Black, White & Brilliant Gala
Snapshot from the Black, White & Brilliant Gala at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts on Saturday: Susie Nelson-Crowley, Judy Tampa and David Hall, Mark and Linda Saul-Sena, Nancy and Henry de Waart and 100 other supporters sampled Puff n' Stuff bites, swayed to Nalisio Taveras & the Fellows and sipped prosecco cocktails and Kahwa coffee. They toured the Chuck Close exhibit, posed for Polaroid souvenirs in Close's close-up style and got excited about upcoming Edward S. Curtis (June) and Frida Kahlo (September) exhibitions.
DeBartolo Family Foundation 10th All Star Charity Gala
Imagine walking into the hottest supper club in town, where the crowd is as sparkly and effervescent as the endless champagne. The hosts, glam fam DeBartolo — Eddie and Candy, with daughters Lisa, Tiffanie and Nikki — invited some 30 star athletes and entertainers — too many boldface names to list here — to join 600 patrons at their 10th All Star Charity Gala on March 8.
Front and center: nine-time Grammy winner John Legend at the baby grand thrilling guests, even legendary Paul Anka, with love songs. A La Carte Event Pavilion's ballroom gleamed, a vision in white. Above: musical fairies perched on trapeze bars playing white sequined violins. Below: wall-to-wall plush white carpet, installed for one night. Between: crystal-beaded linens on white lacquer tables abloom with white roses, hydrangeas and orchids.
Prime rib and grilled salmon entrees preceded DIY sundaes and personal topping boxes, energizing live auction bids to total nearly $200,000, including $5,500 for two VIP passes and a police escort to Times Square on New Year's Eve. An iconic Fourth of July party package at the DeBartolo ranch in Montana sold twice for $28,000 each, first to Bob Basham and Nick Reader and then to Cindy and Henri Jean. All goes to grants, scholarships and Spirit of Humanity awards, almost $11 million since the DeBartolo Family Foundation formed in 2001.
Superstar DJ Samantha Ronson came from Los Angeles to end the bash, mashing hits on a stage packed with dancers, a popcorn bar, coffee frappes and a photo booth.
Fashion Funds the Cure
Why do we invite him back every year? groaned Chad Harrod to his Fashion Funds the Cure co-chair Dan Doyle as they bucked up for their annual razzing by guest emcee Carson Kressley at the Pediatric Cancer Foundation's 10th runway show.
Why mess with success, that's why. Flirtatious Kressley, boosted by 10-year-old actress/cancer survivor Hannah Swain and Linda and Charlie Brink's matching funds, netted a stupendous $700,000 for research.
Two tweaks helped: Moving the benefit to Saturday night near a real runway — the Tampa International Jet Center — made room for 700 guests and 14 sampling stations, including 717 South, the Melting Pot, Postcard Inn and CopperFish.
Neiman Marcus' models' spring trends were upstaged by 11 young fashionistas undergoing cancer treatment and 45 alumni models who have conquered the disease, escorted by players from all of Tampa's pro teams.
Sadly, Shooting Stars video of the girls "day of pampering" noted 13 gone since the first fashion show.
Black, White & Brilliant Gala
Snapshot from the Black, White & Brilliant Gala at Florida Museum of Photographic Arts on Saturday: Susie Nelson-Crowley, Judy Tampa and David Hall, Mark and Linda Saul-Sena, Nancy and Harry de Waart and 100 other supporters sampled Puff n' Stuff bites, swayed to Nalisio Taveras & the Fellows and sipped prosecco cocktails and Kahwa coffee.
They toured the Chuck Close exhibit, posed for Polaroid souvenirs in Close's close-up style and got excited about upcoming Edward S. Curtis (June) and Frida Kahlo (September) exhibitions.
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