Event
Social Season Wrap-Up
Before the pandemic-shortened 2019/2020 social season, we enjoyed many important non-profit fundraising events, until it came to a screeching halt. Here’s a look back at the fun, the special moments, and the achievements of Sarasota Scene sponsored events, and a call-out to some of the important signature fundraising events that were canceled when the pandemic hit.
Let’s hope for a full and successful 2020/2021 social season that raises much-needed important funds for vital area nonprofits which keep our community so strong. They need us now more than ever! Click on the headings to see the full galleries.
Suncoast Blood Bank Red Hot Event
It’s the event that kicked off our social season and it definitely proved to be “red hot.” The organization celebrated 70 years as the oldest blood bank in the state and announced the addition of a 25,000 square foot facility in Lakewood Ranch. Be sure to wear red!
This season kick-off event for Sarasota Opera never fails to delight opera lovers every year. With an overview of the season by Maestro DeRenzi, to artist performances that dazzle, this enchanting event is a winner!
Who says car guys are only into cars? The Sarasota Ferrari Drivers Group loves to help the community, donating 100% of its profits to local charities, when it annually showcases more than 100 high-end autos on St. Armands Circle.
Roskamp Institute’s Grey Matters
Yes, grey matters for sure at this informative and educational luncheon with funds raised for Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders. It is important research being done right here in our town, and the Roskamp Institute needs all of our support.
Josh Provides Wine Dinner & Auction
This classy and passionate evening of incredible food, wine, and most importantly, of educating attendees on the need to support those living seizure disorders, is always a special night for those in attendance. So please, get your seat around the table, enjoy a wonderful evening, and learn why you should help. Its leadership is outstanding!
Asolo Rep Starry Night Dinners
We promise you that Asolo Rep Starry Night season dinners (there are typically three during season) are one of the most fun, inspiring, and beautiful nights of the social season. Always held at a private home, the production-inspired themes, the artist performances, and the behind-the-scenes insight presented by Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, will leave you buying your tickets for the next Starry Night, and the shows, as soon as you walk out the door.
A favorite event every year, this signature fundraising event benefiting University of Sarasota-Manatee features exuberant students eager to share their pride and stories in a fabulous bayside setting, and brings together top area restaurants offering delectable tastes and treats. Short speeches, lots of fun, and a great event at which to be seen!
Celebration of Automobile Enthusiasts
This first-time cocktail party hosted by Sarasota-based Corsa 7 featured notable cars from around the world and capped off a weekend of motorsport activities that included a classic car auction. If you love cars and beautiful people, put this one on your list.
Wine, Women & Shoes Winemaker Dinner
We were there to capture this elegant and intimate Wine, Women & Shoes wine dinner hosted by Rita Thibault, Gary Kirschner, and BDG Architects. Funds raised helped support parenting education, mental health, and early childhood development programs at Forty Carrots.
Pine Foundation Wit & Wisdom Luncheon
Always a favorite, this luncheon raises funds for one of our longest-running nonprofits—Pines Foundation—which helps Pines of Sarasota residents stay-in-place when they outlive their financial resources. Plus, notable locals shared stories of life and wisdom that are interesting and inspiring.
Sarasota Scene celebrated one if its triennial issues, Men on the Scene, with a fun evening that brought together local professionals of various backgrounds to connect and network. Next year marks the return of another special triennial issue—Women on the Scene.
The Florida Center for Early Childhood’s Winter Gala celebrated 40 years and honored its founder, Dr. Norman Goldstein. Themed “Once Upon a Time,” it was a magical evening in ruby and gold. The Florida Center provides therapeutic services, early education, and healthy development for infants and children who are at-risk academically, socially, or economically.
One of our most vital local nonprofits wowed once again with its Hearts of Gold gala at the Ritz. The stories of those in need bring tears to your eyes, and the passion and heart of its leadership fills the room. The programs of JFCS are so important to our community. Attending this event is a great way to help.
Bringing world-class chamber music festival to our town every year is quite special and it is the passion and mission of the incomparable Sally Faron. Sonata a Due, LaMusica’s annual fundraising event, with beautiful music in an enchanting Field Club holiday setting, helps Ms. Faron do just that. Well done!
Selby Garden’s Lights in Bloom
Every holiday season, with the flip of a switch, two million lights shine on Selby Gardens making it even more magical than ever! This preview night party marked the beginning of 18 nights of Lights in Bloom with holiday displays, beautifully lit rainforest butterflies and dragonflies, and lots more. It is definitely a holiday must!
Every year, Jewish Federation Sarasota-Manatee, brings incredible speakers to its annual Women’s Day luncheon, which is one of the hottest luncheon tickets in town. TV personality Gail Simmons shared her story of her rise to fame and how growing up in a Jewish home influenced her cooking. Tickets sell out fast, so be sure to get yours early.
No organization puts on a better event than Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and its Hospital Gala leads the way. Beautiful gowns, great entertainment, and a filled to the max Ritz ballroom all contribute to an exciting evening. What’s even more special is the generosity of those in attendance. This event shatters fundraising records year after year.
Always an incredibly beautiful evening, The Sarasota Ballet Gala celebrated 29 glorious years and the 50th anniversary of Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri’s promotion to a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet. Be on the lookout for news of this season’s gala as The Sarasota Ballet celebrates 30 years. It’s certain to be quite special.
The kickoff to Sarasota Opera’s winter season, this elegant dinner themed “The Colors of Love” was a major hit. The Ritz-Carlton ballroom was decorated in dramatic colored ribbons and guests donned black-tie with a colorful twist. There’s something about the Opera Gala that always makes it one of the events to attend every season.
Conservation Foundation Palm Ball
This magnificent Osprey bayside event celebrates the preservation of key Gulf Coast lands and waters and raises funds in support of the Foundation’s incredibly important work for today and for our future. With a different and appropriate theme every year, this elegant event is always very special and is attended by the who’s who in town.
If you’ve never been to the Circus Gala, you are missing out on of the most thrilling events of the season. After all, who would/could put on a better show that our circus stars? It is fun, exciting, and entertaining. Be sure to get your clown on for next year’s gala and help raise funds for our Circus Arts Conservatory!
JDRF Sarasota/Manatee Night of Hope Gala
It was a night to party like “kings and queens” and guests in the Ritz ballroom did just that. The event raises important funds for innovative research, to advocate for government action, and to provide support structure for our community to help fight type 1 diabetes.
BGCSC Steak & Burger Celebration
The attire was cowboy hats and western boots, beef was the fare, and celebration filled the evening. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County honored Wells Purmort as an honorary alumnus, Shaneeka (Lee) Foster as 2020 Alumna of the Year, and Marguerite Andrich was 2020 Youth of the Year.
Tim Tebow delivered a powerful address to more than 500 people at the 2020 ball, which was one if its best. The event supports the important programs and services of Catholic Charities, Dioecese of Venice, which includes Our Mother’s House, St. Martha’s Early Learning Center, Bethesda House, Catholic Charities Family Haven and other important assistance programs.
This annual “funtastic” event supports important programs, scholarships and students at State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. Held in an intimate on campus setting, passionate and talented students entertain attendees with musical performances as the stars twinkle above. A hit year after year, supporting SCF in its mission to provide quality education is a great way to help the future of our community.
Glasser/Schoenbaum Believe Gala
If you believe in miracles, the story of this vital center is one you should know. Founded by the late Alex and Betty Schoenbaum, and Dr. Kay Glasser, the center exists as a “campus of caring” for over 20 human service agencies that serve the less fortunate of our community. The Believe Gala was a magical evening to help support the collective impact of all of the center’s agencies.
Conservation Foundation Bourbon & Boots
Held at Bay Preserve in Osprey, this relaxed event benefiting Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, brought supporters together for good fun, mouthwatering cuisine, and top bourbons. It’s just a cool way to help save our lands—forever.
Archie Griffin Celebrity Golf Classic
Bruce Cassidy, Sr. hosted this annual classic, now in its 10th year, at his beautiful Concession Golf Club. Two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, along with a host of other celebrities, paired with locals to raise funds for Concession Charities, which supports organizations that help children and families. It’s the top golf event in town!
If you’ve never attended the annual Van Wezel Gala, what are you waiting for? It all starts with cocktails by the Bay, followed by a glorious dinner, and then into the hall to hear a top entertainer. There’s nothing like it. John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame rocked the house at this year’ event. Can’t wait for next year’s gala!
The Sarasota Ferrari Group were revving the engines once again with its Exotic Car Festival weekend. Featuring a car show, a road rally, brunch, and gala and auction, the event benefited The Flight to North Pole Foundation. Daredevil and circus performer Bello Nock was Grand Marshall.
This annual event benefits Aviva—A Campus of Senior Life, and honors volunteers, advocates, and philanthropists who contribute to the success of Aviva. Appropriately held on the evening of International Women’s Day, the 2020 event featured keynote speaker Elizabeth McCormick, who thrilled attendees with stories of triumph in the face of adversity.
So, these events happened, and funds raised were important to the health and wellbeing of the nonprofits they benefited.
But what about the events that couldn’t take place because of the pandemic? Here’s a shout out to those events (with photos and info from last year’s events) and a reminder of the important work supported by these events.
This fun and magical evening, themed Enchanted Library, was a huge success for this great organization serving the most at-risk youth in our community.
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center’s annual gala was a night to remember. Not only is it a fun and well-done event, it honors the hope and restoration to community provides with its support.
3rd Asolo Rep Starry Night Dinner
The third in a series of season dinners, this “Starry Night” was like being a guest in Versailles and raised funds for Asolo Rep productions and its mission.
Hosted by Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and presented by SMH physicians who discuss women’s health issues, this luncheon is educational and transformational.
Golfers swing away to benefit Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Physician Endowment Fund.
A partnership between Florida Winefest and New College Foundation, this long-time favorite encourages ladies to wear big hats!
There’s golf, poker and a Kentucky Derby party at this always fun event, which honors the memory of young Taylor Emmons and raises fund for need-based scholarships at Out-of-Door Academy.
He celebrated his 80th birthday in grand style, setting yet another incredible record by raising $4.3 million for pediatric cancer research. We love Dickie V. Rescheduled for Sept. 4, 2020 at the Ritz-Carlton. For tickets, call 941-350-0580.
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