Orchid Ball

Saturday, Feb. 11, at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | Benefiting Marie Selby Botanical Gardens by

BLACK TIE & TALES HARRY SAYER

Thunder By The Bay Rocks The Runway

It’s deep in the spring season, which means the annual Thunder By The Bay music and motorcycle festival is around the corner.

In non-stop preparation mode for that big event, Lucy Nicandri and Suncoast Charities for Children have been busy with a number of prefestival events, including a tequila tasting and a sporting clay tournament.

The organization switched gears to an elegant place Feb. 10, with its annual Rocks The Runway fashion show at Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

More than 40 models wearing outfits from Adrenaline Harley-Davidson and Darci took to the runway to raise funds for Suncoast Charities for Children’s programs providing financial support for local nonprofits.

The Thunder By The Bay festival kicks off Feb. 17.

Going Met

The Pine View School brought some elegance to its Pinnacle Gala fundraiser with a “Met Gala” theme at the Art Ovation Hotel on Feb. 11.

The annual volunteer-run event showcased a number of student-led segments, including a student runway show, an auction with student artwork, music from the high school jazz band and photos of guests from the school’s photography club.

A Night to Shine

The Church of the Redeemer recently hosted a prom experience for people with special needs during it’s first Night to Shine event in downtown Sarasota on Feb. 10.

The event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow foundation, had more than 200 adult and youth volunteers laying out the red carpet for 64 guests with special needs. Night To Shine is held by various groups across the country each year.

Guests arrived at the church with their parents and caregivers to the cheers of volunteers, where they had their hair done and shoes shined.

The night included dancing, karaoke, ice cream from Rise and Nye’s and words from Sarasota Mayor Kyle Battie and Sarasota Commissioner Erik Arroyo.

Dressed to the Nines or call the Sarasota Opera box office at (941) 328-1300.

For anyone who has stopped by one of Marie Selby Botanical Garden’s many programs initiatives, they likely have met with Manager of Visitor Engagement Ross Johnston.

Johnston brings energy to just about everything he does — including dressing as an old-timey sailor for Selby’s boat tours — and he knew he’d have to keep that spirit alive at the Orchid Ball on Feb. 11.

This year’s event had a Gilded Age theme, and Johnston went all out with an old-school tuxedo, complete with a top hat and a Tiffany glassinspired bow tie.

Johnston had fun with Walter Gilbert, vice president for diversity and inclusion, in meeting guests and posing for photos.