2018 Be A Kid Again Gala Raises Nearly $1 Million for Educational Programming

At Soho Studios in the arts district of Wynwood, Miami Children’s Museum hosted more than 600 attendees for the 2018 Be A Kid Again Gala “Superheroes: From Fiction to Fantasy,” a world of crime-fighting caped crusaders and villains! The evening, emceed by Pulitzer Prize winning humorist Dave Barry, raised nearly $1 million to support educational programming with the help of generous donors, sponsors, an extensive silent auction and a high end live auction. This year’s gala was chaired by Jennifer and Gabriel Montoya with Auction Chair Melissa Netkin.

Guests felt like a kid again from the moment they entered Soho Studios. Costumed superheroes abounded about as the night kicked off with performances from aerialists, the Miami Children’s Museum Theater Troupe channeling their inner villains and a red carpet experience with image and fashion consultant, Elysze Held. The not to be missed cocktail reception previewed over 200 unique silent auction items including designer handbags, great travel, fine jewelry and rare wines. The main event of the evening was an energetic live auction featuring spectacular items. Among the highest bidders were Board Vice President, Marianne Devine who took home a lease for a Range Rover Velar courtesy of Land Rover North Dade, a division of the Warren Henry Auto Group and Senior Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, Matthew Gorson, won a 6 night stay at the exclusive Thulani Private Villa in South Africa, courtesy of Joanne Young.

Adding the Spice to our Superhero themed extravaganza was a taste tempting array of treats provided by Chef David Schwadron Catering and Event Design with a twist, that brought to life all the iconic visions of fantasy and fun.

Then there was the After Party presented by EFFEN Vodka and chaired by Brittany Sharpton and Brooke Sharpton and hosted by Playmakers, the Museum’s young professionals group. Miami’s most influential emerging professionals joined gala goers on the dance floor with 10-foot LED robots and together they partied into the night. Attendees were treated to a 3 Hours Open Bar featuring EFFEN Vodka, light bites and sweets catered by Chef David Schwadron Cuisine & Event Design and special guest DJ A Fly Guy. Don’t miss next year’s annual Be A Kid Again Annual Gala set for March 2, 2019!

This year’s Be a Kid Again Gala Sponsors included Dr. Brigitt Rok Potamkin and Mr. Alan Potamkin and the Fairholme Foundation, Greenberg Traurig, Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, Susan and Richard Lampen & Jackie and Adam Malamed, Jose and Heide Dans, TotalBank, Constance and Mike Fernandez, Northern Trust Bank, Allied Universal, Baptist Health South Florida, Berkowitz Pollack Brant, Rycon Construction, Jennifer and Gabriel Montoya, Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, Academica, Trish and Dan Bell, Carnival Cruise Lines/Carnival Foundation, Jacklyn Taplin Schiffrin and Joshua Schiffrin, CPM, Michael and Jolie Berkowitz & Andrew and Felicia Berkowitz, Watermill Institutional Trading, Miami Marlins, Bilzin Sumberg, Comras Company / Terra Group, Medina Family Foundation, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A., Weber Law, Hypower, Inc., Century Risk Advisors, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, U. S. Trust, Bank Of America Private Wealth Management and Pam Garrison.

Sponsors for the After Party include EFFEN Vodka, Greenspoon Marder LLP, 13th Floor Investments, McHugh Construction, Tom Gallagher Insurance, Duffy’s Foundation, Ironview Capital Management, Toshiba Business Solutions, NextGen, Wells Fargo, Health Foundation of South Florida, The No-Fault Group, YAFN, RSP Nutrition, Capital One and JWR Construction Services.

Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) offers bilingual and interactive exhibits, programs, classes and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication. The Museum has 14 interactive galleries as well as housing many exciting and fun traveling exhibits. MCM is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Through arts and educational programs, MCM seeks to include and target all audiences in Miami’s changing and diverse community by becoming the “town center” for Miami-Dade County’s children and families.’

For more information about Miami Children’s Museum call: (305)373-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.