On Friday, November 13, more than 300 of Miami’s most influential arts patrons and philanthropists took to the high seas for an overnight celebration titled Arts Odyssey: A Collaboration. Underwritten by The Yachts of Seabourn and with the support of the Carnival Corporation, the exclusive event benefitted the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and its three resident companies: Florida Grand Opera; Miami City Ballet; and New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy.
“I am delighted to announce that Arts Odyssey: A Collaboration was a huge success,” said Adrienne Arsht, event co-chair and chairman of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Board. “I would like to express my gratitude to The Yachts of Seabourn and Carnival Corporation who so generously underwrote this glorious event. With their help and the unwavering support of Miami’s most loyal arts patrons and corporate sponsors, we are able to build upon the unique cultural foundation these magnificent arts organizations have built in this magical city.”
Co-chairing Arts Odyssey: A Collaboration alongside Adrienne Arsht were representatives of the Adrienne Arsht Center’s resident companies: Arlene and Laurans Mendelson (Florida Grand Opera), Bobi and Jim Eroncig (Miami City Ballet), and Sandy and Stephen Muss (New World Symphony). VIPs in attendance included Pamela C. Conover, President and CEO of The Yachts of Seabourn; John Richard, CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center; Howard Herring, President and CEO of New World Symphony; Edward Villella, President and CEO of Miami City Ballet, and wife Linda Villella; Robert Heuer, General Director and CEO of Florida Grand Opera; Ricky Arriola, Chairman of the Performing Arts Center Trust; Micky Arison, CEO of Carnival Corporation and Miami Heat owner, and wife Madeleine Arison; Lin Arison, Founder of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts; Sarah Arison, President of the Arison Arts Foundation; Ron Esserman, owner of Esserman International, and wife Charlene Esserman; Robert Barlick of Goldman Sachs, and wife Ana-Marie Barlick; Armando and Margarita Codina; Alan and Diane Lieberman; philanthropists Sanford and Dolores Ziff; attorney and art collector Marvin Ross-Friedman and Adrienne Bon Haes; Dr. Arthur and Sari Agatston; Gene Schaffer, President of Bank of America Miami, and wife Lolly Schaffer; Maria Alonso, SVP Market Development Manager at Bank of America; Jorge Rossell, Chairman of Total Bank, and wife Lorena Rossell; arts advocates Dennis and Debra Scholl; Dr. Phillip and Judy George; and Jorge Plasencia, Chairman and CEO of República.
A Collaboration kicked off with a sundown sail-away celebration at Seabourn Odyssey’s Sky Bar at which time the “who’s who” of South Florida mixed and mingled in their best yachting attire amidst balmy breezes. At dinnertime, The Restaurant’s celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer presented guests with an indulgent six-course meal featuring smoked salmon and Malossol caviar; white plum tomato cappuccino; warm potato ravioli; citrus sorbet intermezzo; butter-sautéed lobster or beef filet mignon with seared foie gras; and chocolate cake and truffles. Following Chef’s culinary masterpiece, guests were summoned into The Grand Salon for captivating performances by Florida Grand Opera, New World Symphony and Bernadette Peters. The Tony-, Grammy- and Golden Globe Award-winning siren , clad in a curve-hugging, lavender Bob Mackie gown, performed a selection of songs including “Let Me Entertain You,” “Fever,” “No One Is Alone,” and “Some Enchanted Evening,” and other audience favorites by Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein. After the intimate concert, guests sojourned to the ship’s casino or nightclub for a nightcap.
Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to enter in two separate drawings – one offering the chance to win items such as customizable Louis Vuitton travel luggage, a trip to Gaia Hotel in Costa Rica, a seven-day excursion on Seabourn Odyssey and a Cartier time piece; the other drawing boasted a Volkswagen Eos, for which tickets will remain available until Valentine’s Day.
Funds raised will support artistic programming, education and community outreach, apprenticeship and fellowship programs, and the continued enrichment of South Florida’s leading performing arts institutions.
For many more exclusive event photos, please visit our events page.
