Miami Beach, FL – February 11, 2015 – Miami City Ballet saluted the grande dame of Miami philanthropy, Swanee DiMare, with a special viewing of a private Company Class taught by Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez, followed by a sumptuous champagne luncheon at The Setai. In recognition of Swanee and Paul DiMare’s very generous sponsorship of the national premiere of the spicy Spanish ballet Carmen, MCB feted Swanee and friends in a private event to celebrate the fabulous dancing and famous music by Bizet. In a moment of sheer delight, Swanee surprised all of her guests with a superb performance on the castanets. Guests  for the luncheon included Ana-Marie Codina Barlick, Nancy Batchelor, Lesi Brown, Barbara Hevia, Irene Korge, Bronwyn Miller, Irene Paiserband, Susannah Shubin, Lydia Touzet, and Jennifer Valoppi. Each guest received a fire red pointe shoe at her place setting, along with original watercolor notecards inspired by Carmen, and created especially for the event by artist and friend Lesli Brown.

Swanee DiMare

Barbara Hevia, Swanee DiMare, Nancy Batchelor, & Susannah Shubin

Jennifer Valoppi & Swanee DiMare

Susannah Shubin & Jennifer Valoppi

Eva Silverstein & Ana Codina Barlick

Irene Pariserband

Lydia Touzet, Swanee DiMare, Bronwyn Miller, Irene Korge, & Eva Silverstein

Eva Silverstein, Ana Codina Barlick, Barbara Hevia, Nancy Batchelor, Susannah Shubin, Irene Pariserband, Lydia Touzet, Swanee DiMare, Bronwyn Miller, Irene Korge, & Lesli Brown

Eva Silverstein & Swanee DiMare

Swanee DiMare & Irene Korge

Irene Pariserband, Swanee DiMare, & Lydia Touzet

Nancy Batchelor, Lydia Touzet, & Swanee DiMare

Irene Pariserband, Bronwyn Miller, Irene Korge, Swanee DiMare, & Lesli Brown

Nancy Batchelor, Barbara Hevia, Susannah Shubin, Lydia Touzet, Ana Codina Barlick, Swanee DiMare, Bronwyn Miller, Irene Pariserband, Irene Korge, & Lesli Brown