Centennial Gala celebrates Vizcaya's 100th birthday

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is gearing up to celebrate its centennial, kicking off a year of festivities with the Vizcaya Centennial Gala on Saturday, November 19, from 7:00 pm to midnight. This fundraising event supports the preservation and protection of the estate and is the kick off of many activities over the coming year that will celebrate Vizcaya's anniversary.

"The centennial will focus on Vizcaya's role as a community asset. Vizcaya is both an accredited museum and National Historic Landmark. The anniversary year will provide opportunities for students, families and visitors to engage with history, experience art and discover nature at this beautiful bayfront estate," says Joel Hoffman, Vizcaya's Executive Director.

Vizcaya was originally the winter home of agricultural industrialist James Deering. Conceiving, designing and building Vizcaya was a massive project that employed approximately 1,000 workers-a full 10 percent of Miami's population at the time. Vizcaya was inaugurated on Christmas Day, 1916 with an Italian-themed party. The Vizcaya Centennial Gala pays homage to that event.

"Just as James Deering celebrated with a grand party in 1916 when he first moved into his home, we too are celebrating with our very special Centennial Gala," says Christina Martin, co-chair of Vizcaya's Centennial Gala committee. "From elegant cocktails to dancing under the starts to a spectacular fireworks display, we will be celebrating Vizcaya and its important role as part of our community for the past century."

Vizcaya's Centennial Gala will begin with a red carpet at the entrance of the beautiful Gilded Age estate, leading into the gardens and Courtyard for cocktails. The evening will continue with an elegant outdoor dinner overlooking Biscayne Bay. The University of Miami's Frost School of Music will entertain guests throughout the evening with a broad repertoire of music performed by numerous ensembles and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. Additional entertainment will be provided by the Valerie Tyson Band.

A silent auction will include voyages with Azamara Club Cruises to any of their worldwide ports, a Lakini Tour to Peru and many other items including exquisite jewelry from Yvel. Dinner, dancing and the auction will be followed by a fireworks display above Vizcaya's Barge.

To become a sponsor or purchase tickets or a table for Vizcaya's Centennial Gala, please visit vizcayagala.org. To learn more about Vizcaya and events during the anniversary year visit vizcaya.org. 

Vizcaya features a Main House, a collection of art and design, furnishings and sculpture; 10 acres of formal gardens; a rockland hammock (native forest); a mangrove shoreline; the Vizcaya Café and Shop presented by A Joy Wallace Catering, Design and Special Events; and a historic village with buildings, grounds and gardens that is undergoing restoration. Located  at 3251 South Miami Avenue, Vizcaya is open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more information, visit vizcaya.org, call 305-250-9133, or email vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org.

Photo courtesy Vizcaya and World Redeye.