Amid a busy calendar of Miami Art Week events, one of the most eagerly-awaited is pop star Madonna’s benefit gala and concert, set to take place in the newly opened Faena District. Tickets to the December 2nd event, which benefits the singer’s Raising Malwai nonprofit, cost $5,000.
In addition to being for a good cause (proceeds will aid the country’s Mercy James Pediatric Surgery Hospital and support art and education initiatives for impoverished children), the night is also the second chance for fans to catch her “Tears of a Clown” performance, which debuted in March in Melbourne.
“I’ve had this idea in my head for this show ‘Tears of a Clown’ which is a combination of music and storytelling. Because at the end of the day I do think of myself as a story teller,” Madonna told the crowd during the free, fan club-only event, according to news.com.au. “But it’s rough as fuck, so bear with me and give me all the support you can.” She added that the “work in progress” was “from the heart.”
Madonna first revealed her big Art Basel plans in August, offering two fans a chance to win an all-expenses trip to Miami for the occasion. The singer then teased details of the event and its clown theme on Instagram on November 27, writing “A Girl Has to Have Options… T.O.A.C. Coming soon to Art Basel Dec 2!!!”
Prior to the concert, there will be a benefit auction featuring art from Madonna’s personal collection, including work by Pablo Picasso. Late night talk show host Jame Corden will host, and other celebrity guests are expected to include Sean Penn (Madonna’s ex-husband), Ariana Grande, and Chris Rock.
There’s an even more exclusive VIP cocktail reception before the gala, where guests will be treated to a meet-and-greet with the musical superstar, to the tune of $150,000.
Madonna will take to the stage at the new Faena Forum, a multi-purpose art and performance venue designed by starchitect Rem Koolhaas’ Office for Metropolitan Architecture (
She will be dressed as a clown for the performance, which will feature stand-up comedy and personal stories about Madonna’s life in addition to musical numbers. “I didn’t say this was going to be a cheerful show,” she told her audience in Australia of the performance, which landed on the sad clown side of the spectrum.
Madonna. Courtesy of Omaze.
The Grammy-winner will likely reach beyond her own pantheon of pop hits, as the first edition of “Tears for a Clown” featured a number of covers, including her version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” from the 1973 musical A Little Night Music. If you’re still not sold, note that Madge will probably ride in on a tiny tricycle, if that’s your thing.