Adrienne Arsht Center’s 16th Anniversary “ROARING 20s GALA”

A historic $13 million was raised in support of the Center's mission-driven arts education and community engagement programs.

Adrienne Arsht and Eric G Johnson each made a surprise $1 million gift at the gala (photo by Manny Hernandez)
Adrienne Arsht and Eric G Johnson each made a surprise $1 million gift at the gala (photo by Manny Hernandez)
Jencarlos Canela and Adrienne Arsht at the 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by Manny Hernandez)
Jencarlos Canela and Adrienne Arsht at the 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by Manny Hernandez)

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County hosted its 16th Anniversary Gala. The Arsht Center’s marquee philanthropic event united more than 250 community leaders in support of the Center’s mission-driven arts education and community engagement programs and the relaunch of its internship program. Adrienne Arsht made an endowment gift of $10 million and challenged guests in attendance to join her in supporting the Arsht Center. Inspired by her challenge, Eric G. Johnson announced a $1 million gift on behalf of Baldwin Richardson Foods, underscoring the importance of corporate and individual giving. Ms. Arsht matched the Baldwin Richardson Foods gift on the spot with another $1 million. Coupled with $1 million from the Gala’s individual and corporate supporters, a total of $13 million was raised in one evening.

Radmila Lolly, Karen Fryd, John Utendhal, Alan Fein, Melissa White, Jonathan Fryd and Taylor White at the Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Tharrie & Johann Zietsman, President & CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center at the 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by WRE)
Tharrie & Johann Zietsman, President & CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center at the 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by WRE)

Hosted on the grand Lynn Wolfson Stage located inside the Dorothea Green Theater at the Ziff Ballet Opera House, the Arsht Center Gala celebrated the business of show business, showcasing the universal power of the performing arts to uplift and inspire. The evening was themed to evoke the creative exuberance and joie de vivre of the Roaring Twenties via a speakeasy, prohibition-style immersive experience featuring an intimate supper club dinner on stage and a live big band performance by Miami’s own Jencarlos Canela directed by Chad Bernstein which got everyone on the dance floor. Dessert and dancing followed, with DJ Shacia Payne Marley hitting the decks to close out the evening’s celebration.

Lisa & Benjamin Leon III at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsth Center Gala  (photo by WRE)
Lisa & Benjamin Leon III at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsth Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at the Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at the Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Al & Bea Pereira, Conchi & Tony Argiz, Chairman of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation (photo by WRE)

Honorary Chair

Adrienne Arsht

Gala Chairs

Tony and Conchi Argiz
Richard Milstein and Eric Hankin

Duke Ellington Sponsors

Adrienne Arsht
Benjamin Leon III
Lucille Zanghi & James Dow

Josephine Baker Sponsors

Trish & Dan Bell
Cheryl & Y. David Scharf

With generous support from Bacardí, Gérard Bertrand, Vranken Pommery, Le Basque, Café Bustelo, Constellation Culinary Group, Everlast Productions, New Miami Props, Publix Super Markets Charities, Seraph Design, and The Miami Herald. 

Dan & Trish Bell and Beth & Robert Sackstein toast to the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Patrick McDowell, Camille McDowell & James Dow celebrate the arts at the Adrienne Arhst Center Gala (photo by Taylor Brown)
Eyal Alfi & Hillit Meidar Alfi at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Eyal Alfi & Hillit Meidar Alfi at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Eric G. Johnson & Holly Gaines grace the cover of Playbill at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Eric G. Johnson & Holly Gaines grace the cover of Playbill at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Ashton & Matt Casey, Robert Barlick, Jr. and Vani Sewdath & Zahir Dossa at the Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Jencarlos Canela heats up the night at the Adrienne Arsht Center 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by Taylor Brown)
Jencarlos Canela heats up the night at the Adrienne Arsht Center 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by Taylor Brown)
Vrankken Pommery, the Official Champagne of the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by Justin Namon, ra haus)
Eric Hankin & Richard Milstein, Chairman of the Adrienne Arsht Center Trust with Jessica Garrett Modkins & Roy Modkins (photo by Taylor Brown)
Gerard Bertrand, the Official Wine of the Adrienne Arsht Center, at the 16th Anniversary Gala (photo by WRE)
Ambassador Steven & Dorothea Green, Dr. Kimberly Green, Matt Argondizza, Patrick & Jodi Farrell at the 16th Anniversary Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
DJ Shacia Payne Marley at the Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WRE)
Beatriz & Graham Bolton arrive for a Roaring Twenties celebration at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WorldRedEye.com)
Beatriz & Graham Bolton arrive for a Roaring Twenties celebration at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by WorldRedEye.com)
The Bacardi Bar at the 16th Anniversary Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (Photo by Justin Namon, ra haus)
Mayor of the City of Hialeah, Esteban Bovo & Vivian Bovo at the Adrienne Arsht Center Gala (photo by Taylor Brown)
The 16th Anniversary Arsht Center Gala raised $13 million in support of paid internships & free arts education (photo by Justin Namon, ra haus)