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MAR 19: Miami Children’s Museum’s 2018 Be A Kid Again Gala Raises Nearly $1 Million for Educational Programming

MAR 19: Miami Children’s Museum’s 2018 Be A Kid Again Gala Raises Nearly $1 Million for Educational Programming

On Saturday, March 17th, at Soho Studios in the arts district of Wynwood, Miami Children’s Museum hosted more than 600 attendees for the 2018 Be A Kid Again Gala “Superheroes: From Fiction to Fantasy,” a world of crime-fighting caped crusaders and villains! The evening, emceed by Pulitzer Prize winning humorist Dave Barry, raised nearly $1 million to support educational programming with the help of generous donors, sponsors, an extensive silent auction and a high end live auction.  This year’s gala was chaired by Jennifer and Gabriel Montoya with Auction Chair Melissa Netkin.

Guests felt like a kid again from the moment they entered Soho Studios. Costumed superheroes abounded about as the night kicked off with performances from aerialists, the Miami Children’s Museum Theater Troupe channeling their inner villains and a red carpet experience with image and fashion consultant, Elysze Held. The not to be missed cocktail reception previewed over 200 unique silent auction items including designer handbags, great travel, fine jewelry and rare wines.  The main event of the evening was an energetic live auction featuring spectacular items. Among the highest bidders were Board Vice President, Marianne Devine who took home a lease for a Range Rover Velar courtesy of Land Rover North Dade, a division of the Warren Henry Auto Group and Senior Chairman of Greenberg Traurig, Matthew Gorson, won a 6 night stay at the exclusive Thulani Private Villa in South Africa, courtesy of Joanne Young.

Adding the Spice to our Superhero themed extravaganza was a taste tempting array of treats provided by Chef David Schwadron Catering and Event Design with a twist, that brought to life all the iconic visions of fantasy and fun.

Then there was the After Party presented by EFFEN Vodka and chaired by Brittany Sharpton and Brooke Sharpton and hosted by Playmakers, the Museum’s young professionals group.  Miami’s most influential emerging professionals joined gala goers on the dance floor with 10-foot LED robots and together they partied into the night. Attendees were treated to a 3 Hours Open Bar featuring EFFEN Vodka, light bites and sweets catered by Chef David Schwadron Cuisine & Event Design and special guest DJ A Fly Guy. Don’t miss next year’s annual Be A Kid Again Annual Gala set for March 2, 2019!

This year’s Be a Kid Again Gala Sponsors included Dr. Brigitt Rok Potamkin and Mr. Alan Potamkin and the Fairholme Foundation, Greenberg Traurig, Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, Susan and Richard Lampen & Jackie and Adam Malamed, Jose and Heide Dans, TotalBank, Constance and Mike Fernandez, Northern Trust Bank, Allied Universal, Baptist Health South Florida, Berkowitz Pollack Brant, Rycon Construction, Jennifer and Gabriel Montoya, Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation, Academica, Trish and Dan Bell, Carnival Cruise Lines/Carnival Foundation, Jacklyn Taplin Schiffrin and Joshua Schiffrin, CPM, Michael and Jolie Berkowitz & Andrew and Felicia Berkowitz, Watermill Institutional Trading, Miami Marlins, , Bilzin Sumberg, Comras Company / Terra Group, Medina Family Foundation, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.,  Weber Law, Hypower, Inc., Century Risk Advisors, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, U. S. Trust, Bank Of America Private Wealth Management and Pam Garrison.

Sponsors for the After Party include EFFEN Vodka, Greenspoon Marder LLP, 13th Floor Investments, McHugh Construction, Tom Gallagher Insurance, Duffy’s Foundation, Ironview Capital Management, Toshiba Business Solutions, NextGen, Wells Fargo, Health Foundation of South Florida, The No-Fault Group, YAFN, RSP Nutrition, Capital One and JWR Construction Services.

Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) offers bilingual and interactive exhibits, programs, classes and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.  The Museum has 14 interactive galleries as well as housing many exciting and fun traveling exhibits.  MCM is dedicated to enriching the lives of all children by fostering a love of learning and enabling children to realize their highest potential. Through arts and educational programs, MCM seeks to include and target all audiences in Miami’s changing and diverse community by becoming the “town center” for Miami-Dade County’s children and families.’

The Miami Children's Museum is known in South Florida for its fun, hands-on exhibits that turn learning into an adventure for kids. The top five exhibits are favorites among families because they each offer something special. Whether they spark creativity or teach about the environment, these experiences are memorable and keep families returning. Find out why these main exhibits are so popular with both children and parents.

Interactive Learning at Miami Children's Museum

At the Miami Children's Museum, learning is made fun and exciting through interactive play. Kids learn and grow by exploring each exhibit, which encourages curiosity and hands-on discovery. This approach helps children build important thinking and problem-solving skills while having a great time.

We use a hands-on approach to learning, which matches current educational ideas. This way, kids understand more and remember what they learn. They can try activities like building, making music, or exploring a pretend ocean, following their interests and learning at their own speed. This freedom helps kids develop a love for learning that lasts.

We also make sure our exhibits are accessible and fun for all children, no matter their abilities. This focus on inclusivity means every child can take part and benefit from what we offer. It shows our important role in helping kids learn and bringing families together.

Popular Exhibits at Miami Children's Museum

We feature exhibits that inspire curiosity and imagination in kids. Here’s a look at some of our most popular attractions that both children and parents enjoy.

  1. The Castle of Dreams

The Castle of Dreams welcomes kids into a magical space where they can use their imaginations. Children can pretend to be knights, princesses, or dragons with dress-up areas and storytelling corners. A small castle makes the experience even more fun, letting kids invent their own stories.

  1. Ocean Odyssey

The Ocean Odyssey exhibit takes kids on an underwater adventure in the middle of Miami. It shows bright displays of ocean life, including coral reefs and touch tanks where children can feel sea creatures. Kids can also learn about why protecting the ocean matters through fun, interactive panels.

  1. Music Makers Studio

The Music Makers Studio is a fun place where kids can explore music. They can try digital keyboards, drums, and even record their own sounds. Kids enjoy this studio because it lets them be creative and express themselves through music.

  1. Health & Wellness Center

The Health & Wellness Center turns learning about healthy habits into a fun adventure. Kids can try activities that teach about fitness and good nutrition in a playful way. They can run obstacle courses, play games about healthy eating, and even pretend to shop for groceries.

  1. Construction Zone

In the Construction Zone, kids become young builders and engineers. They use blocks and tools to create everything from simple towers to complex structures. Working together on projects helps them practice problem-solving, teamwork, and spatial skills.

Why Kids and Parents Love These Exhibits

These exhibits bring families together by making learning fun. Each one uses play to spark curiosity and help kids understand new things. Parents appreciate that the museum is a safe and exciting place for children to explore. Visiting us at the Miami Children's Museum helps kids grow and gives families special memories. Plan your visit today and see how interactive learning can be both magical and memorable.