Ballet gala celebrates 30th anniversary

The annual gala was held at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on April 18.

  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 11:06 p.m. April 18, 2021
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The Sarasota Ballet celebrated its 30th anniversary season with a lively outdoor gala on April 18.

Hundreds of Ballet supporters gathered at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall where they enjoyed a performance of "Birthday Offering" by Sir Frederick Ashton.

Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb thanked the audience for coming and spoke to how happy he and the company were to perform in front of a live audience. Guests then headed outside for dinner and a paddle raise to support the company. 

Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb and his wife, Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri, have given the ballet an international reputation.
Sarasota Ballet Director Iain Webb and his wife, Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri, have given the ballet an international reputation.
File photo
The gala's dinner was held outdoors underneath a tent.
The gala's dinner was held outdoors underneath a tent.
Mercedes Soler and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Mercedes Soler and Clara Reynardus de Villanueva
Joel and Gail Morganroth
Joel and Gail Morganroth
Charlie Annaloro, Linda Mitchell and Teresa Samuels
Charlie Annaloro, Linda Mitchell and Teresa Samuels
The dinner had an appetizer including artichoke puttanesca and Moroccan barbecue shrimp.
The dinner had an appetizer including artichoke puttanesca and Moroccan barbecue shrimp.
Jacqueline Morton, Jonathan Coleman, Paul Nucci and Nora Everlove
Jacqueline Morton, Jonathan Coleman, Paul Nucci and Nora Everlove
Paul Thoma, Steve Siegler, Clive Samuels and Bill Mitchell
Paul Thoma, Steve Siegler, Clive Samuels and Bill Mitchell
Ruth Barker, Richard Ferrell, Claudia McCorkle, Beau the dog and Richard Wires
Ruth Barker, Richard Ferrell, Claudia McCorkle, Beau the dog and Richard Wires
John and Mayra Schmidt
John and Mayra Schmidt
Emily Walsh and Kate Honea
Emily Walsh and Kate Honea
Diane and Bob Roskamp
Diane and Bob Roskamp
Matt and Barbara Aleer
Matt and Barbara Aleer
Richard and Lisa Merrill
Richard and Lisa Merrill
Richard Johnson and Deborah Kalb
Richard Johnson and Deborah Kalb
Frank Martucci with Tom and Barbara Gardner
Frank Martucci with Tom and Barbara Gardner
Ronelle Ashby and Phil King
Ronelle Ashby and Phil King
Joan Langbord and George Hollingsworth
Joan Langbord and George Hollingsworth

 

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