More than 280 glamorous ghosts and goblins — from Cruella Deville to the Real Housewives of Transylvania — gathered on Saturday, Oct. 29, to raise funds during the 58th annual Beaux Arts Ball.
Beaux Arts 2011 Ball chairs Katie Elliott and Lani Drody ensured that ghoulish guests were bewitched from the moment they entered the haunted environs that usually pose as the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables.
With a skeleton bride swaying from the lobby’s chandelier greeting guests, the spooky soirée boasted dramatic décor such as elaborate coffins; phantoms swinging from the raven-sprinkled rafters, and towering, custom-made red carnation centerpieces dotted with skeleton heads dressed in top hats. To guests’ delight, the spirit of Marilyn Monroe made a surprise appearance and sang happy birthday to the longstanding organization, currently celebrating 60 years of service.
With the theme “Ghouls and Glam,” Miami’s oldest costume ball drew especially amazingly spooky and haute attire — including a group of skeletons representing Mexico’s “Day of the Dead.” For entertainment, an elaborate skit competition featured recreations of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, as well as a crew dressed as the Monster High line of fashion dolls.
With signature Grey Goose cocktails flowing, the ghostly gala also included an expansive silent auction and thrilling raffle, which featured a pair of diamond earrings from Snow’s Jewelers and a SeaDream cruise.
All funds raised benefit the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami. Among other projects, Beaux Arts helps introduce underprivileged children to the world of art through its own “Hands On!” outreach program, which invites children from Title I elementary schools to visit the Lowe and use the museum’s resources to create and learn about art.
Ball sponsors for the event include Bunny Bastian, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Lowell International Realty, and Courtney and Darryl Parmenter.
For more information, visit online at www.BeauxArtsMiami.org.
