BLACK TIE PALM BALL

Swordplay & silliness

Saturday, Feb. 4, at Bay Preserve at Osprey | Benefiting Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast

The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast brought wild color and energy to the Bay Preserve at Osprey during its annual Palm Ball on Feb. 4.

This year’s event had a “Call of the Wild” theme and boasted plenty of decor and color to match. The interior of the tented event space had a wild green aesthetic that played up the natural energy of Southwest Florida.

Guests dressed up in dazzling clothes to match and spent a lengthy cocktail hour at the preserve mingling and enjoying light bites and drinks near outdoor heaters.

Eventually, though, it was time for the program to start and guests took to their seats. There they heard from Conservation Foundation figures on the importance of the organization’s programs protecting land and water in Southwest Florida.

After food and been served, guests took part in a paddle raise for a number of nature-themed experiences, including a sunrise kayak and brunch, dinner at the Burrows-Matson house at the Bay Preserve and more.

The night finished with dessert and dancing.

— HARRY SAYER

BLACK TIE & TALES HARRY SAYER

Project PRIDE SRQ donor party

Project PRIDE SRQ has had something of a busy year.

That involved merging with the Sarasota Pride organization, donating more than $102,000 to local organizations and helping organize a Say Gay emergency rally at the Ringling Bridge in early February.

It’s been a lot of work and activity, and Project PRIDE staff recently thanked its many donors and supporters with its first appreciation party on Feb. 4.

More than 150 Project Pride supporters met at the Benderson Family Finish Tower at Nathan Benderson Park, where they sipped on drinks and enjoyed light bites.

The audience heard from new President Jason Champion, as well as representatives from other Sarasota organizations Project PRIDE has supported, including ALSO Youth, SRQ Kickball, Second Chance Last Opportunity and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

Project PRIDE’s upcoming events include supporting a transgender memorial garden dedication at the Church of the Trinity MCC on March 5, joining a Manatee Pride Parade in Bradenton on March 11 and being part of a 99 Bottles give-back night on March 12.

New RCLA lecture series, new RCLA executive director

It’s a new year, and that means a new slate of celebrity and influential figures speaking at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall as part of the Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall lecture series.

But there’s also new leadership handling the series as well. After Stephanie Grosskreutz’s retirement from RCLA in early December, Lauren Kurnov has stepped up to serve as the organization’s newest executive director. It wouldn’t be a new season without some curveballs, of course. While the series’ opening lecture was meant for 2021 Nobel Prize win- ner Maria Ressa, that was changed to inviting Carlos Alvardo Quesada, the 48th president of Costa Rica, to the Van Wezel on Jan. 17.

Kurnov introduced the political and climate change figure on stage and felt like the event went well.

“There’s always nerves when it’s your first time doing something, but I was excited,” Kurnov said.

Quesada spoke to his climate policies and programs pursuing sustainable energy while in office.

Fittingly, President Christine Johnson of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast served as moderator and spoke with Quesada on a number of ecological issues.

“We realized we didn’t have another speaker in the series that was a climate change policy expert,” Kurnov said.

Kurnov notes future lecture events will see additional community experts serving as guest moderators to bring more knowledge to the Q&A discussions.

“We want to strengthen the community connection,” Kurnov said. “We want the program to have deeper relevance to our community.”

Following the Michael Phelps lecture series event that was held on Feb. 6, the next event in the series will feature Admiral James Starvridis on Feb. 27.

Paul Seed, Startech.com

Jim and Susan Travers

PRESENTING