The Buzz: Changes are afoot for Theatre Tallahassee

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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The Tallahassee Women’s Club was abuzz on the last day in May as nearly 200 (mostly) women bid on hundreds of new and gently used purses, jewelry and accessories at the inaugural Kitty Glitter silent auction event, the Leon County Humane Society’s signature fundraiser in 2014.

A trio of superhero kittens were on hand as LCHS ambassadors as well as a group of tiny “Dorky” puppies — that’s an adorable combination of dachshund and yorkie. Theresa Teeter and Cynthia Cowen donated their time to provide seated massages, and Tristin Kroening kept things lively at the photo booth. Ron Sachs and Gaye Webster Sachs, and Rick Oppenheim and Stefanie Graves were early arrivals, able to get a first look at the goods — and the edible goodies donated by Treva Pasquarelli of Treva’s Pastries & Fine Food, Keith Baxter of Kool Beanz, Bella Bella, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill and Buca deBeppo.

Among those perusing (and buying!) the purses were Jane Marks, Tracey Van Hook, McKenzie Burleigh, Linda Kleindienst, Jillian Fry, Kerri Bryan, Ana Stolica, Chay Baxley and Sean Hughes, Drew Westling, Rebecca Summerall, Audrey Bevin, Cindy Briley and Kelly Dozier.

Emcees for the event were event chair Rosanne Dunkelberger and WCTV personality Winnie Wright. In addition, LCHS Executive Director Abby Ouimet, Community Engagement Coordinator Michelle Manzer and Communications Designer and Technologist Rachel Williams were essential to the success of this “fur-raising” event.

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It was a week of fetes for the Gwynn/Hamby household. On Wednesday, June 11, friends gathered to listen as William Shelley “Billy” Gwynn read from his new novel “Yehuda’s Revege” and signed books at a reception held at the Hays-Hood house. Two days later, many of the same friends gathered to give a champagne toast to his wife, Quincie Hamby, to celebrate her birthday. Those who made it to both events include Marsha Cantrell, Barbara DeVane, Susan and Mark Baldino, Donna Tornillo, Ruth Lyle, Portia Roberts and Anne Peery. 

Hamby’s sister, Barbara Hamby, opened her Woodland Drives home to Quincie’s friends, including Beverly Frick, Karen Woodall, Kamila Kavka, Pat Stephens and Mechele Conklin. Quincie will be getting her birthday wish after blowing out all of the curlicue candles on a large (and delicious) coconut cake, a feat she credited to “yoga breathing.”

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Changes are afoot for Theatre Tallahassee — which already changed its name from Tallahassee Little Theatre — and the 60-year-old company invited loyal supporters to a special party June 17 to unveil its $1.5-million plans for the future. Michelle Nickens created a sparkly, glamorous table of hors d’oeuvres, while husband Kevin poured classic martinis and Old Fashioneds for guests. Board member Beth and Curt Blair and Lenior Brewer greeted people at the door, including Sen. Bill Montford, County Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley, newly appointed COCA director Dr. Audra Pittman, Dr. Charlotte Maguire, Nate Harris, Ty Wold, Bill and Dottie Lee, Russ and Carol Daws, Heinz and Johnnye Luebkemann and Barbara Judd. The group adjourned to the newly remodeled theater to hear short talks on Theatre Tallahassee’s history and plans to create a second theater space and other improvements by board President Kevin Doar and Executive Director Theresa Davis and Artistic Director Brian Davis. They were also treated to a scene from the theater’s current production, “Harvey.”

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People would pay good money to see well-known men in the community parading about, strapped with comically large baby bumps — or, at least that’s what the folks over at the March of Dimes are banking on. Men in Labor, now in its 12th year, kicked off at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Pavilion on June 18. This year’s “dads-to-be” are Brian Welch, Paul Franklin, Salil Shah and Terry Womble. Also in attendance and coordinating the event were Lanisha Wetherington, Jocelyn Givens, Bill Hambsh and TMH’s Vice President/Chief Communications Officer Warren Jones. As part of the participants’ commitment, each has been asked to raise a $1,000 over the course of the summer to aid in the March of Dimes mission for healthy babies. If they meet their goal, they’ll be treated to a free “post-postpartum” golf tournament on Sept. 29 at SouthWood Golf Club. Good luck “dads!”

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Art lovers enjoyed an evening of spirited bidding at Artopia, the live and silent auction event benefiting Big Bend Cares, held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on June 21. VIP ticket holders were able to preview all the art and start the bidding an hour before the rest of the guests arrived. All were greeted by four artists demonstrating their skills in the main entrance, using four completely different styles of art. Local photographer Jessie Exline provided a fun photo booth to capture guests enjoying the evening, and local musician Rich Power played the guitar and sang while people mingled and made their way toward the art. Three separate galleries contained over 300 pieces of every type of art imaginable — paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, wood carvings and hand-knit items. The main ballroom held the fourth gallery, with gift certificates and other items as well as the heavy appetizers and seating. At 7 p.m. more guests arrived and joined the party. The bidding on some items was pretty competitive, and guests carefully guarded their pieces (and bids) until the countdown, to make sure they won. The People’s Choice award was presented to Dan Taylor. Nineteen items were auctioned off in a live auction, and the bidding was intense on many of the pieces. The most expensive item, Taylor’s “The Wave” sold for $1,400. The live auction alone generated $7,500, and organizers declared the evening a roaring success. Among those attending were County Commissioners Bryan Desloge and Mary Ann Lindley, Cliff Thaell, Mark Theobald, Dan Taylor, Leslie Smith, Carl Eldred, Tor Friedman, Khanty Xayabouth, Kim Smiley, Kris Knab, Randy and Miriam Nicklaus, Rob Yrabedra, Ken Reshard, John Padgett, Jamie Bassett, Laura Johnson, Joe Baker Jr., Jake Kiker and Barby Moro.