On March 13, 2026, Miami City Ballet marked a major milestone with its 40th Anniversary Gala, an evening that celebrated four decades of artistry, passion, and cultural impact under the Miami skyline. Held at the iconic event space at 1111 Lincoln Road, the gala brought together performance, design, and culinary storytelling in a setting that felt distinctly Miami: bold, elegant, and alive with energy.
For this special event, the Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design team, led by Senior Event Producer Ely Saccone, collaborated closely with Heather Rush, Miami City Ballet’s Director of Special Events, to bring the evening to life through event production, catering, and design execution. Together, they created a gala experience that honored the company’s legacy while looking confidently toward its future.
A Gala That Celebrated Legacy While Looking Ahead
The evening was conceived as both a tribute and a turning point. As Miami City Ballet celebrated 40 years, the gala also reflected a renewed sense of momentum with Gonzalo Garcia as the company’s new Artistic Director. That balance between history and evolution shaped the entire experience, from the visual language of the event to the performances and menu.
Heather Rush described the goal as creating an evening that felt “both celebratory and forward-looking,” honoring Miami City Ballet’s extraordinary legacy while reflecting “the energy and evolution of the company today.”
That duality was felt throughout the night. Black-and-white archival video paid homage to the company’s past, while contemporary visuals by photographer Pari Ducovic brought a fresh lens to the dancers of today. Live performances by Miami City Ballet and the Miami City Ballet School added another layer of immediacy and emotion, grounding the gala in the artistry that has defined the institution for four decades.
A particularly meaningful moment of the evening was the recognition of Sarah Arison, President of the Arison Arts Foundation, who was honored with the Leadership in the Arts Award.
Event Design at 1111 Lincoln Road
Few venues in Miami feel as cinematic as the 7th-floor event space at 1111 Lincoln Road. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the structure is one of Miami Beach’s most recognizable architectural landmarks. With its open-air edges, monumental concrete lines, and panoramic views of the ocean, bay, and city, the space offers a striking blank canvas for events.
For the Miami City Ballet gala, that raw architectural setting became part of the design story. Rather than compete with the venue, the event design leaned into its strong modernist character. Vibrant lighting, expressive florals, and high-contrast visual moments activated the space while preserving its openness and sense of scale.
Heather noted that 1111 Lincoln Road “really influenced the design direction,” describing it as “an unexpected yet compelling setting to celebrate 40 years.”
The color palette centered on bright pinks and oranges, a vibrant interpretation of Miami that still felt elevated and chic. Pink and orange coolers appeared throughout the event, paired with equally vivid floral arrangements in saturated shades that softened the concrete environment and brought warmth to the room. Petal Productions played a key role in shaping that floral language, helping the design feel intentional, curated, and festive without losing sophistication.
A Close Creative Partnership
This gala was the result of a deeply collaborative process. Ely Saccone worked closely with Heather Rush to translate the vision into a seamless guest experience across production, design, and hospitality. From the flow of the evening to the visual and culinary details, every element was considered in relation to the larger story Miami City Ballet wanted to tell.
Heather shared, “Working with Ely and the Thierry Isambert team is always a true partnership,” adding that the team consistently understands her creative vision and delivers at the highest level. “I have complete trust in Ely and the team.”
That level of trust is what allows an event of this scale to feel cohesive. The guest experience moved naturally from cocktails to performance to dinner, with each part of the evening supporting the next.
A Menu Designed as an Extension of the Event
For the 40th Anniversary Gala, the culinary direction was intentionally tied to the visual identity of the evening. Rather than serving as a separate component, the menu was designed to feel like an extension of the event itself: colorful, refined, expressive, and unmistakably in dialogue with the pink and orange palette that ran through the décor.
Guests were greeted with champagne and a Cosmopolitan, a fitting signature cocktail for the evening, made with vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice. During the cocktail hour, passed hors d’oeuvres introduced the tone of the menu with a balance of luxury, freshness, and strong visual detail.
Selections included mini wagyu tartare with black truffle crisp, foie gras macarons with passion fruit essence in a pink shell, caviar blini with crème fraîche and micro herbs, lobster medallions with yuzu gel and gold leaf, yellow beetroot cylinders with goat cheese and pistachio dust, and avocado mango salsa tartlets finished with chili-lime glaze.
The seated dinner continued that colorful approach. The opening salad, a sweet potato tataki with shaved fennel, goat cheese, baby arugula, watermelon radishes, and sweet potato miso purée, mirrored the palette of the room with striking orange tones and thoughtful plating. Entrée options included sambuca salmon with brava purée, purple cauliflower, and honey wheat toast, grilled vacio with avocado chimichurri, potato, manchego croquette, and haricot vert, and a vegetarian dish of roasted sweet potato and purple cauliflower with lemon whipped labneh, toasted pine nuts, and pickled red onions.
Dessert brought the visual concept to a particularly memorable finish with a bright orange velour raspberry dome served with strawberry purée, raspberry mousse, hazelnut craquant, and fresh raspberry. Late-night bites including mini burgers, pigs in a blanket, and miniature grilled cheese added a playful closing note to the evening.
Heather explained that the culinary experience was meant to feel “like an extension of the overall design — vibrant, refined, and visually engaging.” That intention came through in every course.
A Night of Community, Performance, and Celebration
Beyond the design and menu, what defined the gala most was the atmosphere in the room. The evening carried a strong sense of shared purpose: supporters, artists, patrons, and guests coming together to celebrate one of Miami’s most important cultural institutions.
For Heather Rush, the most memorable part was seeing everything come together in spite of the challenges behind the scenes. What stayed with her most was “the energy in the room, the generosity of our guests, and the performances by Miami City Ballet.” She described the evening as having “a strong sense of community,” which made it especially meaningful.
That sense of connection is what elevated the gala beyond a beautifully produced event. It became a celebration not only of Miami City Ballet’s first forty years, but of the people, visionaries, and supporters who continue to shape its future.
Producing Meaningful Cultural Events in Miami
The Miami City Ballet 40th Anniversary Gala was a reminder that the most memorable events are the ones where every detail supports a larger story. At 1111 Lincoln Road, architecture, performance, florals, lighting, and cuisine came together to create an experience that felt immersive, artful, and distinctly tied to its moment.
For the Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design team, it was an honor to collaborate with the Miami City Ballet team on an evening of such significance, and to help bring that vision to life through catering and event production led by Ely Saccone.
Event Design, Production & Catering: THIERRY ISAMBERT | Flowers: PETAL PRODUCTIONS | Venue: The Event Space at 1111 Lincoln Rd