ON THE FLIP SIDE: A+E ‘THE MUSIC MAN’: Local child actors breathe fresh air into show. CHAMPIONS: Boys & Girls Clubs supporters go for the gold. 10
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018
LET’S GET IT ON
Friday, Nov. 16, at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium | Benefiting Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe KAYLEIGH OMANG | BLACK TIE REPORTER
T
he Sarasota Municipal Auditorium looked like a scene straight out of the 1970s on Nov. 16 for the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s 2018 gala. WBTT decided on a groovy theme for the event, Let’s Get It On, welcoming guests with bell-bottom jeans, hippiechic prints, disco balls, peace signs and many, many sequins. The cocktail hour got the party started with drinks, appetizers and good company. Once the program started, Marian Moss, Tomeika Hunter-Koski and Debra Flynt-Garrett spoke before guests were served dinner. After dinner, Bernard and Lois Watson accepted the Heart & Soul Philanthropy Award, and guests learned about WBTT’s mission from Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs, Executive Director Julie Leach and troupe member Tarra Conner Jones. The live auction by Michael Klauber was upbeat and lively, getting the crowd pumped up for the performance by the group they were all there to support.
Photos by Kayleigh Omang
Above: The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is celebrating 19 years. Below: Hermione Gilpin and Shannon Rohrer-Phillips
SEE PAGE 2
Co-Chairwoman Tomeika HunterKoski
Above: The program ended with a performance by the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Left: Honorees Lois and Bernard Watson