Shake-A-Leg Miami celebrates 25th anniverary

Saturday night, Shake-A-Leg Miami celebrated its 25th anniversary with the Art of Sail Gala. The moving evening, welcomed more than 500 guests and raised more than $150,000. The funds raised from this evening will support the organization's mission and commitment to all regardless of abilities or disabilities. Above, from left are Bernard Telsey, casting director and co-founder of the Manhattan Class Company Theatre and Mitchel Kaplan, owner of Books & Books; Cheryl Singer, fashion designer Jens Werner, and Lois Varat.

“I create fashion that performs. The essence of sportswear is offering the wearer the highest comfort, functionality and the best fit,” said Werner. “With the fashion show we planned for Shake-A-Leg Miami, I want to not just give something back. I want to be part of something bigger that is possible with these combined forces.”


From left: Andy Varat and Shira Abergel; Gina Murray and Valentina Hubsch and Carlos Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, honored SALM with a proclamation making October 29 Shake-A-Leg 25th Anniversary Day. 

Susan Solman, artist Romero Britto, and Deborah Mellen

Artists Jens Werner, Robert Lupone and David McCauley used their artistic talents to benefit SALM that evening. Werner showcased exclusive garments at the event from recycled sails adding a unique twist to fashion pieces such as coats, dresses and pants. The models, some disabled sailors and community notables, showed off the garments in the theatre runway show directed by Lupone that presented the Shake-A-Leg Miami story. The evening also showcased original artwork of multiple artists that came together to benefit the cause including mixed media artist and founder of Rise Up Gallery, David McCauley. McCauley traveled from Miami to Maine on the Impossible Dream catamaran, where he invited two artists at each port to create artwork utilizing the repurposed canvas from the jib sail. The art pieces were auctioned the evening of the gala.


Alexander Fort, Laurinda Spear, and Bernardo Fort Brescia

It was smooth sailing for Shake-A-Leg Miami’s Gala thanks to Think Red, Inc., an events and influencer marketing agency that worked as the event producer for the Gala and sponsors, Badia Spice and PortMiami.

Nancy Bernstein, David Rosen, Robert Conley, Veronica Sosa, Scott Latimer, Taylor Palank

Alison O'Keefe, Kristen Munore, and Ashley Cusack, co-chair of the Gala; Angela Torres & Andres Aristizabak

Ara Baez, Julian Zavala, Karalina Jimenez, Bernard Telsey,  Harry Horgan, Head of Shake-A-Leg Miami.

Bernard Telsey on stage.

"I go to the theater to be challenged. I go to Shake-A-Leg Miami to be inspired. Mix theatre with Shake-A-Leg Miami and the sky is the limit of what is possible. There is no organization that expresses community like Shake-A-Leg Miami does,” remarked Telsey.

Jay Hall, Valeria Guerra, Mimi Savatic and  Aram Spendjian

Julie Sierra, Christine da Silvia, David McCauley, & William Rey

The evening will also showcase the unique designs of multiple artists that have come together to benefit the cause including mixed media artist and founder of Rise Up Gallery, David McCauley. McCauley traveled from Miami to Maine on the Impossible Dream, SALM’s universally accessible 60’ Catamaran. On this trip, he invited two artists at each port to create artwork utilizing the repurposed canvas from the jib sail. The art pieces will be exhibited during the celebration where they will be auctioned off to support the like-minded missions of SALM, Rise Up Gallery and the Impossible Dream.

The French Horn collective performed.

Harry Horgan, head of Shake-A-Leg Miami remarked, “It seems only natural that we celebrate the value of Miami’s water and community support with a ‘nautical’ event, a unique fashion and theater show that celebrates art, music, design and water.”