Fashion sense and the sense of taste come together

It’s the second year to see Longboat Key “celebrities” strut the catwalk in clothes by Tommy Bahama at the Taste of the Keys Fashion show. This year’s show takes place Thursday, Jan. 26, and is a fundraiser for both Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, and the Longboat Key Garden Club.

“It (represents) the ‘Who’s Who’ in business and in the community,” said Susan Landau, event coordinator.

Dave Sparks, Bob Weil, Harry and Lynn Christensen, Ed Chiles, Larry Thompson, David Teitelbaum, Steve Ananicz, Kay Thayer, Mary Lou Johnson and Jessica Luck will no doubt put the Victoria’s Secret angels to shame with their modeling talent.

And fashion sense isn’t the only thing people will be getting a taste of; local restaurants will provide samples of items on their menus. Such restaurants include: the Longboat Key Club, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub, Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Sarasota Cupcake Company, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Pattigeorges, Lazy Lobster, Bridge Street Bistro, Old Salty Dog, Tasti D-Lite, Chart House, Lido Beach Grill and Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar.

“Last year it really brought the community together, and it was a stitch!” Landau says.

About 170 people attended last year’s event, and this year there will be more participating restaurants.

The Taste of the Keys Fashion Show
When: Starts at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26
Where: The Longboat Key Center for the Arts, a Division of Ringling College of Art and Design, 6860 Longboat Drive S.
Cost: $50; tickets sold at Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive; Exit Art, 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive; and the Longboat Key Center for the Arts, 6860 Longboat Drive S.
Info: Call Susan Landau at 383-8030