• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Fairytale Ball takes guests Through The Looking Glass

The annual affair adopted an "Alice In Wonderland" theme on April 1.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 10:55 a.m. April 2, 2023
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Children First welcomed its guests to Wonderland during a lively gala at Michael's On East on April 1. 

The 2023 Fairytale Ball adopted a "Through The Looking Glass" theme that celebrated the many fantastical designs of Alice in Wonderland.

Guests arrived ready for the moment dressed as Mad Hatters, Chesire Cats, Red Queens and more.

The crowd mingled before heading into the transformed Michael's ballroom space for a program that started with an energetic performance from Cirque Vertigo.

 Vice president of philanthropy Jessica Rogers then welcomed the audience as dinner was served. President and CEO Philip Tavill then spoke to the crowd about the many Children First programs for child education and development.

The night ended with dancing to the tunes of the Bay Kings Band.

Ken and Carolyn Woodworth with Elizabeth Unruh and Brendan Assaf with Ringling Royals
Ken and Carolyn Woodworth with Elizabeth Unruh and Brendan Assaf with Ringling Royals
Photo by Harry Sayer
Vice president of philanthropy Jessica Rogers
Vice president of philanthropy Jessica Rogers
Photo by Harry Sayer
Co-chair Trevor Harvey
Co-chair Trevor Harvey
Photo by Harry Sayer
Board of directors Kenny Hughes
Board of directors Kenny Hughes
Photo by Harry Sayer
Co-chairs Janna and Joshua Kim with Susan Tagle
Co-chairs Janna and Joshua Kim with Susan Tagle
Photo by Harry Sayer
Amber Mortensen and Renea Dayton
Amber Mortensen and Renea Dayton
Photo by Harry Sayer
Stephanie and Mitch Lomazov
Stephanie and Mitch Lomazov
Photo by Harry Sayer
Brendan Assaf and Elizabeth Unruh with Ringling College
Brendan Assaf and Elizabeth Unruh with Ringling College
Photo by Harry Sayer
Co-chairs Lisa and John Giglio
Co-chairs Lisa and John Giglio
Photo by Harry Sayer
Co-chairs Trevor and Teresa Harvey
Co-chairs Trevor and Teresa Harvey
Photo by Harry Sayer
The event was held at Michael's on East
The event was held at Michael's on East
Photo by Harry Sayer
The event was held at Michael's On East.
The event was held at Michael's On East.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Lexi Guanchez and Alyssa Simons
Lexi Guanchez and Alyssa Simons
Photo by Harry Sayer
Lauren and Candice Henry
Lauren and Candice Henry
Photo by Harry Sayer
Rachael Zucker
Rachael Zucker
Photo by Harry Sayer
Sam and Erin Hardie with Elizabeth Unruh and Brendan Assaf with Ringling Royals
Sam and Erin Hardie with Elizabeth Unruh and Brendan Assaf with Ringling Royals
Photo by Harry Sayer
Kassie Ludwig and Laura Pinsonneault
Kassie Ludwig and Laura Pinsonneault
Photo by Harry Sayer
Dawn Spencer and Ken Bennett
Dawn Spencer and Ken Bennett
Photo by Harry Sayer
Kathleen Coty
Kathleen Coty
Photo by Harry Sayer
Terri and Michael Klauber
Terri and Michael Klauber
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Cirque Vertigo performers put on a show.
Photo by Harry Sayer

 

Latest News

Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
St. Regis at Longboat Key is a gulf-facing resort and condo development on the barrier island of Longboat Key. The Unicorp-developed property opened in 2024 at the former site of the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.
  • April 4, 2026
St. Regis on track to receive permanent certificate of occupancy, eyes tennis courts
The Fruitville Townhomes site plan to replace the vacant former Sarasota Lanes bowling center.
  • April 4, 2026
Fruitville bowling alley submits plans to redevelop into 4-story townhomes
Deputies shoot and wound armed man
  • April 3, 2026
Deputies shoot and wound armed man

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

Sheila Weiss, Michael Goldman, Dr. Helene Lotman, Ellen Goldner, Marion Levine and Sasha Rosin make up the Hope in Bloom committee.
  • April 3, 2026
JFCS celebrates 40 years of service at Hope in Bloom
The co-chairs are Darci Jacob (ninth year), Vickie Smith (fourth year) and Carolyn Castro (first year).
  • March 28, 2026
SPARCC Runway 2026 reassembles a kaleidoscope of lives and fashion
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley with panelists Dr. Kelly Hamel, Dr. Sarah Kimball and Dr. Angela Boldo
  • March 28, 2026
Women & Medicine educates guests on women's health
Drayton Saunders acceps a Champion For Children award for MSC Foundation and President and CEO of Safe Children Coalition Brena Slater
  • March 27, 2026
Safe Children Coalition names 2026 Champions for Children
Terri King, Rocky and Liza Pappas
  • March 23, 2026
USF enjoys picture-perfect day for Brunch on the Bay
Lauren Athas, event Chair Lauren Christensen, Nati Shabat and Katie Biter
  • March 23, 2026
ODA supporters take Banyan Ball to Club Paraiso

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now