Kelly Gordon, Samuel F. Morrison, and Belvit Jordan

In its 20^th anniversary year, Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is proud to announce that it has raised and awarded a record high of $385,450 in grants to sustain and cultivate arts programming in the region. The non-profit volunteer-based organization awarded 36 grants of $ $314,450 (ranging from $3,000 – $12,500) for 2024 for performances and programs to nonprofit organizations. FAB awarded an additional $71,000 in Education Grants to 10 organizations to foster art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. With this grant cycle, FAB’s total monetary distribution to the local arts community exceeds $4.5 million.

Last October, FAB announced its “Be the Spark,” fundraising campaign. The initiative was launched with a lead gift of $750,000 from FAB Founder Francie Bishop Good and David Horvitz and has a total of more than $1.8 million pledged. The campaign aims to raise $3 million over the next five years. Proceeds from this campaign have already significantly increased FAB’s grantmaking pool expanding grants for arts education, a new grant category and establishing an endowment at the Community Foundation of Broward.

“We are thrilled with the incredible support we’ve received over the years to cultivate the arts in Broward County; however, this year is a truly a stellar example of how our community and corporate supporters have united to make a difference,” said Ed Hashek, president of FAB. “Together through memberships and our ‘Be the Spark’ campaign, we have raised $385,450; 38% more over last year and 114% more than just five years ago for a larger selection of diverse cultural grantees. These grants go a long way toward ushering in full-house and in-person performing and visual arts productions, exhibits and presentations.”

This year’s FAB’s 2024 Visual and Performing Arts Grantees and award amounts were:

Each grant allocation was awarded for a unique upcoming program. Upcoming funded programs include ArtsUnited’s “Celebrating Diversity” featuring three concerts highlighting artists from the LGBTQ+ community, Dance NOW! Miami’s “POP,” a new choreographic work by Diego Salterini exploring allegories of coming of age, love, despair, joy for life, death and more, New City Players’ play “1,000 Miles” by South Florida playwright Vanessa Garcia, South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks V Tchaikovsky | Bruch concert featuring soloist Huifang Chen, and Broward County Film Society’s “Get In the Picture,” an eclectic motion picture program that will engage and foster dialog among underserved members of the Broward community.

For the third year, FAB also awarded increased Education Grants dedicated to art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. Recipient organizations and amounts were:

Since its inception in 2003, FAB has awarded grants of over $4.5 million to small, mid-sized, and large professional performing and visual arts organizations. FAB is supported by membership whose dues go toward these grants that preserve and cultivate the arts in Broward County. FAB is also supported by its corporate partners, Northern Trust, PNC Bank, Pallant Insurance Agency, Casa D’Angelo, Tim Singer Realty and Twig, Trade & Tribunal, and South Florida PBS.

To learn more about FAB including how to become a member or support the arts, visit www.fundingartsbroward.org or email fundingartsbroward@gmail.com.

Photos by Michael Murphy Photography 

By Rachel Galvin

Foodies flocked to The Addison on Saturday, April 30, for the annual Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting. The stormy skies went away and attendees were able to roam in the courtyard and throughout the different rooms where everything was happening. This was the place to be. There was plenty of wine to sip from such vintners and distributors as ZD Wines, Silver Oak, Twomey Cellars, Domaine Carneros, DAOU, St. Supéry Estate, Coppola, Hahn, Hope Family Wine, Luca Bosio and many more. Guests could pair their wine with delicious samples of culinary delights provided by some of the area’s hottest restaurants, including The Addison, as well as Ramen Lab Eatery, Oceans 234, Gourmetphile, Bazille, Max’s Grille, Capital Grille, AlleyCat, Big in Japan, Atlantic Grille at The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Lemongrass Asian Bistro, Sicilian Oven, Poke Company, Blis Foods and KakaoZON Ecuadorian Chocolate.

In addition, there was a silent auction with plenty of high-end luxury items for guests to bid upon, including The Macallan James Bond 60th Anniversary Release Decade I, a Holland American Cruise for two and much more.

The Grand Tasting followed the Vintner Dinners that happened the night before. There also were seminars to teach guests more about wine and whiskey, by ZD Wines and Macallan Distillery, respectively. Boca Bacchanal was kicked off by a private hangar party called Bacchus Beckons.

Guests enjoyed mingling by the Banyan trees outside while reveling in food and drink. The Five Star Diamond Award-winning event venue has a unique charm. It was built by famed architect Addison Mizner in 1926.

The event, which is in its 20th year, benefits the Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. For more information, visit www.bocahistory.org.

Michael Alexander, Vivian Rigatto at Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting 2022. Photo by Jacek Photos.

Coming next week: The Boca Raton Historical Society will be hosting the always popular Boca Bacchanal, an annual weekend celebration of fine wine and food, slated for April 28-30, including four exclusive Vintner/Distiller Dinners and the always popular Grand Tasting, offering extraordinary tasting selections of wines, champagnes and whiskey, as well as generous samplings of signature dishes by celebrated local chefs.

This year’s event includes:

Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.

An exclusive BOCA BACCHANAL Distillers Dinner showcasing five exquisite whiskeys from The Macallan, hosted by The Boca Raton, located at 501 E. Camino Real inside the MB Supper Club. The food will be prepared and served by Andrew Roenbeck, director of Culinary Operations & Resort Executive Chef, and Peter Annewanter, executive chef of MB Supper Club and Flybridge.

Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m.

VINTNER DINNERS ARE SOLD OUT

Sunday, April 30 at The Addison

+ Noon to 1 p.m. / Two Special Sipping Seminars at 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton — spotlighting The Macallan Distillery in Scotland and California’s ZD Wines. The Macallan Scotch Whiskey will be represented by Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat, and will offer sample sips of The Macallan, Macallan Harmony Intense Arabica, Macallan Double Cask (15 years), and the Macallan Rare Cask 2022.

ZD Wines will be represented by National Sales Manager Teresa D’Aurizio, who will offer tastings of the vintner’s 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Carneros Pinot Noir, 2019 Napa Cabernet, and the 2012 Library Cabernet.

+ 1 to 4 pm / The Grand Tasting, at The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton

Attendees will revel in generous samplings from such vintners and distributors as ZD Wines, Silver Oak, Twomey Cellars, Domaine Carneros, DAOU, St. Supéry Estate, Coppola, Hahn, Hope Family Wine, Luca Bosio, and many more.

Plus, there will be unforgettable taste sensations from AlleyCat, Atlantic Grille at The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Bazille at Nordstrom, Big in Japan, Blis Foods, Capital Grille, Gourmetphile, KakaoZON Ecuadorian Chocolate, Lemongrass Asian Bistro, Max’s Grille, Oceans 234, Poke Company, Ramen Lab Eatery, Sicilian Oven and six curated food stations presented by The Addison.

The Grand Tasting will also include a silent auction of exotic luxury items, including The Macallan James Bond 60^th Anniversary Release Decade I with four Lalique tumblers. The bottle packaging includes an original illustration of scenes from Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965) and You Only Live Twice (1967). The timeless single malt was specifically developed to reflect both the enduring character of James Bond and the Scottish heritages shared by both 007 and The Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Scotland.

Another item in the silent auction will be The Macallan private tasting experience hosted by National Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat and featuring some of its most exclusive whiskies with a catered pairing—to be hosted in the home of the auction winner.

Other auction items include Holland America Cruise for two, a Salmanazar (9 liters) of Taittinger Brut La Française, Truchard Wine Tasting for 10, vacation on a solar yacht, luxurious hotel stays, and memorable restaurant experiences. 

Tickets to The Macallen Distillers Dinner are $350 per person; tickets to The Grand Tasting are $125 per person; $160 including a Sipping Seminar.  

For more information and to purchase tickets to BOCA BACCHANAL 2023, please visit www.BocaHistory.org.

Sponsors include Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), The Addison, The Boca Raton, The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Boca Magazine, Publix, Crown Wine and Spirits, The Berman Group, BRiC and CP Partners, JM Family, Privaira Private Aviation, The Buzz Agency, Boca Chamber, BLIS, Atlas Event Rental, and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets,  visit www.BocaHistory.org.

Photo of a past vintner dinner. Courtesy of Gary Schweikhart.

By Rachel Galvin

Foodies, be aware, some changes are afoot when it comes to the premier event of the year — Boca Bacchanal. The celebration of wine and food, which takes place this year April 28-30, always begins with vintner dinners that include a five course meal prepared with renowned chefs paired with wine from acclaimed international wineries. This year is no different; but, for one dinner, the pairing is not with wine, but with whiskey.

The Whiskey Dinner: Specifically, the whiskeys are from the Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Scotland. They include a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old Macallan Double Cask, The Macallan Harmony Collection Intense Arabica, an 18-year-old Macallan Sherry Oak and a 2022 Macallan Rare Cask 2022. They will be represented by Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat.

The dinner hosted by The Boca Raton, will be held on April 28 at 7 p.m within their MB Supper Club. The five-course meal will be prepared and served by Andrew Roenbeck, Director of Culinary Operations & Resort Executive Chef, and Peter Annewanter, Executive Chef of MB Supper Club and Flybridge.

The other dinners now include the following:

Dinner #1: Hosted by  Thom & Joyce DeVita and Al & Joni Goldberg within a private home, the dinner will be prepared and served by Eric Baker, chef/owner of AlleyCat and Big in Japan. The wine will be from Silver Oak and Twomey Cellars from Napa Valley, California and will be represented by Anna Pepgjonaj.

Dinner #2 will be held at The Depot for cocktails followed by dinner at The Addison. It will be hosted by David & Holly Meehan and Zoe Lanham & The Addison. The food will be prepared and served by Patrick Duffy, executive chef at The Addison, as well as Jeff Tunks, executive chef, Corvina Seafood Grill in Boca Raton; Chris Clime, executive chef, PassionFish in Reston, VA; and Jose Hernandez, executive sous chef, The Addison. The wine will be Domaine Carneros from Napa Valley, California and will be provided by winemaker TJ Evans.

Dinner #3: Hosted by The Seagate Hotel & Spa with Elizabeth Kelley Grace and Olivia Hollaus, the dinner will be served and prepared by Seagate’s chef Gordon Maybory, director of culinary; Ivan Acevedo, executive chef and Mitzu Nozaki, pastry chef. The Wine will be ZD Wines from Napa Valley, California, represented by Teresa D’Aurizio, national sales manager.

An image of a past Grand Tasting. Courtesy of Gary Schweikhart.

The big event, remember, is on April 30 — The Grand Tasting. It will be held this year at The Addison (located at 2 Camino Real in Boca Raton) during the day, from 1 to 4 p.m. It will feature a plethora of wine, whiskey and champagne options prized vintners and distillers and generous samples of signature dishes by local chefs. Guests can also bid on the silent auction. 

This year, there will also be seminars by ZD Wines and Macallan.

Sponsors for Boca Bacchanal include Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), The Addison, The Boca Raton, The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Boca Magazine, Publix, Crown Wine and Spirits, The Berman Group, BRiC and CP Partners, JM Family, Privaira Private Aviation, The Buzz Agency, Boca Chamber, BLIS, Atlas Event Rental and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the vintner dinners and The Grand Tasting, visit www.BocaBacchanal.com.

By Rachel Galvin

The Festival of the Arts BOCA brought in some amazing talent this year, from dancers to musicians, films to authors. At the end of the week, the amazing and beautiful singer Nicole Henry took the stage at the Mizner Park Amphitheater performing songs from her latest CD “Time to Love,” which went beyond her usual Jazz repertoire. On her CD, she includes her interpretations of songs by iconic composers like James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Sade and many others. 

Her soulful melodies kept the crowd entranced and she spiced up the tempo near the end and got everyone singing. With a big smile, she charmed the audience with her music and also her musings about dreams, love and more.

Henry, who recently was the cover model for “Boca Raton Magazine,” has been a staple over the last 20 years singing her heart out in local venues, as well as touring elsewhere. Her melodies have reached the ears of happy fans around the country and in more than 20 countries.

What’s next for this songstress? You can find out more by visiting her website at www.nicolehenry.com.

The Festival of the Arts BOCA took place March 3-12. For more information, visit https://festivalboca.org. The final performance was supposed to be Sergio Mendes. He had to postpone and his new concert date is April 2 at  the Florida Atlantic University’s Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium (777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431). Get more information on the website: https://festivalboca.org.

Photos & Story by Rachel Galvin

Food and wine lovers mark their calendar yearly for one of their favorite events — Boca Bacchanal. This year, it will be held April 29-30. Before Boca Bacchanal even begins, they had a special event to announce the occasion and provide more detail as to what to expect. It was called Bacchus Beckons.

Bacchus Beckons

This year, Bacchus Beckons was held on March 8 in a private aviation hangar in Boca Raton called Privaira. Among the planes, people mingled, enjoyed charcuterie and music from a DJ, and tried samples of some of the wines they will probably be enjoying during the main events. There also was a raffle with several prizes given out. But the real reason everyone gathered was to find out which chef was being paired with which vintner and at which home for the upcoming Vintner Dinners.

Everyone listened when the members of the Boca Raton Historical Society picked up the microphone, including chairman Olivia Hollaus, who talked a little about the upcoming events and the fact that Boca Bacchanal is celebrating its 20th year. She said the committee is planning a “Boca Bacchanal for the books” and thanked other committee members, as well as the founding sponsor Republic National Distributing company, who provides an “amazing array of vintners and spirits [year after year].” She also thanked the many other sponsors, which include The Boca Raton, Boca Magazine, The Addison, Publix, Crown Wine and Spirits, The Berman Group, BRiC and CP Partners, JM Family and others.

“We have so many wonderful sponsors who support this event. Thank you to each one of you for being a part of Boca Bacchanal and in support of our mission, which is to preserve our history, educate our children and residents, and to build a sense of place in our beloved Boca Raton,” said Hollaus. Boca Bacchanal supports the historical society as well as the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum.

Hollaus then welcomed historical society board members Joyce DeVita and Lauri Saunders.

DeVita, who is also a chairperson, spoke first and said the Grand Tasting will feature wine seminars this year and “three very exclusive VIP sections.” She introduced Saunders, who co-chairs the event as well, and Roxanna Garcia, from Republic National Distribution company, who proceeded to introduce who would be included in the vintner dinners.

Vintner Dinners

The festivities always begin with the vintner dinners held at people’s homes or other locations with a chef cooking up a fantastic menu of five courses with his masterpieces paired with different wines usually chosen by vintners. Tickets are $350 each. This year, the dinners will be held on April 29.

Dinner #1 will be hosted by Thom & Joyce DeVita and Joni & Al Goldberg with Chef Eric Baker, who owns Rebel House, AlleyCat and Big in Japan, and vintner Anna Pepgjonaj, from Silver Oak and Twoney Cellars in Napa Valley, CA.

Dinner #2 will be hosted by David & Holly Meehan and Zoe Lanham & The Addison. Patrick Duffy, executive chef from The Addison, welcomes to his kitchen Jeff Tunks, the executive chef of Corvina Seafood Grill in Boca Raton, and Chris Clime, executive chef of PassionFish in Reston, VA, as well as Jose Hernandez, the executive sous chef from The Addison. TJ Evans, the winemaker from Domaine Carneros in Napa Valley, CA will be there as well.

Dinner #3 will be hosted by The Seagate Resort & Spa with Elizabeth Kelly Grace & Olivia Hollaus. Chef Gordon Maybury, director of culinary of Seagate Resort & Spa will be working with Chef Ivan Acevedo, executive chef of Seagate Beach Club, and Chef Mitzu Nozaki, pastry chef, also from Seagate. Teresa D’ Aurizio, national sales manager for ZD Wines in Napa Valley, CA will be choosing the pairings.

Dinner #4 will be hosted by The Boca Raton and will include Andrew Roenceck, the director of culinary operations and Resort Executive Chef of The Boca Raton, as well as Peter Annewanter, executive chef of MB Supper Club and Flybridge, The Boca Raton. Katie Nahat, brand ambassador for The Macallan Craigellachie, from Scotland, will be there as well.

Grand Tasting

The Vintner dinners will be followed by the Grand Tasting, which this year is a more intimate occasion, with it taking place during the day on April 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at a beautiful venue known as The Addison. This annual event presents a wide array of samples from local restaurants and plenty of pours from well-known companies. There also is a silent auction, music and more. In addition, this year, there will be wine and whiskey seminars. Tickets are $125 each, $160 with seminars. VIP is $250.

“Boca Bacchanal is a festive weekend that celebrates and enhances the appreciation of wine and food, while bringing together world class chefs and vintners, offering their finest specialties, while providing the entire community with a delightful and tasty opportunity to support the heritage education programs of The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum and the Boca Raton Historical Society,” says Mary Csar, Executive Director.

This event really is the place to be! Don’t miss out as tickets are going fast. For more information, visit www.BocaHistory.org.

Let’s keep this simple and to the point… The election results are in in Deerfield Beach:

Michael Hudak won over Maria LoRicco for District 1.

Ben Preston won over Terry Scott and Darlene Cerezo Swaffar in District 2.

The referendum, which was written about here in The Observer, also got a Yes vote, which means the land at 3.75-acre property located at 1045 SW 11th Way will be developed.

Did you know there is an election on Tuesday, March 14 in Deerfield Beach? Not only are candidates up for election in District 1 and 2, including the incumbents, but there is an important referendum as well.

Right now, there is an empty 3.75-acre of land on 1045 SW 11th Way that has been sitting vacant and just maintained for many years. Now, there is a company that wants to purchase the land and develop on it. Many people have urged voters to vote YES for this as they contest that this development will be great for the local economy and lessen crime as well, rather than having a blighted area continue to be there. Others, have been concerned about issues like traffic… which is something the company is aware of and will be rectifying, according to a city representative on the matter.

Here is the question:

Shall the City of Deerfield Beach sell the approximately 3.75-acre property located at 1045 SW 11th Way to MBA Development Partners of Florida, LLC for $6.5 million for the purpose of creating a multi-use development with workforce housing, retail and restaurant space, a hotel, green-space, and other public amenities?

Yes — for the sale of the property
No — against the sale of the property 

You can do your own research. Here is more info. on the history of the parcel: Election Referendum Info – March 14, 2023 | Deerfield Beach, FL – Official Website (deerfield-beach.com)

Get out and vote!

By Rachel Galvin

The 17th annual Festival of the Arts BOCA kicked off on Friday, March 3 with a performance of the Festival Orchestra Boca playing the soundtrack of the Disney movie “Fantastia,” which played on the large screen behind them.

Festival Executive Director Joanna Marie Kaye introduced the orchestra, conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos, festival music director. Before the orchestra began, there was also a showing of a short film called “Bella,” directed by FAU student Alfonso Gibson, who was able to get up with the film’s composer and say a few words. This was his first film.

Earlier, there were fun activities for the whole family, including a WLRN Instrument Petting Zoo, interactive art wall and face painting. There was also popcorn and cotton candy available.

This is just the beginning of the fest, which runs through March 12. From lectures to musical performances, to ballet, there is something for everyone. Some of the big names who will be in the mix include Grammy Award-winning Sergio Mendes, author, actor and social commentator Fran Lebowitz, prolific Jazz singer Nicole Henry and many more.

To see the whole schedule, visit www.festivalboca.org.