The Miami Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 20th anniversary with nearly 160 guests on April 2 at its Jeans and Jewels gala at the Deering Bay Yacht and Country Club in South Miami. The evening ran into a glitch, however, when the scheduled caterer for the cocktail hour, Cacao Restaurant, didn't show. Cacao executive chef Edgar Leal said he discussed serving appetizers with symphony maestro Eduardo Marturet and board of directors member Eugenio Maslowski, but hadn't received email confirmation of his employment leading him to believe it wasn't set. (Leal later found the email and was hired by the symphony for another event next month.)
After Maslowski called Leal and learned of the miscommunication, event planner Ysset Boan, president of Glam Events, extended the reception so that the venue—prepared only to serve dinner—could make last-minute appetizers for hungry guests. Ultimately, a menu of panang shrimp, vegetable egg rolls, and mini quesadillas was served.
The symphony, led by Marturet, performed an hourlong concert once guests were seated at the poolside dinner tables. The club then served a three-course dinner—albeit an hour late due to the extended cocktail reception—of salad Caprese with proscuitto di Parma, chicken picatta, and a dessert sampler.
Throughout dinner, Kevin Russell, executive vice president of sales for NetJets, one of the event's sponsors, hosted a live auction, followed by a surprise performance from the Mariachi Mexico International Si Senor band. The night wrapped up with an informal fashion show from Latin American evening wear designers Silvia Tcherassi and Angel Sanchez.
Money raised from ticket sales and the silent and live auctions will go towards securing a permanent practice facility for the orchestra. Bacardi, Dewar’s, and Mercantil Commercebank were among the evening's sponsors.
