I cannot begin to tell you, peeps, how hard it is to keep up with Tampa Bay. Something new and fun is happening here every day.
And our sports teams are certainly ones to give back. This week it was the Lightning, with Vinny Lecavalier leading the charge. After all the celebrity events held in Tampa - from Michael Clayton, Simeon Rice, Jeff Lacy, Toby Hall and the Devil Rays fashion show, the Lightning star definitely left his mark with his Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament on Thursday (9/7).
We also visited Z Grapes at the Dali, and wrapped up the weekend with some more art for the Hope Preparatory academy at Mise en Place and Baisden Gallery.
The game was on
The sold-out crowd at Lacavalier's tournament at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was not disappointed as Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, Ruslan Fedotenko, new goalie Marc Denis, Tim Taylor, Nolan Pratt, Antonio Tarver, Donnie Abraham, Phil Esposito, WWE diva and FHM cover girl Torrie Wilson, Cowhead and Matt Geiger battled it out for charity.
But the highlight of the night was none other than Daniel Negreanu. The former World Poker Tour player of the year was in it to win it! Our tbt* Ante Up! crew of Scott Long and Chris Cosenza were on hand, and Long had the inside track as he sat with Daniel. Negreanu, red wine in hand, held court over the table, firing off poker tips ("I knew you were going to fold by the way you were holding your cards") almost as fast as he was firing $100 bills at the dealer to buy more chips for his new friends.
And despite working the room, posing for photographs and answering every question with a smile, Kid Poker still managed to rack up 10,000 chips after just a few hands. Impressed? Indeed. The seat was so prized that two were auctioned off before the event for $1,300 each!
Others working the room included Vincent Lecavalier Foundation director Liz Willyoung, Pete Larios, Steve Benz of Benz Models (with several in tow), Jay Preble and Bill Wickett of the Lightning, Nirva Milford with the NHL, Jim Henning, Steve Yerrid, Brian Mezrah, Kent Hughes and Dan Doyle.
A Grape escape
The Dali museum hosted Z Grapes, its annual wine tasting for its young professional group, the Zodiacs on Friday (9/8).
A favorite of B Scene, the event featured good wine, good people and good fun as the capacity crowd packed into the back gallery space of the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. The tasting featured more than 100 wines.
Seen sipping surreally (talk about alliteration) were Amy Cervantes of Sona Med Spa, Simone Bennett, David Sockol, Chef Jason Esposito of Fresco's, Melissa Rutland, Chris Fraser and Jennan Wright.
Big Night of giving
The second annual Big Night event Saturday (9/9) benefited the Hope Preparatory Academy, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the educational needs of students with identified learning and learning-related disabilities.
"Big Night" included an evening of delectable cuisine and cocktails from the award-winning Mise en Place, and fresh art at Baisden Gallery in Tampa.
Being big and opening their wallets were co-chairs Lauri Swann Frost and Kari Lennon, Toni Everett, Henderson and Ben Lee, Debra Williams, Celia and Jim Ferman, and Laura and Preston Farrior. Maryann Ferenc and Marty Blitz of Mise En Place did an amazing job with Big Dinner for patrons as well as a fabulous party for Big Night. This year's event was even more successful than last year's. Proceeds will will provide a library and more computers.
Now get out there and B scene!
Do you want to B Scene? Tell me about it! E-mail me at bscenetbt@gmail.com. Brooke Palmer is head of marketing and public relations for the Arts Center in St. Petersburg. She also owns R.S.B.P. an event planning company.
