The Biltmore Ball At Home

This Year’s Community Foundation Ball Will be a Little Different

One of the premier social events of the season is the annual Biltmore Ball by the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Each year, this signature fund raiser – which also honors exemplary individuals who have contributed to the community – revolves around a theme. Last year it was “London Calling,” the year before “Venetian Fantasy,” giving ball goers a motif for their finest attire.

This year’s ball was to have a French theme, but alas, the pandemic has relegated that thesis to à la maison. Yes, this year’s ball “L’Art de Recevoir” – the Art of Receiving – will be held at the homes of charitable donors who will receive guests there.

That does not mean it will be a dull affair. Au contraire, each donor can host tables of up to 10 persons at their manse, and each table will be supplied with wine, flowers, food, a waiter, a chef and even musicians, all locally sourced. The vino will come from Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe, the flowers from Belle Fleur, the main courses from La Basque, and the desserts from Bachour. The music will be provided (for an extra donation) by students and/or faculty from the Frost School, who will perform at your home or virtually.

“It can be just you and your spouse, or a group of friends,” says Foundation Executive Director Mary Snow. “You can be in a ball gown or in shorts and flip flops. The point is to have fun.” The seven honorees this year are past foundation chair Bill Bonn; CEO of the Miami Cancer Institute Dr. Michael Zinner; founder of The Underline project Meg Daly; philanthropist Matthew Meehan; couture designer Mayda Cisneros; wealth management guru David Evensky; and famed Gables High graduate and Super Bowl winner Jonathan Vilma. Their remarks, along with those made by gala chairs Sissy DeMaria-Koehne and Lauren Harrison-Brown, will be prerecorded by Coral Gables TV and broadcast to all attendees at 8 p.m. on the evening of the event, Nov. 7. Bon appétit!

For further information: mary@gablesfoundation.org or 305.446.9670