MIAMI, FL — July 8, 2019 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) — Estefan Kitchen, owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, will host “Tribute to Puerto Rico”, a celebration of Puerto Rican heritage, with art, fashion, food, celebrities and live music, this Friday, July 12th. The event will be held at the Design District restaurant, 140 NE 39th Street, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The event kicks off with an exclusive special Puerto Rican menu prepared by two local Puerto Rican Chefs. The evening begins with an exclusive prepared appetizer by acclaimed Chef Jose Mendin, five-time James Beard Award semifinalist for “Best Chef, Southeast”, two-time winner of COCHON555, and the Culinary Director and Founding Partner of Miami-based Pubbelly. Mendin has taken the Miami Culinary scene by storm with his latest opening of La Placita, which opened January 2019. Chef Brian Dominquez, Managing Director of Casa Borinquen will deliver a specially prepared menu for the entrees and desserts that embodies the flavors of great Puerto Rican Cuisine.Dominquez attended Cornell University and brought his love of cooking by opening Puerto Rican restaurants, bringing the taste of Puerto Rico to the North, first in Broward, and the new opening of a Casa Borinquen in West Palm Beach.
Among the musical highlights, Lefty Perez “El Salsero” will debut his new song for the audience. Lefty is back and stronger than ever with his new release “Mi Puerto Rico!”
Fashion Designer Lisa Thon, born in San Juan and named by Culture Trip as a “Top 6 Puerto Rican Designer” to watch for, flies in from San Juan exclusively for the event with a fashion show as her models take center stage on the catwalk, revealing Thon’s newest fashion collection. Thon opened her store and Fashion Design School Centro de Moda in San Juan.
Cherilyn Marrocco, Artistic Director of MAD Performing Arts, a Carbonell award nominated musical theater performer, and alumni of New World School of the Arts (NWSA) graces the stage with 30 performers from her academy in North Miami. Marrocco and her students will perform a compilation of songs with a jaw-dropping ending of 30 dancers that are sure to bring everyone on their feet.
Visual artist Erni Vales, born in Chinatown, NYC is a Puerto Rican artist best known for developing a 3D graffiti style that has influenced thousands worldwide to follow his technique. Vales has a portfolio reaching far beyond what one would expect from a graffiti artist. From monumental murals, fashion photography, and first Puerto Rican graffiti artist chosen by Invicta watches to do an exclusive art series for their famous watch faces which sold out.
The true honor and highlight of the evening is the award presentation to recognize the lifetime achievements of the Honorary Mayor Maurice A. Ferre, Miami’s first Hispanic mayor. He is now 84. The nephew of the former Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis A. Ferre, he was the son of a businessman, Jose Ferre, who embarked into real estate development and construction in the 1920s.
Born in Puerto Rico, Maurice A. Ferre enrolled in the University of Miami and was elected Mayor in 1973, the first Mayor of Puerto Rican origin in the U.S. He served six terms as Mayor of Miami. Miami celebrated his lifetime achievement by renaming Museum Park (previously Bi-Centennial Park) to Maurice A. Ferre Park. Estefan Enterprises, along with the Estefans, the President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of South Florida Luis de Rosa and Susana Baker, the Chair of Arts of the Puerto Rican Chamber, Bloomberg radio anchor, award-winning journalist and MC of the evening, together will honor “the visionary of Modern Miami” who saw Miami as the gateway of the Americas.
The evening continues with Bomba y Plena, the traditional percussion sounds, and dance of Puerto Rico provided by Plenatrium.
With 1.2 million Puerto Ricans living in Florida, of which 400,000 live in South Florida, the timing to unite the Puerto Rican Community was necessary,” Baker said, Ever since the benefit concerts of 2017 to create awareness and donations to the island due to its devastation from Hurricane Maria, the struggle continues in Puerto Rico, with many Puerto Rican Floridians helping their struggling families back on the island.
“We cannot thank enough Estefan Enterprises for their generosity, not just on July 12th, but forthe Estefans’ generosity since the beginning to ease the devastation of Maria, from filling up planes continuously to sending much-needed supplies to the devastated island, they will always be remembered by the Puerto Rican community,” Baker said
About Estefan Enterprises:
Estefan Enterprises, Inc. is a multi-media entertainment company that consists of songwriting, record production, talent management, television & motion picture production, restaurant & hotel management, and recording studio ownership. The hospitality division within Estefan Enterprises, Inc. encompasses restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels. Estefan Kitchen presents the world-famous Larios on the Beach, on Miami’s Ocean Drive. Itled the way for the successful chain of Bongos Cuban Café restaurants in Hollywood and Orlando, Florida. www.estefan.com.
About Estefan Kitchen: http://estefankitchen.com/
About Miami Design District: www.miamidesigndistrict.net
About Mayor Maurice A. Ferre Park: http://www.bayfrontparkmiami.com/
About South Florida Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce: http://puertoricanchamber.com/
About Chef Jose Mendin: @chefmendin
About Chef Brian Dominquez: https://www.casaborinquenfl.com/
About Lisa Thon: http://lisathon.com/centromoda/
About Cherilyn Marrocco and MAD Performing Arts: http://www.maddancemiami.com/
About Lefty Perez: https://www.facebook.com/LeftyPerezOficial/
About Erni Vales: https://EVLWorld.com
About Susana Baker: www.theartexperiences.com FB: @dinedesignexplore Instagram @theartexperiences for event photos and other events go to www.tributetopuertorico.com
For Post release pictures email: Susana Baker, designmidexp@gmail.com