Black Tie Untied

Wine, Women and Shoes

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota was bustling with wine, women and fabulous shoes Friday, Nov. 15 for Wine, Women and Shoes, benefiting the parenting program at Forty Carrots Family Center. Sole Men (56 of them) waited on the women hand and foot, making sure they were never holding an empty glass, and made the rounds through the foyer presenting merchandise from 19 retailers for the women to indulge.

Diana Kelly Buchanan and Emily Stroud co-chaired the event, which featured an awe-inspiring performance by The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory of Dance dancers (choreographed by Kate Honea) who were dripping in jewels from June Simmons Jewelry, a high-energy fashion show by The Met, and 11 vintners providing wine, including Veuve Clicquot who set up a lounge after party. Finally, the Sole Men had the room up and dancing with their final dance number.

Shoe judges had their eyes on the ground during the event, checking out the shoes of the 625 women (and a few lucky guys) in attendance. The overall winner, who was selected by featured guest Michelle Smith, designer and founder of Milly, was Liebe Gamble who won the “Booty Licious” award (best boot) with her Jimmy Choo cutout boots.

Scroll down for a video of the Sole Men's performance plus their intro video.
 

Dream Makers Ball

The Hyatt Regency Sarasota transformed into a 20’s speakeasy Saturday, Nov. 16, for Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County’s Dream Makers Ball. Tom and Debbie Shapiro chaired the event, which featured entertainment by Buzzcat, a speakeasy lounge and casino.

The late Glen Rey was celebrated as the 2013 Dream Maker and Whitney Stewart was honored as the BGCSC Youth of the Year 2013.

The Art of Caring for Children

Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center hosted The Art of Caring for Children Sunday, Nov. 17, at the The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Alex Miller and Ronald Giarrusso chaired the event and Sally and Sam Shapiro and Betty Schoenbaum were the honorary co-chairs.

The evening featured performances by Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, Players Theatre, Sarasota Opera, the Circus and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

The event benefited construction of The Sam and Sally Shapiro Babies and Children’s Medical Center.