2014 Miami City Ballet Gala

Valentine's Day gala celebrates West Side Story Suite

Love (for the Ballet) was in the air on Friday, February 14 at the Adrienne Arsht Center as Miami City Ballet (MCB) hosted a black-tie gala in celebration of Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez’s inaugural season of programming and the Company’s premiere of West Side Story Suite. As one of Miami’s premier benefit engagements, the Miami City Ballet Gala provides critical funding to support MCB performances, education, and outreach initiatives. Patrons of the gala enjoyed a pre-performance cocktail hour, VIP seating at the premiere of West Side Story Suite – Robbins’ ballet adaptation of his Tony Award-winning musical where MCB’s own Sharks and Jets rumble, fall in love, dance and sing to Leonard Bernstein’s vibrant score with its Latin rhythms, and Stephen Sondheim’s incomparable lyrics, followed by an elegant dinner reception and dancing.

The event paid tribute to George Chakiris — the award-winning actor who took home the Academy for his portrayal of “Bernardo” in the iconic film version of West Side Story. Gala honorees included The Codina Family, R. Kirk Landon and Pamela Garrison, Juan Js. and Ophelia Roca. West Side Story Suite was generously sponsored by The Codina Family, Premiere Underwriters, with additional support from Nancy Abbott and The Herman Abbott Family Foundation, Eugene and Jean Stark, and Rose Miniaci.

Event sponsors included Bacardi, Graff Diamonds, and The Setai, Miami Beach.