Best of Black Tie

Black Tie was all over the Sarasota social scene last weekend. The first stop was “The Artful Lobster.”

 Chaired by Debbi Benedict, the event took place Saturday morning beneath a white tent decked out to the max with lobster-ific decor at the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key. Guests enjoyed a New England lobster feast of Maine lobster, barbecued chicken and ribs, chowder, corn on the cob and more, all prepared by Michael's On East, plus a mini-concert by celebrated flutist Clair Chase.

BT even got Anne Weintraub, Aimee Cogan and Kelly Gettel to climb onto a hammock together for a quick photo, in addition to this handsome devil — Brandon Dignam (sorry ladies, he's engaged! — who showed off his fancy lobster slacks for the camera!

Saturday evening's festivities included the "Dream Makers Ball." Lindsey, Kristy and Judy Landers-
Niedenfuer co-chaired the fabulously glamorous event, which took guests back to classic Hollywood's Golden Age and benefited the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. Kids from the BGC posed as paparazzi along the red carpet, flashing their cameras in the faces of every guest, and as per usual, Jackie Rogers was waiting for them on the other end with her microphone.

The event honored the late Nathan Benderson as its Dream Maker of the Year. BT and Jackie Rogers took on the task of judging the best-dressed contest, so if you didn't attend the event, make sure to check out this week's Diversions for the winners — best-dressed female, male and couple — and their photos.

Pictured below are Chelsea Lyman and Tamara Chapman, who spent the entire evening making sure the program was running smoothly! 

Bunny Skirboll and Marlene Isaacs were first in line to greet each and every guest walking through the gate to the Sarasota's Orchestra's "Hot Jazz on a Snazzy Sunday: Roarin' 20's Season Opener Brunch."

The courtyard was filled with food stations offering guests everything from omelets prepared to order, eggs Benedict and cheese blintzes, to pan-seared crab cakes, marinated flank steak and miso glazed salmon.

Skirboll and Isaacs co-chaired the event, with assistance from Ann Folsom Smith as the design co-chair. More than 30 people volunteered their time to decorate lampshades as table centerpieces, which added a artistically fabulous touch to the Michael's On East Ballroom.