Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami are proud to announce that acclaimed singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will headline the 26th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball on Saturday, November 6th at InterContinental® Miami, where she will perform a private concert for Ball guests. Actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar will return as celebrity emcee of The Ball, which is chaired by her husband, philanthropist Shareef Malnik. The theme of this year’s Ball is “Galactica,” inspired by pop culture, vintage sci-fi films, and space science as the New Frontier.
A two-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actress, Emmy Award-winning producer, and best-selling author, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. Hudson had the starring role as Aretha Franklin in the highly anticipated biopic, “Respect,” for which she was handpicked by Franklin to play the role, as well as executive produce. (Please see full Jennifer Hudson bio attached.)
Guests will be welcomed at the 26th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball by Shareef Malnik, Chairman Emeritus, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida; Gala Chair of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball; Managing Partner, Greyhawk Capital; and CEO, Forge Legacy Investments; Glenn Sampert, Gala Host and General Manager of InterContinental® Miami; and Norman Wedderburn, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida – the trio affectionately known as the “Three Amigos.”
InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball is being underwritten by the generous support of the Chairman’s Challenge Society donors: Shareef Malnik & Gabrielle Anwar, Stuart Miller, The Lennar Foundation, Marshall Ames, Richard Polidori, Todd & Kim Glaser, Geert-Jan & Joyce Bakker, Jim & Sue Oppenheimer, Randy & Barbara Ann Frankel Foundation, Braman Family Foundation, Wayne & Cynthia Boich, Eugene & Brooke Frenkel, Dennis Crowley & Maria Haupert, Ameen & Zainab Killidar, Barry Skolnick, Richard & Susan Finkelstein, Andrew & Tatsiana Ansin, Alan Mruvka on behalf of StorageBlue, Felipe Lafratta on behalf of AssociatedsMD Medical Group, Marko & Shelly Dimitrijevic, Nick & Adriana Ayala.
Benefactors of the 26th Annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball are Al & Nancy Malnik, whose past donation of $1 million to Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida was the first such commitment in the charity’s history, Stanley & Gala Cohen, Howard & Barbara Glickman, James L. Ferraro, Peter & Tatiana Cancro, Harvey & Roberta Chaplin, Dennis Crowley & Maria Haupert, Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, Ken Gorin and The Collection, Michael Liebowitz, Joseph Perez, Barry Skolnick, Strategic Hotels & Resorts, and Judd & Laura Zebersky. Funds raised from the evening will benefit Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, a non-profit organization that grants life-changing wishes for critically ill children.
The Ball’s space-inspired theme will be creatively interpreted by DECO Productions, transforming the InterContinental® Miami hotel into a galactic wonderland, from the valet porte cochere and lobby entrance with otherworldly performers and a spacious step-and-repeat for photographs to the sweeping mezzanine and impressive Grand Ballroom decorated in shimmering silver and mystical black hues.
A lavish cocktail reception on the InterContinental® Miami’s mezzanine will feature premium libations and elaborate food displays, including the popular seafood towers and raw bars created by InterContinental® Miami Executive Chef Jhonnatan Contreras and his team, while guests bid at the Ball’s famous silent auction – regarded as one of the most luxurious at any gala in South Florida. Brimming with coveted objects, memorabilia and travel experiences donated by leading hospitality, entertainment, fashion and luxury brands, the silent auction will include fine jewelry and watch concession by King Jewelers. DJ Ani Phearce will preside during the cocktail reception, spinning his own brand of magic.
After the grand cocktail reception, a special performance will usher guests into the Grand Ballroom, During dinner and dancing, actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar, a Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida Ambassador, will return for the 10th year as celebrity emcee. The evening will close with a concert by the renowned singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, presented by Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation.
The official after-party, the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub presented by E11EVEN MIAMI, Downtown Miami’s 24/7 ultraclub, will be held immediately following the Ball at InterContinental® Miami, headlined by Ja Rule, who will perform. DJ Affect will set the tone for the evening, highlighted by a fashion runway show showcasing looks by House of Skye, a global, digitally distributed luxury fashion house by Skye Drynan, whose designs have been worn by celebrities including Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Iggy Azalea, Paris Hilton, Miranda Lambert, Tyler Posey, Elle King, and Carrie Underwood. Models will be coifed by in-kind donor Danny Jelaca of Danny Jelaca Hair.
Committee members of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub presented by E11EVEN MIAMI, which is produced by Maxwell Blandford, Ken DeGori, and Clif Loftin, are: Shareef Malnik, Chairman Emeritus, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida; Gala Chair of the InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball; Ken DeGori, Vice Chairman, InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub; Maxwell Blandford, Creative Director of InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball and Co-Chair of InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub; Michael Capponi, Co-Chair; Nick D’Annunzio, Co-Chair and Ball committee member; Clif Loftin, Co-Chair; Gus Munoz, Co-Chair and Ball committee member; Tara Solomon, Co-Chair and Ball committee member; Nicholas Zazzera, Co-Chair and Ball committee member; Antonio Misuraca; Violet Camacho; Louis Fonseca; and Robert Fernandez. Creative direction for the Nightclub is provided by DECO Productions.
Tickets for the Nightclub are $175 each if purchased through a Nightclub committee member, or $150 each at www.themiaminightclub.com or at the door. There will be a complimentary open bar and fashionable evening attire is required.
As the Ball’s 26-year partner, founder, and in-kind donor, InterContinental® Miami has contributed through in-kind donations to Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida that have enabled the organization to raise more than $29 million, resulting in more than 5,800 wishes being granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions in the chapter’s region, which includes South Florida, the Treasure Coast, southwest Florida, the Sarasota area, and Tampa Bay.
“We are eternally grateful to the InterContinental Miami and all of the generous donors and supporters who have made this Ball the premier charity fund-raiser in Miami. We have changed the trajectory of the lives of our most vulnerable and it’s only possible with the support of these wonderful philanthropists,” stated Norm Wedderburn, Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida President & CEO.
In the interest of safety of our guests and event personnel, all Ball guests and staff must show proof of a negative result from a COVID PCR test within the 3 days prior to the event or proof of complete COVID vaccination.
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® SOUTHERN FLORIDA
Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida has a sole mission: Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Started in 1983 by the Plantation Junior Woman's Club, the Southern Florida chapter has granted more than 13,000 wishes. It is our vision to grant the wish of every medically eligible child in our territory.
In a typical year, we grant more than 600 wishes to local children with critical illnesses. Additionally, we annually grant another 175+ wishes, in collaboration with other chapters, when children come to our territory to experience their wishes. Make-A-Wish Southern Florida serves children and families in 22 Florida counties in Southeast and Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To learn more about how you can help make wishes come true, visit us on the web at sfla.wish.org. You can also connect with us @makeawishsfla on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
The 2019 InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball raised $2.5 million, bringing the total amount raised over the event’s history to $29 million, enough to grant more than 5,800 wishes. The annual Ball, which is regarded as one of Miami charity season’s leading events, is the highest-grossing fundraising event for the Southern Florida Chapter of Make-A-Wish® Foundation.
To purchase tickets to the November 6th Ball, please call 954-967-9474 ext. 318.
ABOUT INTERCONTINENTAL® MIAMI
With nearly 40 years as an icon of the Downtown Miami skyline, the InterContinental® Miami is located at the crossroads of Miami's Business and Arts & Entertainment districts. With guest’s safety, health and well-being a top priority, the InterContinental® Miami has launched the IHG Clean Promise with enhanced cleaning and security protocols in place for COVID-19.
Please see this information at https://www.icmiamihotel.com/guestwellbeing.
A beacon for luxury leisure and business travelers alike, the hotel rises 34 stories over the city with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami. The hotel features 653 luxury guest rooms, including 22 suites and two presidential suites; 35 meeting rooms with over 135,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and exhibition space, including a spectacular Grand Ballroom; multiple restaurants and bars. There is a full-service 24/7 fitness center and spa (mySpa Miami); and a rooftop pool deck with new SkyLawn boasting direct Skyline and water views. The InterContinental® Miami is a proud corporate citizen of the Miami-Dade community, invested through its annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball, and its corporate social responsibility program. For more information or reservations, call 305-577-1000 or visit www.icmiamihotel.com/.
MEDIA DISCLAIMER
The InterContinental® Miami’s partnership with Make-A-Wish® in Southern Florida is more than being just the venue. As the Ball Founder, 26-Year partner and in-kind donor of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, the hotel has donated the in-kind value of the event’s food, beverage, parking accommodations and venue expenses, in addition to more than 11,000 management hours committed to the planning of the Ball over the past 26 years. When referencing the event, please use the following wording and trademark symbols:
- InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball
- InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub
