- April 25, 2024
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Girl of the moment
On Oct. 2, the National Endowment for the Arts honored Dolly Jacobs as a National Heritage Fellow – the first such recognition for a circus artist. On Oct. 26, the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County presented her with its Arts Leadership Award for artistic achievement. On Nov. 4, Sarasota’s Key Chorale gave her its inaugural “Perfect Pitch” award, which honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to our cultural community through educational, financial, and/or artistic efforts. That was three awards in 30 days. Now comes word of a fourth: The Sister Cities Association of Sarasota will present its coveted “One World” International Award to Jacobs and her husband, Pedro Reis, at its One World Luncheon in March.
Jacobs, a renowned aerialist and co-founder of the Circus Arts Conservatory with Reis, is getting exactly what she deserves, which is every award out there for her talent, commitment and grace. Brava, Dolly! We love you.
Spoof of the season
The grand entrance of the drag queens at “Ladies in Red: What a Drag” Nov. 9 was a tongue-in-cheek homage to the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. So many dressed in wedding garb — notable among them was newcomer Alicia Andrews and Jonathan Kendall, who strutted the catwalk as a pregnant bride. This was the 16th year for the event, held at Michael’s On East, created and produced by Jimmy Neal and Ron Carter. It attracted its largest-ever audience of 300 and a record net of $50,000 and counting (It takes a long time to tally, since so much of the money is raised in the form of dollar bills stuffed into the performers’ gowns). All of it goes to the Emergency Fund at Community AIDS Network. Among the guests: Gloria Moss, Jim Helmich, Sally Faron, John and Janet Hunter, Carolyn Michel and Howard Millman, Rick and Martyna Carlisle, Ed Schaye and Scott and Shirley Scoville, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
Tidbits … Dollar dollar bill, y’all … To boost the yield of the “Ladies in Red” drag show, emcee Jeff Taylor plucked some guys from the audience to strip their shirts and dance on the runway. One of his victims this year: Dolly Jacobs’ aerial-act partner, Raffi ... Gracious Givers ... At the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ National Philanthropy Day Luncheon, all of the awardees graciously accepted their awards by acknowledging everyone but themselves. Notably Ernest Kretzmer, who thanked his late wife, Alisa, for “egging him on,” and his idols, Beatrice Friedman and Betty Schoenbaum ... So who’s counting? … Renowned marketing professor and prolific author Dr. Phillip Kotler had to correct the friend who was praising his 59 books. “It’s 58 ½, actually,” he said, “Number 59 isn’t published yet. ‘Saving Democracy: Real Solutions for a Troubled Political System’ is complete, but for the editing. I hope to get it published during the electioneering season.” BT hopes so, too … Paranoid ears … overhearing a conversation about Hillary Clinton’s run for the Democratic nomination, a mature-but-modern woman thought she heard Alex Beavers refer to “female problems.” What he really said was “e-mail problems.” Whew! … Strapped … Where and how did photographer Cliff Roles end up with a Lilly Pulitzer camera strap? It was a gift from his admiring clients at the Junior League. But of course!
Black Tie Affair
Champions for Children Honoring Alex and Betty Schoenbaum
Benefiting: Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
Where: Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club
Tickets: $250
Contact: 366-3911
