Each year, the destination for PBS station WEDU's annual Sojourn fund-raiser takes partygoers to an exotic location. This year, France was the setting for the gala and golden anniversary celebration on February 2 at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront hotel.
Laura Turner of WEDU and the gala committee drew inspiration from various locations and monumental moments from French history.
Upon entering the hotel, guests were greeted by models in 18th-century costumes reminiscent of the days of Marie Antoinette, while mimes-Ă la Marcel Marceau-gave them a laugh. During the cocktail hour, guests sipped citrus Chambord cocktails while they watched French artist Stephane-Alexandre Dani, from Caroline York World of Art, casually work on a Matisse-inspired painting.
In the main ballroom, guests were transported to a classic Parisian-style boudoir setting, complete with a dramatic color scheme of black, gold, and rouge. The team at conceptBAIT covered tables and chairs with spandex linens and draped the perimeter of the space with alternating colored fabric to achieve a bold black-and-white effect. Each table featured a short bust form with elaborate feather bustle details and a vignette of various flowers, including roses and orchids.Eventgoers dined on traditional French cuisine, with each of the four courses featuring an accompanying wine from various regions of France. Pomegranate-flavored duck with a pinot noir glaze and white-wine-poached pears were just two of the dishes featured on the menu created by chef Dominique Cristini of Café Largo and prepared by the hotel chef.
The entertainment for the evening featured a variety of performers from all of the arts, including the Brandon Ballet troupe, who looked as though they'd danced right out of a Degas painting. The evening finally concluded with an energetic dance-party atmosphere, courtesy of Breezin' Entertainment. Before leaving, each guest was given a festive feathered mask as a keepsake from the event.
Laura Turner of WEDU and the gala committee drew inspiration from various locations and monumental moments from French history.
Upon entering the hotel, guests were greeted by models in 18th-century costumes reminiscent of the days of Marie Antoinette, while mimes-Ă la Marcel Marceau-gave them a laugh. During the cocktail hour, guests sipped citrus Chambord cocktails while they watched French artist Stephane-Alexandre Dani, from Caroline York World of Art, casually work on a Matisse-inspired painting.
In the main ballroom, guests were transported to a classic Parisian-style boudoir setting, complete with a dramatic color scheme of black, gold, and rouge. The team at conceptBAIT covered tables and chairs with spandex linens and draped the perimeter of the space with alternating colored fabric to achieve a bold black-and-white effect. Each table featured a short bust form with elaborate feather bustle details and a vignette of various flowers, including roses and orchids.Eventgoers dined on traditional French cuisine, with each of the four courses featuring an accompanying wine from various regions of France. Pomegranate-flavored duck with a pinot noir glaze and white-wine-poached pears were just two of the dishes featured on the menu created by chef Dominique Cristini of Café Largo and prepared by the hotel chef.
The entertainment for the evening featured a variety of performers from all of the arts, including the Brandon Ballet troupe, who looked as though they'd danced right out of a Degas painting. The evening finally concluded with an energetic dance-party atmosphere, courtesy of Breezin' Entertainment. Before leaving, each guest was given a festive feathered mask as a keepsake from the event.
![Models in 18th-century costumes reminiscent of the days of Marie Antoinette greeted guests.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2008/02/e9822sojourn_1_and_standalone.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Models in 18th-century costumes reminiscent of the days of Marie Antoinette greeted guests.
Photography by Chanele
![Models in 18th-century costumes reminiscent of the days of Marie Antoinette greeted guests.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_1_and_standalone.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Models in 18th-century costumes reminiscent of the days of Marie Antoinette greeted guests.
Photography by Chanele
![At the cocktail reception, guests were sipped citrus Chambord cocktails.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
At the cocktail reception, guests were sipped citrus Chambord cocktails.
Photography by Chanele
![A French artist worked on a Matisse-inspired painting during the cocktail hour.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
A French artist worked on a Matisse-inspired painting during the cocktail hour.
Photography by Chanele
![Each table featured a series of bust forms with elaborate feather bustle details and a vignette of various flowers, including roses and orchids.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_4.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Each table featured a series of bust forms with elaborate feather bustle details and a vignette of various flowers, including roses and orchids.
Photography by Chanele
![Tables and chairs were clad in spandex-linens courtesy of conceptBAIT.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_5.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Tables and chairs were clad in spandex-linens courtesy of conceptBAIT.
Photography by Chanele
![Before leaving, guests were given festive feathered masks as keepsakes from the event.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_6.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Before leaving, guests were given festive feathered masks as keepsakes from the event.
Photography by Chanele
![In the main ballroom, guests were transported to a classic Parisian-style boudoir setting, complete with a dramatic color scheme of black, gold, and rouge.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_7.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
In the main ballroom, guests were transported to a classic Parisian-style boudoir setting, complete with a dramatic color scheme of black, gold, and rouge.
Photography by Chanele
![The entertainment for the evening featured a variety of performers from all of the arts, including a ballet troupe that looked as though they'd danced out of a Degas painting.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_8.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
The entertainment for the evening featured a variety of performers from all of the arts, including a ballet troupe that looked as though they'd danced out of a Degas painting.
Photography by Chanele
![An Eiffel Tower made out of rose petals and wire served as the centerpiece of the escort card table.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
An Eiffel Tower made out of rose petals and wire served as the centerpiece of the escort card table.
Photography by Chanele
![Friendly yet mischievous mimes gave arriving patrons a laugh.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e9822sojourn_10.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Friendly yet mischievous mimes gave arriving patrons a laugh.
Photography by Chanele