A Tango Affair
The 62nd Annual Young Patronesses of the Opera Gala
YPO President Gail Pinon and husband,
Dr. Avelino (Andy) Pinon
It was “A Tango Affair” at the Hotel Colonnade in Coral Gables, when 200 arts lovers gathered for 62nd annual Young Patronesses of the Opera (YPO) gala. Thanks to benefactors Bunny Bastian, Trish and Dan Bell, and Swanee Di Mare, the evening raised funds for opera and music education in Miami Dade and Broward County. Ruby Bacardi and Anita Broad were Valen Tango sponsors.
Gail Piñon, YPO President 2017-2018, said “We are so grateful to our benefactors and to our guests for supporting the work of YPO. This year we will bring live opera performances to 20,000 elementary students, host a workshop for 100 Girl Scouts and present a continuing education workshop for Miami Dade County Public School teachers. Proceeds from “A Tango Affair” make those programs possible.”
“A Tango Affair” was organized by a committee of YPO members who were directed by Piñon and Gala Chairs Mary Beth Burke, Carolina Friedhoff, Eeva Kulovaara and Bea Schmied. The highlight of the evening was the performance of Tango Axis, the professional dance duo Mariela Barufaldi and Jeremias Massera. Guests crowded around the dance floor, spellbound by their virtuosity and passion. Graham Fandrei, director of the Magic City Opera, dazzled guests with his rendition of Sinatra classics.
A Tango Affair Benefactors Bunny Bastian, Swanee DiMare, Trish and Dan Bell
Susanne Kayyali and Justin Moss of Florida Grand Opera
Gala Co-Chairs Carolina Friedhoff, Bea Schmied, Eeva Kulovaara, YPO President Gail Pinon, Gala Co-Chair Mary Beth Burke
Bennett and Kathy Feldman
YPO's 2017 gala A Tango Affair was held at Hotel Colonnade in Coral Gables
Bill Reese and wife Barbara Reese, with daughter Michelle Reese and Chris Granger.
Jeff and Kathy Feldman
Lynn and Lisa Chaffin
Maribel Maldonado, Alison Arnold, Ana Isabel Conde, Maria Alvarez
Francesca and Paul D'Agata
Rebecca and Graham Fandrei
Donna and Steve Blythe demonstrated their tango expertise
Ruby Bacardi
Ronald and Rene Beal
Amal Solh captured the tango theme
Swanee DiMare, Bronwyn Miller, Lesli Brown and Suzy Buckley
Carolina and John Friedhoff, Lori Thomas, Jeff and Susan Feldman, Amal Solh, Gabriellea Goldman, Beverly and Antonio Cardona.
Magita Rojas, Susanna Cisneros, Alex Rojas
Professional dance duo Tango Axis gave an inspirational performance
Violeta and Jorge Cepeda
Robert Lane and Silva Millor
Alison Arnold and Lori Thomas
Don and Barbara Walters with Lise-Marie and Dietmar Wertanzl
Eeva Kulovaara and Pamela Cole
William and Adirana Muinos
Vivianne Swietelsky and Joseph Hawlik
The band Manhattan Music kept the dance floor packed.