Flavors of the South
By AMY SCHERZER
Published February 10, 2006
Culture, passion, rhythm. Those words evoke the mission of WEDU, Florida's largest public broadcasting station, as well as the people of Argentina and Chile, the two countries honored at Sojourn on Saturday.
South American food, wine, art and music lured 300 guests to the black-tie benefit at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza. Chile and Argentina's ambassadors to the United States accepted WEDU's invitation to Sojourn, but neither attended. One canceled for medical reasons; the other was called back to Chile.
Orquesta Infinidad started as a Latin trio during cocktails and a silent auction. Eight musicians joined them to make up a lively 11-piece dance orchestra. Capoeira Brazilian Pelourinho of Orlando performed three amazing dances.
Argentinian filet of beef and South American red snapper were paired with wines from the two countries, donated by Premier Beverage. The company's representatives had so much fun they want to sponsor Sojourn 2007. Billington Imports founder Alfredo Bartholomaus barely stopped dancing long enough to talk about the wines he imported.
ConceptBAIT chose blush roses and dusky desert hues for the linens on long feasting tables. At each seat was an ocarina flute from the Andes.
Special events like these reflect the diverse programming and viewers of WEDU, said chief executive officer Dick Lobo.
Monroe and Suzette Berkman, the Tampa Chamber of Commerce's 2005 Arts and Cultural Philanthropists of the Year, co-chaired the $175-ticket dinner and expect to raise more than $40,000.
SAVE UP: Tickets are $1,000 to WEDU's exclusive (no kidding!) wine tasting Feb. 18 at West Palm Wines in Ybor City. Patrons will taste a dozen fine Bordeaux.
THIRSTY MINDS soaked up all kinds of knowledge at Einstein on Wine on Saturday, the 11th annual tasting benefit for the Museum of Science and Industry. Some 1,500 guests perched on exhibits, steps, anywhere they found a spot to sip and sample from 80 vintners and restaurants such as Cafe DuFrain, Splash!, Byblos Cafe, Carrabba's, Front Porch Grille, Melting Pot, NOLA Cafe, Rattle Fish Raw Bar and Grill, Panera Bread, Shells, TC Choy's Asian Bistro and Mike's Pies.
Silent auction tables filled the lobby. Wholly Cats rocked the second floor where many ingenious guests found room to dance between buffets. In the third floor VIP lounge, starting an hour early, sponsors tasted premium beer from Busch Gardens' Brewmasters' Club.
Few except for MOSI board member Lori Stemm heeded the Roarin' '20s theme. She brought six feather boa-wrapped pals: Kim Magnuson, Angela Howe, Valerie Harley, Ulrike Rolinitis, Marilyn Burrows and Melinda Brazel.
Be Enthusiastic About MOSI, known as BEAM, and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, the event sponsors, expect the event to net about $75,000 for educational programs.
Members paid $50; nonmembers paid $60, in advance. About 300 guests paid an extra $10 to tour "Bodies, The Exhibition." To my surprise, the dozen viewers I asked said it didn't affect their appetite at all.
NICE TO SEE such a big crowd at the patrons' opening of "Wild Things, The Art of Maurice Sendak" at the Tampa Museum of Art on Feb. 2. Those 350 guests should start a buzz about the artist/author of Where the Wild Things Are and the joyous In the Night Kitchen. At age 8 or 80, you'll be fascinated by Sendak's stories and imaginative illustrations. (Art after Dark offers a gallery tour Thursday.)
Cookie and Booky Buchman previewed the exhibit with grandkids Amy and Zach Roher. Richard and Leslie Stein took time after their visit for Valentine shopping in the museum store.
See Sendak before it leaves April 23.
PINK IS THE NEW BLACK: Five years ago, Tampa Palms Women's Golf Association sponsored a tournament to raise money for breast cancer patients. Organizers added a dinner, the Pink and Black Gala, to benefit all American Cancer Society's patient services.
These include babysitters, wigs and transportation to chemotherapy sessions, said co-chairwoman Stanley Reahard. She and Micki Shea organized the Jan. 29 gala and Jan. 30 tourney at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club. Together, the events brought in nearly $45,000.
"We had 100 golfers slogging through the rain for the cause," Reahard said.
Pink and black prevailed at the gala, from the rose centerpieces to the black tablecloths. Some guys wore tuxedos with pink golf shirts; women pinned pink bows to their little black dresses.
The Toast of Tampa show chorus entertained, the women dressed in sparkly black with pink ribbons. Director Joe Connelly sang out as auctioneer.
Reahard couldn't believe it when 7-foot-4 retired NBA player Dwayne Schintzius reached high over his head and drew her name in the 50-50 raffle. Shocked, she added her half, $850, to the American Cancer Society's half.
APOLOGIES TO USF professor Hiba Hechiche for misspelling his name and to Herbert Carrington for misstating his age last week. He is only 107.
- To pass along tips to Amy Scherzer, blog her at www.sptimes.com/party where you'll find more pictures, events and links, or call 226-3332.
DATEBOOKMONDAY: Florida State Fair annual Governor's Luncheon; noon; Charles M. Davis Special Events Center; $20; 621-7821, ext. 216.
MONDAY: Florida Orchestra Guild Soiree; 7:30 p.m.; South Tampa home of Toni Everett; $45 or $75; 948-1009.
TUESDAY: Fourth annual Valentine's Day gala benefits Tampa Garden Club; 7-10 p.m.; Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd.; $50; 251-5059 or go to www.tampagardenclub.com
FEB 17: League of Women Voters luncheon honors Helen Gordon Davis with Lifetime Achievement Award; 11:45 a.m.; Centre Club; $35; 831-9774.
FEB. 17: Mad Hatter's Ball benefits Florida Blood Services; black-tie; 6:30 p.m.; St. Pete Coliseum; $175; 727-568-5433, ext. 2536.
FEB. 24: Fourth annual All-Star Charity Gala benefits DeBartolo Family Foundation; 6:30 p.m.; A La Carte Event Pavilion; $250; 964-8302, ext. 1046.
FEB. 27: LAMPLighters Luncheon of Light; fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue; 11 a.m.; Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay; $75 to benefit Joshua House and Metropolitan Ministries; 250-3737.