BrazilFoundation Holds Sixth Gala in Miami
On Saturday BrazilFoundation celebrated its sixth Gala Miami at architect Frank Gehry’s New World Center, raising US$200,000. The event brought together 350 people from the business, artistic and diplomatic worlds in celebration of the 100 social projects supported through the Miami Chapter over the past five years.
Presenter Isabella Fiorentino and actor Thiago Fragoso were the masters of ceremonies of the night. The fundraising event also honored people who work to build a better Brazil.
Internationally-renowned pianist Simone Leitão was honored as Founder and Artistic Director of Academia Jovem Concertante. The institution travels throughout Brazil discovering new musical talent and bringing musical performance to the most remote corners of the country. The project promotes cultural and social exchanges, and helps young musicians enter the workforce. The ticket sales from all of Simone’s projects are donated to institutions that promote social inclusion through music.
Rio projects NEOJIBA, Orquestra Jovem da Bahia, and Orquestra da Grota do Surucucu – a project supported by BrazilFoundation – and Escola de Música de Alto Alegre do Pindaré, in Maranhão, are a few of the organizations that have received quality instruments and equipment through Simone Leitão.
Marcelo Schettini, Founder of SOS Dental, was also honored. The organization was founded in 2008 to meet the dental health needs of communities in Rio de Janeiro. SOS Dental performs free, emergency home visits to Complexo do Alemão residents through a mobile clinic of volunteer dentists.
A BrazilFoundation grantee, SOS Dental mobilizes the community to promote oral health. It has recruited more than 1300 local merchants to distribute vouchers, increased the number of volunteer dentists, and offered emergency home visits to more than 30,000 registered residents.
Howard Herring, the last honoree, received the award on behalf of the New World Symphony (NWS) and its project Side By Side. The orchestra will give three Brazilian musicians the opportunity to spend an intensive weekend playing together with NWS musicians in April, culminating in a concert at the New World Center. Herring, President and CEO of New World Symphony, has extensive experience in music and utilizing it as a tool for social transformation.
Otaviano Costa and actress Flávia Alessandra hosted the gala auction, proceeds from which will go to social projects. Fernanda Abreu will close the night with a performance of hits from her caree
Fernanda Abreu ended the night by performing hits such as “Kátia Flávia” and “Rio 40º”.
TheVI BrazilFoundation Gala Miami was sponsored by Elysee Miami, Safra Bank, Indosuez, Mastercard, NaturaBrasil, Diageo, American Airlines, W South Beach.
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