Black Tie & Tales 11.5.15

+ Upstaged
There aren’t too many things that can take the attention away from the riveting and lovable Michael Donald Edwards, Producing Artistic Director of the Asolo Rep. But he kindly invited his audience to divert their attention from him and observe Mother Nature’s show at the “Welcome Back” party held on the bayfront on Thursday, Oct. 29, at New College. The faithful were out in force, including board president Mary Lou Winnick, who shared encouraging news about the Asolo endowment, and her husband, Ed. It was Cheryl MacLauchlan’s first “outing” with husband, Alasdair. Sid Katz and Elaine Keating reappeared after their summer in Montecito. Herman and Sharon Frankel accepted good wishes on his recent recognition by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.

+ Twice as nice
There is no better example of creative philanthropy than Karin Gustafson’s very personal, private sale benefiting the Sarasota YMCA Achievers Scholarship Fund in memory of Sen. Bob Johnson and the Animal Rescue Coalition. Last year, she moved it from her garage to the Y’s Premium Estate Liquidators store and raised more than $10,000. This year’s well-curated assortment of treasures includes quality artwork by Syd Solomon and Craig Rubadoux, purses by Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Lederer, costume and fine jewelry by Nikki Sedacca, Marc Jacobs and David Yurman and more. The sale is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1562 N. Lime Avenue. More info at estatesales.net under Premium Estate Liquidators.

+ She’ll always have Paris
Renee Hamad’s father took her to the Moulin Rouge for her 21st birthday. She lived in Paris when her late husband, Sam, was CEO of Bristol-Myers and kept an apartment there until very recently. All of that makes her the perfect co-chair, with the sparkling Kathy Coffey, for this year’s Designing Women Boutique gala, “An Evening at the Moulin Rouge.” The ladies will transform Michael’s On East into the famed nightspot for the Dec. 6 gala, featuring a fashion show with French flair and live entertainment. The committee includes Carolyn Michel, Hillary Steele, BJ Creighton, Rita Greenbaum, Debbie Haspel, Pat Johnson, Marlene Liberman, Susan McGuire and Janice Zarro. For sponsorship information, contact DWB Board President Ida Zito at 726-6785.

+ Tidbits … Wedding bells are ringing … for Adrienne Bavar, daughter of Betty Jean and David Bavar of Longboat Key, and Mark Wolfe, who will marry at the Ca D’Zan on Nov. 14. She is a New Yorker; he is from San Francisco, and they met hiking in Aspen. But there is a small-world story here: Her folks knew his father from a business meeting long ago ... Beauty-queen bumps ... Planned Parenthood board member Carolyn Johnson and her daughters-in-law, Christine Johnson and Dr. Krista Toomre-Johnson, took the Safe Sex Halloween Bash “Paranormal Prom” theme to heart and delivered funny costumes with a serious message, dressing as “PP Defunded” pregnant beauty queens ... Ritzy reno ... There was a lot of positive buzz at Mote Marine’s “Oceanic Evening” on Saturday night about The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s recent renovations: most notably the new modern ceiling lights that replaced the old-fashioned chandeliers ... Newest nonagenarian … Happy birthday to Mickey Fox, who celebrated on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Michael’s On East.

+ Black Tie Affair

Divas after Dark presents 'Living with AIDS … What a Drag: Ladies in Red'
Benefiting: AIDS Patients Emergency Fund of Community AIDS Network
When: Dinner by the bite at 6:30, drag show at 8 p.m.
Where: Michael’s On East
Tickets: $100
Contact: Jimmy Neal or Ron Carter 365-6922