Mother’s Day weekend brought a variety of exciting events across South Florida, beginning with the Coral Gables Woman’s Club’s extravagant Mother’s Day Brunch on Saturday, May 9, benefiting the club’s free children’s dental clinic.
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Mothers, daughters, granddaughters, aunts, and friends gathered for an elegant afternoon inspired by South Florida PBS’s Titanic Immersive Voyage theme. Upon arrival, guests received “boarding passes” for the cruise-inspired celebration and enjoyed unlimited mimosas throughout the afternoon.
Before entering the brunch ballroom, attendees had an opportunity to browse a variety of vendors offering last-minute Mother’s Day shopping, including a popular silent auction and booths from favorites such as Leticia Matheus of Lele Reis Jewelry and the Miami Fair Trade Marketplace at Coral Gables Congregational United Church.
Inside the ballroom, where many guests arrived dressed in beautiful period attire, the atmosphere was festive and filled with wonderful photo opportunities. RCatering truly knocked it out of the park with an impressive buffet featuring shrimp and lobster pasta, salmon, steak, shredded pork, assorted sides, cheeses, fruits, pastries, and decadent desserts.
2024-26 club president Arely Ruiz welcomed guests and thanked event co-chairs Carmen Suarez and Rita Tennyson, generous sponsors, including Jeneissy Azcuy and South Florida PBS, Birdie Bistro, Arely PR, Siegfried Rivera, LEGACY, and Miami’s Community Newspapers as well as their hardworking committee of Lydia Sanchez-Garrett, Dr. Iris Torres-Rivera, Lee Harper, Mayra Dominguez and Carol Horkowitz.
Among those attending the elegant affair were newly installed 2026–28 GFWC Florida District 11 director Shirley Pardon, Linda Hartwell, Margarette Beauchamp, Maggie Ruiz, Ana Lam, Kristina Jackson, Julia Irvin, Flora Atkins, Ileana Marcos, Elizabeth Serrania, Valerie Krop, Teresa Portales, Veronica Ruiz, Penny Serrania, Laurie Belle, and Allison Bean.
Meanwhile, many moms, family members, and friends also gathered at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre for the finale of its beloved Young Talent Big Dreams competition. Finalists in multiple categories performed before a packed house, showcasing the incredible talent South Florida has to offer. The judges certainly had their work cut out for them before announcing the winners at the end of the evening.
Contest winners included the following: Grand Prize Winner: Nina Marie (Valentina Koehler); Individual Vocal – Pop/Rock/Rap, Ana Lía Domínguez De Leon; Individual Vocal – Musical Theatre/Jazz/Classical, Shantel Ruiz; Group Voice – SAH Artists: Christian Calvo, Mia Bella Gorritz, Jose Luis Mendoza, Priscilla Nicole Govea Palacios, Samuel Sanchez, Daniel Medina Useche; Original Composition – Nina Marie (Valentina Koehler); Spoken Word – Isabel Bryon; Individual Musical Instrument – Eduardo Valdes Margolles; Group Musical Instrument – Crave: Gabriella Cimring, Julian Hernandez, Nicole Patino, Oliver Scholl, Max Toche; Individual Dance – Rosemary Angulo, and Group Dance- Kailah & Caylee: Caylee Mojica, Kailah Ramirez.
Speaking of young talent, the Junior Orange Bowl’s creative writing competition for eighth grade students was chaired by Winnie Chang. This is one of many Junior Orange Bowl events that showcases talented youth and, in this case, young writers. Its 2026 awards ceremony held at Books & Books on May 8, was especially inspiring as the guest speaker was renowned National Geographic explorer/primatologist/researcher Dr. Mireya Mayor.
Congratulations to the award recipients: first place, Noah Moncarz; second place, Carolina Bergesio, and third place, Alexandra Morfova.
In other news, currently on stage at Actors’ Playhouse is Dial M for Murder. On May 15, donors, sponsors, and season ticket holders gathered for the production’s VIP Opening Night party and performance.
Finally, congratulations to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Miami Chapter, recently honored with the IDEA Champion Designation for its commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. The chapter also earned the prestigious Ten Star Gold Award, recognizing its success in achieving key goals aligned with AFP Global’s strategic vision.
Dates to mark on your calendar:
Now through July – The Titanic Immersive Experience opens presented by South Florida PBS
Now through June 7 – Dial M for Murder at Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre For tickets, visit www.actorsplayhouse.org
Now through summer – South Florida PBS’s two new immersive VR experiences:
“Colosseum: The Legendary Arena,” where the glory and drama of ancient Rome roars to life, and “Napoleon: The Immersive Saga,” a stunning journey through the ambition, passion, and power of one of history’s most iconic figures. Experience both, now in the South Florida PBS studios. More information at southfloridapbs.org/immersive.
May 20 – GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club Installation Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; for info go to www.coralgableswomansclub.org
Aug. 15 – Miami International Mall Crawl Walk for the Alzheimer’s Association
In closing, remember to count your blessings, share a kind word and a smile, and make a difference.
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