National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) will bring together the nation’s most promising artists, industry leaders, alumni and celebrities for the organization’s largest annual fundraiser and the kick off to the Backyard Ball performance and gala on Saturday, January 13. The celebratory evening will be the culmination of National YoungArts Week, YoungArts’ signature program beginning January 7 for 166 Finalists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts selected from approximately 8,000 applicants. The event will honor Academy Award winner and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney (1999 YoungArts Winner in Theater and YoungArts master teacher) as the 2018 Arison Alumni Award recipient for his contributions and commitment to the arts.
The Backyard Ball is presented by Max Mara, an Italian luxury brand aligned in YoungArts’ mission to support young artists in their educational and professional development. This is the fourth consecutive year that Max Mara has joined YoungArts in the celebration of burgeoning talent. Max Mara will also showcase new designs during the cocktail reception, and honor 2017 Max Mara Young Visionary Award recipient Torrance Hall (2017 Winner in Photography). New and unique this year is the format of the production. The entire show will take place on one stage with TV personality and local celebrity Louis Aguirre leading as Master of Ceremonies. He will introduce a series of inspiring alumni performances curated by Grammy Award winner Grace Weber (2006 Winner in Voice & U.S Presidential Scholar in the Arts), alongside Thirdstory (Ben Lusher, 2010 Winner in Voice; Richard Saunders, 2008 Winner in Voice & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts; Elliott Skinner, 2013 Winner in Voice), Nadia Alexander (2012 Winner in Theater & U.S Presidential Scholar in the Arts), Amanda Krische (2012 Winner in Dance), Jasmine “Jaz” Sinclair Sabino (2012 Winner in Theater), Jose “BOY BOI” Tena (2012 Winner in Dance), Elliot Wuu (2017 Winner in Classical Music), and an all-star alumni jazz band led by four-time Grammy nominated pianist and composer Gerald Clayton (2002 Winner in Jazz & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) with Braxton Cook (2010 Winner in Jazz), Julius Rodriguez (2014 Winner in Jazz), Zack Ostroff (2011 Winner in Jazz & U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) and Benny Benack (2009 Winner in Jazz).
In addition to the performances, the evening, hosted by Chairs Dr. Kira and Mr. Neil Flanzraich, will feature an elegant reception and seated dinner. The YoungArts Campus will undergo a stunning transformation for the gala with iridescent visual elements, gold accents, ceiling art and original works throughout the space. Torrance Hall will showcase silkscreens of his self-portraiture.
The evening will conclude with the Backyard Bash on the YoungArts Plaza with dancing and dessert under the stars, featuring music by legendary DJ and producer Arthur Baker.
Expected guests include Louis Aguirre, Sarah Arison & Thomas Wilhelm, Linda Coll, Santino Fontana, Dr. Kira & Mr. Neil Flanzraich, Carolina García Jayaram, Matt Haggman, Richard Kohan, Maria Giulia Maramotti, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Jorge & Darlene Pérez, Patrice Rushen,Ellie & Bruce Taub, Charles & Judy Temel, Grace
Weber and Maurice M. Zarmati.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Red carpet arrivals begin: 5:15 PM
Doors open at 6:30 PM
Program begins: 7:45 PM
National YoungArts Foundation
2100 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33137
The Backyard Ball performance and gala is supported by Presenting Partner Max Mara, EventStar Structure, Bacardi, Miami Herald and MIAMI Magazine.
Tickets to the Backyard Ball start at $1,500 and tables are available starting at $15,000. Tickets can be purchased here or by contacting Lauren Nesslein at gala@youngarts.org / 305.377.1140 ext. 1808.
To join the Backyard Bash gala after-party, please contact membership at membership@youngarts.org. Feel free to visit youngarts.org/gala for more information.
