5th Annual “Be a Kid Again Gala: Funtastic Fifties”

Raises More Than $200,000 for Miami Children's Museum!

Norma Quintero, Gala chair; Carlos Bared, President of the MCM Board of Directors; Deborah Spiegelman, MCM Executive Director/CEO; Alan Potamkin, Gold Sponsor; Jana Sigars-Malina, Gala chair
With a Gala that offered a journey back to the fun and rockin’ days of the “Funtastic Fifties,” Miami Children’s Museum delighted more than 500 attendees with a host of food catered by Thierry’s, entertainment, prizes and surprises and successfully raised $200,000 for art and educational programming!

The Museum transformed itself into a fifties motif complete with a 1950’s Prom, a beach bash, movie stars and much, much more. Chairpersons of the Gala were Carlos Garcia, Norma Quintero and Jana Sigars-Malina. Major Sponsors for the event were Flagstone Properties, Bacardi and Alan Potamkin.

Guests were greeted by a photographer taking prom photos on a vintage motorcycle as they entered the cone entrance of the Museum. Marilyn, Elvis and other stars along with bobbysoxers in poodle skirts strolled through the crowds. A 1950’s style Beach Bash was held on the second floor complete with Tahitian dancers, bathing beauties and buff lifeguards. The Auditorium was turned into a sock hop prom with a DJ spinning vinyl records and running “Twist,” hula hoop and bubble gum blowing contests.

Carlos Garcia, Gala chair, and wife, Tamara
A silent auction was held with many interesting and unique items, including Art pieces by Purvis Young and Carlos Navarro; a “Design Party” with Donald Pliner; a Rene Ruiz Shopping Spree; a Chanel Makeover Party; and an Executive Suite at Dolphin Stadium. There was also a raffle for a 10-Day Panama Cruise donated by Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises which helped raise more funds. Guests also took home a gift bag courtesy of Ghirardelli Chocolates, Tory Burch and Quintessentially.

Among the more than 500 visitors “Rocking Around the Clock” for the festivities were: Alan Potamkin, Richard and Susan Lampen, Carlos and Hannah Bared with Farm Stores, Commissioner Sally Heyman, Alan and Diane Lieberman, Bill and Beverly Parker, Sanford Ziff, Carlos and JC Alves, Gwen Margolis, Honorable Rosemary Barkett, Rene Ruiz, Marianne and John Devine, Gary and Jessica Reshefsky, Marilyn and Ed Gadinsky, Evan and Stefanie Reed, Adrienne and Stevan Pardo.


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

Click to see a short video of the Gala.