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The People's Gala entertains for eighth year

The annual Crystal Ball fundraiser benefits the Selby Library.


  • By Cassidy Alexander
  • | 8:50 p.m. January 10, 2018
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The 8th annual Crystal Ball at the Selby Library was a success again the evening of Jan. 10. 

Known as The People's Gala thanks to the inclusive, low ticket price, the casual fundraiser lets anyone party inside the library. 

Local restaurants like Classico, Libby's Cafe and Bar and Nothing Bundt Cake offered samples of their specialties to attendees. Continuous entertainment from singers, dancers and performers gave guests something to check out. And they could participate in a silent auction with travel packages, gift certificates from local restaurants and jewelry items up for grabs. 

In the past ten years, Friends of Selby Library has raised more than $1 million to support the library's mission and programs. 

Deedee Nash shows off her costume at the People's Gala.
Deedee Nash shows off her costume at the People's Gala.
Entertainer Christina Brandon talks to Heather Gillian at the gala.
Entertainer Christina Brandon talks to Heather Gillian at the gala.
Dee Wright
Dee Wright
Dee Kourpouanidis and Peter Balos danced with others from St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.
Dee Kourpouanidis and Peter Balos danced with others from St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.
Truffled cauliflower tostini from Libby's Cafe and Bar was one of the treats available at the Crystal Ball.
Truffled cauliflower tostini from Libby's Cafe and Bar was one of the treats available at the Crystal Ball.
Bruce and Eleanor Ballard
Bruce and Eleanor Ballard
Attendees were enthralled by a dancer who incorporated fire into her performance.
Attendees were enthralled by a dancer who incorporated fire into her performance.
Bonnie Myer and Kay Consigny
Bonnie Myer and Kay Consigny
Beth Ruyle-Hullinger and Eladio Amores
Beth Ruyle-Hullinger and Eladio Amores
Betsy Shepard and Lori Broniak
Betsy Shepard and Lori Broniak
Jane Dokko and Jason Hobert
Jane Dokko and Jason Hobert
Marie Poux and Nada Guimei
Marie Poux and Nada Guimei
Norma Carlson and David Turner
Norma Carlson and David Turner
Nothing Bundt Cakes offered double chocolate chip cake for attendees to taste.
Nothing Bundt Cakes offered double chocolate chip cake for attendees to taste.

 

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