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Amy Scherzer's diary

A world of help given

By AMY SCHERZER
Published April 7, 2006

Dance, music, food, ethnic fashion and conversation stirred a melting pot of partygoers at the Cultural Carousel Ball. For the second year, the Patel Foundation for Global Understanding picked 10 charities to reap the benefits of their resources.

"Form partnerships,'' chairman/founder Kiran Patel challenged 1,000-plus guests at the Tampa Convention Center on Saturday. He used individual instruments playing together as a band as an example. Through ticket sales and a matching donation, each charity received $20,000 from the foundation.

Speaking on behalf of recipient Heartbeat International, Ethiopian Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, grandson of Haile Selassie, seconded the call for compassion and communication.

The spectrum of sounds soared from across the globe, including Africa (Kuumba drummers and dancers), the Andes (Inca Son), India (dancer Amirtha Sastry and sitar player Doug Werner), Europe (McGinley Academy of Irish Dance), Australia (Didg Revolution) and the United States (New Orleans marching band). Hano and Tahitian Otea fire dancers burst into a grand finale.

Aramark admirably cooked up Indian, Italian, Cajun, Chinese and other cuisines, even Cuban sandwiches. Jacqueline and Kenny Conley of the International Bazaar in Ybor City organized a vendors' market of rugs, saris, slippers, toys, jewelry and more. Ten fiberglass "Patelephants,'' painted by selected local artists and sponsored by $10,000 patrons, artfully depicted every continent. You'll see the elephants around town.

Emcee Paul Wilborn auctioned off four items, including a golf trip to Hilton Head with Kiran Patel, hotel and airfare included. Tom Pepin and Henry Suarez dueled until the bid reached $15,000. Wait, said Pepin, "Can we both play and make it $30,000?" You should have seen the smiles on ball chairwoman Vonita Singh and executive director Sigrid Tidmore, who expect the event to make $100,000 for Patel Foundation projects around the world.

DETROIT TO DIXIE: Motown, Mozart and More detoured to Dixieland when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy jumped up to swing at the annual Florida Orchestra benefit March 31 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

True to the cause, Mozart's Symphony No. 36 came first. While 360 guests dined, associate conductor Susan Haig led the orchestra in a medley of Mozart, New Orleans jazz and My Fair Lady show tunes. Former mayor Dick Greco took over to auction seven items. Over the din, he heard Christine Elder's bid of $2,000 for a Pomeranian puppy, much to her husband Rob's dismay.

Then came the More part. The crowd danced to the Voodoo jive band many knew from the Vince Vaughn movie, Swingers.

Southtown Fever brought the Motown, playing all the Detroit classics at a patrons' party March 25 at Gary and Jill Meltzer's Davis Islands home. Also that night, Laura and Matt Bryant were top bidders at $6,000 for a trip to Burgundy, France.

MoMoMo co-chairs Sandy and Floyd Juster and Natalie and Steve Cheeseman expect the benefit to raise $70,000 for the orchestra's 18 education programs.

TROPICAL TREATS: Shorts, scrubs, muumuus and wild prints made "R & R Hawaii'' a casual MASH Bash at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel on Saturday. Like the many military guests, honorary co-chairs Cindy and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden enjoyed being out of uniform and the usual black-tie.

A highlight of the sixth annual American Red Cross benefit was a salute to Van McNeel, life board member of the Tampa chapter, from SOCom commander Army Gen. Bryan "Doug" Brown and other servicemen. They presented him with four military coins in appreciation of his sponsoring their presence at every MASH Bash.

Hawaiian dancers showed Martha Vaughn, Julie Hytoff and others how to hula in a grass skirt. Emcee Al Ruchel of BayNews 9, in a grass skirt himself, called an impromptu auction when Coach Gruden agreed to autograph a football. That and $50 chances to win a diamond (congratulations to winner Bill Gillen) will go to disaster relief and community programs.

BLUE JEANS OPERA: Yee haw! Tuxedos topped blue jeans and boots, and cactus and calico topped burlap tablecloths at the Journey to the Old West gala dinner before opening night of Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West. Desserts followed in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center tent March 31.

Just before the curtain rose on Act III, Eva Skibicki won the raffle for a San Francisco package, which includes airfare, hotel, opera tickets, and dinner at Roy's. Lucky Stefanie Harder bought the $20 glass of champagne holding a 1-carat diamond donated by Continental Jewelry.

Proceeds from the two-evening fete, about $10,000, will further opera development in Tampa. On March 30, Maestro Anton Coppolo, 89, joined TBPAC president Judy Lisi to give patrons a backstage tour.

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.

[Last modified April 6, 2006, 14:18:26]