Miami Design District is running three separate events throughout October focused on breast cancer awareness and fundraising. The programming spans from a lighting ceremony on October 1st through a multi-day shopping activation ending October 19th.

The events target different audiences and participation styles, from free public gatherings to donation-based fitness classes to high-end retail activations. All three tie into Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which uses October to highlight prevention, research funding, and support for those affected by the disease.

Pink Dome Lighting Opens the Month

The first event happens October 1st at 7pm in Palm Court. Fashion Strikes Cancer, an organization founded by Angeles Almuna, is hosting its 10th annual lighting ceremony that turns the district's dome installation pink for the month.

This year's ceremony includes performances from Florida Grand Opera. Sopranos Haojin Mo and Catherin Meza will perform pieces from "Lakmé" by Léo Delibes and "Le nozze di Figaro" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with Jared Peroune on piano. The event is free but requires RSVP.

Yoga Class on October 14th

Two weeks into the month, Fashion Strikes Cancer returns to Palm Court for a yoga session on October 14th at 6:30pm. The class is being led by Angeles Almuna and Dawn Feinberg, who founded Ahana Yoga. DJ Drez will provide music during the practice.

Participants pay a $25 reservation fee that goes directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The event encourages wearing pink yoga clothes, creating a unified visual for the group practice. This marks the 10th year for this particular yoga class, suggesting it's become an annual fixture that draws repeat attendance.

Shoes for a Cure Shopping Weekend

The longest event runs Thursday, October 16th through Sunday, October 19th across multiple retailers in the Miami Design District. "Shoes for a Cure" involves over 20 luxury brands hosting special activations for clients and donors, with a percentage of sales going to the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Participating brands include Tom Ford, Valentino, and Ferragamo, among others. The format turns regular luxury shopping into charitable donations by designating a portion of purchases during this specific weekend toward breast cancer programs.

The weekend starts with a ticketed dinner at Mother Wolf Miami that includes a silent auction. Auction items include fashion pieces from high-end designers, VIP access to art and sporting events, and luxury travel packages. Public bidding on these items opens October 1st, running throughout the month until the dinner event.

This is the second year for Shoes for a Cure in Miami Design District. Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which will receive the funds, is part of the University of Miami Health System and holds National Cancer Institute designation.

Different Approaches to the Same Cause

The three events represent distinct fundraising strategies. The lighting ceremony costs nothing to attend and functions primarily as awareness-building and community gathering. The yoga class sits in the middle, with a modest $25 entry point that makes it accessible while still generating meaningful donations. Shoes for a Cure operates at the highest financial level, targeting luxury shoppers who were likely already planning purchases from these brands.

Angeles Almuna's Fashion Strikes Cancer appears in two of the three events, suggesting the organization has established itself as a key player in Miami's breast cancer awareness efforts. Reaching 10 years for both the lighting ceremony and yoga class indicates Fashion Strikes Cancer has built sustainable annual programming rather than one-off events.

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