BESTBets
Ruth Eckerd Hall Reopens
It will be a celebratory night when
Ruth Eckerd Hall holds its Grand
Reopening Premiere in Clearwater
on Friday, November 1st. The blacktie
optional, 1920s-themed fundraiser
will feature dinner, dancing and the
unveiling of the hall’s major makeover
that includes a six-times-larger Grand
Lobby, new live music locations at
the Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton
Cabaret Theatre with its Holt Family
Stage, a new two-story Dress Circle
member lounge and an expansive sixlane
entry. For tickets, call (727) 712-2752
or email chagner@rutheckerdhall.net.
Dancing with the Stars
42 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
BEOWULF SHEEHAN
The 10th annual Tampa Bay’s Dancing
with the Stars to benefit Julie Weintraub’s
Hands Across the Bay will be held at
TPepin Hospitality Centre in Tampa on
Saturday, October 5th. This fundraiser is
fashioned after the popular television show
and pairs local celebrities with professional
dancers to create an entertaining evening
for a good cause. It is produced by the
Gold & Diamond Source and sponsored
by PureLife Medi-Spa’s Dr. Joe and Elif
Fitzgerald. For more information, visit
handsacrossthebay.org.
Author and producer Michael Connelly will
receive an award from the Tampa Bay Businesses
for Culture & the Arts on October 10th.
2019 Impact
Awards
The Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture &
the Arts (TBBCA) will hold its annual Impact
Awards at Armature Works in Tampa on
October 10th. Since 1989, this benefit has
brought together business leaders from
throughout the Tampa Bay area to recognize
and celebrate businesses and individuals
for their exemplary contributions to and
in support of arts and culture. At this 30th
anniversary fundraiser, world renowned
author and film and television producer
Michael Connelly will receive one of this
year’s awards. To become a sponsor or
to attend, call TBBCA Executive Director
Susana Weymouth at (813) 221-2787, or visit
tbbca.org/getinvolved. 9
Rhonda Shear and her Chihuahua Chicky
Hooray for
Hollywoof
The SPCA Tampa Bay’s Fur Ball Gala
that is being chaired by celebrity Rhonda
Shear will combine the love of animals
with the golden age of Hollywood through
its “Hooray for Hollywoof” theme. The
fundraiser will be held on Saturday, October
12th at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg and
will feature dinner by Parkshore Grill,
music by The Black Honkeys, adoptable
pets and fabulous live and silent auctions.
Guests are encouraged to dress in “Old
Hollywood Glamour.” VIP tickets include
a cocktail party at the home of Rhonda
Shear and her husband Van Fagan prior
to the event. Visit spcatbfurball.com for
information and reservations.
MJ JOSEPH/JOSEPH PHOTOGRAPHY