Black Tie & Tales 4.30.15

+ The merry, merry month of May: Part one
It seems like only yesterday that the YMCA Foundation’s “Going for the Gold” gala on the first Saturday in May marked the end of the Sarasota social season. Foundation President Karin Gustafson and board member Bonnie Kaplan created it in 1992. Karin says they picked that date “hoping that there were enough Y supporters who would attend a black tie-optional event … mostly out of respect to other organizations that had big events and at a time when you couldn’t expect people to be out in black tie every other night.”

The YMCA Foundation event has become one of Sarasota’s most successful and longest running, raising $8.2 million to date. And now it has so much company, from formal to fun, that it will take two columns to share it all.

May 1 – Paws on the Catwalk benefiting the Humane Society of Sarasota County: White is what you are asked to wear to this “White. Hot. Sexy.” event with a fashion show by Influence and pets for adoption. 10:30 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. $125; 955-4131.

May 2 – Going for the Gold “Unbridled Evening” benefiting the YMCA Foundation: May’s original black tie event is no longer black tie. The 500-plus guests are invited to dress for the Kentucky Derby theme. 5 p.m. at Dolphin Aviation. $250; 951-1336, Ext. 6.

May 3 – Men Who Cook benefiting Asolo Rep: Wacky, wonderful buffet prepared and served by 20 of Sarasota and Bradenton’s most respected men plus a fun auction of homemade cakes and some sui generis dinners. 6 p.m. in the Van Wezel foyer. $200; 351-9010, Ext. 4702.

May 7 – SPARCCLE on the Links Golf Tournament benefiting Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center: An active day of fun and food to benefit those in our community affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. 12:30 p.m. at Plantation Golf & Country Club. $95; 365-0208, Ext. 106.

May 7 – Treasures, Trinkets and Tea benefiting Friendship Centers: New in 2014, bigger and better in 2015 with an accessories marketplace with 10 vendors and a silent auction of purses. 2:30 p.m. at Chelsea Center. $75; 556-3205.

May 8 – Mystery Men and Bond Girls Fashionable Gala of Designing Daughters: The next generation of philanthropists makes grants to diverse local nonprofits and has a great, glamorous time doing it. 8 p.m. at Sarasota Classic Car Museum. $95; 404-9396.

See next week’s Black Tie & Tales for the rest of the merry, merry month.

+ Tidbits
Happy birthday, ballet mama … Jean Weidner Goldstein celebrated a big birthday April 29. And, later this year, the Sarasota Ballet, which she founded, will present its 25th season ... If we don’t know about it, we can’t write about it ... As you schedule your events, please send event details to [email protected] to be included in the BT social calendar.