Ten female stars of screen and stage, who have all performed in Miami Beach at least once during their careers, are being honored at a new exhibit in Lummus Park on Ocean Drive between 13 and 14 streets for Women’s History Month.

Titled “Ten Women Superstars,” the exhibit celebrates cabaret singer and social activist Josephine Baker, Miami Beach’s own Gloria Estefan, “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, Hollywood legend Judy Garland, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Broadway’s Chita Rivera, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Tina Turner.

Once an underdeveloped barrier island, by the 1920's Miami Beach had transformed into a tourist destination, and live entertainment was an important draw. This trend took off after World War II, and we've been blessed with the world's top women entertainers ever since, attracted by our hotels, clubs, and - especially - our palm trees and moonlight. This outdoor exhibition highlights 10 Miami Beach Women performers in honor of Women's History Month.

Early women performers included vaudevillian-turned-star Sophie Tucker and signer comedian Martha Raye, who owned a nightclub here.

Cuban superstar Celia Cruz is so indelibly linked with Miami Beach that there is a street named after her. Among her performances here was in 1996, when the Fillmore was the Jackie Gleason Theater. Other performers at the Gleason included Carol Channing, 1994; Donna Summers; 1997; Sarah Brightman, 1999; Tracy Chapman, 2000; Olivia Newton-John, 2001; and Shakira, 2002.

The Jackie Gleason became the Fillmore in 2006, and Queen Latifah performed both there in 2007 and at the Fontainebleau Hotel in 2012. British singer Estelle was part of a Fillmore concert lineup in 2008. Subsequent performers there included Pattie LaBelle, 2009; Celine Dion, 2011; Lauren Hill, 2016; Mary J Blige, 2017; and Camila Cabello and Daniela Mercury in 2019.

Miami Beach nightclubs were also venues for famous women performers with Cyndi Lauper on record performing at Impromptu and Sempers (no years recorded), Christina Aguilera at Cameo in 2007, and Britney Spears at the Copa Room in 2007.

The women who have performed at the Fontainebleau include Mariah Carey, 2009; and Lady Gaga, who welcomed the year 2010 in a New Year's Eve show that the New Times ranked as "The Best Party of the Year". In 2022, Alanis Morissette played at an Ocean Drive concert sponsored by the city as part of its Spring Break counter-programming.

The names of women performers that have graced Miami Beach's stages are indeed luminous, and we look forward to welcoming many more in the future, and thank those who came for giving us indeed the world's best entertainment.