By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Miami’s elite gathered at the gorgeous Juvia, in the critically acclaimed Herzog & De Meuron-designed 1111 Building on Lincoln Road on Saturday, April 26, for the Miami Symphony Orchestra’s (MISO) first annual Blues & Brunch. The beauty of the restaurant, with sweeping views of the city and ocean was rivaled only by the chic crowd, who dressed to the nines in hats, fascinators, bow ties, pin stripes and spring finery- as per the invitation. Yet the most spectacular sensory inspiration came courtesy of MISO’s musicians, who performed throughout the beautiful afternoon, as Champagne and cocktails flowed freely. Guests feasted on a four-course brunch, served family-style.
The dashing Rafael Diaz-Balart, who serves as MISO’s Chairman of the Board, lauded the efforts of MISO’s Conductor, Eduardo Marturet, praising his extraordinary charisma, vision and talent. “There is no one like him- what he has done for this orchestra and for this city is beyond words.”
Marturet, his stunning wife/muse, Athina, (who channeled the Greek Goddess with a crown of orchids in her hair), and MISO’s Advisory Board: Criselda Breene, Iran Issa-Khan, and Sam Robin were joined by famed architect, Zaha Hadid; top models, Ines Rivero and Mia Sampao; actor, Raul Olivo, and Maria Encarnacion and Isabel Bucaram from CNN. Clothing designers, Viviana Gabeiras, owner of Petit Pois and Silvia Tcherassi; Venezuelan jewelry designer, Ana Sofia Tarbay and Angel Sanchez donated their stylish pieces to the silent auction.
Throughout the past five years, MISO has become “Miami’s Orchestra,” with its fun and innovative programs. Together with its dynamic conductor/director, Marturet, MISO has managed to captivate audiences time and time again. Don’t miss the last concert of the season, Triple Russians, with its super-romantic summer music, at the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on May 4. For more information, visit www.themiso.org.
Locust Projects’ Spring Fling
A few hours later, in the same building, Miami’s visual arts scenesters converged to celebrate the good life at Locust Projects’ 2014 Spring Fling: La Dolce Vita, for a unique event filled with art, delicious food, drinks, music – and Locust Projects’ first-ever auction of fine wines, led by Eric Larkee, Wine Director of the Genuine Hospitality Group.
A stellar host committee including Debra & Dennis Scholl, The Related Group, Art Basel Miami Beach, Leni Sender, Craig Robins, John Speers, Greenberg Traurig LLP, and Holland & Knight LLP teamed up for the planning of this party, which consistently attracts a diverse and enthusiastic group of South Florida’s top collectors, enthusiasts, artists, and hipsters.
Guests included: President of Northern Trust Ed Joyce, Program Director of the Knight Foundation, Matt Haggman and wife Dane Linares, Art Advisor Lisa Austin, Coral Gables Commissioner Vicente Lago, art collectors Florence & Sheldon Anderson, John Joseph Lin, Jeffrey Miller, and Isabelle Kowal. Artists including Daniel Arsham, Nathan Carter and Typoe also attended.
Partygoers feasted on bites from: Harry’s Pizzeria, Shake Shack, Baires Grill, Machialina, MC Kitchen, and Misha’s Cupcakes to name a few, while sipping cocktails. Guests enjoyed music from DJ Le Spam while marveling at the views. The highlight of the evening was Locust Projects’ blockbuster Silent Art Auction featuring hand-picked and internationally-renowned artists such as Daniel Arsham, Justin Beal, Evan Nesbit, Judith Eisler, Ruby Sky Stiler, Sean Duffy, and Anthony Pearson among others.
Locust Projects embraces cutting-edge exhibitions and innovative installations. “We are celebrating more than 15 years of providing local, national and internationally based contemporary visual artists the freedom to experiment with new ideas and methods without the limitations of conventional exhibition spaces. Community support has always been vital to Locust Projects’ success and the Spring Fling is one of Locust Projects’ most important sources of revenue for the year” said Locust Projects Executive Director, Chana Sheldon. The proceeds from this event provide essential funding for exhibitions and programming.