Inside the 59th Annual Vizcaya Ball

Alexa Wolman, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Lesli Brown, Sonia Gibson, Swanee DiMare, Joel Hoffman, James Murphy, Cathy Jones, Linda Levi Goldberg
Alexa Wolman, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Lesli Brown, Sonia Gibson, Swanee DiMare, Joel Hoffman, James Murphy, Cathy Jones, Linda Levi Goldberg

This year, Vizcaya hosted its 59th annual ball celebrating the theme “A Return to the Gilded Age and All that Glitters.” The evening lived up to its glamorus promise guests walking a 100-yard red carpet down to the historic mansion.

Once inside, the event’s Honorary Chair, Swanee DiMare, and committee members Lesli Ann Brown, Roxana Garciga, Sonia Gibson, Linda Levy Goldberg, Cathy Jones, Nicole Lozano, Christina Martin, William Meyersohn, James W. Murphy, Alexa Wolman and Suzy Buckley Woodward greeted guests and encouraged everyone to bid on silent auction items.

Juan Munilla, Laura Munilla, Lourdes Jimenez, Carlos Jimenez
Juan Munilla, Laura Munilla, Lourdes Jimenez, Carlos Jimenez

At the event, guests enjoyed a stylish cocktail reception with a seafood bar and catering by Thierry Catering as well as music by the Florida Youth Orchestra.

(Left to right) Lesley Griffith, Alexa Wolman, Susanne Birbragher, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Pearl Katz, Marisa Toccin Lucas
(right to left) Lesley Griffith, Alexa Wolman, Susanne Birbragher, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Pearl Katz, Marisa Toccin Lucas

Everyone was having so much fun, they were slow to make their way outside for dinner. Once there, they were greeted by Vizcaya’s romantic waterfront and balmy air. A clear tent kept the rain off gala-goers, while allowing for a bit of stargazing. Even before dinner began, everyone took to the dance floor for a dance or two to the sounds of The Steve Chase Band.

Miriam Salazar, Migna Sanchez, Bronwyn Miller
Bronwyn Miller, Minga Sanchez, Miriam Salazar

Following a sumptuous, multi-course dinner, guests danced into the night and watched fireworks above the Biscayne Bay.

Marile Lopez, Jorge Luis Lopez
Marile Lopez, Jorge Luis Lopez

Among the guests were Susan and Anthony Abraham, Jr., Pearl Baker-Katz, Trish and Dan Bell, Terry Buoniconti, Laurie Evans, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust Chairman Ray MaGhee, Aislyn and Scott McDonald, M.D., Bronwyn Miller, Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime, Laura and Juan Munilla, Chris Pederson, Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Diane Sepler, among others.

Rayfield McGhee, Sonia Succar Rodriguez, Representative Jose Javier Rodriguez, Joel Hoffman
Rayfield McGhee, Sonia Succar Rodriguez, Representative Jose Javier Rodriguez, Joel Hoffman
Dan Bell, Trish Bell
Dan Bell, Trish Bell

About Vizcaya:

Vizcaya was the Miami estate of agricultural industrialist James Deering built between 1914 and 1922.  Vizcaya is special because it is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in United States history, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs built lavish estates inspired by the stately homes of Europe. Vizcaya features a Main House, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, the Vizcaya Café and Shop presented by A Joy Wallace Catering, Design and Special Events, and a historic village that will be restored for additional venues for programs and community outreach. Located at 3251 South Miami Avenue, between Brickell Avenue and Coconut Grove, Vizcaya is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org, connect , or call 305-250-9133.