| |
Music Under the Stars
Music Under the Stars 2023
Music Under the Stars Celebrates 31 Years of Providing Comprehensive Eye Exams and Glasses at No Cost to Underserved School Children
On Wednesday, May 24th attendees were treated to an evening of entertainment and culinary delights with proceeds from the highly successful annual event
benefiting Miami Lighthouse's Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program. We celebrated our 31st anniversary of providing comprehensive eye exams and
prescription glasses at no cost to underprivileged schoolchildren throughout the State of Florida.
The event honored our Florida State Government Champions, Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Juan Fernandez-Barquin.
Honored alongside them was Dr. Stephen Morris, Secretary of our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program and Miami Lighthouse Board Director,
for his dedication to children's eye health and for providing the M-DOPA leadership for the 2007 merger. Evening entertainment featured Styrofoam Cup,
comprised of Miami Lighthouse Music Program students recently coming in second place in the Young Talent Big Dreams competition.
Our amazing award winning Miami Lighthouse Band also performed. The event was emceed by Olga Villaverde, host of The Health Channel's Balancing Act.
Our generous sponsors include ABB Optical Group, Publix Super Markets Charities, FP&L, Walgreens, VSP iCare Health Solutions, Alivi Health,
Grove Bank & Trust, Rotary Club of Miami, H. Angela Whitman Foundation, The George and Luisa Foyo Foundation, Genesis Systems Consulting, GrayRobinson,
Monster Sound Productions, Biz Solutions, Susan Conroy Design, Perry Ellis International, Affiliated Healthcare Centers, Inc., and more.
Our fabulous restaurant and beverage sponsors include Perricone's, Don Paella, Season's 52, Roaster's and Toaster's, Genesis Café, PF Changs,
Sport's Grill, El Carajo, Vicky Bakery, E11even Vodka, Eagle Brands and more.
Music Under the Stars 2022
Music Under the Stars Celebrates 30 Years of Providing Comprehensive Eye Exams and Glasses at No Cost to Underserved School Children
Music Under the Stars... Bon Appétit Miami treated guests on Wednesday, May 25th to an evening of entertainment and culinary delights with
proceeds from the highly successful annual event benefiting Miami Lighthouse's Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program.
The event honored Johnson & Johnson Vision and Lions Clubs International Foundation for addressing health equity in eye care and
Florida State Legislators for their commitment to our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program. Evening entertainment featured the amazing
Miami Lighthouse Band and was emceed by Olga Villaverde, host of The Health Channel's Balancing Act.
Generous sponsors included ABB Optical Group, Publix Super Markets Charities, Florida Power & Light, Walgreens, Baptist Health South Florida,
Verdeja, De Armas & Trujillo, LLP, Grove Bank & Trust, GrayRobinson, Celebrity Cruises, H. Angela Whitman Foundation, Genesis Systems Consulting,
Monster Sound Productions, Biz Solutions, Susan Conroy Design, Perry Ellis International, Miami Kids Magazine, and Affiliated Healthcare Centers, Inc.
Music Under the Stars 2021
Miami Lighthouse guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment and culinary delights on November 18th with proceeds
from the highly successful annual event benefiting Miami Lighthouse’s Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program. This
is the program which provides comprehensive eye examinations and prescription glasses at no cost to underprivileged
children throughout Florida.
Our generous sponsors included ABB Optical Group, Publix Super Markets Charities, FPL, Walgreens, Baptist Health
South Florida, Verdeja, De Armas & Trujillo, LLP, Grove Bank & Trust, H. Angela Whitman Foundation, Genesis Systems
Consulting, GrayRobinson, Monster Sound Productions, SFM Services, Inc., Biz Solutions, Susan Conroy Design, Perry
Ellis International, Miami Kids Magazine, Affiliated Healthcare Centers, Inc., Events by Ms.V and more.
Evening entertainment featured our amazing Miami Lighthouse Inner Vision Band, emceed by Olga Villaverde, host of
The Health Channel’s Balancing Act. Guests feasted on edible delights provided by Perricone's, CrepeMaker, The Big
Cheese, Don Paella, Season's 52, Roaster's and Toaster's, Sport’s Grill, El Carajo, Vicky Bakery, Starbucks, Islas
Canarias, Cafe Bernie, E11even Vodka, Eagle Brands and more. The program also honored iCare Health Solutions and
Florida State Legislators for their commitment to our Florida Heiken Program.
2019 Music Under the Stars... Bon Appétit Miami
Wednesday, May 15th, was an evening to remember as nearly 300 Miami Lighthouse supporters
enjoyed our spectacular Music Under The Stars: Bon Appétit Miami. The event, benefiting our
Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, featured our talented Miami Lighthouse Musicians
who delighted attendees with a variety of performances including a beautiful rendition of
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Miami Lighthouse student Silvio. We thank Olga Villaverde,
TV host of The Balancing Act and The Health Channel, for being an excellent Mistress of
Ceremonies and Miami Dade-County Public School Board Member Susie Castillo who acknowledged
the importance of the comprehensive eye exams and prescription glasses our Heiken Program
provides for underserved children in an effort to improve academic success and prevent
blindness.
This year's honorees were Florida State Senator Anitere Flores in recognition of her efforts
in
Tallahassee on behalf of our Heiken Program and optometrist Dr. Scott Gartner for his
expertise in
giving children the gift of clear vision through our Heiken Program and seniors the gift of
independence
through low vision exams offered by our Low Vision Solution Center.
A luscious array of delicious culinary treats were provided by Caffe Abbracci, Cantina La
Veinte,
Perricone's, Black Market Miami, The Big Cheese, Mario the Baker, Season's 52, Roaster's and
Toaster's,
El Carajo, Zyr Vodka, Whitley Neill Gin and more. We express our appreciation to our
sponsors for
supporting our Heiken Program which included Eye South Partners, ABB Optical Group, Publix
Super Markets
Charities, Baptist Health South Florida, Florida International Bankers Association, Grove
Bank & Trust,
U.S. Ophthalmic, Essilor, Park Grove, H. Angela Whitman Foundation, Genesis Systems
Consulting,
GrayRobinson, Monster Sound Productions, SFM Services, Inc., Biz Solutions, Susan Conroy
Design, and
Miami Kids Magazine. The Art of Shaving generously provided a special gift for everyone at
the end of a
truly wonderful evening.
2018 Music Under the Stars... Bon Appétit Miami
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE "MUSIC UNDER THE STARS" PREMIERE OF ORIGINAL SCORE FOR
THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
Miami Lighthouse instructors and blind and visually impaired musicians provided
live
music for The Great Train Robbery at "Music Under the Stars"
benefiting their Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, a division of Miami Lighthouse.
The score
was written by Miami Lighthouse instructor
Oman Pedreira. Last school year, the Heiken Program provided over 11,000 dilated eye exams
and 8,000
prescription glasses at no cost to financially
disadvantaged schoolchildren statewide. The celebration included a ribbon cutting dedication
of the
Trish and Dan Bell East Terrace of the
recently completed Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™.
2017 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Brickell City Centre
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND TENTH ANNUAL MUSIC UNDER THE STARS EVENT BENEFITS HEIKEN
CHILDREN'S VISION PROGRAM
May 24th was the date of our 2017 Music Under the Stars event benefiting our Florida Heiken
Children's Vision Program. The occasion marked the 25th anniversary of the program and the 10th anniversary of
its merger with Miami Lighthouse. Held at the new Brickell City Centre Mall, nearly 200 attendees were welcomed
by Mistress of Ceremonies Emmy-winning Journalist Maity Interiano. Guests enjoyed musical performances by Miami
Lighthouse musicians and vocalists. This year, in addition to our traditional silent auction featuring exciting
get-away packages, restaurant gift certificates, and much more, attendees had the opportunity to participate in
a raffle made possible by Board Director Angela Whitman and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Proclamations from the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation and Miami-Dade County Public Schools
recognized our Heiken Program's 25 years of eye care for needy schoolchildren.
On behalf of Major League Baseball and the Miami Marlins, Claude Delorme Executive Vice President,
Operations and Events for the Miami Marlins, announced that our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program has
been chosen as an All-Star Game Legacy Project of Major League Baseball. Legacy funding will go toward a new
mobile optometric unit that will be unveiled during the Miami All-Star Game in July.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017 was designated Dr. Sidney Stern Day in a proclamation by Carlos A. Gimenez,
Mayor of Miami-Dade County, Chairman Esteban Bovo, Jr. and the Members of the Board of County Commissioners. Dr.
Stern was honored for his long-term commitment to providing eye care and glasses to underserved children in
Miami-Dade County. Dr. Stern was instrumental in the creation of the Heiken program in 1992 during his term as
President of the Miami Dade Optometric Physicians Association. Since the merger with Miami Lighthouse, Dr. Stern
has provided nearly 56,000 pairs of prescription for needy schoolchildren.
We express our thanks to Brickell City Centre for allowing us to hold our event in their new
exciting venue and to our sponsors: ABB Optical Group, Publix Super Markets Charities, Marlins Foundation,
Essilor Laboratories of America, H. Angela Whitman Foundation, Donna Abood Principal Managing Director Avison
Young, GrayRobinson, Genesis Systems Consulting and BB&T Bank. In-kind sponsors were Susan Conroy Design,
Monster Sound Productions, Saks Fifth Avenue, Starbucks Coffee, Zyr Vodka and East Hotel.
2016 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND NINTH ANNUAL MUSIC
UNDER THE STARS EVENT BENEFITS HEIKEN CHILDREN'S VISION PROGRAM
The rains came, and the stars were nowhere to be seen, but the music was marvelous and the evening a
major success with over 100 guests getting their first glimpse of the fascinating Koubek Center. The historic
building created a very special aura for this year's annual affair with its wonderful music by Charles "Mr.
Casual" DeChant of Hall and Oates and the super talented Better Chance Music Program musicians. Emceed by
radio icon Jade Alexander of 102.7 The Beach, the evening honored the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation as well
as the optometric community's continuing leadership of our Heiken Program with special recognition of our two
Board Directors Dr. Alan P. Levitt and Dr. Stephen A. Morris.
The event raised over $55,000 which will enable our Heiken Children's Vision Program to provide over
550 free comprehensive eye examinations and glasses when prescribed for low income-school children who have no
resources for eye care.
We express our gratitude to the event sponsors including ABB Optical Group, Ophelia & Juan Roca,
Publix Super Markets Charities, Baptist Health South Florida, JM Private Insurance, Signet Armorlite, Genesis
Consulting, Gray Robinson, Aetna, and Essilor Laboratories of America among others.
2015 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND EIGHT ANNUAL MUSIC
UNDER THE STARS EVENT BENEFITS HEIKEN CHILDREN’S VISION PROGRAM
May 6th was truly a night to remember with guests ending
the evening by giving a standing ovation to our Miami Lighthouse Big Band
Jazz, special guest internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Nicole Henry
and Miami Lighthouse former client and now professional singer, Natalia
Sulca. The exciting evening of great food, delicious wines, super music
and live and silent auctions was all to benefit our very important Heiken
Children’s Vision Program that provides free comprehensive eye exams and
glasses to low-income schoolchildren.
This year’s event was emceed by G. Eric Knowles, President
and CEO of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by the ABB
Optical Group, Publix Super Markets Charities, Baptist Health South
Florida, Brown & Brown Insurance, Marlins Foundation, Miami-Dade
Commissioner Sally Heyman, Genesis Consulting, Gray Robinson, Aetna,
Essilor Laboratories, Perry Ellis International, Monster Sound
Productions, Brickell Magazine, Bob’s Barricades and Brazilian Grill Party
Rentals. Delicious food was provided by A. Thierry’s Catering, City Hall
The Restaurant, Whisk, Perricone’s Marketplace, Shorty’s BBQ, Dr. Barry
Burak and Gail Beckham. Wine and beverages were provided by El Carajo,
Samuel Adams, The McCallan and Starbucks.
2014 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND SEVENTH ANNUAL MUSIC
UNDER THE STARS EVENT BENEFITS HEIKEN CHILDREN’S VISION PROGRAM
More than 200 guests gathered for “Music Under The
Stars: Bon Appétit Miami” on Wednesday, April 30th. School officials
and community leaders joined the Miami eye care community to celebrate
over 20 years of free eye examinations for more than 80,000 children in
need who failed their school vision screening but had no resources for eye
care.
Guests dined on delicacies from OTC Restaurant, Whisk,
City Hall The Restaurant, Perricone’s Marketplace, Chocolate Fashion,
Shorty’s Bar-B-Q, El Carajo International Tapas & Wine and more, while
enjoying drinks from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Rex Goliath Wine. The night
also featured a wonderful silent auction, which included fabulous getaway
trips, certificates for fine dining, jewelry and exclusive art.
Special recognition was given to the Marlins Foundation
and Marlins Ayudan, three generations of Harrison Family board leadership
including participation in the founding of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute by
Miami Lighthouse, and Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry.
The event was emceed by Nicole Maristany Krauss, Media and Communications
Manager at Publix Super Markets, Inc. Guests also enjoyed a special
appearance by Latin Grammy award winner Paul Hoyle, backed up by musicians
from the Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™.
The event was presented by 20/20 Vision Sponsor ABB
Optical Group, Perfect Sight Sponsors Publix Super Markets Charities,
Baptist Health South Florida and Brown & Brown Insurance, Clear Vision
Sponsors BB&T and Commissioner Sally Heyman, and Healthy Eyes Sponsors
GrayRobinson, Williamson Automotive, Essilor Laboratories of America,
Transitions Optical, VSP Optics Group and Signet Armorlite. Thanks to
Perry Ellis International for providing custom made guayaberas that our
musicians wore throughout the night.
Restaurant sponsors included City Hall Restaurant, OTC
Restaurant, Perricone’s Marketplace & Café, Shorty’s Bar-B-Q, El Carajo
International Tapas & Wine, Whisk Gourmet Food and Catering, Chocolate
Fashion, Starbucks Coffee Company, GB Catering, Nestle Coffee-mate and Dr.
Barry Burak Crepe Maker.
2013 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami
MIAMI LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND SIXTH ANNUAL MUSIC
UNDER THE STARS EVENT BENEFITS HEIKEN CHILDREN’S VISION PROGRAM
On May 22nd legislators, school officials and community
leaders joined the Miami eye care community to celebrate over 20 years of
free eye examinations for more than 75,000 children in need who failed
their school vision screening but had no resources for eye care.
Music Under the Stars: Bon Appétit Miami attendees enjoyed
musical performances by Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production
Program™ students, instructors and special guests, food from great Miami
area restaurants, beverages by Miami Club Rum and El Carajo International
Tapas & Wine and a silent auction which offered fabulous getaway trips,
jewelry and exclusive art. Thanks to Perry Ellis International the Better
Chance Music Production Program™ musicians wore custom made guayaberas in
the musically themed venues throughout Miami Lighthouse.
The event was presented by 20/20 Vision Sponsor DLA Piper,
Perry Ellis International, Florida Power & Light, Publix Super Markets
Charities, Northern Trust Bank, Baptist Health South Florida, Commissioner
Sally Heyman, GrayRobinson, Williamson Cadillac, Montica Jewelry, Essilor
Laboratories of America, Transitions Optical, VSP Optics Group and Mobile
Specialty Vehicles. Restaurant sponsors included City Hall Restaurant, The
Oceanaire Seafood Room, Perricone’s Marketplace & Café, Gordon Biersch
Brewery Restaurant, Shorty’s Bar-B-Q, Chocolate Fashion, Starbucks Coffee
Company, West Kendall Baptist Hospital Catering, GB Catering and Dr. Barry
Burak Crepe Maker.
2012 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami
JOSÉ FELICIANO GUEST PERFORMANCE BENEFITS
HEIKEN CHILDREN’S VISION PROGRAM
Legislators, school officials and community leaders joined
the Miami eye care community April 20th to celebrate 20 years of free eye
examinations for more than 65,000 children in need who failed their school
vision screening but had no resources for eye care; 75% of these children
required prescription glasses and received them at no cost to their family
because of the nationally-recognized Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
division, Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program, LLC.
The event was emceed by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
and began with M-DCPS Superintendent Alberto Carvalho reading a letter
from President Obama recognizing the program on 20 years of service.
Florida House Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera and Senate Minority
Leader Nan Rich were honored as they complete their service in the Florida
legislature. State Senator Gwen Margolis read a resolution she introduced
during the 2012 legislative session.
Board Chairman Michael A. Silva, Esq. presented guest
musician José Feliciano with an honorary Board of Directors certificate.
Alongside José Feliciano, the Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music
Production Program™ musicians entertained guests with a wonderful
performance and debuted their latest album “The Big Band Classics and
More."
The event was presented by 20/20 Vision Sponsor contact
lens distributor and manufacturer ABB Concise and other sponsors included
Florida Power and Light, Baptist Health South Florida, Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Florida, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Sally Heyman, and Media
Stage.
Beverages were provided by Bacardi USA and food was
provided by local restaurants which included Gordon Biersch Brewery
Restaurant, Perricone’s Marketplace & Café, Gibraltar at The Grove Isle
Hotel and Spa, Chocolate Fashion, Starbucks Coffee Company, Berries in the
Grove, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Shorty’s Bar-B-Q, and Tamarind Thai
Restaurant.
2011 Music
Under the Stars… Bon Appétit Miami
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired held
its fourth annual “Music Under the Stars: Bon Appétit Miami” on April 27th
to benefit its Heiken Children’s Vision Program. “Over 400 needy children
in Miami-Dade County Schools, who without this program do not have the
resources to get an eye exam and glasses when prescribed, will receive a
comprehensive eye examination and necessary eyeglasses underwritten by the
proceeds from this event. Without this intervention, they would continue
to struggle in school to see the board and read their assignment,” said
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse. This past year
6,500 low-income schoolchildren who failed their state-mandated vision
screening received a free eye examination, and 75% of them required
prescription glasses, which were also provided at no cost.
Over 200 community eye care providers, other professionals
and philanthropists attended the elegant, tuneful evening featuring live
jazz and pop by the talented Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music
Production Program™ musicians. Special recognition was given to
Superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools Alberto Carvalho and Dr.
Lillian Rivera of the Florida Department of Health for their collaboration
with the Heiken Program and to the foundations and individuals that
support the program. Lynn Martinez, Anchor WSVN-7 News, was the evening’s
emcee. The event included delicious samplings from Miami area restaurants
and a wonderful silent auction.
Also recognized at the 2011 “Music Under the Stars: Bon
Appétit Miami” were corporate sponsors Baptist Health South Florida,
Essilor Laboratories of America, Transitions Optical, SMF Energy
Corporation, Essilor of America, Low VisionAids Inc., Sir Speedy Printing
and Marketing Services, GrayRobinson Attorneys at Law, Verdeja & De Armas
Certified Public Accountants, VSP Labs, DadePaper, and Kodak Lens by
Signet Armorlite along with food and beverage sponsors Gibraltar, Casa
Juancho, Perricone’s Marketplace, Starbucks Coffee, El Carajo, Chocolate
Fashion, Grazie Italian Cuisine, Seasons 52 Fresh Grill, Gordon Biersch
Brewery Restaurant, Shorty’s Bar-B-Q, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Barefoot
Wine & Bubbly, Gulf Discount Liquors & Wine Merchants, Gold Coast Beverage
Distributors, CA Catering, Costco, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Crepe Station
courtesy of Dr. Barry Burak and Affiliated Healthcare Centers, Inc.
2010 Music
Under the Stars… Bon Appétit Miami
Our third annual fundraiser in support of the Miami Lighthouse Heiken
Children’s Vision program Music Under the Stars… Bon Appétit Miami took
place on Wednesday evening, April 28.
We extend appreciation to our generous sponsors: Baptist Health South
Florida, Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, LLP, SMF Energy Corporation,
Essilor of America, Essilor Laboratories of America, Brown and Brown
Insurance, Transitions Optical, Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing
Services, New Image Productions, Magnifying Center, and Florida Reading &
Vision Technology.
We also thank our participating restaurants and beverage providers Gulf
Spirits & Wine Merchants, Gordon Biersch, Casa Larios, Zucchero Ristorante
Bistro, C.A. & Company Catering, Starbucks, Chocolate Fashion, Archie’s
Gourmet, and crepe station courtesy of Dr. Barry Burak.
2009 Music
Under the Stars…A Taste of Brickell
Click here, for more information on our
Heiken Children’s Vision program.
2008 Music
Under the Stars: A Taste of Brickell
On
April 30, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind hosted Music Under the Stars:
A Taste of Brickell. This inaugural event, held at the Lighthouse,
benefited its Children’s Vision Care Program, a mobile outreach program
that provides free eye care services to school children in need.
Friends and donors were treated to culinary
delights prepared by Brickell area restaurants including Morton’s the
Steakhouse, Blu Pizza é Cucina, Perricone’s Marketplace, Gordon Biersch,
Rosinella, Baja Fresh and Provence Grill. Musical entertainment was
provided by Latin Tenor Warren Tesh, international violinist Randolph
Margitza, and the talented Miami Lighthouse musicians.
To
top the night off, legendary music producer Henry Stone presented CEO
Virginia Jacko with the first royalty check from sales of “Instrumental
Magic,” the first album produced by Stone since completing vision
rehabilitation at Miami Lighthouse, and featuring saxophonist Jeff Zavac,
a current client at the Lighthouse.
The event was sponsored by Ambutech,
Eschenbach Optik, Florida Reading & Vision Technology, Mobile Specialty
Vehicles, Southern Wine & Spirits, and AMC Liaisons/Rain Vodka.
|
|
