Arsht Center Hosts 12th Annual Gala
A Celebration of Leadership
The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County hosted its 12th Annual Gala with a momentous celebration of leadership honoring its president and CEO John Richard as he completes his tenure in 2018 with a legacy fulfilled. Under Richard’s leadership, the Center has become a cultural touchstone, recognized nationally for artistic excellence and impactful community offerings.
Close to 400 South Florida arts and culture supporters, community leaders and philanthropists attended the event in an effort to raise funds for the Center’s arts education and community engagement programs which include AileyCamp Miami, Jazz Roots: Sound Check, Rock Odyssey and Kitty Hawk. Click here to learn more about how the Arsht Center gives back to the local community.
The Arsht Center’s 12th Annual Gala – A Celebration of Leadership featured a cocktail reception with Pommery champagne and Bacardi cocktails, gourmet dinner by Le Basque, dancing and a star-studded, supper club-style concert hosted by WPLG (ABC) Local 10’s Calvin Hughes. The concert featured songs from The Great American Songbook with rousing performances by Ann Hampton Callaway, Niki Haris and Clint Holmes, along with Gala Music Director Shelly Berg and the Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Following the concert, guests enjoyed desserts while dancing to the high-energy sounds of Soul Survivors on the Swanee and Paul DiMare Stage in the Knight Concert Hall. Neiman Marcus and Pommery provided gift bags for all attendees.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments was a surprise performance by AileyCamp Miami alumni. More than 50 former AileyCamp Miami campers performed a powerful spoken word piece written by Deborah Magdalena, the camp’s creative communication instructor, to thank, honor and pay tribute to John Richard for his passionate and steadfast support of arts education. The inspirational performance was followed by thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Gala supporters included Honorary Chair Adrienne Arsht; Gala Philanthropic Chairs Swanee & Paul DiMare; Gala Chairs Tony & Conchi Argiz; and Ira & Carole Hall; and Gala Co-Chairs Rob & Ana Barlick; Nancy & Jon Batchelor; Trish & Dan Bell; Lee E. Caplin & Gita Karasik; Kimberly Green; Jeff Haines; Jim Kaufman; David & Marian Rocker; Frances & Eugenio Sevilla-Sacasa.
