Black Tie & Tales

+ The bird women
The back story of “The Night of 1,000 Cranes” is as beautiful as the event itself. 

The ancient Japanese concept that a person who folds 1,000 cranes will enjoy not only longevity but good health for life was a natural choice for the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s triennial event, if, perhaps not the easiest to implement.

Enter Paula Murray of Artefact, the foundation’s designer. She reported that Affairs in the Air had been working on a crane-themed wedding that was canceled.

Introductions were made. The bride’s mother had worked for eight months creating 1,000 origami cranes. She was more than happy for her flock to take flight, and would accept only a small contribution as compensation. 

Pam Swain and Mollie Nelson took on the task transforming the birds with spray paint and glitter. Off they went to Swain’s farm east of town and made the birds (and good portions of themselves) golden.

There’s more. Barbara Rothman folded 100 more cranes and Melinda Place and Patricia Riley hot-glued them to birdcages that were part of the décor. Hospital CEO David Verinder’s wife, Monica, crafted yet another Japanese prop: making 650 mini umbrellas that served as table cards.

The Japanese have a way to recognize the special abilities and talents of such committed committee members. They say: “You are a crane standing among chickens.”

+ Talk about timing
The Asolo Rep could hardly have picked a better night to open “Both Your Houses” than Jan. 23, when the big news story of the day had to do with the kind of political corruption that is the theme of the play. In his comments at the dinner preceding the performance, director Frank Galati told guests that friends who had been concerned about his making new ones when he moved to Sarasota several years ago would have been mightily impressed by the crowd in the room. New to BT but not to the Asolo: Jo Ann Burhart and her husband Don, resplendent to say the least in a pale lavender jacket and lavender and green shirt and tie … always stunning Suzette Jones was quick to explain that Harry Leopold had only “borrowed” her from Richard Dorfman for the evening … and Betsy Kane Hartnett had a one-word explanation for why dad Stanley Kane is looking like he has found the fountain of youth. “Daughters,” she joked.

+ Babies in bold
There must be something in the water. Welcome to the newest additions on the BT scene … Lauren Glassman welcomed Grayson Oliver Glassman on Dec. 16; Ashley and James Guttridge welcomed Carter James Guttridge on Jan. 13; and Tatyana Sharoubim and Dr. Charles Stewart welcomed Byron Makram-Charles Stewart on Jan. 17.

+ Tidbits
The play’s the thing … Sarasota playwright Marvin Albert had two 10-minute plays performed Jan. 23 at the Longboat Key Education Center. They were “The Merchant” and “Thanks for the Memories,” a clever, senior citizen twist on the mistaken identity convention. Director Preston Boyd and actors Connie McManus, David Meyersburg and Richard Pell got many good laughs from a standing-room-only audience that included Gerri Aaron, Judy and Roger Goldstein, Susan Brainerd and Alan Quinby, Diana Lager, Kay Delaney Bring, Elaine Keating and Sid Katz … Hip, hip, hooray … here’s wishing John Currie a speedy recovery from this week’s installation of a new hip … A party for a party … Orchid Ball Co-Chair Margie Cooper and husband, Kelvin, hosted the Orchid Ball Sponsor Party Jan. 22, at their home in Harbor Acres. More than 80 guests, including Cathy Layton, Veronica Brady, Anne Westmann, Bruce and Terri Saba, Drayton and Kara Saunders, Kent Hayes, Tom Luzier and Larry Bowman, attended the party. BT hopes you have your tickets for the Valentine’s Day soiree as it sold out in November … Here Comes the Bride … Luckily for all the brides-to-be in town, Fondren Watts and Nicole Mei’s love for high-end bridal fashion has inspired them to open a couture bridal boutique in Sarasota, Blush Bridal Couture. The boutique will carry Inbal Dror, Reem Acra, Naeem Khan and Ines Di Santo as their initial launch designers. Stay tuned for more info on location and opening date ... Onward and upward ... Wishing Saks Fifth Avenue Sarasota General Manager Joel Ellzey the best of luck at his new post as vice president/general manager at the store’s Boston location. Terri Najmolhoda, coming from the Chevy Chase store in D.C., will replace Ellzey at the University Town Center location in March.