Tampa Sister Cities

Tampa Sister Cities Board of Directors Meeting
2025-04-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-06-18 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-08-20 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-17 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) and 17 more dates | Shanna & Bryan Glazer JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL, 33606, United States

2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit
2025-09-16 - 2025-09-19 | Izumisano City, Japan, Izumisano, Japan

Sip, Celebrate and Support
2025-11-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Shanna and Bryan Glazer JCC, 522 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL, 33606, United States
Sip the Future: An Evening with Shira Granot and the Israel Wine Collection
Join Shira Granot, founder of the Israel Wine Collection, for an immersive journey into the heart of Israel’s thriving wine culture. This experience celebrates the country’s pioneering spirit-where ancient winemaking traditions meet modern innovation and sustainability.
Located in one of the most arid regions on Earth, Israel’s vineyards-especially those flourishing in the Negev Desert-are rewriting the narrative of climate adaptation. Through cutting-edge techniques like drip irrigation and climate monitoring, paired with a rediscovery of ancient grape cultivars and traditional farming methods, Israeli winemakers are transforming challenges into opportunities.
Discover how Israel’s wine industry has become a living example of resilience and creativity, offering valuable insights for sustainable agriculture worldwide. This “wine diplomacy” event pairs exquisite tastings with stories that connect people, cultures, and ideas-one glass at a time.
This event is brought to you through a partnership between Connecting Cultures for Peace and the Tampa-Ashdod Sister Cities Committee.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
$35 Per person
$75 VIP Experience

Get Tickets

Le Havre's Structures: A Taste of Modernism
2025-11-21 17:30 - 20:30 | Halflants + Pichette, 715 N. Franklin Street, Tampa, 33602, United States
Beaujolais Nouveau & Le Havre’s Structures: A Taste of Modernism

Join Tampa Sister Cities for an evening celebrating French innovation, architecture, and culture through the lens of our sister city, Le Havre, France-a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its post-war modernist design by visionary architect Auguste Perret.
This special event, “Beaujolais Nouveau: Le Havre’s Structures – A Taste of Modernism,” pairs art and architecture with the flavors of France.
📐 Architecture & Insight:Distinguished USF Professor Michael Halflants will lead a captivating lecture exploring Le Havre’s remarkable rebirth after World War II and its unique architectural identity that fuses concrete with creativity. Discover how the city’s modernist vision continues to shape the character and cultural legacy of France’s northern coast.
🍷 Wine & Gastronomy:While we explore Le Havre’s architectural masterpieces, savor Beaujolais Nouveau wines selected by Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison, each chosen to complement the modern spirit of Le Havre. Accompanying the wines will be a French-inspired tasting menu crafted by Chef Charlotte Walter, offering a culinary experience that celebrates the textures and tones of modern France.
Come raise a glass to friendship, culture, and the beauty of design that transcends borders.
Friday, November 21
5:30 to 8:30p
At Halflants & Pichette Architecture Studio at 715 N Franklin St Tampa

Pastry Chef Charlotte Walter
Gourmet Buffet prepared by Pastry Chef Charlotte Walter who was was trained by Michelin Star Chef Yannick Alleno

Amuse bouche mango, avocado, yuzu and passion fruit
Mini quiche Florentine
Raisin goat cheese, in honey Kataifi nest
Salad mixt and crudity with Burrata, marinated peppers, pesto sauce, olive oil, balsamic glaze
Hummus, eggplant caviar, with different dry crackers herb aromatics, cheese twist stick and bread sticks
Charcuterie and cheese platter
French baguette
Key Lime pie with burned Italian meringue
Mini strawberry tartelette
Verrine orange marmalade and house made chocolate mousse
Verrine fruits minestrone with mint and yuzu sauce

Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison
Wine selection by Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison
Two glasses will be served

2025 Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November each year. For 2025, the release date is Thursday, November 20th. The celebration begins at 12:01 a.m. under French law, marking the end of the harvest season.

2021 Morgon Tradition from Domaine du Petit Pérou
The 2021 Morgon Tradition from Domaine du Petit Pérou is a red wine made from the Gamay grape in the Beaujolais region of France. It is known for being a generous, well-balanced wine with a rich ruby color and a complex bouquet of red fruits like redcurrant and raspberry, as well as notes of blackberry, spices, and hints of chocolate and walnuts
Participation Fee
$55 for members and
$65 for the non members
Please RSVP and purchase your ticket to the event no later than
November 14.

Get Your Tickets Now

Sponsors

Biographies

About Michael Halflants, FAIA
Michael Halflants, FAIA started his architectural education in Brussels at the Institut Supérieur de St Luc. He later earned a master’s at the University of Florida, where he was awarded the gold medal, the college’s highest design honor. Upon graduation, Michael was a project designer with the Polshek Partnership in New York City. In that capacity, he drew designs for theaters and offices in Manhattan and for the Kansas University Spencer Museum. Working in a joint venture with Arata Isozaki’s Tokyo office, he worked on the Brooklyn Museum addition. In 2018, Michael was recognized with the Florida Medal of Honor for Design, the highest honor that the American Institute of Architects can bestow upon an architect in Florida. As full professor at the University of South Florida, he teaches graduate design studios, urban design, tropical design, and the modern housing course. He has lectured on housing and tropical design including in Bogota, Singapore, and Bangkok. He is a native French speaker from Belgium.

About Sommelier Andrée Devove Bearison
Andrée is a French-American wine and spirits business professional with a strong foundation in sales analytics, marketing management, and customer engagement. Her passion for wine stems from her French heritage and her studies in Vineyard and Winery Management in Beaune, where she gained hands-on experience with esteemed Burgundian wineries such as Domaine des Comtes Lafon and Château de Marsannay.

About Chef Charlotte Walter
Born and raised in Paris, Charlotte’s passion for pastry began with her grandfather, a pastry chef who later owned a catering company in the city. He instilled in her a love for the culinary arts and taught her that cooking is a reflection of life-filled with discipline, organization, communication, humanity, and above all, love.
Inspired by his teachings, Charlotte pursued her dream and trained under renowned Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. Her journey took her through his Parisian brasserie Le Terroir Parisien, the DIOR tea room in Saint-Tropez, and the prestigious three-Michelin-star restaurant Le Pavillon Ledoyen on the Champs-Élysées.
Today, Charlotte continues to share her passion alongside her mother and husband, both chefs themselves. Her grandfather’s legacy lives on not only in her work, but also in her name-Charlotte, a beloved French dessert.

Brewing Connections: A Colombian Coffee Social
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Cafe at 1920, 1920 E 7th Ave., Tampa, FL, 33605, United States
Beaujolais Nouveau & Le Havre’s Structures: A Taste of Modernism

Tampa Sister Cities and the Tampa-Barranquilla Affiliate Committee invite you to join us for an unforgettable morning of flavor, culture, and networking at Brewing Connections: A Colombian Coffee Social; A fundraising experience that celebrates Tampa Sister Cities’ six decades of collaboration with our sister city, Barranquilla, Colombia.
Immerse yourself in the art and story of Colombian coffee through an exclusive tasting and educational session led by María Amalia Robbin, whose family has had a relationship with coffee for over 200 years. Discover the aromas, notes, and heritage behind every sip you take as María Amalia shares her family’s deep-rooted legacy and passion for one of Colombia’s most treasured exports.
This event isn’t just about coffee – it’s about community and impact. Your participation helps advance Tampa Sister Cities initiatives that foster international exchange, education, and economic cooperation.
Our Why equals Our Passion for…
Cultural Connection & Storytelling
We celebrate the Robbin family’s remarkable 200-year legacy in Colombian coffee cultivation, honoring their enduring contribution to Colombia’s cultural identity. Through storytelling and tasting, we share the traditions that connect people across generations and borders.
Community Engagement
This event is designed to bring people together – fostering connection through education, shared experiences, and cultural appreciation. Each gathering strengthens our community ties and supports the ongoing collaboration between Tampa and Barranquilla.
Education & Support
Proceeds from ticket sales, specialty Colombian coffee purchases, and partner contributions directly benefit Tampa Sister Cities initiatives – advancing educational, cultural, and economic exchange projects between Tampa and Barranquilla.
Together, we celebrate 60 years of friendship and cooperation, one meaningful connection and one perfect cup of coffee at a time.
We’re also inviting local sponsors who wish to align their brand with cultural exchange, education, and international goodwill. Your sponsorship helps keep our community programming vibrant and impactful while showcasing your support for global friendship.
Come sip, learn, and celebrate with us because every cup we share helps strengthen the bonds between Tampa, Barranquilla and our local community.
Saturday, December 13
9:00 am to 11:00 am
At Cafe at 1920, 1920 E. 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 in Ybor City

María Amalia Robbin, Author of Planting The Seeds

About María Amalia RobbinBorn and raised in Medellín, Colombia, María Amalia Robbin bridges cultures and passions through both coffee and storytelling. With a background in agro-business and over 20 years of experience as an international food broker, she brings a deep understanding of the global food and coffee trade. Inspired by her family’s rich history, she became an author, publishing Planting the Seeds-the first book in her 1888 La Amalia: A Coffee Novel series. At this event, María will share her journey and lead guests through a hands-on coffee cupping experience that connects heritage, flavor, and story in every cup.

Participation Fee
$20 Basic Ticket
$50 Supporter (Free raffle ticket)
$100 Sponsor (Recognition and a small gift)
Please RSVP and purchase your ticket to the event no later than
December 1st.

Get Your Tickets Now

Jun Kaneko: Silence Before Sound
2025-12-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL, 33602, United States
Jun Kaneko: Silence Before Sound Opening Celebration

Join us for a special evening with internationally acclaimed artist Jun Kaneko (Japanese-American, born 1942).
Doors open at 5 pm, guests will enjoy delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres from local favorites, along with a complimentary glass of wine and a cash bar.* The Curator’s Chat with artist Jun Kaneko, Ree Kaneko, and Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, will be held at 6 pm in the Morsani Atrium.
The Tampa Museum of Art is pleased to present Jun Kaneko: Silence Before Sound, first major survey of the artist’s work in Florida. The exhibition celebrates five decades of art-from early drawings created in Japan, to ceramics he made as a member of the influential California Clay Movement in the 1960s, and Kaneko’s groundbreaking projects that blurred the boundaries of painting, ceramics, and sculpture.
Your participation in this celebration directly supports the Silence Before Sound exhibition and the associated educational programs at the Tampa Museum of Art, helping to foster a vibrant art community.
December 17 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Art+ Members Advanced Purchase Tickets | $35
Not-Yet Members & Night of Event | $50
Art+ Patrons receive complimentary admission, parking and an open bar.* RSVP by December 3 by contacting Membership@TampaMuseum.org. *Attendees must be 21+ to consume alcoholic beverages.

Purchase Tickets Here
