How Sweet It Is
Miami Resident Charles Cinnamon Honored for his Work in the Arts

By Mary Damiano

Long-time Miami resident Charles Cinnamon, the man credited with creating the nationally recognized Coconut Grove Arts Festival, will be among the honorees Friday, March 3, when the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass presents “Role Models…A Tribute to Arts and Culture” The charity event, benefiting seven local arts organizations, will feature celebrity guest Ivana Trump, who will play a special part in the evening.

Charles Cinnamon, pictured here with Toby Ansin

“It’s very rewarding to sat the least,” said Cinnamon.  “Everybody strives throughout their lives to make a statement and mine is in the arts.  I’m gratified to be honored for spending a lifetime doing what I enjoy.” 

The other six honorees are Bonnie Barnett, Sharon Brooks, Commissioner Sue Gunzburger, Alan Koslow, Jarett Levan, and Samuel F. Morrison.  Each has played a vital role in the arts and cultural scene in Broward County.

The event will also serve to celebrate the opening of the Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, a new open air shopping promenade adjacent to Sawgrass Mills.

“The Mills Corporation is a strong believer in giving back to the community, and continues to support many worthy causes in South Florida,” said Octavio Ortiz, general manager of The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass and Sawgrass Mills. “In celebration of the opening of The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, our Role Models event will serve as a wonderful way to honor leaders in our community while supporting vital organizations.”

The arts organizations sharing in 100 percent of the proceeds from this event include the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center, ArtServe, Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Florida Theatrical Association, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale.

In addition to the awards presentation with Ivana Trump and grand opening dedication ceremony with representatives from The Mills Corporation and local elected officials, guests will also enjoy an exclusive shopping opportunity with special incentives compliments of the new stores at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, which include Barneys New York Outlet, Burberry, Coach Factory, Cole Haan Company Store, Crate & Barrel Outlet, David Yurman, Escada Company Store, Hugo Boss Factory Store, Kate Spade, MaxMara Outlet, Miss Sixty USA, Salvatore Ferragamo Company Store, St. John Company Store, Stuart Weitzman and Valentino.  Attendees will also enjoy a sampling of culinary delights at the Grand Lux Cafe, a concept created by award-winning restaurant The Cheesecake Factory, which recently opened its first Florida location at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass, then it’s off to a grand tent for a sit-down dinner. 

	The arts movers and shakers being honored at "Role Models...A Tribute to Art and Culture"

Charles Cinnamon, the only Miamian being honored, began his public relations career first as a promotional director of the original Theatre de Lys in New York, and then as a mover and shaker for South Florida’s theater and entertainment industry, where he has resided for more than 40 years. In addition to creating the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, Cinnamon has also represented the City of Miami Beach in several special projects including the inaugural two years of the Miami Beach Festival of the Arts.

In 1983, Cinnamon was awarded the Carbonell Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts by the South Florida Entertainment Writers Association. In 1984, he was further honored by the City of Miami Beach Fine Arts Board as “Man of the Year.”  In 1985, the PROPS Women of Show Business created the inaugural “Charles Cinnamon” award to be administered annually by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, where he was National Press Consultant and vice president of public affairs.

Cinnamon’s activities during the past few years have included a successful orchestration of the royal visit of Her Serene Highness, Princess Caroline of Monaco to benefit the Miami City Ballet and the Princess Grace Foundation – USA; and  “A Tribute to Ted Arison,” for the New World Symphony and The National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts.

Cinnamon is an active board member of the Florida Theatrical Association.

Later in March, Cinnamon will be one of the three subjects of Miami Stories, in which three Miami residents will write a monologue about their own unique contribution to the Miami arts scene.  The monologues will be performed by local actors as a fundraiser for New Theatre. 

“I’m one of the lucky ones to find a career that gives me great joy and happiness,” Cinnamon said.  “Not too many people have been rewarded with a career that gives them pleasure.  This has become my whole life in that my colleagues have become my friends.”

Tickets for “Role Models…A Tribute to Arts & Culture” are $100 per person or $1,000 per table. To purchase tickets, call 954-730-7730 ext. 105. Event information is also available at www.thecolonnadeoutlets.com.