|
Partying for the arts
Beach Boys will entertain at elegant affair
 |
What: The Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art and the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which make up the UF Cultural Plaza, combine to host a creative black-tie party, with the goal of raising money for a $1 million endowment. The gala will include receptions and entertainment in all three venues, followed by a gourmet dinner and a private performance by the Beach Boys.
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: UF Cultural Plaza, Hull Road and SW 34th Street.
Tickets: No tickets remain. |
By LAURA NIPE
Special to The Sun
Before the University of Florida blows out its 150th candle, it will host an extravagant gala for the sake of the arts.
The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and the Florida Museum of Natural History, which recently adopted the name UF Cultural Plaza, will host the "Party on the Plaza" Friday to raise money and, at the same time, celebrate UF's 150th birthday.
It should be an evening of fun, elegance and big names. Alumni and philanthropists from across Florida and from all over the country are traveling to attend the sold-out party, says Judy Young, first lady of UF and co-chair of the event.
The 850 guests have been asked to get funky with a "creative black-tie" ensemble - in other words, formal wear with a twist. Men might wear tux jackets with Bermuda shorts and women may wear long, flowing skirts with colorful shirts.
"I think we've brought a whole new genre of dressing to Gainesville," says Susan Pharr, the party's executive producer.
In their extraordinary outfits, guests will mingle in a wild environment of papier-mache alligators and gigantic silk butterflies and enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a four-course meal, cake and champagne.
"We really want to showcase the university and get alumni excited about donating," says Nancy Ponce, co-chair of the event.
After dining, guests will dance to the good vibrations of a private performance by the Beach Boys.
Beach Boy Mike Love says he is looking forward to helping UF celebrate its birthday with a peppy performance of "Be True to Your School," complete with UF cheerleaders and the Dazzlers.
Although the three cultural institutions on the plaza share a common area and similar goals and visions, this is the first time they have worked collectively on a project.
During individual fund-raisers, many of the donors struggle with choosing just one establishment to support. Now working as a team, the plaza can offer a donation that will benefit all three.
"We all share a commitment to work together, so we can maximize our impact on the community," Nagy says.
Because the economy fluctuates and state budgets shrink, the plaza needs a backup source of secure funds, Nagy explains.
On a national level, the arts "are all facing some sort of need for creative solutions for financial problems," says Michael Blachly, director of the Phillips Center.
They hope to set up a $1 million endowment with sponsorship proceeds. A 10-seat table sponsorship goes for either $10,000 or $25,000. Already, Clark and Deborah Butler, who own and operate Butler Plaza, and Wachovia Bank have given a total of $200,000 toward that goal. The total amount raised will be announced Friday night at the party.
"The support we have seen from Gators and Gator friends has been tremendous," Young says.
The three plaza partners will evenly split the proceeds, which will go toward enriching the exhibition schedules and attracting world-class performances.
"We want to make the UF Cultural Plaza a destination for people. When they hear, 'UF Cultural Plaza,' we want them to think of all the opportunities it offers," Nagy says.
Party guests will get a casual tour of the construction site of McGuire Hall, an addition to the plaza, which will be completed in early 2004. The new center for Lepidoptera research will house one of the world's largest butterfly collections.
Love, who has a keen interest in the environment, sees the research center as a way to bring about a better future for his children, says Dr. Thomas C. Emmel, director of McGuire Hall and a lifelong friend of Love's.
"When we were little, we used to chase butterflies together," Love says about Emmel.
And they are still running after them today. Last year, the two friends traveled to Mexico to witness the migration of the Monarch butterflies.
Volunteers, faculty and staff have poured their hearts into this event, and after a year of planning, they aren't thinking about another one for awhile.
"We will rest up from this one, and then we will see what's next," Nagy says.
|
