Black Tie & Tales

+ Here comes the bride … times three
Thank goodness the weather cooperated, because wedding bells were ringing all over town this weekend. Leah Turner married Christian Cotter, of Atlanta, Saturday, April 2, at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception for 300 at the Field Club. Guests were entertained by the Atlanta-based six-member group, The Atlanta Party Band. Leah is the daughter of Williams Parker attorney Jim Turner and his wife, Karen.
Also married on April 2: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s Stan Carter and Toni McGowan at Laurel Oak Country Club; and Blake Gratton and Brittany Kimel at the John and Mable Ringling Museum courtyard.

+ Entertainment extravaganza
It was bound to happen. In the midst of high season and multiple events per night, we accidentally missed one. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast hosted “Déjà vu: Big American Bandstand” Saturday, March 26, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Boy, did we miss out on some great photo opportunities — 200 guests arrived dressed in their favorite era and were treated to the Big Band sounds of Sarasota High Admirals. Even Austin Powers and Dick Clark were on hand for the exciting, fun-filled festivities of the evening.

+ Oldies but goodies
Chairwoman Ariane Dart set out to plan an over-the-top event with a live band, and, boy, did she surpass partygoers’ expectations at Forty Carrots Family Center’s Firefly Gala March 26. Three-hundred-eighty-two guests, with an additional 50 concert-only ticket holders, were in attendance for a performance by KC and the Sunshine Band, who played for an hour and 20 minutes and put on a whole production. Event planner Jennifer Grondahl reports that the stage, which was moved in on a semi-truck, took more than 20 hours to set up. The 60-year-old lead singer, Harry Wayne Casey, kept the crowd on their feet dancing and laughing with his quips. “I’m the Justin Timberlake of the ’70s, so take a good look, ladies, this is what he’ll look like eventually,” he said.

+ Tidbits
Premium preview … Get the first chance at Designing Women Boutique’s premium estate sale of fine jewelry and designer fashions from the estate of Ethel Taub at a preview event 6 p.m. April 14, at the shop. For reservations, call Janet Hunter at 371-6798. Sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 15 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 16 … Fabulous freebie … In an Oprah Winfrey fashion, the final announcement at the Women in Partnership Luncheon March 30 was that the guests were going home with a 288-page coffee-table book, “Scenes from the City: Filmmaking in New York.” Produced with the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, the luncheon’s guest speaker, NYC Media and Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver, touted the beautiful book. PNC Wealth Management and Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s next luncheon is coming up April 29 and features former Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift. Two is better than one ... Sissy Yates’ unusual-and-beautiful jewelry had a big night out at the Greenfield Awards dinner March 27. Wearing necklaces by Sissy — Muffy Cabot’s daughter — were Joan Golub and Susan Brainerd … Don’t underestimate … Last week’s Carreño Dance Festival Luncheon had reserved half of the ballroom at Michael’s On East for the luncheon, but had to move it to Van Wezel when organizers were pleasantly surprised with more than 250 guests …

+ Black Tie Affair
‘Pirate and Princess Ball’
SPARCC — Safe Place Rape and Crisis Center • 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 • Girl Scouts Conference Building • Tickets: adults $65, children $40 • For information, call 365-0208, Ext. 106

If your kids love to dress up, the “Pirate and Princess Ball” is the perfect family-friendly event. Don your best pirate and princess garb and head over to the Girl Scouts Conference Building for a great party to benefit SPARCC. For your taste buds, there will be a kids buffet catered by Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q, as well as an adult buffet catered by Simply Gourmet and a dessert table by Pastries by Design. For the kids, Pure Imagination Studio will be working with the children on special pirate-and-princess themed craft projects as well as face painting, a caricature artist, balloon artist, dancing to kid-friendly tunes, a kids “chance” auction, a toddler play area and even a pirate invasion and real-life princesses. Chaired by Erika Quartermaine and Shannon Hankin.