BizBash
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
Topics
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • Industry Buzz
  • BizBash Lists
Resources
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
User Tools
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Get Featured
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Subscribe to Magazine
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  • Production & Strategy
  • Catering & Design
  • Event Tech & Virtual
  • Venues & Destinations
  • Meetings & Trade Shows
  • Sports
  • Advertise
  • Events
  • On-Demand
  • White Papers & E-Books
  • Podcast
  • Magazine
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Subscribe
  1. Production & Strategy

Feast Returns With Casual Dining and Entertainment

Back by popular demand, Miami Metrozoo's annual event drew donors for a night of wild revelry.

February 15, 2006
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.

"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
For the return of Feast with the Beasts at Miami Metrozoo, guests were encouraged to dress up in wild costumes.
For the return of Feast with the Beasts at Miami Metrozoo, guests were encouraged to dress up in wild costumes.
Curbside Florist topped tables with exotic centerpieces.
Curbside Florist topped tables with exotic centerpieces.
Jaguar was one of three restaurants that catered the V.I.P. reception held prior to the event.
Jaguar was one of three restaurants that catered the V.I.P. reception held prior to the event.
A festively costumed fire-eater was one of the entertainers for the evening.
A festively costumed fire-eater was one of the entertainers for the evening.
Latest in Production & Strategy
The activation was disguised as an ordinary porta-potty.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
This SNL50 mailer included a Marshall speaker—an homage to the decades-spanning musical guests on the show—a bottle of Chandon to toast the milestone, and a limited-edition crewneck.
Strategy
How Over-the-Top Event Invites Can Make a Big Impact
Disney+ hosted a Throwback Experience for fans June 12-15 in Los Angeles.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Disney+ Leaned Into Y2K Vibes for a 'Throwback' Pop-Up Experience in LA
WorldPride D.C. took place May 17-June 8.
Event Production & Fabrication
WorldPride DC: How Event Organizers Created a Safe Space for the LGBTQ+ Community in the Nation's Capital
Related Stories
Barton G. Weiss created a sumptuous Zen-inspired atmosphere in a tent for the Miami Art Museum's annual ball.
Production & Strategy
Future Site Gets Ancient Touches
Fear No Ice helped carve BankAtlantic C.E.O., Alan Levan, out of a block of ice for its Red Carpet 2005 employee appreciation event.
Programming & Entertainment
Employee Appreciation Reception Gets Frosted
Figure skaters Jamie Sal? and David Pelletier, gold medalists for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, posed outside Holt Renfrew's Bloor Street West store during an event marking the unveiling of its holiday windows.
Programming & Entertainment
Holt Renfrew Entertains at Windows Unveiling
The Actors' Playhouse celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 1950's themed Decade Doo-Wop Sock-Hop benefit at the Biltmore Hotel.
Programming & Entertainment
Grease Inspires Theater's Anniversary
More in Production & Strategy
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
At the Vans Warped Tour in Washington, D.C., the network offered the show’s superfans a fun secret spy lair.
The activation was disguised as an ordinary porta-potty.
Strategy
How Over-the-Top Event Invites Can Make a Big Impact
In a world where inboxes are full and attention spans are short, an invitation can make or break your event’s perception.
This SNL50 mailer included a Marshall speaker—an homage to the decades-spanning musical guests on the show—a bottle of Chandon to toast the milestone, and a limited-edition crewneck.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Disney+ Leaned Into Y2K Vibes for a 'Throwback' Pop-Up Experience in LA
Millennials, this one's for you. The streamer welcomed thousands of guests during a four-day experience celebrating its beloved '90s and '00s IP.
Disney+ hosted a Throwback Experience for fans June 12-15 in Los Angeles.
Event Production & Fabrication
WorldPride DC: How Event Organizers Created a Safe Space for the LGBTQ+ Community in the Nation's Capital
The massive celebration was a challenge for many reasons, but the global Pride event was still authentically D.C. Hear from organizers at Destination DC and Capital Pride Alliance.
WorldPride D.C. took place May 17-June 8.
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: 10 Brands That Took Experiential Marketing to a Whole New Level
These companies broke through the noise with creative activations, events, and experiences that engaged attendees, fans, and consumers.
2025 Industry Innovators Article Image Brands
Opinion & Experts
Top Trending Stories on BizBash: June 2025
Wondering what the rest of the industry is up to? Here, BizBash offers a peek over the fence at what other event profs have been reading this month.
Hennessy returned to Gov Ball with its revamped Hennessy Highline. Festivalgoers stopped by for live mural paintings, DJ sets between performances, custom photo ops, and an interactive claw machine where fans lined up for a shot at exclusive Hennessy premiums, as well as cocktails like the Henny-Rita, Hennessy Berry Mojito, and Hennessy Pineapple. See more: Gov Ball 2025: 25+ Eye-Catching Brand Activations From the NYC Music Festival
Most Popular
Event Design & Decor
Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
Brands & Event Pros
Industry Innovators 2025: Sephora
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Disney+ Leaned Into Y2K Vibes for a 'Throwback' Pop-Up Experience in LA
Strategy
How Over-the-Top Event Invites Can Make a Big Impact
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See How Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Transformed a Porta-Potty into a Music Festival Activation
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Cannes Lions 2025: 90+ Bold Builds and Big Ideas From the French Festival of Creativity
LinkedIn, Spotify, Canva, Pinterest, Meta, and dozens of other top brands showed up in a big way at the world’s most creative week. Take a look inside their splashy activations.
LinkedIn's Rooftop & Studio
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Block Party: See How Minecraft Was Transformed Into an IRL Video Game
The popular game has been turned into an interactive in-person experience that just opened in Canada.
Visitors embark on a rescue mission with a team of fellow Minecrafters.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
50 Cool Event Ideas You May Have Missed From Liquid I.V., Martha Stewart, Foot Locker, and More
Here’s a look at some steal-worthy ideas we spotted in June 2025.
The pop-up brought the magazine to life through live hair demonstrations by local stylists, along with immersive moments designed to honor the legacy, creativity, and versatility of Black hair.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
See Inside This High-Tech, Multisensory Experience from Don Julio
Part guided tasting, part interactive art experience, the latest activation from the spirits brand immersed guests into the culture of the popular tequila.
During the experience, guests traveled from the red clay fields of Jalisco to the heart of a modern Mexican celebration.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
This Event Turned Home Decor Into a Celebration of Latinas' Life Moments
Walmart and Apartment Therapy teamed up to celebrate the Becky G & Alejandra home collection—while also spotlighting the often-overlooked personal milestones of Latina creators.
The 'Mainstays Mujeres' event, which drew 32 Latina content creators, transformed a private residence in Venice, Calif. on May 30.
Experiential Marketing, Activations & Sponsorships
Gov Ball 2025: 25+ Eye-Catching Brand Activations From the NYC Music Festival
The annual music festival featured sponsorship firsts and lots of colorful experiences from brands like Kiehl's, 7-Eleven, and Coca-Cola.
It included an iconic cassette tape photo backdrop.
Page 1 of 712
Next Page
BizBash
Follow BizBash
Instagram iconLinkedIn iconFacebook iconTwitter X icon Pinterest iconYouTube iconTikTok
  1. Privacy Policy
  2. CCPA: Do Not Sell My Personal Info
  3. Contact Us
  4. Site Map
© 2025 Connect Biz, LLC. All rights reserved.