Black Tie & Tales

+ Sir Frederick Ashton Festival takes over Sarasota …
Critics get a word in at The Observer … It’s not often reputable national newspaper critics come to town. But for Sarasota Ballet’s Sir Frederick Ashton Festival, critics from as far as London and Scotland and from papers as internationally recognized as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal came to town. Before the second night’s performance, The Observer hosted a critic cocktail party to welcome them to Sarasota. 

It was interesting to learn that most of them started with a dance background rather than a journalism degree. And how’d they get their positions at their prestigious papers (aside from great talent)? Luck. For instance, a friend recommended Robert Greskovic as the dance critic for the Wall Street Journal.

Many were well educated about Sarasota Ballet — they’ve heard about our circus-themed Nutcracker. They were surprised to learn that the holiday performance this year would be of “La Fille mal Gardee.” In fact, every critic mentioned how special “La Fille” is.

‘Give me something brilliant’ … According to Anthony Dyson, chairman of the Frederick Ashton Foundation, that’s what the great choreographer asked of his dancers. And “brilliant” along with “technically superb” and “that Ashton feeling” is how Dyson summarized the Sarasota Ballet’s Ashton Festival, which ended Saturday. Local balletomanes could not have agreed more; a request for a one-word summary elicited “awesome,” “absolutely fabulous,” “incredible,” “uplifting,” “glorious,” “spectacular” and “satisfying” — recognizing the troupe’s accomplishment over recent years. Attendees reported themselves “speechless,”  “stupefied,” “gobsmacked” and “thrilled.” 

Jean Weidner Goldstein, who founded the ballet 20-plus years ago, dubbed Director Iain Webb an “impresario.” Outside the opera house after the performance, Webb said simply, “They did so well; I am so proud of them. What’s so different from other companies is that they’ll do anything for me.”

+ Surprising Sunday
May 4 saw not one but two surprise parties …

The Big 90 … Philanthropist Gloria Moss, who frequently pronounces that age is just a number, is notching up a new one this month. Daughter Marion, friend Janet Hunter and Saks Fifth Avenue, represented by Sally Schule, successfully surprised her at brunch for 50 guests at Michael’s On East.

Linda Salomon recalled celebrating Gloria Moss' 70th birthday in Beaune, France, with her husband, Gilbert, and Moss' late husband, Marty. Janet and John Hunter told of her 80th at Chewton Glen, England, with Scott George and John Mason present. The three Moss daughters (Marion, Judy and Peggy, in birth order) were at both, and they will sweep their mom off to Newport this weekend.

Commissioner Suzanne Atwell read a proclamation designating Moss a “favored citizen.” Joel Ellzey, Gloria Good, Chantelle Ryan and Paula Weissman were there from Saks along with Schule. Christine Jennings, Tosca Strong and Nate Jacobs (who serenaded the birthday girl) represented Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, and Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis were there for The Circus Arts Conservatory. Friends included dance instructor/partner Jim Helmich, Mike Ash, Betsy Bagby, Tana Sandefur, Betty Schoenbaum (who owned up to being envious of Moss’ legs), Ursula Essex, Zoltan Karpathy, Pat and Gerald Phillips, Phil King and Dennis Stover and Jimmy Neal. Much in the spirit of things, Moss volunteered, “You’re all invited to my next one.”

The big 20 … LeeAnne Swor was shocked to find more than 60 guests gathered at The Francis to celebrate her 20 years in the retail business. Swor first opened L’Asia in 1994 in Atlanta — a 1,000-square-foot cottage with two employees, which later became L. Boutique in Sarasota. Her store now boasts 6,000 square feet and 25 employees. After being lured under the idea that she was attending a program graduation with Crystal Stephens (who planned the soirée with Elaine Briggs), Swor was greeted by her son, Ryker, and family, including Doris and David Swor, Dr. Mike Swor and Brenda Haenel-Wix. The celebration continued through the afternoon with toasts and surprise out-of-town guests Reginia Browning, Shane and Meredith Petsch, Tamara Whatley and Alicia Balius, as well as 30 L girls (past and present) and friends Fabiola Beckmann, Marsha Panuce, Kristi Dorman and Dini Russell.

+ The calendar calls … BT is collecting events for the 2014-2015 Black Tie social calendar — if we don’t know about it, we can’t cover it! Email the following information to [email protected]: name of your event; group hosting; group benefiting; time, date and place; ticket price; chairperson; contact name; phone number and email; website and event description.