Circus Arts Conservatory presented its annual gala fundraising event Feb. 2 under the brand new big top located at Nathan Benderson Park. Â A Royal Gala deserves a royal big top, and the new tent did not disappoint. At 55 feet tall with a diameter of 139 feet the venue seats 1,645 guests.
Most of the 350 guests took advantage of an invitation to dress in theme, and many donned colorful costumes that celebrated the Royal Gala. Michael's On East provided the Royal Feast, and the dessert platters drew the center of attention with overflowing circus themed confections.
CAC co-founders Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis gave a welcome address from the circus ring and guests were entertained with professional acts as well as student performers who train at Sarasota's famous Sailor Circus Academy. Funds from the event provide support to the CAC's mission, as well as continuing educational outreach.
Gala chairs were Julie A. Harris and Lauren Walsh, who greeted both guests and volunteers with enthusiasm and sincere gratitude, and they kept with the gala tradition by inviting everyone to join them in the circus ring for live music and dancing after dinner.
Dolly Jacobs summed the evening up best with her sentiments of "viva le cirque!"
Gala chairs Julie A. Harris and Lauren Walsh with COO Jennifer Mitchell, center
Photo by Janet Combs
Scotti Horowitz, Dan Malawsky, Tess Koncick and Willa Nance
Photo by Janet Combs
Circus Arts Conservatory co-founders Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis
Photo by Janet Combs
Gala Chair Julie A. Harris, Abby Lasky, and Tonia Bichler admiring a Dolly and Pedro portrait featuring the lion, King.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sailor Circus parents and grandparents Randi Donahue, Terri Saba, and Tolly, Jessie, and Mona Wizenberg.
Photo by Janet Combs
Performers include Siena Hartzell, Calie Clarke, Destiny Overholt, Annabelle Budslick, Emma Schwarzbauer, Sasha Drapkin, Olivia Brown, Aidan Clark, Emma Weber, Willa Nance, Madison Barrett, Keith Short, and Zaylie Ellis.
Zoe Solovieva and Alyssa Walsh perform a jump rope act, and Tasman Henry and Jocelyn Williams say their new center of gravity is quite surreal.
Siena Hartzell enjoys being part of the CAC Sarasota Sailor Circus.
Linda Curtiss, Tom Walsh and Tim Skoh
Photo by Janet Combs
Angle Hayes, Arron Watkins, Roseanne Catalano, Pedro Reis, Kelly Campa-Fairchild, Melanie Wilber, David Mason, Joy Jones, SaSa Armor, and JoAnnn Watson greet guests.
Jenne Britell, Elijah Clemons, Phyllis Siskel and Kepler Henry.
Photo by Janet Combs
Scarlett, Chris, Brenda, and Isabella Whaley pose on this vintage couch with Phyliss Siskel, center
Photo by Janet Combs
Thirty-five tables seating ten guests each were decorated with circus themed flair, and fresh flower centerpieces.
Cindy McCollum and Carol Beeler with Phillip Lanham
Photo by Janet Combs
Dylan Mason performs on the lyra.
Tamara Sieviieva, Renee Phinney, Sharon Kunkel and Glen Reith
Photo by Janet Combs
Elijah Clemons, Kepler Henry and Siena Hartzell enjoy clowning around as 350 guests enter the big top.
Sarasota Sailor Circus contortionist Destiny Overholt performs for guests as the enter the big top.
Jay Young and his wife, Amy, with an equally well dressed yet unnamed, and unsmiling, mannequin.
Photo by Janet Combs
Cocktail hour performer Oliva Brown is from Sarasota Sailor Circus.
Carla Partridge, Dr. Marguerite Barnett, Shawn Bowen and Yan Zeng
Photo by Janet Combs
Jerry and Wendy Feinstein read the memo encouraging all guests to dress in circus themed attire.
Margaret Pennington, Judith Burgis, Joan Golub, Roxzene Hunter, Anne Folsom-Smith and Jennie Britell
Photo by Janet Combs
Bart Lowther, Dana Pisillo, Melissa DeAngelo, Ann Senoi, Sovanna Sok, Maria Brady, and Linda and Tom Doan.
The new big top arrived in time for the Circus Arts Gala on Feb. 2.
Photo by Janet Combs
Happy 89th Birthday to Charles Perret who is celebrating with Michael Schmick and Eugenie Perret, of Philadelphia, and his wife, Charlotte.
Jillian Titus, Felicia Fisher, Lena Demmick, Keleen Wood and Christine Greaney
Photo by Janet Combs
Felicia and Michael Fisher
Photo by Janet Combs
Capt. Tom McDonald, and wife, Linda, with Zoltan Karpathy, CAC VP of Philanthropy, and his wife, Amy.
An energetic and agile Antino Pansa wowed the crowd with a jaw-dropping performance on the slackwire.
Photo by Janet Combs
Darren Trull shows his mastery of the aerial straps for the crowd.
Photo by Janet Combs
The Sweet Escape Trio created a routine that showcased talents including strength, endurance, acrobatic prowess, and a lot of flying blonde hair. Members are Allana Belanger, Alina Reutska, and Raushaniia Sakun.
The always radiant catering queen Tracey McCammack of Michael's on East, and Jimmy Shawver who has been with MOE for over 28 years.
Dressing in theme for the gala, Queen Darlene Albanis poses with King Greg Duay
Photo by Janet Combs
Dr. Bart Levenson and his wife, Joan, show just how much they love and support Circus Arts Conservatory.
