Miami’s iconic Vizcaya began a year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary at the Vizcaya Centennial Gala which took place on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Guests walked down the historic Cascade entrance on a 200-foot Venetian blue carpet to the sold-out black-tie event and were greeted by cocktails and vintage cars as they entered the Gilded Age estate.
The evening’s festivities included a stylish cocktail reception on the South Terrace and music throughout the Main House and gardens provided by University of Miami’s Frost School of Music including the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Frost Studio Jazz Band and the departments of Vocal and Instrumental Performance.
A procession of illuminated lanterns lead guests from the reception to the dinner with catering by Le Basque; music also provided by the Valerie Tyson Band, and a sensational online silent auction. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez presented a proclamation, naming November 19, 2016 as Vizcaya Centennial Kick-Off Day.
Guests danced into the night and watched fireworks along Biscayne Bay.
The Vizcaya Centennial Gala co-chairs are Barbara and Jose Hevia, Cathy L. Jones, and Christina and David Martin. Committee members are Leslie Ann Brown, Swanee DiMare, Roxana Garciga, Sonia Gibson, Linda Levy Goldberg, Gladys Rustan-Hernando, Daysi Johansson, Pearl Baker Katz, James W. Murphy Lydia Touzet, Nadia Valdes and Alexa Wolman.
Proceeds support the protection and preservation of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Located on Biscayne Bay at 3251 S. Miami Ave., 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 www.vizcaya.org, connect via social media, call 305-250-9133, or send email to vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org.