Miami’s iconic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

is gearing up to celebrate its centennial, kicking off a year of festivities with the Vizcaya Centennial Gala on Saturday, November 19, 2016. This fundraising event supports the preservation and protection of the estate and is the kick off of many activities over the coming year that will celebrate Vizcaya’s anniversary.

Vizcaya was originally the winter home of agricultural industrialist James Deering. Conceiving, designing and building Vizcaya was a massive project that employed approximately 1,000 workers – a full 10 percent of Miami’s population at the time. Vizcaya was inaugurated on Christmas Day, 1916 with an Italian-themed party. The Vizcaya Centennial Gala pays homage to that event.

“Just as James Deering celebrated with a grand party in 1916 when he first moved into his home, we too are celebrating with our very special Centennial Gala,” says Christina Martin, co-chair of Vizcaya’s Centennial Gala committee. “From elegant cocktails to dancing under the stars to a spectacular fireworks display, we will be celebrating Vizcaya and its important role as part of our community for the past century.”

Vizcaya Centennial Gala
Vizcaya’s Centennial Gala will begin with a red carpet at the entrance of the beautiful Gilded Age estate, leading into the gardens and Courtyard for cocktails. The evening will continue with an elegant outdoor dinner overlooking Biscayne Bay. The University of Miami’s Frost School of Music will entertain guests throughout the evening with a broad repertoire of music performed by numerous ensembles and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Additional entertainment will be provided by the Valerie Tyson Band.

A silent auction will include voyages with Azamara Club Cruises to any of their worldwide ports, a Lakini Tour to Peru and many other items including exquisite jewelry from Yvel. Dinner, dancing and the auction will be followed by a fireworks display above Vizcaya’s Barge.

The Gala committee co-chairs are Barbara and Jose Hevia, Cathy L. Jones and Christina and David Martin. Committee members are Leslie Ann Brown, Roxana Garciga, Sonia Gibson, Linda Levy Goldberg, Gladys Rustan Hernando, Daysi Johansson, Pearl Baker Katz, James W. Murphy, Lydia Touzet and Alexa Wolman. Sponsors for the event include Republic National Distribution Company, University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, Yvel and diptyque paris.

Individual tickets are $750 and $1,000, and tables for ten guests range from $7,500 to $25,000. 100% of proceeds benefit the protection and preservation of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

To become a sponsor or purchase tickets or a table for Vizcaya’s Centennial Gala, please visit VizcayaGala.org. To learn more about Vizcaya and events during the anniversary year visit Vizcaya.org.

About Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the Miami estate of agricultural industrialist James Deering to engage our community and its visitors in learning through the arts, history and the environment. Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in United States history, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs built lavish estates inspired by the stately homes of Europe. Vizcaya features a Main House, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, the Vizcaya Café and Shop presented by A Joy Wallace Catering, Design and Special Events, and a historic village that will be restored for additional venues for programs and community outreach. Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue, between Brickell Avenue and Coconut Grove, Vizcaya is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit Vizcaya.org.