A couple of telltale signs offered clues that this was not a typical gala: Amusement park mascots escorted guests inside; the centerpieces held gummy bears, lollipops, and art supplies; and there was a table where guests could play games on iPads. At most performing arts galas, kids stay home with a babysitter while mom and dad get dressed up. But the Imagination Ball, a debut event last month from the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County’s Arsht Families membership circle, was designed for children.
"This really connected with parents and families who understood the value of the performing arts and having their children connected to the arts," said Suzanna Valdez, the center's vice president of advancement and co-chairwoman of Arsht Families. "They could have an experience as a family and see a performing arts center as they've never seen it before."
The experience began as families arrived for the afternoon affair. As families waited to take photos at the step-and-repeat, kids could explore a Batmobile from Miami’s Auto Museum at the Dezer Collection. From there, mascots from local attractions such as Jungle Island and the Miami Seaquarium escorted guests into the Ziff Ballet Opera House, where tables were set up on the colorful stage.
Centerpieces held crayons and markers as well as treats such as gummy bears, cake pops, and dipping sauces from Barton G. that could be used as "paint" on the paper-covered tables—an interactive touch that fit the "paint brush" theme of the event. A buffet served a kid-friendly menu of macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, pizza, veggie sticks, and fresh fruit.
The slate of entertainment kept kids engaged and got them moving. America’s Got Talent finalist David Garibaldi created graffiti art paintings to a soundtrack of energizing music, and later DJ Uptown Dale held a dance party. At a table set up with iPads, kids could play the app Super Kid Cannon.
"We made sure every 15 to 20 minutes something new was available to them," Valdez said. "We ensured that kids were entertained from the moment they walked in to the moment they walked out."
The debut event proved popular, selling out and raising $200,000 for arts education and community programming. Arsht Families plans to repeat the event next year, Valdez said, with a Halloween Haunted House theme.
