International Rescue Committee Celebrates 75th Anniversary at The Freedom Tower

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) celebrated its 75th anniversary at the historic Freedom Tower. Honorees, Dolores Smithies (in memoriam) and Paquito D’Rivera, were recognized for their support and dedication to the mission of the IRC.

A legendary advocate for raising funds for refugee relief, Dolores Smithies personally helped raise millions of dollars for Cuban refugees. She was a dedicated city social worker for 25 years as well as an AIDS activist where she testified before the White House AIDS Commission.

Paquito D’Rivera has released over 30 solo albums and won numerous awards including, various Grammy awards, the National Medal for the Arts, the Kennedy Center Living Jazz Legend Gold Medal, and was named one of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters.

IRC's George Rupp, Roman Martinez, Roberto Martinez and Nestor Carbonell joined esteemed guest that included Governor Charlie Crist and new first lady Carole Rome-Crist , Miami-Dade mayor Carlos Alvarez, fomer Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Marcos Rubio, art empresario Gary Nader, Diario Las America publisher Horacio Aguirre, Aida Levitan, Leslie Pantin, music producer Emilio Estefan, sugar magnate Jose "Pepe" Fanjul with his wife Emilia, Miami Today publisher Michael Lewis with wife Carmen, ACT Production's Bruce Orosz and Cuban artist Julio Larraz.

Proceeds for the night's gala went directly to benefit refugees affected by war, civil conflict, or oppression as well as helping newly arrived refugees in the U.S. rebuild their lives. TO HELP AND DONATE

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Legends of Jazz at the Arsht Center

(PHOTOS BY MANNY HERNANDEZ)
LEGENDS of JAZZ concert series presented by AARP came to town with a sold-out performance at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
Event executive producer Larry Rosen brought his Jazz Roots, a two tier event, first with a showcase with local music students followed by an evening of incredible Jazz. Grammy award winning Paquito D'Rivera and legend pianist Dave Brubeck delighted the crowd for the first part of the concert, with jazz group Fourplay closing the night.

Jazz Roots continues on December 12 with Bossa Nova: The First 50 Years featuring guitarist/producer Oscar Castro-Neves, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Ivan Lins and multi-award-winning singer/pianist Eliane Elias.