Black Tie & Tales

+ Bricks for bag ladies
Susan Morin is into bags. So into bags, in fact, that at the Bag Ladies, Baubles and Bonnets Luncheon April 4, at Florida Studio Theatre, she got into one — hands, feet and all.

While shimmying herself down into a pretty blue floral patterned Vera Bradley duffle bag, Susan came across something noticeably colder and heavier than the material of the bag, and, grunting and groaning at the weight of it, pulled out a brick — the very first to be laid on the brick walkway to FST’s new Gompertz Theatre. As the ladies attending the luncheon began to up their bids on the brick, it was suggested that perhaps more than one woman could purchase a brick. Gaele Barthold, Paula Morrissey, Carol Williams, Sheila Upshaw and Peggy Abt all purchased bricks for the walkway, with funds going directly toward the new theater.

The lively afternoon began with silent and live auctions of stunning jewelry, handbags and gats ranging in style and color, and all graciously donated by Sarasota salons, shops and patrons of FST. Following a delightful lunch prepared by Sarasota Bay Club’s Executive Chef, Mark Traugutt, was a laugh-out-loud presentation by FST Improv.

+ High tops + high heels = good times
A new weekly social gathering inviting the entrepreneurial women of Sarasota to unwind with friends, (in their most fashionable shoes!) begins Wednesday, April 11, at Eat Here.

From 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, High Heels and High Tops will be featured at the rooftop bar. Women can enjoy live entertainment, a free wine tasting, free pizza, $5 martinis, cocktails and house wine, plus a selection of $5 appetizers.

Women are also encouraged to enter the best shoe contest, for which first prize includes a $75 gift certificate to Eat Here. The second prize winner receives a $50 gift certificate from one of the area’s leading salons and boutiques.