Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), which is as beautiful as the art it holds, held its annual fundraiser on January 17, 2014. The gala, dubbed “Art of the Party” was presented by Louis Vuitton and showcased the architectural gem’s distinct, interconnected spaces with three unique celebrations in a single evening. Guests including supermodel Karolina Kurkova and Pitbull attended the sensational bash at the waterfront museum that pulled out all the stops for one of the most unique gala experiences to date.
South Beach Wine and Food Festival Founder, Lee Brian Schrager conceptualized the three-party-in-one-night concept, the navigation of which was, in itself an art form. For the occasion, Schrager flew in famed, fourth-generation Chef Thomas Troisgros, from Rio de Janeiro, to orchestrate the evening’s two distinct dinner parties, which were followed by a night of dancing under the stars on PAMM’s gorgeous terrace.
Within the nightlife setting of Supper Club in the museum’s second- floor special exhibition galleries, partygoers were treated to exquisite food stations, serving a wide array of dishes, from seafood to prime rib, while sitting in elegant, comfortable lounge areas scattered throughout the ample space. Guests mingled, danced, dined and posed for artist, Mr. Cheng who created five inch paper silhouette portraits.
The big surprise of the evening came courtesy of a 20-person flash mob that emerged from the crowd dancing to Fergie’s “A Little Party Never Hurt Nobody,” similar in moves to the Chippendale dancers, complete with tear-away clothing. The performance ended with an acrobatic pyramid which was followed by a Samba procession, which led guests downstairs to the after party.
While all of the adventures were going on inside the museum, guests of the Chef’s Table four-course, seated dinner on the terrace, beneath the museum’s stunning hanging gardens, enjoyed a more subdued, experience, including a performance by Soul Train award-winner Nicole Henry. During the sophisticated dinner, Pérez Art Museum Miami Board Chair Aaron Podhurst welcomed everyone with a heart-felt thanks and Dom Perignon Champagne toast to Art of the Party chairs Wayne & Arlene Chaplin.
The Supper Club and Chef’s Table dinner parties converged for The Remix after party on the terrace, as popular Brazilian band Batuke Samba Funk played high-energy beats which fueled guests while they sipped cocktails and espresso delighted in table after table of signature desserts. The legendary sax player and James Brown band leader Pee Wee Ellis joined the dynamic group for the waterfront concert that kept guests dancing into the early hours.
Notable guests included: supermodel Karolina Kurkova; musician Pitbull; Kara & Stephen Ross; Jorge & Darlene Pérez; Craig Robins & Jackie Soffer; Food Network Simply Delicioso host Ingrid Hoffman; photographer Iran Issa-Khan; fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi; Lee Brian Schrager; Mayor Carlos Gimenez; Mayor Manny Diaz; Chef Thomas Troisgros; Raul “El Gordo” & Millie de Molina; Univision news anchor Maria Elena Salinas; Walid & Susie Wahab; Nicole & Edgar Lozano; Michelle & Jason Rubell; Debra & Dennis Scholl; Jonathan & Criselda Breene; Thom Collins, Gingi Beltran; Daniel & Marcella Novela; Nick D’Annunzio & Tara Solomon; Ruth & Alan Zelcer; John Lin, and Belkys Nerey, to name a few.
