January could be a time to relax and recoup after the holidays... but not in Miami, where the city's institutions keep our social calendars packed with excuses to party for a good cause. Here, we give you five reasons to spend your Saturday night at Pérez Art Museum Miami for its first-ever Art of the Party—an event that Ocean Drive staffers are eager to witness.
Brazilian funk band Batuke Samba Funk will be performing alongside Pee Wee Ellis at the "Remix" after-party
1. Lee Brian Schrager.
Just say his name and we all start salivating. The man behind the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is sharing his talents with PAMM to turn the social tradition formerly known as the MAM Ball into a multifaceted celebration featuring two dining experiences and an after-party you do not want to miss (more on this in #3).
2. Lindo Maravilhoso!
Perhaps inspired by the previous occupant of its special exhibit galleries (“Jardim Botânico" by Rio de Janeiro-based artist Beatriz Milhazes), PAMM’s biggest fundraising event of the year has a decidedly Brazilian theme. Schrager has enlisted world-renowned chef Thomas Troisgros of Rio’s acclaimed Olympe Restaurant to infuse the evening with modern gastronomy from Brazil, where he’s a fourth-generation chef in a clan of top toques.
3. It's Actually Three Parties in One
Get a ticket to the event’s Chef’s Table to enjoy cocktails and Troisgros’ four-course menu on the museum’s waterfront terrace. Or reserve a seat in the exclusive Supper Club dinner lounge, where a dedicated butler will keep the cocktails coming throughout the evening and Troisgros’ culinary offerings will be accompanied by dancing and surprise live performances.
After the party... it's the Remix after-party on the Knight Plaza. Brazilian funk band Batuke Samba Funk with Pee Wee Ellis—legendary sax player and bandleader for James Brown—will play into the early morning. (Yes, you can just stop by for the after-party.)
4. Brought to You By Louis Vuitton
Last month the French fashion house brought us "Playing With Shapes" by Pierre Paulin, so we can't wait to see what's in store at this new version of a stuffy gala.
5. Students Will Thank You
Proceeds from the Art of the Party will fund PAMM's robust education program, which is the largest behind the Miami-Dade County School system. More than 80,000 adults and children have participated in PAMM programming since December 2013.
Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd. Chef’s Table seated dinner, 7:00 p.m.; Supper Club dinner lounge, 8:30 p.m.; Remix after-party, 10:30 p.m. For tickets, visit pamm.org.