| EVENT REPORT 02.15.06 1:22 PM |
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| Feast Returns With Casual Dining and Entertainment |
| Back by popular demand, Miami Metrozoo's annual event drew donors for a night of wild revelry. |
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| More than 900 guests roamed Miami Metrozoo at the annual Feast with the Beasts (FWTB), a fund-raising event that benefits the Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF). This year's event marked the return of the FWTB, which the ZSF last hosted in 1998. |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | | For the return of Feast with the Beasts at Miami Metrozoo, guests were encouraged to dress up in wild costumes. |
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 | | Curbside Florist topped tables with exotic centerpieces. |
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 | | Jaguar was one of three restaurants that catered the V.I.P. reception held prior to the event. |
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 | | A festively costumed fire-eater was one of the entertainers for the evening. |
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"In 1999, the Ball of the Wild [a black-tie, sit-down gala] replaced FWTB," said Karlyn Lang, event manager at ZSF. "People constantly asked when the event would return because it was a more casual affair. It became inevitable. The restaurants were eager to come back too."
At the main entrance a makeshift Mayan temple made from a snack cart reflected the jungle environment of the zoo. Mosaic artist and event volunteer Jacki Gran built the structure with the help of 10 committee members. Gran's team painted Styrofoam blocks in various heights and shapes to resemble stones and rustic wood doors. Gran added fresh moss and leaves to the structure and surrounded it with tall trees.
From the main entrance to the aviary exhibit, the event featured food stations from 35 restaurants, including Casa Juancho, the Melting Pot, Outback Steakhouse, and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Those who purchased $500 V.I.P. sponsor tickets enjoyed a separate private reception that began one hour before the main event. Atrio at Conrad Miami, Smith & Wollensky, and Jaguar, a Latin American restaurant and ceviche bar in Coconut Grove, exclusively catered this intimate affair. Amerida (a pair of Spanish flutists) and a strolling saxophonist were the sole entertainment for the V.I.P.s.
While enjoying samples from South Florida eateries, guests interacted with snakes, lizards, flamingos, monkeys, and even alligators that zoo handlers held while walking through the crowd. Jazz singer Nicole Henry and a four-piece jazz band headlined the evening's entertainment. Brazilian guitar duo Claudio Spiewak and a fire-eater in an equally fiery costume also entertained. The Miami Stage Production Company rounded out the evening by performing several scenes from Cats.
In addition to the main festivities, the Wild Bunch, the ZSF's young professionals networking group, hosted an after-hours party at the trellis area of the main entrance from 11 PM till 1 AM.
—Vanessa Goyanes
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