Shake-A-Leg Miami (SALM), a nonprofit organization working with individuals in a marine environment who have physical, developmental and economic challenges, will be hosting its first annual event to celebrate 25 years of community involvement on October 29. SALM’s 25th Anniversary “Art of Sail” presented by Badia Spices, taking place at the former U.S. Coast Guard Seaplane Base (now SALM’s headquarters), is a “nautical” event celebrating art, fashion, music, design, and water.
The evening will showcase the designs of European fashion designer Jens Werner, who helped design men’s and women’s clothing for Adidas brand Y-3, as well as head the design department of Tory Burch’s new sports line, Tory Sport, now head of design at J Lindeberg. For SALM, Werner has designed creative and exclusive garments for the event from recycled sails adding a unique twist to fashion pieces such as coats, dresses and pants. The models, some disabled sailors and community notables, will be elegantly showing off the garments.
“I create fashion that performs,” said Werner. “The essence of sportswear is offering the wearer the highest comfort, functionality and the best fit. With the fashion show we are planning for Shake-A-Leg Miami, I want to not just give something back. I want to be part of something bigger that is possible with these combined forces.”
Werner, Robert Lupone and Bernie Telsey, of the Off Broadway Manhattan Class Company Theater, have collaborated to present the story of Shake-A-Leg Miami through fashion and theater, showcasing a runway show in a non-traditional theater format. A play, written by Werner, casted by Telsey and directed by Lupone, will be performed the night of the event as an ode to SALM’s devotion to the community.
“I go to the theater to be challenged. I go to Shake-A-Leg Miami to be inspired,” said Telsey. “Mix theatre with Shake-A-Leg Miami and the sky is the limit of what is possible. There is no organization that expresses community like Shake-A-Leg Miami does.”
The evening will also showcase the unique designs of multiple artists that have come together to benefit the cause including mixed media artist and founder of Rise Up Gallery, David McCauley. McCauley traveled from Miami to Maine on the Impossible Dream, SALM’s universally accessible 60’ Catamaran. On this trip, he invited two artists at each port to create artwork utilizing the repurposed canvas from the jib sail. The art pieces will be exhibited during the celebration where they will be auctioned off to support the like-minded missions of SALM, Rise Up Gallery and the Impossible Dream.
Horgan remarked, “It seems only natural that we celebrate the value of Miami’s water and community support with a ‘nautical’ event, a unique fashion and theater show that celebrates art, music, design and water.”
Artists Werner, Lupone and McCauley have used their talent to benefit SALM, to celebrate its success as a global destination for individuals with disabilities and their families while inviting community members of all ages and abilities to have fun, be inspired, develop friendships and launch dreams.
Shake-A-Leg Miami’s mission is to provide children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges the opportunity of utilizing South Florida’s exciting marine environment to improve the health, education and independence of its members in an inclusive community setting.
The Shake-A-Leg Miami “Art of Sail” tickets are $300 and open to the public. To purchase tickets and for information, visit www.shakealegmiami.org. Follow SALM on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
