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2023 ended on a high note on December 29-30, when South Florida was graced with two nights of performances by international ballet stars to the Arsht Center brought to us by the Ballet Support Foundation, a non-profit founded by Lola Koch. This Holiday Ballet of stars was historic in that 14 of the world’s best of the best performed dances from our favorite ballets including the Nutcracker and Swan Lake as well as more contemporary pieces. Kudos to Lola Koch, who directed the show, and the elite cast including such notables as Christine Shevchenko, Natalia Osipova—who brought down the house with her Swan Lake—Ludmila Pagliero, Mira Nadon, Xin Ying, Orin Zvulun and more. It was truly a magical evening for all who attended.
Lola Koch, who danced with the Bolshoi for 12 years before moving to New York, was a recent guest on my show during which we brought her daughter, Isabel, to join us for a bit.
Isabel, a 14-year-old music student at Juilliard, bravely sang for us with no prep during a recent interview on my show. Her acapella performance of I Will Survive was beautifully performed. It seems show business runs in this talented family.
In other news, Voices for Children’s Gala was held at the Mandarin on January 6, raising funds for the Guardian Ad Litem program and related initiatives. Look for more on that in our next issue but for now let us talk about Voices for Children. Kadie Black, VFC CEO, was recently on my Gloria’s Gab LIVE Show with B.L.U.E. Missions CEO, Danny Rodriguez, to talk about a recent mission trip they orchestrated and funded for foster kids as well as VFC’s new Comfort Closet. Thanks to the generous donation of items from supporters, the non-profit now has a dedicated safe space in its office that provides children in foster care with basic necessities and comfort items that are delivered to children during their foster care transition. Foster care families, foster parents, and even youth who have aged out of the foster care system are able to return to the Comfort Closet for anything they might need at any time. Those wanting to learn about their mission trip and help in any other way, please visit www.beavoice.org.
One the service club scene, Coral Gables Rotarians gathered for the club’s Annual Moose Milk party on January 1, at Matheson Hammock Park organized by Rotary Club of Coral Gables (RCCG) Past President Sally Baumgartner. Everyone brought a potluck dish while the club provided the Moose Milk (vanilla ice cream, milk plain or spiked with gin). The affair brought lots of good tidings for the new year. Among the many enjoying the event were RCCG PP Keith and Angela Phillips, Carol and Jasper Brock, RCCG PP Bruce and Janie Kerestes, RCCG President Frank Sexton, Hadley and Jennifer Williams, RCCG PP Debbie and John Swain, Dipak Joshi, RCCG Treasurer Bill and Chie Quesenberry and Diane Thurston.
Speaking of non-profit work, Kat Barrow-Horth, founder of Comic Kids, and hubby, Reed, were also guests on my show. Comic Kids is a non-profit that helps children learn through comics, cartoons and books. Go to cnews.net to check out the show and learn more about their mission and work in our community.
In other good news, A Safe Haven for Newborns (ASHFN) saved its 387th baby on December 7, 2023, coincidently the anniversary date of ASHFN’s founder Nick Silverio’s wife death. Gloria Silverio, killed in a tragic car accident 24 years earlier, was the inspiration for setting up this organization that has protected so many babies from abandonment and possible death. In early January another two babies were added to the count, Caleb and Cyrus, 388th and 389th babies. Help support this mission at www.asafehavenfornewborns.com. Save the date, May 17, for ASHFN’s “Tee Off for Cause” Golf Tournament at Trump National Doral. Always a great fundraiser for such a worthy cause and tons of fun.
Finally, coming up January 31 through February 25, you will want to buy tickets for Legally Blonde the Musical. This wonderfully funny award-winning production based on the movie by MGM and book by Amanda Brown, is a must see at Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre featuring a great cast. For tickets, go to www.actorsplayhouse.org.
Until next time, share your time and talents, count your blessings, and have a Happy New Year!
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