By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
Known for being the most fun you can have at an art museum, the Bass Museum of Art’s Night at the Museum on March 11, enthralled 450 art enthusiasts with its Film Noir Experience. The museum’s annual fundraiser had guests dressed to the nines in creative attire, welcoming them with dramatic Hollywood premiere-style searchlights and a red carpet upon arrival. Once inside, partygoers enjoyed touring the galleries that had been transformed into misty streetscapes and retro lounges, featuring projections of classic Hollywood crime dramas in keeping with the Film Noir motif. Guess had a blast striking poses for the “Best Film Noir Photo” contest. The winners – WPBT’s Art Loft host Kayln James and husband, TV producer Rico James, took home a basket of GREY GOOSE Vodka in six flavors and Montecristo cigars. Some partygoers drew their inspiration from the exhibition One Way: Peter Marino while others used props from the All Access Photo Booth.
Also in theme were the Grey Goose specialty cocktails “Noir Fete” and “Cinema de Museo” and Chateau D’Esclans rosé“Whispering Angel.” Partygoers sampled the STK Miami tasty bites of braised short ribs, tuna tartar, beef tartar and ceviche. Afterwards, they snapped up the to-die-for desserts – quinoa cocoa granola, dulce mousse and chocolate genoise – provided by Chef Kris Wessel of Oolite Restaurant and Bar. Crema/Illy Coffee’s barista served up custom coffees.
A Night at the Museum Chairs Criselda Breene, Diane Lieberman and Soledad Pićon worked closely with Vice Chairs Malena Assing, Luli Ballestrin, Adrienne bon Haes, Tina Carlo, Sabrina Espinosa, Elysze Held, Carolina Lanao, Tatyana Silva, Adriana Vergara and Alexa Wolman to create this unique, unforgettable event.
The Host Committee was comprised of Laurencio Adot, Ivette Arango-O’Doski, Michelle Areces, Hernan Arriaga, Eilah Beavers, Gingi Beltran, Susanna Birbragher, Laura Buccellati, Ximena Caminos, Santi Chumaceiro, Alina de la Vega, Mayi de la Vega, Pablo De Ritis, Brian Ehrlich, Michelle Finvarb Possin, Christina Getty, Lauren Gnazzo, Rene Gonzalez, Sarah Harrelson, Adel Hattem, Dorine and Fabian Heller, Barbara Hevia, Nina Johnson-Milewski, Magaly La Plana, John Lin, Tiffany Markofsky, Voula Mihalides, Natacha Munilla, Sonia Palmero, Tui Pranich, Inés Rivero, Katharine Rubino, Lolo Sudarsky, Dana Shear, Sara Shlesinger, David Schwade, Tara Sokolow and Jack Benmeleh, Ashley Turchin, Munisha Underhill, and Ana Ramirez Zapata.
Notable attendees included: City of Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Greico and wife Christine Klingspor, Bass Museum of Art Board members Hugh Bush, Clara Bullrich, Brian Ehrlich, Lisa Heiden-Koffler, Ali Matlick, Laura Paresky-Gould and husband Eric, Tom Murphy and wife Suzanne, Lidia Rodriguez-Taseff and husband Oscar, and Richard Toledo. Others in attendance included Susan and Dennis Richards, Ray Breslin, Hal Phillips and Greg Kendall, Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz, Jessica and Elliot Dornbusch, Lydia Harrison and Bass Museum Director Emeritus Diane Camber.
Support for A Night at the Museum was provided by Tui Lifestyle, Paddle8, Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, DJ Mauricio Parra and All Access Photo Booth. Food and beverages were provided by Chateau D’Esclans, GREY GOOSE Vodka, STK Miami, Oolite Restaurant and Bar, Perrier and Crema Coffee.
photo credit: WRE and Manny Hernandez