Gardens of Moonlight at Vizcaya

Vizcaya recently hosted the Gardens by Moonlight,  which offered guests the rare opportunity of exploring the historic Vizcaya Village at night. This one of the first to come which celebrates Vizcaya's centennial, the perfect opportunity to reflect on the rich past of this National Historic Landmark and its unique role in South Florida's history. 

Guests ventured into an unseen portions of the estate-the historic Vizcaya Village- which is a natural extension of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, located across South Miami Avenue from the Main House and Gardens. Referred to as the Farm Village, also, a large area of that side of South Miami Avenue was where the house got it's food and produce.

The historic Village was part of the original 1916 estate, and consisted of more than a dozen buildings with the intent of making Vizcaya virtually self-sufficient. This idea evoked the spirit of European country villas while, on a practical level, compensating for the limited services and merchandise available in early twentieth-century Miami. The Village included staff quarters, an automobile garage, workshops and an array of barns.

Vizcaya's 100-year anniversary coincides with the development of an ambitious Master Plan, which will breathe new life into the Vizcaya as a South Florida asset. This plan outlines a strategic approach, expanding Vizcaya's programmatic potential for locals and visitors and relating its full history through the restoration of land and historic buildings at the Vizcaya Village.

Guests enjoyed live musical entertainment by The Wilson Slayers, FUN, Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling Strings Band, and Three Sheets to the Wind band. They also experience installations from the Lost Village exhibit. Part of Vizcaya's Contemporary Arts Program (CAP), Lost Village retells the untold stories of this space through works by local artists, which include: Gaby Suarez, Bill Burke, Jacek Kolasinski, Donna Torres, Robert Chambers, Mette Tommerup, David Almeida, Sterling Rook, Michelle Barros, Camilla Canchon, Alex Narus, Michael Gray, Guido Mena and Karol Contreras. 

Food was available for purchase from local food trucks, including Ms. Cheezious, BC Tacos, and others.

Photos by Manny Hernandez