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. Read the rest of this entry »

Yolanda and Jeff Berkowitz

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood,” mused Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) Chairman, Jeff Berkowitz as he addressed an animated crowd of 600 on Saturday, March 31 at the museum’s annual Be A Kid Again Gala, which was held in a gorgeous tent on Watson Island, home to MCM.  This year’s whimsical theme, “All You Need is Love” transported guests, most of whom dressed in their best 60s chic, back in time with a 60s/Beatles theme complete with old records, Beatles glasses, moustaches, a red double-decker bus, and fields of Driscoll’s strawberries as parting gifts. 

The party started in the actual museum, where guests got to tour the exhibits while sipping cocktails- which, incidentally, adds a whole new level of fun to the museum visit.   (A few moms who visit the museum regularly with their children suggested that there should be a permanent “bar installment” just for the parents.) 

After the cocktail reception, guests were escorted into the expansive tent for the party, for which MCM pulled out all the stops (which resembled the London Underground stops) with high-top and lounge tables in lieu of regular ballroom tables and a fun-filled buffet by Chef David Schwadron which included burgers, hot dogs, coconut shrimp, and fish and chips instead of the typical banquet food.  This kept people on their feet, chatting and dancing throughout the night. Read the rest of this entry »