The Sarasota Opera kicked off its 2015 Winter Festival with “A Wedding to Remember,” this year’s Gala dinner and dance
benefit. The elegant evening used Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro as its inspiration for the glorious décor with beautiful wedding
cakes. The Opera Company’s principal artists, soprano Michelle Johnson, baritone Marco Nisticò and tenor Jonathan Burton, sang
selections from Figaro, Aida and Turandot.
Don Worthington, the former chair of the
Sarasota Opera, and his wife Rachael have a
great love for this art form and are major
donors to the Sarasota Opera.
Former Metropolitan Opera General Manager Joseph
Volpe and his wife Jean were welcomed to the Gala by
Richard Russell, the executive director of the Sarasota
Opera.
Carol Brualdi, the chair of the Gala, and her
husband Les are major supporters of the
Sarasota Opera and its programs.
Photography by Brian James Gallery and Eyedream Studio
For the fifth year in a row, the Clearwater Free Clinic’s Martinis and Matisse fundraiser was a sold-out success. Close to 800
people admired the over 120 donated works of art in the Chinese Raffle, while they sipped martinis and sampled specialties from
local restaurants that included the Bay Star Group, Clear Sky Beachside Cafe, E&E Stakeout Grill, Guppy’s, Nauti-Nancy’s, Pensare
Italian Bistro and Villa Bellini. This 12th annual benefit, which was held at the Frank Crum Building in downtown Clearwater,
provides approximately 20% of the Clearwater Free Clinic’s yearly operating budget according to Executive Director Jeannie
Shapiro. The Clinic delivers comprehensive medical care to uninsured families through volunteerism and community partnerships.
Board member Susan Murbach, who chaired the
event, enjoyed chatting with Diane Marsters and her
husband Rand, who created the benefit’s invitation
art.
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Social Seens... Photography by Cliff Roles
Sarasota Opera Gala
Martinis and Matisse
Board member Kiersten Finchum thanked honorary
chair Betty Jo Andrews and this year’s featured artist
Quierolo Martini for their help in making the event
a success.
Steve Heller and his wife Cyndi, a
Clearwater Free Clinic board member
as well as a committee member, enjoyed
seeing friends and art during the benefit.
MARCH/APRIL 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 185