Gwen Stefani Headlines 29th Annual InterContinental Miami 'Make-A-Wish' Ball, Which Raises in Excess of $5 Million
The InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball, regarded as the official launch of Miami charity season, held its 29th annual gala on Saturday, November 2. Grammy Award- winning artist Gwen Stefani headlined the Ball, giving guests a private concert of her iconic hits including “Hey Baby" and “It's My Life," as well as debuting her new song “Swallow My Tears.” The night of impact – chaired by philanthropist Shareef M. Malnik and co-chaired by actress/filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, raised record amounts. “While we are still tallying, we had a record-breaking night, raising well in excess of $5 million,” said Norm Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida.
The glamorous gala was attended by 900 guests, including designer Naeem Khan; artist Romero Britto; “Real Housewives of Miami” stars Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, Guerdy Abraira, Larsa Pippen, and Kiki Barth; and “RHOM” alumnus Dr. Nicole Martin.
Presented by Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami, the 29th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball was spearheaded by the trio of visionaries affectionately known as “The Three Amigos”: Shareef M. Malnik, Gala Chair, and Chair of the Ball for 19 years; Co-CEO of Sonrisa Rum of Puerto Rico, a proud sponsor of the Ball; Chairman of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub for 17 years; Chairman Emeritus of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida; and Chairman of the Make-A-Wish® Capital & Endowment Campaign; Glenn Sampert, General Manager of InterContinental® Miami and Gala Host of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida.
The gala’s theme, "CIRCO: La Madre Della Luce," transported attendees into a whimsical Italian circus set in a surreal world where fantasy and reality intertwined. The brainstorm of the Ball’s Creative Director and Co-Executive Producer Maxwell Blandford, the fantastical ambiance included a dreamy palette of pinks, mesmerizing displays of lights and animation, and fascinating characters such as “I Pagliacci” clowns searching for the fictional “Mother of Light.” Design, decor, florals, and production were realized by Ball event producer Deco Productions, led by Executive Producer Nicholas Zazzera. Animation was created by Mauricio Ferrazza.
At The Ball’s official afterparty, the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub, performers included headliner Martha Wash (“It's Raining Men”), Robbie Elias, Yoli Mayor, and Rocky Lanes, with music by DJ Affect.
Gwen Stefani headlines the 29th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball. (Photo Credit: Manny Hernandez)
(L) Red Carpet Characters at the 29th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball. (Credit: World Red Eye)
(R) Chair Shareef M. Malnik and Co-Chair Gabrielle Anwar at the 29th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball. (Credit: World Red Eye)
“The Three Amigos”: Norman Wedderburn, Shareef M. Malnik & Glenn Sampert at the 29th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball. (Credit: World Red Eye)
