Robert Redford honored by YoungArts in Miami

I had the amazing honor to attend An Affair of the Arts Performance and Gala where YoungArts honored actor Robert Redford with the Arison Award on Saturday, January 14th, 2012. To date, this was one of the most glamourous events that I have ever attended!

The gala, held at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and the J.W. Marriott Marquis Hotel, brought together prominent artists, community leaders, philanthropists and celebrities to celebrate the 2012 national YoungArts winners.

“YoungArts takes great pride in its legacy of discovering excellence in the arts and cultivating our nation’s best young artists,” says Paul T. Lehr, NFAA’s Executive Director. “The gala celebrates the accomplishments achieved by our alumni family and the achievements of three individuals who are making significant and meaningful contributions to the arts.”

During the cocktail hour, I had the pleasure to chat up Debi Mazar about fashion and her cooking show Extra Virgin on the Cooking Network. She excitedly talked about the project which co-stars her Italian husband, Gabriele Corcos.

Click here to learn more about the show, watch past episodes and find out when it airs in your area.

I danced the night away in one of the gorgeous ballrooms at the J.W. Marriott Marquis after a delicious dinner and cocktails sponsored by Grey Goose. I was addicted to their cocktail named, La Poire Frenchy a fruity combination of pineapple, cranberry, and vodka!

The YoungArts program has honored over 16,000 young artists with more than $6 million in monetary awards and nearly $84 million in college scholarship opportunities. Alumni include actresses Vanessa Williams and Kerry Washington, four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza, Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre Rachel Moore, recording artists Nicki Minaj and Chris Young, musician Jennifer Koh, choreographer Desmond Richardson, and internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Doug Aitken.