Dancers, models take center stage at University Park Fashion Show

By Liz Ramos
| 5:45 p.m. February 8, 2024

University Park's Bart Schubert lip-synchs to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" while Dancing Queens, a dance group from University Park, dances in the background.

East County
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On a stage Feb. 8 at The Westin of Sarasota, University Park's Kim Dixon danced with seven other University Park women.

While University Park's Bart Schubert lip synched to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible," Dixon and the dancers, also known as the Dancing Queens, added to the entertainment that kicked off the University Park Women's Club Fashion Show.

Dixon said choreographing the dance was a "simply irresistible offer" she couldn't turn down.

She said the dance gave the Dancing Queens an opportunity to make new friends.

After the performance, nine women and four men from University Park modeled clothes from Evelyn & Arthur.

The proceeds from the fashion show and pop-up shops will go toward the Women's Resource Center and the Bradenton Police Department's Police Care and Publix Gift Card Program.

University Park's Fifi Queen and Kristy Schubert are excited to see their vision for the University Park Women's Club fashion show come to life.

University Park's Teresa Simmons, Maureen Gibson and Barbara Kowalyk can't wait for the fashion show to begin. "I'm looking forward to the excitement and glamour of this fun event," Kowalyk says.

Jewelry is a hot ticket item in the chance auction.

Dozens of items are available for the chance auction.

University Park's Sharon Garden peruses the clothing available from the Women Resource Center's Unique Boutique.

University Park's Sue Stone, Beverly Fisher and Arlene Irons love spending the afternoon with friends.

Juliet Deitz and Becky Arpaia with the Women's Resource Center are grateful for the support of the University Park Women's Club.

University Park's Deborah Gatlin and Patty Caravella show off what they purchased from the local boutiques at the University Park Women's Club Fashion Show.

Evelyn & Arthur manager Aliki Gable created each of the outfits models Maureen Hicks, Daniella Soloman, Re Gibson, Jaynie Bush, Susan Hook, Kim Brown, Carolyn Bramel, Jan Albert and Maury Wong will sport on the runway.

Emcee Norris Thomas joins models Ashley Hayden, Tyler Butler, Bart Schubert and Rodrick Miller before the event.

University Park's Kim Dixon, Jessica Bethoney, Dena Clouse, Debbie Eininger, Natalia Garcia, Regina Morris, Leslie Slavin and Terry Williamson come together as the Dancing Queens.

Norris Thomas, a former professional athlete and professional speaker, serves as emcee at the University Park Women's Club Fashion Show.

University Park's Bart Schubert takes on the personality of Robert Palmer during his lip-synch performance of "Simply Irresistible."

University Park's Kim Dixon dances with the Dancing Queens. She created the choreography for the dance the group performed at the University Park Women's Club Fashion Show.

University Park's Leslie Slavin and Terry Williamson dance in unison to "Simply Irresistible."

University Park's Bart Schubert lip-synchs to Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible" while Dancing Queens, a dance group from University Park, dances in the background.

Aliki Gable, the manager of Evelyn & Arthur, shares the details of each of the model's outfits.

University Park's Carolyn Bramel strikes a pose at the end of the runway.

University Park's Maureen Hicks is ready to hit the golf course with her outfit from Evelyn & Arthur.

University Park's Re Gibson walks the runway to applause from the audience as she brings the colors of summer.

University Park's Jaynie Bush hits the runway. She showcases every unique aspect of her outfit.

Tyler Butler has fun waving to the audience and dancing down the runway.

University Park's Bart Schubert takes his jacket off before stopping to pose halfway down the runway.

Rodrick Miller points to his friends in the crowd.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.