Party on the Pass transports guests to a ‘Hot Night in Havana’
The ninth annual animal hospital fundraiser was held on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 11:17 p.m. March 24, 2017
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Walking into the aquarium courtyard was like stepping into a Cuban cafe March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana.”
Guests donned their most colorful tropical attire at the casual soiree, which benefited Mote’s animal hospitals. Since the hospitals opened in the 1990s, they have treated 71 dolphins and small whales and more than 615 sea turtles, all of whom typically arrive in critical condition. The goal of the Mote staff is to rescue, rehabilitate and then release these animals back into the wild.
Event-goers enjoyed food stations serving bites from 12 of the Sarasota area’s most popular restaurants — all members of Sarasota-Manatee Originals — and listened to Cuban music performed by musician Renesito Avich.
The extensive silent auction (36 items strong) featured everything from a private tour of the Ca' d'Zan to VIP tickets to the Sarasota Film Festival Opening Night Film and Party.
Rande and Betsy Ridenour with Ashley Morrison and her dad, Mote Board Chair Lowe Morrison
Clint Mallard and Amanda Michael
Amanda and Dan Tullidge pose in the photobooth at Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana” on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Marisa Jelicks and Judy Graham
Jennifer Houghtaling and Hugh Shields
Musician Renesito Avich performs at Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana” on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Veth and Anolay Senenoi
Adrienne Atkins and Lynne Byrd
Beach House employees served mojo pork sliders at Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana” on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Charlie Huisking, Margaret Wise and Jeff Sebeika
Jen Otterness, Patty Lodge and Jennifer Grosso
PJ Roth makes sliders at the Michael’s On East table at Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana” on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Lea and James Buchanan with Katie and Jesse Biter
Cynthia Mallick, Michelle Brault and Michelle Senglaub
Duval’s employees served whitefish, cucumber and citrus ceviche with crispy yucca at Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana” on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Margie and Chuck Barancik with Teri Hansen and David Verinder
Lisa Cotner and Ned Solomon
Kita Tiam of Pacific Rim serves guests at Party on the Pass: “Hot Night in Old Havana” on March 24 at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Sofie Wachtmeister, Lauren Wardynski, Sofia Heilborn and Kelly Kane
