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Start with one part fundraiser. Add a celeb-packed guest list. Throw in some live music from Stevie Wonder, food from Thomas Keller and Charlie Palmer, or a silent auction with Louis Vuitton goodies or tennis lesson from Andre Agassi. Season to taste with black ties and cocktails. You’ve just whipped up one of Night+Day’s Best Annual Charity Events, some of the hottest parties on the social calendar.
Best Annual Charity Events in....
Best Annual Charity Events
Miami
Miami Art Museum MAM Ball Location varies, December, 305-375-5935 miamiartmuseum.org
The Draw: While this black-tie gala has been going strong for more than two decades, there’s now added impetus to hustle for dollars—in 2013, MAM is expected to move to the new Museum Park overlooking Biscayne Bay, occupying a space three times bigger than its current one. Arts education is a key part of their mission. The Scene: Miami diversity at its finest, attracting civic and cultural leaders, plus an artsy crowd of collectors, dealers, and artists in an undeniably stunning setting. Individual tickets start at $750 per person. Hot Tip: Coming to Miami for Art Basel, the annual arts extravaganza of exhibitions, events, and parties? Consider a ticket to this ball, which wraps up the sparkling, arts-filled week in the beginning of December.
Miami Heart & Stroke Ball Location varies, usually March americanheart.org
The Draw: One of the grande dames of Miami’s social events, the Miami Heart & Stroke Ball benefits the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, raising money to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers of men, women, and children. The Scene: Now in its 43rd year, this gala is as formal and luxurious as it gets, drawing gown- and tux-clad Old Guard socialites, younger movers and shakers, and celebs such as Latin pop star Paulina Rubio. The most recent event was held at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental. Hot Tip: Because of luxury sponsors like Piaget and its high profile, their silent auction is one of the best.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Annual Fundraiser 770 NE 125th St., 305-893-6211 mocanomi.org
The Draw: How to raise money for the city’s avant-garde modern art museum? Through annual themed shindigs such as the Dadaist-inspired Bohemian Bash and POP Bollywood. The Scene: If there’s an event that embraces nonconformity and the spirit of creativity, this is it, attracting a colorful crowd that runs the gamut from local luminaries to celeb drag queens. Artists and event planners transform the galleries into an enchanting venue filled with surprise food, music, entertainment, and a silent auction offering unique items. Tickets start at $175 (special prices for artists). Hot Tip: This isn’t your only opportunity to support MOCA—if you can’t make the annual bash, consider Enchanted Evenings, a series of dinner parties hosted by collectors from March through May.
