Black Tie & Tales takes a short hiatus

So how’s quarantine going? For me it’s alternating between catching up on movies I’ve missed this past year, and being bored out of my mind. Don’t you miss the parties? I sure miss the parties. 

This is looking like my last Black Tie & Tales column of this shortened season, but I wanted to say it’s been a pleasure writing it and that I'm excited to pick things up this fall. Remember to be smart, wash your hands, and stay at least six feet away from people as often as you can (if do you end up being near someone you want to say hey to, check out my Alternate Greetings piece that ran in last week’s paper and is online!). Also, if you haven’t already, try to reach out to friends and family that might be taking the isolation particularly hard. We’re in this together, after all. 

Florida Winefest Reschedule

When Sarasota's nonprofits started rescheduling their events the Florida Winefest had the problem where they didn't have one event to postpone, but several. Multiple events headline seven days of the food-and-wine festival, which made finding a new date range far trickier. Luckily, president Sandra Loevner has been putting together the festival for 30 years now, and contacting the vinters, restaurants, vendors, entertainment, and other integral workers was done as efficiently. Namely, Loevner and Jan Crudele worked through a massive email list to let everyone know the date had changed.  It was intense and methodical work, but that approach is what made things go smoothly.

"We have a process," Loevner said. "... If you work smart and play smart, it's not hard to accomplish. We worked the hours to be sure we got it done."

Florida Winefest will take place this year Oct. 28 through Nov. 2.

Rescheduled Dates
Many events from Mid-March on have been cancelled, but a few have been postponed to later dates. Here are some of the functions that made the move to later this year or next.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s April Fools Fete - Postponed to May 18.

Children First’s Fairytale Ball: The Floating Lights - Postponed to Oct. 3.

Dick Vitale Gala - Postponed to Sept. 4.

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Golf Tournament at Laurel Oak Country Club- Postponed to Oct. 9.

Ringling College of Art & Design’s Avante Garde: Game On! - Postponed to Oct. 17 

Designing Daughter’s Gala - Postponed to Oct. 24

Ear Research Foundation’s Hear & Now & All That Jazz - Postponed to Dec. 3.

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Women & Medicine - Postponed to March 21, 2021