The Friends of the Miami- Dade Public Library will host its third annual Miami Moments, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m., at the Main Library, 101 W. Flagler St.
The downtown Main Library will be transformed into a tropical paradise honoring Ruth Shack and the late Richard Shack, longtime library and community supporters, and the Miami Dolphins Foundation for its many years of helping to underwrite library programs for youth.
Hosted by TV anchor Gerri Helfman, there will be musical entertainment by Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ed Calle, along with special guest appearances by film producer Billy Corben, award winning author Edwidge Danticat, The Miami Foundation CEO Javier Soto, and world-renowned chef Norman Van Aken. All proceeds to benefit the public library’s cultural and literacy programs.
This year, the Friends is launching a new twist to the fun-filled evening called Miami Moment Minutes during which the music stops and a spotlight appears on one of the evening’s special guests who will spend a minute telling a story about the library, Miami, literacy, the arts or whatever is in their heart. The Miami Moment Minutes speakers will be Billy Corben, Edwidge Danticat, Javier Soto and Norman Van Aken.
Miami Moments is especially important this year as the library is facing many important challenges due to severe budget cuts and must rely heavily on the Friends for their support. Although the Friends want to raise funds at its Miami Moments event, the greater goal is making people aware of the importance of the library to the community, bringing them to the Main Library where its story can be told.
“This year’s Miami Moments is more important than ever because this is a time for everyone to show their love and support for the public library,” said John Quick, president of the Friends and a partner at Weiss Serota Helfman Pastoriza Cole & Boniske.
Tickets are available at www.miamimoments.org or by calling 305-375-2658.
The Friends of the Miami?Dade Public Library is a nonprofit, charitable organization created in 1974, dedicated to promoting library excellence by advocating, volunteering and raising funds for special library programming, literacy initiatives and outreach efforts.
