This year’s theme, “Voyage to Vizcaya: A Caravel Dream,” cast the evening in a maritime haze of nostalgia and fantasy. The concept paid homage to the seafaring stories woven into Vizcaya’s legacy—from founder James Deering’s 1916 journey to Miami aboard the yacht Nepenthe to the nautical motifs etched into the estate’s architecture. Everywhere guests turned, the night echoed with the imagery of shells, coral, and graceful caravels.

Co-chaired by Christina and David Martin together with Nancy McCormick and Ray Rasco, the event underscored the importance of supporting one of Miami’s most treasured landmarks. “Vizcaya has always been a place where Miami’s past, present, and future converge,” noted Joel Hoffman, Executive Director of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. “The Vizcaya Ball not only honors this history but also ensures we can continue to preserve and share the estate with generations to come.”

Guests made their entrance along a shimmering blue carpet, leading straight into the Main House transformed with sea-inspired décor that struck a perfect balance between Old World glamour and coastal whimsy. The Courtyard soon filled with the energy of the cocktail reception, featuring live performances by LID Music Entertainment and New Century Dance. Attendees mingled among maritime vignettes and previewed a curated auction benefiting Vizcaya’s mission.

As twilight settled over Biscayne Bay, the celebration moved to the East Terrace for a waterfront dinner crafted by Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design. With the Stone Barge silhouetted just offshore, diners enjoyed a scene that felt both cinematic and quintessentially Miami. Later, the Valerie Tyson Trio ignited the dance floor, carrying the festivities late into the night as the bay breeze drifted through the terrace.

The 2025 Ball Committee brought together a vibrant group of community leaders and supporters, including Beatriz Bolton, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Elizabeth Costa de Rusch, Swanee DiMare, Natalie Estrella, Roxana Garciga, Sonia Gibson, John Grisham, Camila Guiribitey, Marile Lopez, Linda Lynn Levy, Christina Martin, Sheila Martinez, Nancy McCormick, Bronwyn Miller, Ken O’Keefe, Cammy Richards, Yvonne Rosemeir, Lydia Touzet, and Josie Wang.

This year’s premier sponsors—Citadel & Citadel Securities, Ken O’Keefe and Jason Stephens, Kenneth C. Griffin, and Lynn Atkinson and David Drucker—played an essential role in making the event possible. Republic National Distributing Company supported the evening as Beverage Sponsor.

The funds raised will directly fuel Vizcaya’s restoration initiatives as well as its growing array of community programming, ensuring the historic estate remains a vibrant cultural hub for Miami.

Ray Rasco, Nancy McCormick, Christina Martin & David Martin

Christina Martin

David Martin & Jon Kessler

Joel Hoffman, Daniella Levine Cava & Ken O’Keefe

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Iconic 1960s-inspired evening raises vital funds for historic preservation at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

On Saturday, November 23, 2024, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens hosted its 67th Annual Vizcaya Ball, a black-tie event celebrating the late 1960s-inspired theme, “Vizcaya Royale.” This year’s event welcomed more than 360 prominent Miami philanthropists and society leaders to the National Historic Landmark, raising critical funds to preserve the estate and share its cultural resources with our community.

“The Vizcaya Ball is a treasured tradition that celebrates Miami’s cultural heritage while ensuring Vizcaya remains a beacon of history and inspiration for future generations,” said Joel Hoffman, Executive Director of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

The evening began with a pink-carpet welcome at Vizcaya’s Main House, where guests arrived in vintage-inspired evening gowns and tailored tuxedos, channeling the refined glamour of the late 1960s. A lively cocktail reception filled the historic Courtyard, as live classical music set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Guests mingled while browsing an exquisite collection of auction items, all in support of Vizcaya’s preservation mission.

The celebration continued with a waterfront dinner prepared by Thierry Catering and Event Design, offering views of Vizcaya’s iconic Stone Barge and the glittering Biscayne Bay. Entertainment by the Valerie Tyson Band and a captivating dance performance by the New Century Dance Company elevated the energy as guests took to the dance floor under a canopy of stars.

This year’s Vizcaya Ball was co-chaired by esteemed patrons Nancy McCormick and Ray Rasco, along with Alexa and Adam Wolman, supported by a prestigious Ball Committee: Tatiana Arteaga Teo, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Eilah Campbell-Beavers, Elizabeth Costa de Rusch, Swanee DiMare, Sandra Fiorenza, Roxana Garciga, Sonia Gibson, John Grisham, Camila Guiribitey, Cathy Jones, Marile Lopez, Linda Lynn Levy, Christy Martin, Sheila Martinez, Nancy McCormick, Ken O’Keefe, Cammy Richards, Yvonne Rosemeier and Josie Wang.

Premier Sponsor included Citadel & Citadel Securities and Griffin Catalyst. Presenting Sponsors included Lynn Atkinson and David Drucker, Guiribitey Family Foundation, Nancy McCormick and Ray Rasco, Ken O’Keefe and Jason Stephens. Republic National Distributing Company was the Beverage Sponsor with Logistic Events as the Decor Sponsor.

Proceeds from the Vizcaya Ball will directly fund the ongoing preservation of the Vizcaya estate and the innovative community programs hosted within in.

ABOUT VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that preserves its cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future. Built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter home of farming manufacturer James Deering, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in the United States, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneur-built estates were inspired by the stately homes of Europe. Vizcaya features a Main House filled with a decorative art collection, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), and mangrove shore. The estate also includes the historic Vizcaya Village, which is being restored to tell Vizcaya’s full story and provide additional spaces for programs and community outreach, including urban farming initiatives. Vizcaya has been a community hub since it opened to the public in 1953; it welcomes 300,000 visitors annually.

Located on Biscayne Bay at 3251 South Miami Avenue, Vizcaya is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit www.vizcaya.org, connect via social media, or call 305-250-9133.

Photos courtesy World Red Eye

John Grisham, Michele Toth, William Caldwell, Lisa Cotton, David Cotton & Fredy Santirzo

Jonathan McClure, Michale Narciso, Jason Stevens, & Jonathan Garcia

John Grishman, Taylor Ware, Harry Tapias, & Julia Kurzawa

Estefania Diaz-Balart & Marcelle Acosta-Rubio

Dariel & Carolina Fernandez, Pedro & Tatiana Guiribitey, Congressman Maria Elvira Salazar, & Rey Anthony

Daniel & Estefania Diaz-Balart, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Laurie Jennings, & Josh Salman 008

Christine & Peter Winn

Carol Lacovelli, Christy Martin, & Suzy Buckley Woodward

Brandon & Catherine Cross, Howard Stone, Marc Hoen, Miriam Stone, & Margarita Hoen

Andrew & Karina Lozan, Estefania & Daniel Diaz-Balart

Andres Gil & Diego Sandoval 036-Edit

Allen & Mary Carter, & Robert & Roberta Green 074

Adrian Novello, Jeffrey Mikim, Commissioner Damian Pardo, Terry Castellano, Robert & Roberta Green, Don Slesnick, Debbie Turner, Mary & Allen Carter, Micheal & Monica Granovsky

Laura Fagan & Shawn Fagan

Lynn Atkinson & Joel Hoffman

Eilah Beavers, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Alexa Wolman, Carol Iacovelli & Christy Martin

Lynn Atkinson & Ken O’Keefe

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard & Joel Hoffman

Daniella Levine Cava & Ken O’Keefe

Patricia Guiribitey, Camila Guiribitey & Tatiana Arteaga-Teo

Patricia Guiribitey & Camila Guiribitey

Adam Wolman, Alexa Wolman, Nancy McCormick & Ray Rasco

Adam Wolman, Alexa Wolman, Nancy McCormick & Ray Rasco

Alexa Wolman & Nancy McCormick

Camila Guiribitey & Jarad Gibson Gonzalez

Yvonne Rosemeir & Alexa Wolman

Nancy McCormick & Yvonne Rosemeir

Nancy McCormick & Alexa Wolman

Taylor Ware & Nancy McCormick

Tatiana Arteaga-Teo, Marile Lopez & Jenni Coba

Marile Lopez & Jorge Luis Lopez

Diego Gabaldon, Michael Wang, Betty Ashinne & Josie Wang

Jon Batchelor, David Martin, Adrian Novello, Commissioner Damian Pardo & Rudy Touzet

Nancy McCormick & Elizabeth Costa de Rusch

Nancy Batchelor & Suzy Buckley Woodward

Jon Batchelor, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Nancy Batchelor & Ben Beavers

Swanee DiMare & Sonia Gibson

Eilah Beavers & Lydia Touzet

Tatiana Arteaga-Teo & Jarad Gibson Gonzalez

John Grisham, Michele Toth, William Caldwell, Lisa Cotton, David Cotton & Fredy Santirzo

Marcia Hayes & Dan Prigmore

Eilah Beavers & Ben Beavers

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard & Morten Aagaard

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard & Morten Aagaard

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard & Joel Hoffman

Ken O’Keefe & Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

Ken O’Keefe & Julia Quinn

Tom & Susan Abraham 010

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard & Laurie Jennings

Roxana Garciga-Hayden, Sean Hayden, & Dr. Nadia Valdes

Miriam & Horward Stone 050

Lynn Atkinson & Chris Hunt 055

Loni Drody & Susan Kahn 029

Linda Levy & Niah Goldberg 025

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