The Buzz: Secret password required for The Dapper Ball at Alchemy Spirits & Concoctions

Where to go when you want to be in the know.

Welcome to The Buzz, Tallahassee Magazine’s column created to share who’s where and what they’re doing. While we try to flit around with all of Tallahassee’s social butterflies, the Buzz can’t be everywhere. Send the skinny on your next soiree to buzz@tallahasseemagazine.com.

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Tallahassee’s glitterati were out in full force at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare’s Golden Gala event, held May 1 at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. Musical guest Maroon 5 made this one of the hottest entertainment tickets of the year; guests also enjoyed free-flowing cocktails before an extraordinary dinner amidst a fully-transformed exhibit hall space, where event planner John Gandy completely transformed the space with plenty of fragrant flowers, white sheathes of airy fabric and festive twinkling lights. However, the true talk of the evening revolved around the Oscar-worthy fashion adorning many of the ladies, from sexy, sophisticated cocktail dresses to floor-length evening gowns worthy of a red carpet. Following dinner, the band rocked the crowd for two complete sets, delighting the audience with some of its biggest hits, including “Moves Like Jagger” and their current smash single “Daylight.” Among those working the crowd were City Commissioner Andrew and R. Jai Gillum, TMH CEO and President Mark O’Bryant, TMH Foundation CEO and President Paula Fortunas, Drs. Michael Forsthoefel and Jana Bures-Forsthoefel, Blythe Waters Newsome, David Campbell, Dr. Shawn Ramsey, Centennial Bank Tallahassee Market President Matt Brown, Khanty Xayabouth, Monica Corbett and Dr. Joe Camp. Also spotted in the crowd were Dr. Larry and Connie Harper, Dr. Ken Kato and Nan Nagy and Dr. Lou and Calynne Hill (she was wearing a maroon net dress — in honor of the entertainment — custom-made by Caroline Heidenreich’s Mae Couture).

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On April 13, friends and family gathered to celebrate the engagement of Brittany Allen and Bradley Jackson at the lakeside home of longtime friend and Florida Lottery Secretary Cindy O’Connell. Co-hosts included the groom-to-be’s parents, Erwin and Stefanie Jackson as well as his grandmother, Charlotte Weaver of Boynton Beach. Bradley’s brother and best man, Brian Jackson, made the trip from Tampa to attend the event. Representing the Allens were Brittany’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Allen and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Pfeiffer and Mrs. Laris Allen of Tallahassee. Other guests included Brittany’s brother, Colby Allen, and her maid of honor, Denise Frolich. Guests enjoyed a cocktail dinner buffet and acoustic guitar music, and the evening culminated in a grand fireworks show over the lake. 

Brittany and Bradley met in the fall of 2003 during a Springtime Tallahassee Belles & Gents party when he was a senior at Lincoln and she was a sophomore at Chiles. Bradley became the 2004 Mr. Springtime Tallahassee and in 2006, Brittany became Miss Springtime Tallahassee. The July 6th wedding will make history, as their union will mark the first time a Mr. Springtime and Miss Springtime will become man and wife!

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With a whisper of the secret password, guests were admitted to The Dapper Ball at Alchemy Spirits & Concoctions and transported to an era gone by with a lavish affair reminiscent of the infamous parties we read about in “The Great Gatsby.” Attendees got in the Roaring ’20s mood with a screening of the 1974 film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic as well as live Big Band entertainment and a burlesque show. Erin and Rachel taught partygoers the finer points of the Charleston when they weren’t performing in several naughty costumes they handcrafted for the event. Also handcrafted were the cocktails, including one of the night’s most popular, The Clover Club, made with gin, dry vermouth, lemon juice, turbinado syrup, fresh raspberries and egg whites. Festively attired attendees included Dayne Catalano, Randy Esponda, Alexandra Allen, Martina Zango, Steve Leacock, Brian Walker, Jenn Wells, Matt Shields, Martina Zango, Adrianna Juran, Shelby Berson and Marsha Nix. Ginna Raymer of Sage Restaurant served up pastries while the guys and dolls were kept well lubricated by Alchemists Joey Viola, Kevin Emmanuel, Patrick Caine Ake, Dennis Mason, Michael Pelt, Nathaniel Compton and Evan Bown.

Alchemy also hosted a scotch and food pairing night. Among those enjoying the event were Guyte and Beverly McCord and Tim and Carol Edmond.

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On April 4, the LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts was the site of a special book signing and reception honoring the Father of American Opera (and Tallahassee’s own) Carlisle Floyd. In addition to culinary delights and edible art, Floyd and his biographer, Thomas Holliday, signed copies of the book, “Falling Up.” Guests were treated to Floyd’s music, readings from the book and a Q&A session with the composer. Among those attending were Sallie Ausley, Lina Knox, Terrie and Bobby Brooks, Dick Puckett, Shems and Eric Hamilton, Ken and Kathleen McDermott, Norma and Lenny Maestrogiacomo, Ann and Greg Choppin, Carla Connors and Mart Hill.

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Goodwood Museum and Gardens’ Carriage House was the place to be April 10, when the book “Coco Chanel:The Legend and the Life” by Justine Picardie was reviewed by Dr. Susan Fiorito. Attending were Anne Rowe, Mary Anne Moore and Almena Pettit. Eleanor Connan spoke about her years of experience working for Chanel and shared her vast collection of Chanel clothing and accessories. Modeling some of her gorgeous couture clothing were Anne Jolley Byrd, Desiree Dunn, Cay Ford, Jackie Harvey, Hunter Heuchan and Paula Smith.

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Comedian Jeff Foxworthy — of “you might be a redneck fame” — came to Tallahassee and raised $220,000 for the Kidz1st Fund at a private fundraiser hosted by Hale’s Place Plantation. Kidz1st is the charity started by Florida State Head Football Coach Jimbo and Candi Fisher to support Fanconi Anemia research, the rare disease that affects their son, Ethan. The guest list included Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback and FSU great Christian Ponder, Dustin Hopkins, Carrie and Curtis Zimmerman, Devoe and Shirley Moore, Coach Mike and Carol Martin, Jim and Carole Smith, Les and Ruth Akers, Bill and Cherie Hodges, David Ramba, Andy Haggard, Randy and Becky Spetman, Chuck and Ann Roberts and many members of the FSU coaching staff.

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Josie Gustafson enjoyed a long “girls’ weekend” to celebrate her birthday at Alys Beach. Enjoying the fun times were Bri Smith, Terra Palmer, Brady Thompson, Elizabeth Hightower, Autumn Mayfield, Heidi Valveri and Sara Merrill.

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Tallahassee Police officers traded uniforms for dressy evening attire May 11 when they were honored at the 2013 Police Ball, presented by the Tallahassee Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association’s (TCPAAA). This year’s event, chaired by Kristine Lamont, was held at the University Center Club, with Lt. James Fairfield as emcee. TPD Chief Dennis Jones and TCPAAA President Erik Sayler, joined in to recognize three outstanding officers.

Officer David Aldridge, Patrol Field Training, was named 2013 Officer of the Year. Finalists were Investigator Sonya Bush, Criminal Investigations and Investigator Brianne Shaut, Special Investigations.

The Tallahassee Democrat, Capital City Bank, FSU Credit Union, Redwire, Star & Shield Services, LLC, Bank of America, Dr. David Bellamy of TOC and Durra-Quick Printing all helped underwrite the annual event, along with numerous in-kind donors.

Those enjoying the celebration, along with officers and their families, included Tallahassee’s City Manager Anita Favors-Thompson and Larry Thompson, Commissioner Nancy Miller and John Bus, Commissioner Gil Ziffer and Gail Stansberry-Ziffer, former Second Circuit Court Judge Josefina Tamayo, Roxy and Scott O’Brien, Dr. Patrick and Kathy Cook, Rick Minor and Jessica Lowe-Minor, Jeannie Booth and Mark Wallheiser, Wayne and Sandra Poppell, Jana Sayler, Cathy Kohnke, former City commissioner John Paul Bailey and past School Board member Donna Harper.

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Area breast cancer survivors were celebrated at the Second Annual Rock the Pink LipSync, held at the American Legion Hall on April 21. The event netted $7,000 to benefit the Tallahassee Memorial Sharon Ewing Walker Breast Health Center, represented by TMH Foundation President/CEO and Janet Borneman. A team of volunteers treated guests to a colorful lineup of performances and silent auction. Attendees enjoyed a light dinner, donated by Little Caesars Pizza and Refreshment Services Pepsi. Guests also nibbled on a variety of sweets donated by local businesses.

Rocking the stage were the Chrome Divas, Elizabeth Mack, Seminole Women’s Rugby Club, Noah Kant-Rauch, Pam and Onbrea Maldonado, TMH Foundation Rockettes (Flecia McCoy, Judi Taber, Latonya Townsend and Brianna Negrete), the Jewcy Girls (Stefanie Posner and Heather Kufert), Temple Israel’s Junior Youth Group, Women’s Belly Dance Center, Julia Banfill, Emily Fenton, Miranda Vanderberg, Rocky Hanna and City Commissioner Gil Ziffer and the Ziffettes (Colette Washington, Joanne Suggs, Laurie Hartsfield, Gail Stansberry-Ziffer and Raoul Lavin).

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Spring was in its full glory on the evening of April 26 for the Second Annual Pay-it-Forward Fish Fry to benefit the Big Bend Homeless Coalition’s HOPE Community and Home Front for Veterans programs. Kleman Plaza was the perfect setting for the sold-out event that featured a scrumptious dinner prepared, and fully underwritten, by presenting sponsor 101 Restaurant and Lounge. Board members helped serve guests along with the 101 staff. Local bands American Honey, Wanderfoot and the Sarah Mac Band entertained throughout the beautiful evening.

Among the hundreds of folks enjoying the beautiful evening were Virginia Glass, Nan O’Kelley, State Rep. Alan Williams, City Commissioner Andrew Gillum, County Commissioners Nick Maddox and John Dailey, Dr. David Kahn and family, Torrio Osborne, Kristen Black, Kanty Xayabouth, Yolanda Fairell, Elizabeth Mack, Eduardo Marti Kring and BBHC Director Susan Pourciau.

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Sunny skies and a cool breeze provided the perfect backdrop for the 19th Annual Tour of Gardens, presented by the Friends of Maclay Gardens, Inc. On May 16, tour co-chairs Jennifer Humayun and Stephanie Wilfong and a team of volunteers hosted a thank-you reception at the charming Gardener’s Cottage in Maclay Gardens for the couples who opened their gardens to the public. On Saturday, May 18, the tour began with a continental breakfast, silent auction and plant sale at Maclay Gardens. Then it was off to the self-paced tour of eight unique gardens spread around the community. 

More than 50 volunteers and Gardens staff coordinated the benefit and assisted as educational resources. Thirty-two Master Gardeners were stationed in each garden along the tour to assist the homeowners and public by providing helpful tips and insights.

Gardeners who opened their private gardens were Carol and Marc Fisher, Carolyn and Dean Dandria, Rick and Michele Buchanan, Deborah Lawson, John and Libby Penrod, Scott and Candy Strand, Mary Doug and Bob Wilgus, Gil Ziffer and Gail Stansberry-Ziffer.