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Black Tie

Dennis Rees and Felice Schulaner
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 23, 2026
Excitement grows at Sarasota Orchestra Gala for new music center

Guests at the fundraiser could see a model of the new campus, which the orchestra hopes to break ground on in early 2027 and open for the 2029-30 season.

  • Black Tie
Keith Monda and Veronica Brady with Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 22, 2026
SAM explores glass in Fresh Perspectives Lunch

Sarasota Art Museum guests heard from international glass artists Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin to discuss their 45-year partnership.

  • Black Tie
Sherry Koski with guest conductor Peter Oundjian and Chairman Tom Koski.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 16, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra supporters toast Masterworks 3 program

The Sarasota Orchestra held its third Masterworks dinner in anticipation of the weekend program featuring guest conductor Peter Oundjian.

  • Black Tie
The SMHF Board of Trustees held its annual gala on Jan. 10 with more than 650 guests in attendance.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 11, 2026
Hospital Gala guests make it a record-breaking night in raising funds for innovation

In its ninth year, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual gala focused on raising money to bring new technologies to the SMH system.

  • Black Tie
Israeli-American violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman and his wife, Toby, founder of the Perlman music program.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • January 11, 2026
Perlman residency celebrates same great program in new downtown location

In its first year using downtown venues, the Perlman Music Program Suncoast Winter Residency culminates with a successful performance and dinner.

  • Black Tie
Faith Adesanya walks the SPARCC Runway show in 2024.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2026
6 social events not to miss in '26

As the next Black Tie season descends upon us, it's chock-full of fundraisers to attend. In addition to a few perennial gems in our selections, there are also some special occasions worth noting.

  • Black Tie
Fabian and Pascale Hoyez
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • January 2, 2026
Selby Gardens rings in 2026 with guests aglow

A jovial crowd enjoyed a private display of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' Lights in Bloom before dinner, dancing and a front-row seat to Sarasota's fireworks at midnight.

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2025
Black Tie highlights top moment of 2025, in photos

The Sarasota social scene was full of photogenic moments during the past year. It was a tough job, but we picked some of our favorites.

  • Black Tie
The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash

The theme of the evening echoed the museum's winter exhibition, which features works from the Art Deco era.

  • Black Tie
SPARCC Holiday Luncheon co-chairs Melissa Silva, Tina McGovern and Cator Hartley
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 11, 2025
SPARCC holiday luncheon welcomes record turnout

The annual event, which supports the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, had more than 320 guests at Michael's On East.

  • Black Tie
Co-chair Kara Wootson, Planned Parenthood Director of Philanthropy Lauren Stroman, Co-chairs Lissa Murphy, LaVerne Green and Roz Painter-Goffi
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • December 8, 2025
Supporters Rise & Shine for Planned Parenthood brunch

At the event, attendees heard from a panel to receive an update on women's sexual and reproductive health issues.

  • Black Tie
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala

The evening raises funds to help provide prevention and early intervention services to young children facing possible academic, social and economic challenges.

  • Black Tie
Celia Young, Pat Reinhart, Ina Goldberg and Sherry Wheeler channel their inner flapper style for the Great Gatsby-inspired Poinsettia Luncheon.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Opera Guild rings in holidays at Poinsettia Luncheon

The guild raises money to support the Sarasota Opera while promoting the appreciation of opera in the community and encouraging the next generation of singers.

  • Black Tie
Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy

At its annual gala, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties celebrated the work of Charles and Margery Barancik.

  • Black Tie
Kristin Morton, John Grady Burns, Pat Mudgett and Kellie Menke
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • November 21, 2025
Founders Garden Club welcomes celebrity floral designer to annual luncheon

John Grady Burns gave attendees of the club's annual Flower Talk a few tricks for creating a beautiful floral arrangement.

  • Black Tie
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Latest News

1
Ringling College names new president
  • January 24, 2026
Ringling College names new president
2
Dennis Rees and Felice Schulaner
  • January 23, 2026
Excitement grows at Sarasota Orchestra Gala for new music center
3
About $12,000 in small bills was seized as part of the investigation.
  • January 23, 2026
Investigators make cocaine-trafficking arrest near Sarasota park
4
  • January 23, 2026
Randall T. Clair (Randy)
5
Harry Ronald Northington (1939-2026)
  • January 23, 2026
Harry Ronald Northington

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