• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Black Tie

Joelson Krulewitz, Dick Vitale, Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • May 3, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala draws the stars to raise money for pediatric cancer

Celebrities Geno Auriemma, Tom Izzo, Katie Couric and Kelvin Sampson attended Dick Vitale's 21st gala to benefit the V Foundation's pediatric cancer research fund.

  • Black Tie
Mette Milland, Toni Schemmel, Deb Kabinoff, Scott Taylor and Gana Gilkey
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 26, 2026
Cause 4 Hope raises crucial funds for Parkinson's programs

The annual gala helps the Neuro Challenge Foundation provide programs and services at no cost to those affected by the disease.

  • Black Tie
Lisa Holcomb, Jill Obrochta and Lisa Brakefield
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 26, 2026
Selby Gardens welcomes famed floral designer Ian Prosser for Lunch in the Gardens

Lunch in the Gardens celebrates the 2026 Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, which was inspired by Alexander Calder's work.

  • Black Tie
Event co-chairs Charlie Ann Syprett and Dona Scott with WBTT founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 19, 2026
WBBT's April Fรชte takes guests down colorful rabbit hole

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's annual spring fundraiser provides support for its youth summer programs.

  • Black Tie
Stephanie Perry, Margie Genter, Community Partner of the Year Awardee Florida Department of Corrections Stephanie Ditroia and Beth Poffel
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 19, 2026
Goodwill Manasota honors community ambassadors at signature luncheon

The nonprofit recognized four community leaders for their impact at the Community Ambassador Awards Luncheon.

  • Black Tie
Matt Malone, Danette Simons, Aydar Rakhmatullin and Alyssa and Michael Simons
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 17, 2026
Children First's Fairytale Ball creates opportunity for kids

The nonprofit's 26th annual gala supports its work of providing services for families and children to help raise healthy, happy kids.

  • Black Tie
Sarasota Art Museum Executive Director Virginia Shearer, Arkady Medovy and Maryann Meyer
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 17, 2026
Patrons wine and dine at SAM's En Plein Air dinner

Guests enjoyed a four-course dinner paired with Italian wines while supporting the Sarasota Art Museum at the outdoor dinner event.

  • Black Tie
Girls celebrate Girls Inc. outside feeling victorious after their welcome song.
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • April 17, 2026
Girls Inc. Celebration Luncheon spotlights achievement

The annual event raises funds for the organization, which teaches girls to be strong, smart and bold.

  • Black Tie
The Centennial Celebration of 100 years of the Sarasota Opera co-chairs are Sue Neumann and Lynn Blackledge.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 12, 2026
Sarasota Opera House centennial celebration ends an era

In addition to celebrating the Opera House's 100th anniversary, it was Victor DeRenzi's last performance as Sarasota Opera maestro after 44 years.

  • Black Tie
Julia Groom, Elizabeth Moore and Jennifer Masters
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 12, 2026
Gymnast Emily Meinke shares message of hope at Blue Ties & Butterflies

The Child Protection Center's annual gala featured the former elite gymnast, who shared her journey of survival and empowerment in the Larry Nassar case.

  • Black Tie
Alisa Pettingell, Eileen Curd and Graci McGillicuddy
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 12, 2026
Moffitt's Mission Possible luncheon supports new treatments in cancer

The annual event at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens raises funds for Moffitt Cancer Center research.

  • Black Tie
Sheila Weiss, Michael Goldman, Dr. Helene Lotman, Ellen Goldner, Marion Levine and Sasha Rosin make up the Hope in Bloom committee.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • April 3, 2026
JFCS celebrates 40 years of service at Hope in Bloom

In addition to celebrating its 40th anniversary, Jewish Family & Children's Service of the Suncoast honored Marc & Eve Kanoff.

  • Black Tie
The co-chairs are Darci Jacob (ninth year), Vickie Smith (fourth year) and Carolyn Castro (first year).
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 28, 2026
SPARCC Runway 2026 reassembles a kaleidoscope of lives and fashion

The fashion show and luncheon is an annual tradition for supporters of the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center.

  • Black Tie
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley with panelists Dr. Kelly Hamel, Dr. Sarah Kimball and Dr. Angela Boldo
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • March 28, 2026
Women & Medicine educates guests on women's health

The annual luncheon helps attendees learn more about women's health issues from women health providers.

  • Black Tie
Drayton Saunders acceps a Champion For Children award for MSC Foundation and President and CEO of Safe Children Coalition Brena Slater
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • March 27, 2026
Safe Children Coalition names 2026 Champions for Children

During its annual Giving Breakfast, the organization recognized three honorees for their work in helping children in the community.

  • Black Tie
1 2 3 4 5 ยป
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Commissioners George Kruse and Mike Rahn supported the project from the start.
  • May 4, 2026
Compromise gives Lakewood Ranch-area development another shot
2
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
  • May 3, 2026
Sarasota's youngest mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat
3
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
  • May 3, 2026
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
4
Joelson Krulewitz, Dick Vitale, Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys
  • May 3, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala draws the stars to raise money for pediatric cancer
5
An overflow parking lot with 10 spots is open during the day at Bayfront Park accessible via Gulf of Mexico Drive.
  • May 3, 2026
Bayfront Park neighbors express frustrations over parking, litter and more

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free