Miami’s MOCA opened tonight with their standard insane opening. Why so crazy? Well, it evidenced by thousands of guests (most were North Miami residents), police escorts, a giant garden party, and few huge names stacked in between. And we still love going all the way to 100-something street for the bash that gets things started every year. Here are the highlights.... Notables: Little Haiti exhibitor, Bruce Weber, Andre Balazs, Sante D’Orazio, and Linda Yablonsky. Best poser award: Hosting artist Jonathan Meese who posed with just about anyone who asked while channeling his inner Zoolander at the same time. Best outfit: Japanese performance artist Ken Hamazaki’s signature, scarlet ensemble… Parting gift you can't actually read: Italian Vanity Fair (night’s sponsor) along with every other edition. Most devoted Basel schedule honor: Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brant who are flying back to Gotham tomorrow (to host a Prada dinner), only to return to action in Miami on Thursday. And Brant is doing all of this on crutches! [nggallery id=3]

Basel in Miami is always wonderful for random cameos (remember Val Kilmer at last year’s festivities?). But who knew we’d hit this year’s jackpot so early on. We’re of course talking about one and only Ricky Martin who hit the MOCA opening AND the art scene at the SoHo Beach House with 90’s Spanish super, Esther Cañadas. And we’re only into the tenth hours of this year’s marathon! Photo: Courtesy of Ricky Martin, via AP

If there’s one word that could perfectly capture yesterday’s VIP preview, optimism would be a good one. Collectors were more eager than usual, gallery owners seemed more relaxed, and the art seemed to be opulent in terms of its fearless gold and scarlet motifs. Perhaps White Cube’s gilded Hirst revealed everything you need to know about the current economy: make it gold and make it bold. Equally as impressive as Hirst was a tremendous silver Anish Kapoor eye candy at Barbara Gladstone. As you enjoy our photo highlights, here are some other highlights to keep in mind. Most devoted bride buyer: Naomi Campbell who made it to Basel for the second straight year…and just mere days before her Egyptian wedding Most devoted designer buyer: Calvin Klein, who never fails to skip all the action in Miami. Marc Jacobs was in Paris but still got all the best stuff sent to him live via a trusted source. Least wall text: Gagosian of course. But who needs it with all that Koons? Best artist cameo: Aaron Young who checked out his work at Resh and three other spaces Most devoted seller: Tony Shafrazi, who sold, sold, and sold for hours and refused to sit down. “But now my feet hurt,” he told us at 6 PM. Best jock cameos: Lance Armstrong and Alex Rodriguez who took a baton from John McEnroe who hit Basel last year. The Yankee especially spend at least three hours hunting for latest and greatest for his W South Beach residence with the help of his manager, Guy Oseary. Most elaborate booth: Lehmann Maupin’s intergalactic universe Most elaborate booth (runner up): Galerie Gmurzynska and their Zaha Hadid designed space [nggallery id=4]