FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS: Suzette Espinosa Fuentes Gino R. Campodónico (786) 468-2221 (786) 468-2228 sespinosa@arshtcenter.org gcampodonico@arshtcenter.org

ARSHT CENTER HOSTS 12th ANNUAL GALA A CELEBRATION OF LEADERSHIP

Gala honored John Richard, the Center’s president and CEO, for his outstanding decade-long leadership with a one-night-only concert featuring songs from The Great American Songbook

Gala proceeds support the Center’s arts education and community programs

which enrich the lives of people of all ages in South Florida

MIAMI, FL – March 28, 2018 – On Saturday, March 24, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) hosted its 12th Annual Gala with a momentous celebration of leadership honoring its president and CEO John Richard as he completes his tenure in 2018 with a legacy fulfilled. Under Richard’s leadership, the Center has become a cultural touchstone, recognized nationally for artistic excellence and impactful community offerings. Close to 400 South Florida arts and culture supporters, community leaders and philanthropists attended the event in an effort to raise funds for the Center’s arts education and community engagement programs which include AileyCamp Miami, Jazz Roots: Sound Check, Rock Odyssey and Kitty Hawk. Click here to learn more about how the Arsht Center gives back to the local community. The Arsht Center’s 12th Annual Gala – A Celebration of Leadership featured a cocktail reception with Pommery champagne and Bacardi cocktails, gourmet dinner by Le Basque, dancing and a star-studded, supper club-styled concert hosted by WPLG (ABC) Local 10’s Calvin Hughes. The concert featured songs from The Great American Songbook with rousing performances by Ann Hampton Callaway, Niki Haris, Clint Holmes along with Gala Music Director Shelly Berg and the Frost School of Music’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Following the concert, guests enjoyed desserts while dancing to the high-energy sounds of Soul Survivors on the Knight Concert Hall stage. Neiman Marcus and Pommery provided gift bags for all attendees. One of the evening’s most memorable moments was a surprise performance by AileyCamp Miami alumni. More than 50 former AileyCamp Miami campers performed a powerful spoken word piece written by Deborah Magdalena, the camp’s creative communication instructor, to thank, honor and pay tribute to John Richard for his passionate and steadfast support of arts education. The inspirational performance was followed by thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

Gala supporters included Honorary Chair Adrienne Arsht; Gala Philanthropic Chairs Swanee & Paul DiMare; Gala Chairs Tony & Conchi Argiz; and Ira & Carole Hall; and Gala Co-Chairs Rob & Ana Barlick; Nancy & Jon Batchelor; Trish & Dan Bell; Lee E. Caplin & Gita Karasik; Kimberly Green; Jeff Haines; Jim Kaufman; David & Marian Rocker; Frances & Eugenio Sevilla-Sacasa. Under John Richard’s leadership, the Center has become a centerpiece of Miami’s cultural life, presenting a variety of performances by more than 20,000 best-in-class artists from around the globe. In addition, the Center is widely-known for its award-winning arts education programs including AileyCamp Miami which was recognized with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Richard also created a unique partnership with Miami-Dade Public Schools to provide millions of dollars in free arts education programs to young people throughout Miami with Rock Odyssey, a flagship arts integration program that launched in 2010, and the new STEAM-focused musical Kitty Hawk. The Center’s arts education programs serve nearly 60,000 children each year. Top level supporters were treated to complimentary chauffeur services provided by South Florida BMW Centers.

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@ArshtCenter #ArshtCenter *All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.

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John Richard, Swanee DiMare, and Paul

DiMare Photo by: WorldRedEye.com

Arsht Center Gala 2018 Photo by Eyeworks

Production

About the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Set in the heart of downtown Miami and designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center, a 501C3 non-profit organization, has emerged as a leader in presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity as well as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area. Spotlighting legends and serving as a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage, the Center presents nearly 400 events each year across its flexible, state-of-the-art performance spaces. The Center programs several Signature Series, including the largest jazz series in South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival, and a robust program of new theatrical works as well as free programming for the community and an arts education program that serves nearly 60,000 children each year. As Miami’s new Town Square, the Arsht Center also houses BRAVA by Brad Kilgore, a fine dining restaurant; the Café at Books & Books in the historic Carnival Tower and a weekly Farmers Market. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.