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Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe goes groovy

The Let's Get It On Gala was held Nov. 16 at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 7:45 p.m. November 16, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Sarasota Municipal Auditorium looked like a scene straight out of the 1970s on Nov. 16 for the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s 2018 gala. 

WBTT decided on a groovy theme for the event, Let’s Get It On, welcoming guests with bell-bottom jeans, hippie-chic prints, disco balls, peace signs and many, many sequins.

The cocktail hour got the party started with drinks, appetizers and good company. Once the program started, Marian Moss, Tomeika Hunter-Koski and Debra Flynt-Garrett spoke before guests were served dinner.

After dinner, Bernard and Lois Watson accepted the Heart & Soul Philanthropy Award, and guests learned about WBTT’s mission from Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, Executive Director Julie Leach and troupe member Tarra Conner Jones.

The live auction by Michael Klauber was upbeat and lively, getting the crowd pumped up for the performance by the group they were all there to support. 

Co-Chairwoman Tomeika Hunter-Koski and Debra Flynt-Garrett
Co-Chairwoman Tomeika Hunter-Koski and Debra Flynt-Garrett
Honorees Lois and Dr. Bernard Watson
Honorees Lois and Dr. Bernard Watson
Executive Director Julie Leach with Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs
Executive Director Julie Leach with Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs
Co-Chairwoman Tomeika Hunter-Koski
Co-Chairwoman Tomeika Hunter-Koski
The gala was hosted at the Sarasota Memorial Auditorium.
The gala was hosted at the Sarasota Memorial Auditorium.
The decor was just as groovy as the 70s decade.
The decor was just as groovy as the 70s decade.
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is celebrating 19 years.
The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is celebrating 19 years.
Frank Filipanits and Paula Murray
Frank Filipanits and Paula Murray
Bunny and Mort Skirboll
Bunny and Mort Skirboll
Donna Koffman, Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Co-Chairwoman Tomeika Hunter-Koski
Donna Koffman, Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Co-Chairwoman Tomeika Hunter-Koski
Dave and Brenda Maraman
Dave and Brenda Maraman
Bruce and Alexis Rosenberg
Bruce and Alexis Rosenberg
Nicole Davis and Vassell Oronde
Nicole Davis and Vassell Oronde
Adele Sales and Heather Antritt
Adele Sales and Heather Antritt
Hermione Gilpin and Shannon Rohrer-Phillips
Hermione Gilpin and Shannon Rohrer-Phillips
Tamara Williams and Rinaldi White
Tamara Williams and Rinaldi White
Tap Snap had a retro array of photo booth props.
Tap Snap had a retro array of photo booth props.
This set of five wines sold in the live auction for $18,000.
This set of five wines sold in the live auction for $18,000.
Marian Moss and Andi Munzer
Marian Moss and Andi Munzer
Jennifer Engleman, Susan Brennan, Kim Davis and Suzanne Wilis
Jennifer Engleman, Susan Brennan, Kim Davis and Suzanne Wilis
Richard Perlman and James Dodge
Richard Perlman and James Dodge
Charlie Ann Syprett, Tamara Williams, Rinaldi White and Alexis Rosenberg
Charlie Ann Syprett, Tamara Williams, Rinaldi White and Alexis Rosenberg
Randy Gilmore, Brenda Belsito and Charles and Ann Brown
Randy Gilmore, Brenda Belsito and Charles and Ann Brown
Sarah Macrae, Asa Thomas, Dominic Harris, Stephanie Ramos, Cristina Campos and Morgan Cole
Sarah Macrae, Asa Thomas, Dominic Harris, Stephanie Ramos, Cristina Campos and Morgan Cole
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.

 

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