The Arison Family’s YoungArts Week and Gala is Back and More Powerful Than Ever

Believe it or not, the time has come for the annual YoungArts Week. Taking place from January 6^th through the 11^th, be prepared for a week full of community based arts-centric activities that showcases the incredible YoungArts foundation. You will be able to attend unbelievable performances (schedule below). The week ends with the Gala on Saturday, the 11^th.,

For the past three years, my beautiful friend Sarah Arison, granddaughter of founders Lin and Ted Arison, has invited me as her guest. As a gala attendee to some of Miami’s top social and philanthropic events in our community, I must say, YoungArts is my personal favorite. The gala begins with a major performance by many of the recipients of scholarships from the foundation. Their talents are unsurpassed, bringing tears to my eyes. Especially now with government cuts in the Arts, YoungArts is more important than ever.

This year, confirmed teachers of the Master Classes include Debbie Allen, Paola Antonelli, Shelly Berg, Ignacio Berroa, Angela Brown, Debbie Fleming, Caffery Edouard, Duval-Carrié, David Castillo, Thom Collins, Leah Cox, Jacques d’Amboise, Richard Danielpour, Dave Eggar, Frank Gehry, Shalita Grant, Zaha Hadid, Judith Hill, Baba Israel, Jill Johnson, Mitch Kaplan, Katherine Kramer, Shilpa Krishnan, Ethan Lader, David Lawrence, Jennifer Lee, Lucas Leyva, Carlos Lopez, Lourdes Lopez, Aubrey Lynch II, Michelle Dunn, Marsh Campbell McGrath, Brian Stokes, Mitchell Rita Moreno, Philip Neal, Rosie Perez, Marcus Quinones, Andrew Rannells, James Rosenquist, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Jorge Fabel Pabón, Irving Sandler, Jean Shin, Murry Sidlin, Franklin Sirmans, Jim Stephenson, Diana Stoll, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Chat Travieso, Ted Ty, Mike Vasquez, Jeff Wolin and Nicole Yarling.

The Gala takes place on Saturday, January 11^th at the YoungArts Campus and there is an anticipated 800 guests. This year’s event, co-chaired by Elizabeth and Facundo Bacardi and emceed by Tony Award-winning actor and singer Brian “Stokes” Mitchell.

Below, find the schedule for the YoungArts week, which includes the 2014 YoungArts Finalists Performances, Exhibitions, Readings and Screenings

* Denotes performance will be live-streamed on www.youngarts.org

Monday, January 6 8:00pm Pop, Jazz and Classical Voice* New World Center,         500 17th Street, Miami Beach

Tuesday, January 7 8:00pm Theater and Jazz* New World Center,      500 17th Street, Miami Beach

Wednesday, January 8 8:00pm Dance Performance & Cinematic Arts Screening* New World Center,  500 17th Street, Miami Beach

Thursday, January 9 8:30pm Chamber Music Concert* New World Center,   500 17th Street, Miami Beach

Friday, January 10 6:00pm Art, Design and Photography Exhibition Opening, YoungArts Gallery, Tower Building 7:00pm Writer’s Readings*, The Jewel Box 9:00pm & 11:00pm Jazz Combo with Nicole Yarling, 7th Floor Lounge, Tower Building All events at the YoungArts Campus, 2100 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

Saturday, January 11 7:00pm Backyard Ball Performance* and Gala, YoungArts Alumni Performance & Awards Ceremony Directed by Choreographer and YoungArts Artistic Advisor, Bill T. Jones; emceed by Brian Stokes Mitchell 9:00pm YoungArts After Hours, YoungArts Campus Plaza Both events at the YoungArts Campus, 2100 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

Sunday, January 12 10:00am Design Now + Design Futures with Frank Gehry, Paola Antonelli, and Zaha Hadid YoungArts Campus, 2100 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

For tickets to the gala:

Ticket Information: To purchase, click here or contact gala@youngarts.org or (305) 377-1140.

Event Website: http://www.youngarts.org/gala