Black Tie & Tales

+ ‘We’re newlyweds’ … just kidding!
I have a feeling that my picture will soon end up in the dictionary next to the word “gullible.”

At the Goodwill “Count Down to Mardi Gras” party Thursday, Jenna DiLorenzo and David Curran huddled together for a photo and when I asked for their names, David said, “We’re newlyweds!” I was so excited to put them in The Observer’s “Occasions” section and proceeded to tell them all about it. They played along until I asked for their contact information — then the two of them started to chuckle. Also over the weekend, non-couple Ed Sarbey (married to Shelley Sarbey, co-chairwoman of the ARC gala) and Elaine Meshad fooled me into thinking they shared “Sarbey” as their last name for a good 10 seconds until they gave in and told the truth.

+ Get-Buy-Give-Give
One of the most clever auction stories comes from Jane Icely and the Senior Friendship Center 2011 fundraiser. Jane solicited the donation of a mammogram from Dimensional Imaging, bought it herself at the party … then turned around and donated it back to the Center’s Medical Clinic to benefit a woman who would not otherwise be able to afford it.  

This year’s Senior Friendship Center event is “You Bet Your Life” March 13, at the Sarasota campus.  Harold Ronson is chairman; Gerri Aaron and Marvin Albert and Victoria and Harry Leopold are honorary co-chairs. At $150 ticket for dinner, open bar, entertainment and a creative silent auction, this one sells out. Reserve now: Cheryl Pilch at 556-3205.

+ Tidbits
The shoemaker’s child? … Rumor has it that social photog-actor-emcee-man-about-town Cliff Roles celebrated his 59th birthday at lunch Feb. 17 at Michael’s On East with three lady friends, two of them professional photojournalists. Incredibly, not one picture was taken … Well wishes … out of the few hundred guests who attended the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Cooking For Wishes luncheon Feb. 15, Susan Jones was the first to raise her paddle, donating $7,000 to grant one child’s wish.

+ Parting is such sweet sorrow
Maestro Leif Bjaland conducted his final concerts with the Sarasota Orchestra last weekend.  Among the most heartfelt of the many farewells were those expressed at a post-performance Saturday night party in the Van Wezel foyer. Concertmaster Daniel Jordan, principal tubist Jay Hunsberger and principal flautist Betsy Hudson Traba spoke on behalf of the musicians.

The biggest laugh went to Traba, who listed all the things that Leif gets credit for, including building the Ringling Bridge, paving Fruitville Road, attracting the Baltimore Orioles to town and “being the father of my two beautiful children.” Leif responded in gentle kind, speaking of his first audition meeting with Bea Friedman, whom he described as “surprisingly sexy,” paying homage to his predecessor, Paul Wolfe, and ending with “I love you all very much … you are all a huge part of who I am as a person.” That feeling is entirely mutual.

+ Yet another man in a fancy jacket
Men are becoming better dressers by the minute. Forget the plain old classic black look — these guys have taken black tie to another level by stepping it up with patterns and colors. George Adley wore this handsome vintage Lilly Pulitzer jacket from the 1970s to the ARC “Best in Show” gala Saturday. Deborah Blue says she picked it out and bought it for him.

+ BLACK TIE AFFAIR
The Sarasota Ballet ‘Five Fabulous Years’
6 p.m. cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and 7 p.m. performance Monday, Feb. 27, at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets: Cocktail and performance only $125; full evening $300 to $750. Call 225-6510.

In case you haven’t heard, tickets to the Sarasota Ballet’s Monday night gala have dropped in price for the cocktail hour and performance, and are now $125. The performance will highlight excerpts from the past five years under Director Iain Webb. Guests attending the gala will get the first preview of the ballet’s upcoming season and a first-hand look at what’s in store in the coming years. The gala’s honorary Chairwoman is Mary Ann Robinson.