Leslie Bowe, Max Blumberg, Cindy Carr, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Victoria Cummock, Newly Elected Mayor Tomas Regalado, Superintendent of Miami-Dade Schools, Alberto Carvalho and Maria Carvalho.
Close to 400 supporters of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens turned out to celebrate and enjoy this year’s 53rd annual Vizcayan Ball. Chairing the evening’s festivities were Donald Kress, President of the Vizcayans and Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Bank, and William Jones, Senior Vice President of SunTrust Bank.
Jeffery Rynor, a long time board member paid tribute to the evening’s honoree, Cindy Carr. Cindy is a well-known South Florida philanthropist who was recognized for her many years of service on the board, as well for her dedication and generous support of Vizcaya.
A spectacular silent auction, an important part of the evening, featured a wide-range of goods and services, art, jewelry and travel packages. This year’s action chairs were Stella M. Holmes, President Overseas Partners Realty, and Norma Quintero, past President of the Vizcayans.
Guests were welcomed with champagne, cocktails and a sumptuous seafood bar, which overlooked Vizcaya’s historical gardens, followed by an elegant gourmet dinner by Thierry’s Catering on Vizcaya’s east terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Steve Chase and his well known Big Band, kept everyone on the dance floor. Their music built up the excitement and led to the culmination of the evening – a spectacular display of fireworks over the bay.
Betty Brandt and Walter Miller
Among those attending were important supporters of Vizcaya, including Betty Madegan Brandt, Barbara and Mort Guilford, Swanee and Paul Di Mare. Leslie Bowe, who along with presenting sponsors Nick Di Sanzo, South East Regional Manager, and Cesar Fonseca, South Florida General Manager, for Hugo Boss, hosted a pre-kickoff party at their Merrick Park store. Also in attendance were newly elected mayor of Miami, the Honorable Tomas Regalado, Victoria Cummock, Willam Meyersohn, Bennet Hansen, the new president for Exxon Mobil, Ana and Alvaro Valera, who donated the exquisite flowers; the centerpieces that beautifully decorated each table were designed by Petal Productions.
Cindy Carr’s guests included Mel and Fran Harris of Miami Beach whose daughter, singer and songwriter Jaime Jo Harris, has written songs for Rihanna and Leona Lewis and has recently cut a successful single with friend Barry Gibb.
Other guests in attendance included Cathy Jones, Chairman of the Trust, Dr. Joel Hoffman, Executive Director of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, Senator Gwen Margolis, and Commissioner Bruno Barreiro.
