Jammin’ at Joey’s with Myra Wexler . Installment #2
MOCA's Fundraiser Promises A Dreamy Night
It was like a high school reunion of sorts, with the eclectic group of people who joined me for lunch at Joey’s. Some were Miami natives and people I have known since my own high school days in Coral Gables. Some were my Bakehouse (BAC) artist girlfriends, and some were Miami transplants who have made their mark here in South Florida.
Bonnie Clearwater, Executive Director of MOCA arrived as did realtor Diane Lieberman, a MOCA board member and Co-Chair of MOCA’s Bohemian Bash. Diane and her husband Alan are longtime supporters of MOCA and the owners of The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club, who hosted the kick-off party for the Bohemian Bash.
Bonnie and Diane were full of news about the quickly approaching Bash, which will encourage guests to eat, drink, dance and dream the night away in surreal decor created by local artists…what could be bad? Absolutely nothing, according to the consensus at the table. BOHEMIAN BASH is this year’s POP Fundraiser for MOCA, and the plans for the party promise not to disappoint – a cool evening of style and substance with a luxury silent auction. Chairs are Barbara Herzberg and Diane and Alan Lieberman.
Aside from preparing for The Bash, MOCA is currently showing The Reach of Realism. Bonnie is celebrating her 16th year at MOCA and has made such a difference in our community. Not to be missed is her monthly “BootCamp” series, which demystifies contemporary art decade by decade in a concise one hour lecture with power point visuals. And the last Friday of each month is Jazz at MOCA, a free jazz concert open to the public, under the Miami sky.
Glenna Norton was also at our table with her beautiful daughter Channing Norton, who coincidentally is on the committee for Bohemian Bash, is active at The New World Symphony and is a food writer for Miami Magazine. Glenna is a Miami Beach native who now divides her time between South Florida and Monte Carlo…how lucky can you get? We have been friends since the ‘60s.
Miami Shores was in the house via BAC artist Tina Salvesen – the Knot Project – and her sister Jan Morrison. Sculptor, Becki Boni Litman was there along with her husband, prominent real estate attorney Neal Litman. I know Neal from his days at Palmetto High. Becki’s solo exhibition entitled “Expressions” is on display at Museo Vault (346 Northwest 29th Street) and runs through February 28th.
Speaking of Museo Vault, David Lombardi, a regular at Joey’s with an office across the street, was having lunch. He’s the managing partner of Museo Vault, a state of the art facility for housing artwork and valuables. David’s comment was, “Wow Myra, you’ve got an impressive group of people together.”
Interior Designer Suzanne Howland was jammin’ at Joey’s as well with Realtor Ghistaine Green. Both of these women go back to high school days with me at Gables. Yoga Instructor extraordinaire, Liz Asch, originally from Sweden, completed their table.
Two more BAC artists stopped by…
Montreal native, Louise Markus, formally of RoyStreetCollective.com and recent South Florida arrival, along with Jacquline Roch of Coconut Grove poster fame. Jackie’s work was selected last year for the Festival’s official poster.
Claudia Kitchens, a Gables High girl, was there for a working lunch with Melanie Merriman. Tony Goldman stopped by the table to see what all the commotion was about. Glenna asked him for a song, and he promised a “singing performance” another time.
The afternoon was lively and illuminating. Just what we hoped it would be…bringing people of interest together. Everyone left looking forward to meeting again.
Artists, decision makers, philanthropists, all committed to making a difference in Miami and bringing Wynwood into the mix as it continues to be an important element in Miami’s world class evolution.
Jammin’ at Joey’s, a Salon with Myra Wexler and her guests, is the last Friday of each month from noon till 2 p.m. at Joey’s, of course. We encourage you to stop by for a cup of coffee, or make a reservation for lunch. Whatever you do, stay tuned for Installement #3. Joey’s is located at 2506 NW 2nd Avenue and the telephone number is 305-438-0488.
