Restaurant & Speakeasy in Wynwood, is taking a fresh approach to nightlife with a venue that focuses on visual entertainment. Performances occur every half-hour, either on the main stage or as vignettes on the center stage with characters such as Beetlejuice, Charlie Chaplin and Chewbacca (accompanied by two seriously sexy Stormtroopers). Between stage shows, four aerialists do their thing high above the dance floor, while Copa’s voluptuous bartenders strut their stuff, often arm-in-arm with patrons. It’s actually a helluva show … especially after your third cocktail.

I asked owner Shawn Shahnazi how he feels tourists will respond to Copa Room …

I think they will be ecstatic. This is probably the only place in Miami they can afford in South Beach and it’s the only place in they can go in hassle-free. If they have shorts on, t-shirts, flip flops or a suit, you don’t have to worry about a bouncer being nitpicky at the door. They will actually get the Miami nightlife experience… they come from all around the world and expect the megaclub with the sound system, light system, beautiful people and you get to experience all of that in one venue. Everyone will be able to go in and have a great experience.

With a total of approximately 51,000 hotel rooms available nightly in Miami, I was also curious if the hotels had been receptive his plans for Copa Room, to which he replied …

They have actually been pretty receptive. They’re a pretty big part of our promotion. We’re lining up about 90 hotels to sell tickets inside the locations. Nobody has said “we don’t want to be a part of it.” They’re actually excited to join in. Not just because of the financial benefits, but they like the fact that they can tell guests to go somewhere and they’re guaranteed to get in. They don’t have to worry about guests coming back to them and saying “you sent me somewhere I couldn’t even get in to” or “they tried charging me a thousand bucks!”

They also like that we’re giving them an avenue of having a special concierge guest entrance. We will serve as an extended amenity to the hotels and their guests will be well taken care of. It’s going to be a long-term relationship and we will ensure their guests have a Trip Advisor-proof, hassle-free experience.

But, booty-shaking bartenders and flashy stage productions aren’t the only thing unique about this new club. Copa Room Show & Nightclub is an “All Inclusive Entertainment Complex” where guests pay a flat fee (currently $100, $80 for Florida residents) and enjoy Las Vegas style performances along with a premium open bar all night long. The massive club’s six well-staffed bar areas ensure drinks keep coming your way without hesitation. (We checked)

Copa Room’s CLUB LEVEL admission (currently $300) is billed as the club’s Super Premium product and entitles guests to special access through a separate entrance to avoid lines, personal attention from servers, premium seating in the upper CLUB LEVEL area with a prime view of the show, and ULTRA PREMIUM open bar until 4:00 am.

With a Grand Opening scheduled for January 27th, 2017, it is now Copa Room’s turn to make its mark on Miami’s clubland history, and if tonight is any indication, I’m expecting great things from this flashy nightlife newcomer. Copa Room Show & Nightclub is highly recommended.

Copa Room Show & Nightclub
1235 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Doors Open at 10pm, Shows Begin at 11pm
Open Bar All Night 10pm-4am

270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL
A perfectly grown up alternative to the techno scene, Lilt Bar & Lounge offers an oasis of calm in the heart of Downtown Miami Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6pm to 2am. Stop in for an after-work cocktail, a pre-dinner drink or a cozy nightcap and enjoy a curated cocktail menu plus small plates to share with friends. For fans of Miami’s tight-knit music scene, the bar offers live performances Tuesday and Wednesday after 9pm and Thursday through Saturday after 10pm.

2 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL
South Florida celebrates sun, sand and sparkling surf while this remarkable speakeasy brings live music to a quirky cellar space in Downtown Miami. Start the evening in the upstairs piano lounge enjoying drinks and bar bites until around 10pm when the Jazz gets going on the lower level. A $10 cover charge affords you an opportunity to enjoy some of the city’s most talented musicians who jam until the wee hours in Le Chat Noir’s romantic, candle-lit hideaway.

3425 NE Second Avenue, Miami, FL
A lagniappe is a small, unexpected gift bestowed upon a customer as a show of good grace. In Miami, that good grace is defined by Lagniappe, a New Orleans style music club serving wine, charcuterie and entrees from the garden grill Sunday through Thursday 7pm – 2am and Friday and Saturday until 3am. Before your visit, check out the club’s online music schedule to find a roster of Gypsy Jazz, Hipster Funk and even Folk Bluegrass bands who kick off their jam nightly at 9pm.

1513 SW Eighth Street, Miami, FL
A hip nightspot on Miami’s Calle Ocho, Ball & Chain has a storied history dating back to the 1930s where jazz greats like Billie Holiday and Count Basie once graced the stage. These days, you’re likely to find friends and families swaying under the stars enjoying live musical performances on the Pineapple Stage or gathering around wooden tables laden with Cuban-style tapas and strong drinks. Check the bar’s website for details about Ladies Night, Happy Hour, Karaoke, Salsa Classes and Live Bands.

2007 SW Eighth Street, Miami, FL
An Art Gallery, Wine Bar and Coffee Shop in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana, Habana 305 offers indoor and outdoor seating, live music, tasty tapas and a hip young crowd. Supporting the vibrant Cuban music scene, the venue mixes live performance with top DJs to keep the energy level high Thursday through Sunday nights until 3am. Wednesday nights are Brazilian Nights when Ladies drink free. Stop in for Happy Hour with house wine by the glass priced at two-for-one and mimosas & bellinis just $4.

2325 Galliano Street, Coral Gables, FL
Enjoy live Jazz Mondays at the Open Stage Club where the Miami Jazz Cooperative will knock your socks off with their decidedly world class sound. Offering a full liquor bar, a talented kitchen staff and friendly service, the club hosts a two-for-one Happy Hour, Karaoke Night, Comedy Shows and more seven lively nights a week. Follow them on Twitter or visit the online events calendar where Ladies Night Thursdays and Dance Party Fridays just might lure you out of the house more often! $10 cover Mondays.

5556 NE Fourth Court, Miami, FL
One of the city’s most appealing dining spaces, Soyka sits at the edge of Miami’s Design District and offers good food, classic cocktails and excellent company seven nights a week. Under the watchful eye of Mark Soyka, a Miami restaurateur with deep roots in the musical community, the restaurant features live performances Friday and Saturday nights that encompass Brazilian Jazz, Gypsy Funk, Cuban Ritmos and fine vocal performances. Check the website for details. No cover, no minimum.

1035 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL
Tucked away in Miami’s Park West District, The Corner brings new life to the nightclub scene Sundays through Thursdays until 5am and Fridays and Saturdays until 8am. Stop in for live Jazz Tuesdays plus a full bar and kitchen service for hungry nightowls who enjoy hearty sandwiches, soups and salads plus clever bar snacks like Deviled Eggs and Tapas to pair with a variety of craft beers, wine and cocktail creations. Happy Hour weeknights from 4-8pm features $3 beer & Chicago Hot Dogs. No cover charge.

174 East Flagler Street, Miami, FL
A landmark playhouse dating back to Miami’s very beginnings, the Olympia has hosted live performances from Ella Fitzgerald to Elvis since 1926! Crafted in Mediterranean Revival style, the carefully preserved auditorium is part of the National Registry of Historic Spaces. Wednesday nights in the Lobby Lounge, enjoy cocktails, tours of the theater and FREE performances by comedians, spoken word artists or live Jazz bands who fill the night with music. See the website for details. Doors open at 6pm.

5501 Northeast Second Avenue, Miami, FL
Downmarket and dirty, Churchill’s Pub remains one of South Florida’s favorite live music destinations since 1979. Located on the edge of Little Haiti, the bunker-like dive bar features rowdy rockers, throwback punk bands, heavy metal headbangers and also live Jazz on Monday nights starting at 9pm. Log onto the club’s website or Facebook page to see who is performing or just stop in for a pint from 3pm – 3am Sunday through Thursday and 3pm – 5am Friday and Saturday.

Editor’s Note – Miami’s nightclub scene is subject to last minute changes in schedule and pricing. When planning your visit, be sure to check websites to verify specific artists, prices and start times.

That’s the scene every Thursday and Saturday night at Tantalize Miami’s new Jazz Night where Lexa Paige and Latin heart-throb Arias Martin headline at this Lincoln Road supper club. The show starts at 8:15pm and is a three-set whirlwind of show tunes and jazzy standards such as “The Man I Love,” “Fever,” “Route 66,” “Smile,” on and on. I had a chance to speak to Lexa about her artistry, and she revealed everything from her feelings about X Factor’s Simon Cowell to what she sings in the shower …

They say that the great singers are the ones who really “feel” the music, and that trait certainly applies to you. So, how did you develop your feeling for the music you perform?
Music is a universal language and is a way to communicate your thoughts with sounds. Life is like a song, there is always a beginning and an end. I can’t go a day without listening to music. Sometimes it’s not the song that makes you emotional but the people or things that come to mind when you are performing. There’s something exhilarating about loosing yourself in the rhythm that makes me feel so alive when I’m on stage. I love to be in the lights, it’s where I feel most comfortable.

What vocalists influenced you growing up?
I grew up listening to everything, and admire too many artists to list. Vocally, hands down Linda Eder is my all time idol. She is someone who has the ability to open her mouth and create magic while also making it look so effortless.

I also admire singers that utilize dance while on stage and really “perform.” I think watching Broadway shows really sparked an interest for me as a child to pursue a career in the arts.

What was your first paying gig?
My first paying gig was actually for a talent competition called Starz of the Future. It was located at the South Florida Fair and included competitors with different talents, young and old. I think I may have been 10 and I danced a jazz number. At the end of the competition they announced I had won and they gave me $500. At the time that was a big deal!

What type of music most inspires you?
I think the most impactful type of music that inspires me would have to be Broadway and jazz. Both styles allow you to step outside yourself and be whoever you want to be for that brief moment. I have a huge respect for Broadway performers because you can’t just have a good voice, you need to be able to convey a character to the audience. I consider myself a triple threat and Broadway allows you to showcase those skills all in one.

Do you look for any special themes in the material you choose to perform here at Jazz Night or do you simply go for the songs you like?
Yes! There is always a reason for the song choice and the order. Jazz is a journey, it’s free flowing and comes from your soul. You would think it would be easy to just sing only standards that people know and recognize. But the truth is, if you have the right song choice that YOU can relate to, your performance will improve greatly and you will be able to tell a story. Jazz Night is a collective effort at Tantalize that myself and fellow singer Arias Martin had been hoping for. I’d like to take this time to thank him because together we turned ideas into a reality.

Your choreography appears quite versatile, are you a professionally trained dancer?
I was a trained dancer before I ever picked up a microphone! I began dancing at the age of 3 and to this day I haven’t stopped. Aside from dancing at studios and performing in competitions I also attended art schools throughout my school years including: Bak Middle School of the Arts, Dreyfoos Highschool of the Arts and New World School of the Arts. Believe it or not dance was always my main focus.

Have you done any song writing?
I had the pleasure of working with Curtis Williams from Kool and the Gang and when I was 18 he encouraged me to pick up a pen and begin writing. It’s strange because I never sit down and say ‘I think I’ll write a song,’ it always comes to me in random bursts. I have tons of ideas and thoughts written on paper in a journal dating back a few years, but I never seem to finish one thing.

You were recently made Entertainment Director at Tantalize. How do you see Jazz Night developing?
It’s a work in progress and I think it needs to develop naturally. The hard part Is over, we have the show. Now it’s time to push ourselves to make it better each week. I know that it is home run and is something you can’t find anywhere else in Miami. For people who appreciate live music, fabulous food and an unforgettable dining experience, they need to know what we’re doing. I have to thank Carlos Sanchez, the owner, for allowing me to use Tantalize as my playground where I can watch my ideas come to light.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a performing artist?
Performing is all I know. I tried having a desk job and was never happy. I figured I was getting older and needed ‘stability’ in my life and that was the adult thing to do. In the back of my mind I always wanted to be doing something else. But truthfully I don’t know what I’d be doing if I wasn’t performing, but I can tell you I wouldn’t be happy.

Is national fame and all the rewards and hassles that come with it something you feel you’re ready for?
Believe it or not, I’ve already had my five minutes of fame and can say with total certainty if it happened again I can handle it. I auditioned for Simon Cowell’s show X Factor in 2012 and was chosen as a feature audition on the Fox network. Mind you, this is a reality show and for anyone who has been behind the scenes knows that they are looking for ratings and you are a ‘story line’ to them. They took advantage of my looks and coached me to say what they wanted me to be. I had about 15 seconds to sing, Simon Cowell wanted give me a shot, but then they spun the audition into a jealousy match between me and the female judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. While also creating the illusion of Simon Cowell being attracted to me. They didn’t let me move on to the next round, but needless to say my performance and character was put on YouTube and quickly racked up about 5 million hits in the first month. The experience at the time was embarrassing, but as time went on I realized that all of the comments and opinions of people on the internet made me stronger. If anything, it pushed me to continue my dreams because the opinion of one, is the opinion of none.

Be honest now…what song did you sing in the shower today…?
“The Man I Love” by Ella Fitzgerald.

What’s next for Lexa Paige?
Nobody knows what you want except you and nobody will be as sorry as yourself if you don’t fight for it. I know that I will continue to work hard and chase my dreams. The only time I will ever look back is to see how far I’ve come. I’m taking it one day at a time and I guess that’s all I can do. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and I am so grateful to have an opportunity like this to express myself. I can’t say what’s next for me, but I can say with certainty that wherever life takes me, I will be putting my heart and soul into it. All I want to do is be on stage and I’m grateful to be living my dream now. The best is yet to come and the only way I can predict the future is if I create it! Tomorrow is never promised, so today I want my family and friends to know how thankful I am for each and every one of you and how lucky I am to have them in my life. Without the love and support of my family I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Editor’s Note: Lexa Paige is now appearing at Copa Room Show & Nightclub.

For over a decade Edison Farrow was the preeminent party maven for the gay set on South Beach with his Traveling Martini Tuesday party which met each week at Miami Beach’s most urbane loctaions from chic hotels such as the Setai, to the Fontainebleau’s LIV nightclub.

But, even with all that, Farrow felt something was missing from the party scene. As he describes it “Growing up in New York, I loved piano bars and live music venues from a very young age. Whenever I travel back home from Miami I wonder why we didn’t have such places in South Florida…that’s how the idea of The Cabaret South Beach was born.”

Now, nightlife impresario Farrow and partner Ed DeCaso whose background is in banking, have come together to bring the piano bar theme back to Miami at The Cabaret South Beach, a cozy live performance club decked out in gold leaf and red velvet where waiters and bartenders provide the entertainment — and entertain they do. At regular intervals, staff members step into the spotlight to croon away everything from sultry ballads to smoking showtunes in front of The Cabaret’s white Baby Grand Piano.

Says Farrow, “The Cabaret is a place for all music lovers from all demographics. There is such a wide variety of music genres being covered by our live performers that anyone can identify with The Cabaret. We want The Cabaret to become a can’t-miss evening out for cocktails, conversation and great music.”

The Cabaret’s desire to present a wide spectrum of music was certainly evident on the nights we visited the club…

Michael Wordly delivered a soulful by-request rendition of “My Funny Valentine” which immediately surpassed our previous favorite by Chet Baker.

California-to-Miami transplant Susy Ortiz belted out a sultry version of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.”

New York’s Vermex Van Croix put on a touching performance seated by the piano that soared up into the high range and was accompanied by Susan Ortiz who sang harmony while standing across the room behind the bar.

Antionne Barnes’ affinity for soulful Pop, Gospel and Broadway was evident in his beautifully emotional performance.

Erica Sommer who began singing at age four and studied musical theater at University of Miami, let loose with a beautiful ballad.

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Fabian Alexander bases his music on real life experiences, and contains elements of flamenco, dance, and hip-hop.

Other singers we missed, but will be sure to catch during The Cabaret’s Grand Opening this week are Rach Larralde, Steph Michaels, Daniel Bourgoin, Envee, Carolina Pozo and Janae Catt.

And of course, the entire show is held together by the piano man, Larry Klass who sings, plays, pokes fun, and entertains the crowd with everything from his beautiful by-request version of “On a Clear Day,” to all things Elton John.

According to Farrow, assembling a talented theatrical staff in Miami was relatively easy. “We held auditions and about 60 singers sang for us. The only problem we had was having to turn down lots of talented people during the auditions.”

The club serves signature cocktails named for famous singers such as the Liza, the Bette, and the turbo-charged Chita Margarita.

The Cabaret South Beach is open every night of the week at 9pm with performers commencing the show at 10pm until 2am. Happy Hour runs 5pm-9pm. The Cabaret South Beach’s Grand Opening is this Thursday, Friday and Saturday December 12-14.

The Cabaret South Beach
1801 Collins Avenue at The Shelborne Hotel
Miami Beach, FL 33139