MOCA Mystery Dates Another Sell-Out Success

MOCA’s Mystery Dates, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s surprise-filled fundraiser, was another sell-out success when 13 art collectors opened their homes for fabulous dinner parties in support of the museum’s exhibitions of emerging and experimental artists.

The evening began at MOCA, where the 350 guests learned which dinner they would be attending. Cocktails courtesy of Bombay Sapphire and the live band Ketchy Schuby created an exciting vibe for the evening. Before heading out to their dinners, the fashionable crowd admired a dazzling new BMW Z4 courtesy of presenting sponsor Braman Motors and bid on great opportunities at a selective silent auction.

Hosts of Mystery Dates all share a love of art and of entertaining, and each added a personal touch to their party. Lizzie Dascal’s dinner was all vegan and Dale and Richard Newberg surprised guests with a performance by jazz and gospel singer Maryell Epps. Kathryn Mikesell prepared 15 different dishes while Nina Johnson-Milewski and husband Dan Milewski served delicious fried chicken. Artist George Sanchez Calderone served dinner in his studio and guests to Mike Margulies dinner at The Margulies Collection at The Warehouse, were treated to a private tour by his father Martin. Other dinner hosts included Alana Burstyn, Gloria and Sergio Leyva, Billy Weisman, Joe Berg, Barbara Herzberg, Katy and Dario Stoka and Sofia Joelsson

After dinner, guests reconvened at The Shore Club on South Beach for late night fun.

Thanks to presenting sponsor Braman Motors of Miami and lead sponsors Museo Vault, Elle Décor, Cultured Magazine and Miami Magazine, the evening was a great success. Additional support was provided by Bombay Sapphire, The Brickellian, Southern Wine and Spirits, SLS Hotel South Beach, The Shore Club, and Lyon+Lyon.

Mystery Dates 2012 Co-chairs MOCA Shakers Meredith Becker, Valerie Graves, Zubin Nagpal, Erin Newberg and Anne Owen led a dynamic committee of Sarah Arison, Alana Burstyn, Lauren Busch Singer, Craig Dell, Maura Dominguez, Julia Ford-Carther, Lauren Gnazzo, Nina Johnson-Milewski, Alex Kushner, Jonathan Lazar, Carolyn Travis and Simone Weissman.

For more information, contact Valerie Ricordi, MOCA Public Relations at 305 893 6211 or vricordi@mocanomi.org.