FAB! SCENE | SPRING 2019

President's Message

The Greatness of a Community

Carolyn Lee, President

Coretta Scott King once shared, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” And at FAB!, we couldn’t be prouder of what our members have achieved, together!

Last year was a tremendous period of growth for FAB! In fact, our organization is presently enjoying the highest number of members in its history! This is, in large part, because of your passionate support and commitment to helping us sustain and enrich the arts in Broward County.

From wine tastings in private homes to luncheons with local and national leaders to exclusive museum tours, every event that you attended, every initiative that you shared made a difference for local arts organizations and helped raised both their visibility and ours.

We are thrilled to have awarded a total of $180,000 in grants (ranging from $5,000 - $12,000) to 24 worthy arts organizations for 2019. Another first for us in 2018 was our inaugural Art Share event that showcased a variety of artworks from creative FAB! members last November.

Remember that 100% of FAB! membership dues remain allocated to grants for qualified local arts organizations. And, this spring, we will contribute another sizeable amount of grant dollars to continue nurturing and sustaining the viability of creativity in our diverse communities.

It has been my honor to serve the community as president of FAB! We’re looking forward to bringing you incredible programming in 2019 with even more exclusive and in-demand members-only opportunities and celebrations. See the sidebar and sign-up, early! We look forward to seeing you.

SPRING IS IN!

Join FAB! for our Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 12, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom. Our arts celebration will feature special guest speaker Janet Erlick, executive artistic director of Florida Children’s Theatre (FCT), plus an interactive student panel discussion and performance.

The award-winning Florida Children’s Theatre offers year-round classes, productions and outreach programming. Erlick teaches, directs and acts in the community and developed the theatre’s comprehensive outreach program that now serves over 25,000 people, yearly. The FCT’s in-school programs include conflict resolution, literacy improvement through drama and arts infusion across the academic curriculum.

Erlick is also responsible for creating ongoing partnerships with many cultural and social service organizations, frequently working with families dealing with terminal illness and children with special needs or living in residential centers. Currently, she serves as chair of Broward County’s Cultural Executives Committee, as a member of the Executive Committee of the Broward Cultural Council and is involved with Leadership Broward and Broward Women’s Alliance, among others.

Luncheon tickets are $55. To purchase, email [email protected] or visit www.fundingartsbroward.org.

GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT - SLOW BURN THEATRE COMPANY

FAB! is dedicated to supporting worthy local arts organizations that present engaging and inspirational arts programs in Broward County. To date, we’ve awarded more than $3 million to arts organizations such as the Slow Burn Theatre Company.

For the past 10 years, this local professional company has provided South Florida’s diverse population with opportunities to experience high-quality, daring, contemporary and intelligent works of musical theatre. From its first show, “Bat Boy: The Musical,” which debuted on Feb. 18, 2010, to its current season, Slow Burn Theatre Company is thankful to its audiences, peers and critics who have embraced, supported and made the company what it is today.

Don’t miss Slow Burn’s upcoming production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The Musical” running June 13 - 30 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Amaturo Theater. Based on the smash-hit movie, it’s the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends - Tick, Bernadette and Adam, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio - who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian Outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever could have ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dance floor favorites including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Go West,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love the Nightlife,” this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS! For tickets, visit browardcenter.org/events/detail/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert.

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER - JOHN TAMBASCO

FAB! is pleased to welcome John Tambasco to its board! John is a longtime supporter of the arts and is a mentor and advocate for parents with special needs children.

In 1981, John moved to Fort Lauderdale to pursue a career that would offer him a chance to make a difference in the lives of others. He enrolled in Nova Southeastern University’s Speech and Language Pathology master’s program and within a year of graduation he and a business partner founded Specialized Speech Center, Inc., a pediatric therapy practice in Pembroke Pines. Now located in Hollywood, the practice employs 26 therapists plus an office staff and is one of the largest privately held pediatric therapy practices in the State. In 2017, John left the daily leadership of the practice, but retains partial ownership and continues to oversee its financial aspects.

John spends his free time serving on numerous boards and committees for various organizations and non-profits, including ours.

BOLD STROKES IN BLACK AND WHITE DURING NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Patrons of the arts and philanthropy gathered together to enjoy an elegant evening of impressionism and illumination during our third annual “A Night at the Museum” friend-raiser. This stylish black and white-themed cocktail party held January 7 at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale featured live entertainment, Champagne and cocktails, French and American-inspired culinary delights, fine wines and a decadent dessert table.

Nearly 100 cultural movers and shakers were treated to a private tour by Bonnie Clearwater, director and chief curator of NSU Art Museum, of William J. Glackens and Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Affinities and Distinction, which is currently on display until May 19, at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale. The exhibition explores modern American painter Glackens’ response to the works of French impressionist Renoir by bringing together 25 pieces by each artist.

UNITED IN SUCCESS - VISIONARY FUND IN MOTION

We’d like to thank all of our Visionary Fund donors for their support of FAB! Your loyalty and dedication to the arts helped us to exceed our goal for 2018!

Since 2016, funds generated have allowed FAB! to access professional services, streamline our infrastructure and conduct outreach to more members - all necessary for FAB! to continue its role as a leader in supporting the arts. New and increased contributions were matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000 by The David and Francie Horvitz Family Foundation and go toward supporting, sustaining and enriching the arts community in Broward County.

We are united in success but still need your help! Please consider making a gift to the Visionary Fund at fundingartsbroward.org or send a check to FAB! 8930 State Road 84, No. 316, Davie, FL 33324.