Romance filled the air at the Sarasota Ballet's opening-night gala, titled "A Love Affair", on November 30 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Iain Webb, the new artistic director for the ballet, welcomed guests and joined them in celebrating the start of a new era for the company.
Honorary chair and ballet co-founder Jean Weidner, along with co-chairs Lisa Walsh and Emily Walsh-Parry, turned to the premier performance of George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante and Sir Frederick Ashton's The Two Pigeons, for inspiration in creating the unconventional gala."We are creating a layered experience," said Walsh-Parry, "more of an extravaganza than the typical opening-night gala."
Michael's on East transformed the grand foyer overlooking Sarasota Bay into a whimsical aviary, complete with various shapes and sizes of gilded birdcages suspended above the dining area. The tables shimmered with silver and pewter linens; place settings with hints of lavender softened the harsh metallics. Ivy branches entwined with soft pink roses and lavender served as romantic, low-profile centerpieces for each table. A small bird's nest sat atop each place setting as a memento of the evening for guests to take home. For dinner, guests had a choice of entrée, including herb-rubbed chateau of beef with a cognac five-spice sauce.
Following the ballet performance, attendees found the grand foyer had been once again transformed, but this time into a high-energy after-party with a DJ and dancing. The metallic and lilac hues had been replaced by cocktail tables clad in tropical shades of orange and magenta. Guests, as well as 32 members of the Sarasota Ballet, took to the floor and danced the night away.
Honorary chair and ballet co-founder Jean Weidner, along with co-chairs Lisa Walsh and Emily Walsh-Parry, turned to the premier performance of George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante and Sir Frederick Ashton's The Two Pigeons, for inspiration in creating the unconventional gala."We are creating a layered experience," said Walsh-Parry, "more of an extravaganza than the typical opening-night gala."
Michael's on East transformed the grand foyer overlooking Sarasota Bay into a whimsical aviary, complete with various shapes and sizes of gilded birdcages suspended above the dining area. The tables shimmered with silver and pewter linens; place settings with hints of lavender softened the harsh metallics. Ivy branches entwined with soft pink roses and lavender served as romantic, low-profile centerpieces for each table. A small bird's nest sat atop each place setting as a memento of the evening for guests to take home. For dinner, guests had a choice of entrée, including herb-rubbed chateau of beef with a cognac five-spice sauce.
Following the ballet performance, attendees found the grand foyer had been once again transformed, but this time into a high-energy after-party with a DJ and dancing. The metallic and lilac hues had been replaced by cocktail tables clad in tropical shades of orange and magenta. Guests, as well as 32 members of the Sarasota Ballet, took to the floor and danced the night away.
The tables shimmered with silver and pewter linens; place settings with hints of lavender softened the metallic hues.
Chanele
The tables shimmered with silver and pewter linens; place settings with hints of lavender softened the metallic hues.
Chanele
A whimsical aviary was created using gilded birdcages suspended above the dining area.
Chanele
Ivy branches entwined with soft pink roses and lavender served as a romantic, low-profile centerpiece for each table.
Chanele
For the party following the ballet, Michael's on East transformed the grand foyer into a high-energy dance club.
Chanele
Ballet enthusiasts and guests mingled and danced the evening away at the Sarasota Ballet's opening night after-party.
Chanele
