The Circus Sarasota Gala Under the Big Top takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at 1500 Stringfield Ave. in Sarasota. The event will celebrate Nik Wallenda's historic walk over Niagara Falls with never-before-seen footage and a special appearance from the hometown hero.
The Big Top will transform to a magical, festive
celebration featuring circus performances, cuisine by Michael's On East, silent and live auctions, live music, dancing and more.
Skip Land
Pete Adams and Jill Sheehan
Richard and Jordie Friedman
Marcelo Spaghetti the Clown plays the harmonica while juggling bowling pins.
I.J. and Valerie Pober
Khera Smith and Bailey Yelding balance on a tight rope while Jacob Swe stands on stilts.
Nik Wallenda and Pedro Reis
Pedro Reis, Lijana Wallenda, Dolly Jacobs-Reis, Erendira and Nik Wallenda
Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs-Reis with Erendira and Nik Wallenda
Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs-Reis
Nik and Erendira Wallenda
Lauren and Bernard Walsh
Marlene Hauck and Phil King
Senator Bob Johnson and Representative Ray Pilon
Dr. Laurie Walmsey
Dr. Laurie Walmsey with her husband Anthony Brunetti
Michael White draws a caricature of Marla and Jim Doss
Nancy and Joe McElmeel
Braun and Jeanne Graham
Anna and Steve Whaley
Cynthia and Jonathan McCague
Ursie and Bill Fairbairn
Mary Anne Robinson and Ray Peper
Linda Joffe and Lowell Lakritz
Margaret and Bill Wise
Sophia and Ron Fisher
Lonnie Bauler, Eric Manzi, Karen Smith-Lovejoy and Sean Gorathy
Fran and John LaCivita
Tess Koncick gets a kiss on the cheek from Donald Malowsky
Amy Keiser paints Katie Cassani’s face with flowers.
Lonnie Bauler, Jaimi Crowe and Rebecca Wilborn
Mike and Marie Pender with Steven High
Julia Jacobs Barreda
Elizabeth Flower Duke and Arnold Duke
Jorgen and Gudrun Graugaard
Karen Bell
Bob and Margaret Zak
Ann and Russ Copeman
Felize Schelaner and Dennis Rees
Noriko Sidlow, Kay Rosaire, Chuck Sidlow and Linda Carson
Roseann and Martin Kelly
Tony and Marcy Martino
Bradd and Sally Schule
Chuck Sidlow jumps in front of Bradd and Sally Schule
Jack McKissock wore clown shoes to the gala.
Kelly Mayer
The Venturas
Janet and John Hunter
Gloria Moss and Jim Helmich
Kenneth Fake and Suzanne Fensterwald
CJ and John Mercier have fun dressing up in circus costumes.
Julia Jacobs Barreda, Courtney Wyatt and Jennifer Mitchell
Dr. Rebecca and Dr. Louis Cohen
Jackie LeClaire and Steven Haber
Bob Phillips, Sue Cumbie, Pam Daniel and George Augustin
Chris and John Sancin
Dr. Ann Chauvet
Dianna and Frank Colson
Pedro Reis speaks to the crowd of 425 guests that attended the gala Saturday night.
A tribute video about Nik Wallenda’s tight rope walk across Niagra falls.
Robin Eurich
Lisa and Terry O’Hara
Joey Panek and Christine Alexander
Jose and Cathy Antunes
The gala benefiting Circus Sarasota’s Sailor Circus had 425 guests, a silent and live auction, musical entertainment and performances by Nik Wallenda, Pedro Reis and other circus acts.
The vases on each of the tables had fish swimming inside.
Jim and Nikki Nilon
Dolly Jacobs-Reis with her niece, Julia Jacobs Barreda
Charlie Lenger, Ray Peper and Sen. Bob Johnson won for best dressed at the gala.
Charlie Lenger decorated her dress with Nik Wallenda crossing Niagra Falls by using stick-on pearls, fabric paint and magic markers. Wallenda signed her dress at the gala.
Terri and Michael Klauber
Renee Phinney, Kimberly Marlow and Jenn McAlister
Michael Klauber was the auctioneer for the live auction.
Bradd and Sally Schule’s caricature
Lindy Smith poses within a picture frame with Chuck Sidlow after she and Jack McKissock won the live auction to go with Nik Wallenda to the Grand Canyon in June. The final price was $16,000.
Nik Wallenda, Pedro Reis and Blake Wallenda wowed the crowd with their high wire act. It has been 30 years since Reis was last up on the high wire.
Sheylla Nicolodi
Willard Nicolodi
Willard Nicolodi used guests at the gala as his own live "dummies".
Sailor Circus’ Anthony Congdon and Ian Laidlaw performed an amazing balancing act during the gala.
