FESTIVAL OF FASHIONS: Hillsborough Association for Retarded Citizens tried a new fundraiser this year - a fashion show with music and dancing from around the world staged by Georgette's of Old Hyde Park Village - to help the developmentally disabled reach their potential.
The 300 guests gave owner Georgette Diaz and daughters, Tasha and Tiara, a standing ovation after the lively tour de fashion, emceed by talk radio deejay Jack Harris Oct. 7 at the Hyatt Regency Tampa.
Slinky red evening gowns started a world tour to the tune, New York, New York. The hit song Bombay Dreams brought out belly dancers and pastel charmeuse slip dresses modeled by newscasters and Tampa Bay Buccaneer wives, including Cindy Gruden and Nikki Johnson. Dancers stomped to the Irish Lord of the Dance, preceding models in black pants and flirty sweaters. A Brazilian samba sent out fun Florida furs, and an Argentinian tango slid into black evening gowns. In all, more than 50 evening gowns graced the runway.
STRAUSS, MOZART AND SANDERLING: Mondays in Morsani started Oct. 4 with pasta and wine for 100-plus guests in a tent outside the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The reception came courtesy of arts patrons Suzette and Monroe Berkman and Gianpiero Ruggeri, owner of Pick of the Vine, who wanted to make the Florida Orchestra's 37th season opening night special.
More than 1,700 attended the first Monday night Masterworks concert, a great turnout considering the series has always been on Friday nights. Spotted in the crowd: Lee and Vic Leavengood, Karen and Marvin Solomon, Marilyn Mars and Tom Davidson along with dozens who bought last-minute $10 and $15.50 tickets.
Orchestra board chairman Jim Strenski welcomed the audience, mentioning that those wearing "I voted for the Orchestra" stickers had supported its recent mail fundraising campaign.
A few days later, the orchestra returned for a Super Pops concert Oct. 8, Songs my Mother Taught Me, featuring Lorna Luft, the daughter of Judy Garland. Despite technical difficulties, she moved the audience singing a duet with a video recording of her legendary mother. After the show, deglittered and wearing blue jeans, Luft and her husband, conductor Colin Freeman, chatted with about 350 members of Amadeus at Maestro's at TBPAC. Amadeus donors give $2,000 or more annually to the orchestra and are invited to meet guest artists at six concerts.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Best wishes to Constance McClintock who celebrated her 90th birthday by renewing her driver's license. Friends gathered at Malio's for a surprise dinner Oct. 6 planned by her daughter, Linda McClintock Greco, and son-in-law, former Mayor Dick Greco. Monsignor Laurence Higgins blessed her spunk and sparkle and longevity, then quietly left before a very revealing gift arrived and danced for the guest of honor.
ROLL THE CREDITS: Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival-goers celebrated 15 years of "heartwarming to heartbreaking" movies, said Friends of the Festival president Mariruth Kennedy at the VIP kickoff Oct. 7 at Tampa Theatre. About 200 movie buffs arrived early for a 1950s-theme party at TECO Plaza. Before the credits rolled at Straight Jacket, the first of 106 films to be shown, Mayor Pam Iorio told the crowd she hopes acceptance and openness continues to grow in Tampa.
WEATHER DELAYS: Four fundraisers fell victim to hurricanes in recent weeks, but all have been rescheduled.
Firefighters will cook chicken and ribs Saturday during the Fireman's Museum Barbecue to raise money to restore historic Old Station No. 1, at 720 Zack St.
Hurricane Jeanne forced Here for the Heroes, a joint fundraiser for Easter Seals and the Florida Orchestra, to move to Nov. 6 at Higgins Hall. The dinner and auction will honor four volunteers from each organization.
Taste of Asia, a benefit for the Tampa Children's Hospital Heart Center, will now be April 14 at A La Carte Pavilion because many of the participating restaurants were affected by the storms.
The Cultural Carousel Ball at the India Conference Center was postponed to Dec. 18. Some 1,200 tickets have been sold at $300 each, but more are available. Proceeds from the event hosted by the Patel Foundation for Global Understanding with JP Morgan Chase will be divided among 10 health, education, arts and cultural charities. In the works, a virtual auction of goodies running Nov. 10-Dec. 10 and a Holidays of Hope calendar by the Patel Foundation for each gala guest. To submit a photo for consideration in the calendar, e-mail Tgelston@global-understanding.org Deadline is Oct. 18.
STAY HOME AND SHOP, said Museum of Science and Industry's Debbie Sledge, who ran its Einstein Auction Online in September. Not even a hurricane could stop this "unevent," she said. Pictures of 58 items and services were scanned onto the Web site, including vacation packages, jewelry and autographed memorabilia. The auction raised $3,700, with no expenses for MOSI other than hiring a Web site designer and postage. "And for our supporters, no babysitters to pay or tuxedos to rent," Sledge said. Next year, she may add a "pick-up party" to avoid costs of mailing auction items.
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