On Saturday, November 7, 2015, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental Miami will celebrate the 21st Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball and InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish Ball® Starlight Nightclub with a Mythology theme inspired by ancient Greek gods and goddesses, epic tales, and heavenly bodies. GRAMMY® Award-winning entertainer and worldwide sensation Marc Anthony will give a special performance, while actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar returns as celebrity emcee of The Ball, chaired by philanthropist and owner of The Forge Restaurant / Wine Bar, Shareef Malnik.

The star-studded Gala is organized by Malnik, together with Gala Host Robert Hill, General Manager of InterContinental® Miami, Ball Founder, 21-Year

Partner and In-Kind Donor and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida – the trio affectionately known as the “Three Amigos.” Guests will include more than 850 local moguls, prominent business leaders, notable philanthropists, fashion mavens, socialites and jetsetters with a common goal of raising funds for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

At the mystical cocktail reception, which will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m., guests will enjoy specialty cocktails and delectable Mediterranean bites, including a godly ice carving and hanging food stations, while bidding at the Ball’s distinguished silent auction, with hundreds of premier items and experiences donated by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts worldwide, entertainment, fashion and luxury brands.

Once the Grand Ballroom doors open at 8:30 p.m. for dinner and dancing, guests will revel at the Egyptian- and Greek-inspired architecture reminiscent of the exquisite fashion of ancient gods and goddesses. Gabrielle Anwar will return for the fifth consecutive year as celebrity emcee. The evening will close with a special performance by six-time GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® Award winning entertainer Marc Anthony. As one of the most influential artists of his time and a true ambassador of Latin music and culture, Anthony had sold more than 12 million albums worldwide and has been recognized with numerous standard gold and platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Associate of America (RIAA). In addition to his music accomplishments, Anthony – who is also a minority owner of The Miami Dolphins – launched in 2012 the Maestro Cares Foundation, hosting a series of fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the non-profit organization and build orphanages in Latin America.

After the dinner and performance, the dazzling night will then continue at the chic after-hours venue InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball Starlight Nightclub, held from 11 p.m. until 3 a.m. Globally renowned DJ and producer Chuckie is set to headline the Ball’s nightclub after-party, while Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour stages an elaborate runway show to showcase the latest fashion trends.

Over the years, celebrity guests have included Christian Slater, Don King, Diana Ross, Kim Kardashian, Marcus Schenkenberg, Mike Piazza, Pamela Anderson, Paula Abdul, Richie Rich, Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons, Scottie and Larsa Pippen, Sharon Stone, Venus and Serena Williams, and Wayne Newton. Headlining entertainers have included Adam Lambert, Diana Ross, DJ Cassidy, DJ Irie, Joan Jett, Macy Gray, Melanie Amaro, Natalie Cole and Wyclef Jean, in addition to musical performances by “Jersey Boys” and “Beatlemania Now.”

In 2014, the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball raised a record high of $2.5 million, which helped grant 500 wishes. In the event’s 20 year history, the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball has granted over 3,500 wishes, and raised $16.8 million, of which The Malnik Family’s unprecedented gift of $1 million to Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida remains the single largest contribution to the charity. As the Ball Founder, 21-Year Partner and In-Kind Donor of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, the InterContinental® Miami is more than just the venue and continues to play a pivotal role in the planning and execution of the Ball.

To reserve tables and tickets for the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball, or for sponsorships, please visit www.MakeAWishBall.com. InterContinental Miami is located at 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131.

Tickets for the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball Starlight Nightclub are $100, but for those already attending the Ball prior, there is no charge. There will be a complimentary open bar and formal evening attire is required.
About Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida
Since 1983, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida has granted more than 10,000 wishes to children who have life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The nonprofit organization serves families in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Okeechobee counties and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It receives no federal or state funding and raises money to grant wishes through corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants, and individual contributions. The Southern Florida chapter grants a wish every 16 hours, every day of the year, at an average cost of $5,000. For more information, to make a donation, volunteer or refer a child, contact Make-A-Wish at (888) 773-WISH or log on to www.SFLA.Wish.org.
About InterContinental® Miami
Celebrating 30 years as an icon of the Downtown Miami skyline, the InterContinental® Miami is located at the crossroads of Miami’s Business and Arts & Entertainment districts. A beacon for business and leisure travelers alike, the hotel rises 34 stories over the city with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami. The hotel features 641 luxury guest rooms, including 34 suites and two presidential suites designed by Venus William’s V Starr Interiors; 35 meeting rooms with over 101,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and exhibition space, including a spectacular Grand Ballroom; multiple food and beverage outlets – Toro Toro, ¡Ole!, Bluewater, Table 40 and the hotel’s interactive digital arts lobby lounge; full-service fitness center and spa at mySpa Miami; and rooftop pool deck with gardens. The InterContinental Miami is a proud corporate citizen of the Miami-Dade community, invested through its annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, and its corporate social responsibility program. For more information or reservations, call 305-577-1000 or visit www.ICMiamiHotel.com.