2015 Adrienne Arsht Center For The Performing Arts Annual Gala


Leaders of South Florida’s philanthropic, business and civic communities gathered on Friday, April 24, for the 9th annual Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Gala. Tony, Emmy and Grammy-award winning international superstar Barry Manilow performed in the Ziff Ballet Opera House and was accompanied by the University of Miami’s Henry Mancini Institute Big Band Orchestra.
“This has been one of the best galas in the Arsht Center’s history, and we want to thank Mr. Manilow for delivering a riveting performance that helped us set the stage as we move into our 10th anniversary,” said Swanee DiMare, chair of the Gala for the fourth year in a row. “It is no secret that arts education has an immense impact on the academic success of our youth. We are grateful for the support of all of this year’s guests and sponsors, as these philanthropists will help us continue to provide the robust education programming to the community.”
Gala chairs Swanee and Paul DiMare were joined by Adrienne Arsht, the institution’s name benefactor, who served as the Honorary Gala Chair. Margaret and Mike Eidson, chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust Board, were part of the gala leadership committee as Gala Co-Chairs, which also included Gala Sponsors, Margarita and Armando Codina and Sue Miller on behalf of the Miller Family Foundation, as well as Arsht Center President and CEO John Richard.

The Lynn Wolfson Stage of the Ziff Ballet Opera House, the second largest performing arts stage in the U.S., was transformed by Le Basque into an intimate supper club with a 20 foot chandelier floating over guests. Ovations Food Services, the official caterers of the Arsht Center, continued the supper club theme with a three-course menu ending with a dessert trio of classic New York style cheesecake with raspberry drizzle, fresh glazed berries in a chocolate shell, and chocolate molten cake with chocolate sauce.
Barry Manilow amazed the audience with his performance of Frank Sinatra classics in honor of the iconic singer’s 100th birthday, including “Strangers in the Night” and “My Kind of Town.” Manilow also brought the audience to their feet with rousing renditions of several of his greatest hits, including an energetic encore performance of “Copacabana” and “I Write the Songs.”
In addition to noting “this is the most beautiful place I have played,” Manilow praised the Arsht Center for its commitment to promoting arts education throughout the County. This is a cause Manilow feels strongly about, founding The Manilow Music Project in response to the severe reduction of music programs in public schools. The Project seeks to highlight the importance of music programs through donations of instruments and materials to middle and high schools across the country.
Gala Sponsor Sue Miller and Barry Manilow
Gala Sponsors Margarita & Armando Codina
Gala Co-Chairs Margaret & Mike Eidson
Gala Co-Chairs Ana-Marie and Robert Barlick
Lynne Richard and AACPA President & CEO John Richard
Gala Co-Chair Bunny Bastian and Bart Bastian
Gala Co-Chairs Trish and Dan Bell
Gala Co-Chairs Mike & Constance Fernandez
Gala Co-Chairs Annie & Manuel Kadre
Gala Co-Chairs Margaret Eidson & Ginger Medel
Monica Neves & Gala Co-Chair Gilberto Neves, Odebrecht
Gala Co-Chairs FJ & Abigail Pollak
Marietta Rosso and Gala Co-Chair Carlos Rosso, The Related Group
Susan Westfall and Gala Co-Chair & PACT Board Chair-Elect Alan Fein, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson
Gala Co-Chairs James Field & Janet Risi Field with Guests
Monica Schatz, Judy Weiser and Gala Co-Chair & AACF Board Chairman Rick Schatz, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson
Honorary Chair Adrienne Arsht and Gala Co-Chair Donna Shalala, University of Miami President
AACF Board Member Frances Sevilla-Sacasa & Eugenio Sacasa
Ralph & Louanne Williams and Gala Co-Chair Jason Williams, Wells Fargo
PACT Board Member Ira Hall
Alan & Diane Lieberman
Guests at the Adrienne Arsht Center Gala
Shelly Berg with Henry Mancini Institute Big Band Orchestra
Eric Hankin and PACT Board Member Richard Milstein
The Adrienne Arsht Center Gala on the Lynn Wolfson Stage
Barry Manilow performing at the Adrienne Arsht Center Gala 2015