Gala Gold

What a year! The real estate bust, a global financial crisis and hedge funds crashing all around us. But Sarasota kept on partying, and though some fund raisers bit the dust and more than one auction faltered, many were better than ever.

And that’s thanks to the indefatigable spirit of Sarasota’s volunteers and not-for-profit leaders, who rose to the occasion and pulled off one unforgettable event after another. Many managed to keep costs lower than ever before but to raise the fun level to new heights.

For such grace under pressure, the movers and shakers behind this season’s galas deserve some extra-special recognition. So we assembled a group of inveterate gala-goers, from serial chairwomen to gossip columnists, and looked back at the 2008-2009 social season. It wasn’t easy—and the decibel levels in our conference room occasionally reached record heights—but our passionate panel finally agreed on the people and parties that rose to the top this year. We salute them all, the winners of our first-ever Gala Golds.

(Special thanks to our panel, including Veronica Brady, Leslie Glass, Nora Johnson, Matt Orr, Cliff Roles, Sally Schule and Jocelyn Stevens.)

Best Theme: At Selby Gardens’ Orchid Ball, “Out of Africa” was the pitch-perfect theme, from the vintage Land Rovers that doubled as champagne stations to the African drummers and dancers who greeted party-goers on the Great Lawn. We loved the elegant safari feel of the tent with its raffia chairs and vivid orange and purple heliconia centerpieces, and everyone thrilled to the mysterious trumpeting of elephants that echoed off the garden pathways.

Best Guy Event: Many a male heart pitter-pattered over the Ferraris and Exotics weekend in February that benefited the Child Protection Center. First, a cool Friday night party amid exotic cars and flashy jets at the Rectrix Aerodrome Center. On Saturday, traffic was backed up from the Ringling Causeway all the way to Selby Gardens as folks flocked to St. Armands to ogle more than 80 sports cars. And Sunday saw a road rally that ended at the Ritz-Carlton golf club. It will roar back this February under a new name—the Sarasota Exotic Car Fest.

Best Chair to Watch: Every few years, everybody laments that there’s no one young and wonderful to join the ranks of Sarasota’s established super-chairs, but somehow a rising star always comes along. This year it was Kyla Weiner, 28, a SunTrust marketing executive. Bright and enthusiastic, she chaired or co-chaired several high-profile—and highly successful—events this season, including Dog's Night Out for the Humane Society and the Junior League child advocacy luncheon.

Best Entertainment: The Sarasota Orchestra celebrated its 60th anniversary with a parade of thrills. The Fire and Ice gala began with an ultra-elegant dinner at the Hyatt. Then everybody strolled over to the Van Wezel for the world premiere of a work by young Sarasota-bred composer Roger Zare and then a tour de force by violin virtuoso Karen Gomyo. Next the full orchestra played while circus acts performed. The evening ended in a blaze of glory with the 1812 Overture and fireworks across the bay.   

Best Catering Staff: When an event chair walks into the party and sees Tracy McCammack and Henry Alberico—Phil Mancini’s fantastic catering chiefs—she always heaves a sigh of relief. Henry has been to more parties than anyone in Sarasota, and is the soul of discretion. And nothing—and we mean nothing—is ever a problem for Tracy, composed and cheerful and usually wearing a vintage brooch from her collection.

Best Band: Jazz and R&B belter Kat Williams brought her band to the Asolo Rep’s 50th anniversary party in February and showed everybody why she soared last year on NBC-TV’s America’s Got Talent. Even party-goers who never dance were up on their feet.

Best Party to Spot Celebrities: Sports broadcaster Dick Vitale’s springtime gala dedicated to raising funds to fight cancer, which felled his late friend, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, always attracts an A-list of athletes, especially basketball stars. At this year’s event, which raised $1.1 million, Louisville b-ball coach Rick Pitino and UF’s Billy Donovan were the special guests.