The MOCA Bash Surf’s Up fundraiser on February 19 was a perfect kick-off to the Museum of Contemporary Art’s 15th Anniversary Year celebration. Since opening its Joan Lehman Building in 1996, MOCA has not only been known for its sensational exhibitions and programs, but also for its fantastic fundraisers that support its programs. This awesome surfing-inspired evening was no exception.
Chairs Barbara Herzberg , Alan and Diane Lieberman, Janice Lipton and Ray Ellen Yarkin, and Honorary Chair Belkys Nerey, led a dynamic group of volunteers who organized the evening. With the support of sponsors Audi and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Barbara Herzberg , Alan and Diane Lieberman, Janice Lipton and Ray Ellen and Allan Yarkin, proceeds will benefit the museum’s cutting edge exhibitions, innovative education programs and world class permanent collection.
Guests began the evening with GREY GOOSE Vodka’s specialty cocktails “Step Into Liquid”, “Ulluwata” and “Paddlepus”, Samuel Adams beer and wine courtesy of Touch Catering. Beach settings from the South Pacific to South Florida were evoked by Quiksilver South Beach’s brightly colored surfboards and dramatic projections of sunsets and 14-foot high vintage surf films courtesy of All Access Video and Lighting and great décor from The Design Group. Coral Morphological, the marine-biological art endeavor, provided floor to ceiling film studies of neo- colored coral, and Miami artist Jen Stark created a faux bonfire lounge area. Spinning great dance tunes from a lifeguard stand, DJ Hottpants kept the inside crowd rocking, MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard recalled a beachside jam with the band Snakehole playing live and DJ Carlos RIGAU. Captivating performers clad in 1950s-style bathing suits designed by Carol Adrianza, green screen photos where guest posed with tropical backgrounds of their choice, and henna tattoo artists kept the evening edgy and fun.
Miami restaurants Adriana, Asia de Cuba, Blue Door Fish, China Grill, L.A. Café, Meat Market, Sushi Samba and Shiraz Events and Catering provided sophisticated tropical hors d’oeuvres while Mo’s Bagels and Deli, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Woody’s Steak Sandwiches and Stella Sweet Shoppe served up casual beach fare.
The silent auction was far-out with original artwork by Rita Ackermann and surf-inspired prints by Russell Crotty and Raymond Pettibon. Patrons bid on 8-night stay in Taj Hotels in India, a Butterfield & Robinson bike tour, surfing safaris in Hawaii and Costa Rica, a tour of Wynwood galleries with MOCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater, among other luxury items and experiences. One lucky ticket holder won a 7-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship EPIC.
Looking far-out in their beach chic attire were Surf’s Up Honorary Chair Belkys Nerey, artist Rita Ackermann, MOCA Board Chair Michael Collins and wife Sandy, MOCA Trustees Carlos Arrizureta, Francine Birbragher-Rozencwaig and Leslie Rozencwaig Kira Flanzraich, Joanne Katz, Jan Lewis and husband Dan, Beena Nagpal and husband Naresh, Hal Philipps, Evan Reed and Peter Robbins and wife Jody, Dora and Jon Kolody of Audi, Haley and Jason Binn, Aaron Glickman, Channing Norton, and Miami artists Kevin Arrow, Bhakti Baxter, Sam Borkson, Jim Drain, Bert Rodriguez, Jorge Pantoja and Alvaro Ilizerbe who added their own creative vibe to the evening.
SPONSORS: Audi, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Alan & Diane Lieberman, Janice & Alan Lipton, Barbara Herzberg, Ray Ellen & Allan Yarkin
CHAIRS: Barbara Herzberg, Alan & Diane Lieberman, Janice Lipton, Ray Ellen Yarkin. Honorary Chair: Belkys Nerey.
BEVERAGE SPONSORS: GREY GOOSE Vodka, Samuel Adams Beer, Touch Catering, Café Bustelo, Fiji Water, Vita Coco, VitaminWater .
FOOD SPONSORS: Adriana, Asia de Cuba, Blue Door Fish, China Grill, L.A. Café, Meat Market, Sushi Samba. Shiraz Events and Catering. Mo’s Bagels and Deli, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Woody’s Famous Steak Sandwich and Stella Sweet Shoppe
DÉCOR: The Design Group, Quiksilver South Beach, All Access Lighting and Video, Coral Morphological., Absolut Flowers, Robert James Photo & Video
COSTUME DESIGN: Carol Adrianza
KICK OFF PARTY HOSTS: The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club
AUCTION COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Matt Brooks, Channing Norton
ARTIST COMMITTEE: Janice Lipton, Shirley Schwartz, Chairs. ARTISTS: Kevin Arrow, Bhakti Baxter, Alvaro Ilizerbe, Jen Stark
MEDIA SPONSOR: Ocean Drive Magazine, SocialMiami.com
COMMITTEE: Carol Adrianza, Jessica Anderson, Alana Burstyn, Eric Charest-Weinberg, Sandy and Michael Collins, Jessica Conn, Dr. Kira & Neil Flanzraich, Suzanne Hollander, Ashley Jackson, Joanne Katz, Dr. Shulamit Katzman, Gary Kessler/Quiksilver, Alan Lipton, David Lombardi, Beena Nagpal, Eduardo Ojeda, Jody and Peter Robbins, Ellen Rose, Hal Philipps, Israel Sands, Shirley & Carl Schwartz, Kandi & Rollin Stirman, Allan Yarkin, Susan & Bob Zarchen
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Last year, more than 800 guests celebrated cutting edge creativity at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Bohemian Bash fundraiser on February 20, 2010. Chaired and sponsored by Barbara Herzberg and Alan and Diane Lieberman, the imaginative evening was inspired by the Dadaist art movement that embraced the role of the unconventional and the absurd in artistic process. With additional support from Smith Barney Morgan Stanley, King Jewelers, Riviera South Beach Luxe Hotel, Dr. Shulamit and Chaim Katzman and Ray Ellen and Allan Yarkin, proceeds benefited the museum's exhibitions, education programs and permanent collection.