Moulin Rouge to Monet. Cannes to the Cancan.

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-à 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.