'The Wonderland Ball' Benefiting YPO at Four Seasons Hotel Miami
More than 250 opera lovers and philanthropists walked through the looking glass with the Young Patronesses of the Opera for their 63rd annual gala, “The Wonderland Ball” at the Four Seasons Hotel. After entering through a 12 foot tall story book, guests were met by living flowers and a towering queen of hearts on stilts and were treated to cocktails donated by Bacardi as they bid on exquisite silent auction items. As they made their way to the ballroom, they went down the rabbit hole or entered through the queens gate to their tables that were adorned with candelabras wrapped with florals or branches dripping in purple orchids, and were greeted by the a mad hatter who made his way through the maze of tables on stilts.
A special surprise operatic performance by KahLee Productions wowed the crowd with the renditions of several popular arias set to techno music. The fantastical décor was imagined by gala chairs Violeta Cepeda, Michele Reese, Patricia Scerpella, Barbara Waters, Nicole Unternaehrer, and YPO President Lise-Marie Wertanzl, and was brought to life by Fantasy Designers. The funds raised for the gala support YPO’s opera educational programs that reach 20,000 school children every year in South Florida through YPO’s in-school opera program. The event’s gracious benefactors included Swanee and Paul DiMare, Trish and Dan Bell, The Wilder Foundation, and The Dunspaugh Dalton Foundation.
Photos by Richard Alvarez | Published by World Redeye | Read the article