Northwest Florida’s only fully professional symphony orchestra launched its event theme and details for the festive charity event, which kicks off January 12 and continues February 17-19, 2017

In a festive fall garden filled with sponsors, donors, corporate partners, vendors, supporters and volunteers enjoying wine, food and live music, Sinfonia Gulf Coast music and artistic director Demetrius Fuller announced from Clay Garden & Gifts on 30A in Seagrove:

“We’ve gone as absolutely mad as hatters, and as the Mad Hatter tells Alice: ‘The best of us usually are!’”

Maestro Fuller was having fun with this year’s Wine Women & Shoes event theme: “Mad Hatters’ Garden Party.”

“Don your favorite hat and come escape down the rabbit hole with us into a fairytale world filled with curious wonder as we weave this year’s ‘Mad Hatters’ Garden Party’ theme into this year’s ‘”zinsational” fifth annual Signature Event,” Fuller urged.

This is the largest annual fundraiser for Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the only fully professional non-profit orchestra on the Emerald Coast founded in 2005 with the mission of redefining the symphony experience.

The must-not-miss charity extravaganza kicks off January 12 and continues February 17-19 in an artful celebration of wine, fashion, food and fun with four fun-filled “fashionable” events — all of which benefits Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education programs.  

Wine Women & Shoes 2017 events are made possible by the generous support of local businesses including the following co-presenting sponsors: Krueger, Fosdyck & Associates of Merrill Lynch, The Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Cox Communications, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, and Visit South Walton.  

A calendar roster of this year’s events follows:

Sole Sister Kick Off Lunch

Thursday, Jan. 12, 11:30 a.m.

Bijoux Destin at The Market Shops, Miramar Beach

This preview peek party features a gourmet wine luncheon prepared by Bijoux executive chef Jack McGuckin paired with elegant wines provided by Sonoma Valley’s Pip Wines, followed by an exciting fashion preview of trending women’s apparel, accessories and, of course, plenty of sensational shoes — not to mention door prizes, raffle items and more. Tickets are $75 each and include all food, wine and gratuities.

 Vintner Dinners

Friday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m.

Various venues in South Walton and beyond

 These select Vintner Dinners pair the talents of local and regional “celebrity” chefs with some of the country’s most acclaimed vineyards for a delicious evening that is a true celebration of food and wine. Tickets are $275 per person and include all food, wine and gratuities.

 Bubbles, Brews & Culinary Qs

Saturday, Feb. 18, 4-6 p.m.

Coastal Ballroom, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Miramar Beach

 Sip Ferrari Sparkling wines at the Bubbles Bar; select wines by featured Wine Women & Shoes winemakers; and a selection of locally crafted micro brews and ales by Grayton Beer Company, tuck into delicious barbecue-inspired light bites and enjoy live music performed by funky bluesy fusion local favorite Dread Clampitt. Tickets are $35 per person.

 Wine Women & Shoes Signature Event

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2-5 p.m.

Ballroom Level, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Miramar Beach

 Presented with support from Dermatology Solutions it promises to be the see-and-be-seen soiree of the season filled with fashion, wine & spirits, food and retail shopping, high-end auctions, live music performances and more. Once past the paparazzi guests can mix and mingle while sampling wine & spirits, and bidding on silent auction and entering exciting drawings such as Keys to the Closet and more. The event centers on a thrilling fashion show and the excitement crescendos with a live auction of high-end auction lots of reserve wine, artful excursions, luxury travel trips and more. The Men’s Room designed with the fellas in mind features a bourbon-based cocktail, large screen TV and cigars. Tickets are $100 per person and include all food, wine, reserved table seating and valet parking.

What’s the benefit?

Proceeds from the event benefit Sinfonia and its music education programs, which include: musicians/guest artists in schools, free orchestra concerts, bus transportation for students, Sinfonia Youth Orchestra program, Arts in Medicine initiative with Sacred Heart Hospital and LINK UP concerts for third through fifth graders in partnership with Carnegie Hall.

Step Up and Volunteer

Put your best foot forward and join Sinfonia’s team of volunteers. For more information, contact Elaine Tucker at (850) 460-8800 and etucker@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

A Sole-ful Way to Show Support

Calling all fashionistas to join the Sole Sister Society, an honorary committee of Wine Women & Shoes that supports Sinfonia Gulf Coast. For a $500 contribution, Sole Sister Society members will receive one ticket to the Sole Sister Kick Off lunch; one ticket to the Signature Event with prime stage seating; your name in the spotlight on the Sole Sister Walk of Fame; your name listed in the event program; recognition at the Signature Event; invitation and recognition at the Thank You Party Spring 2017; a ticket to a LINK UP performance (April 12, 2017), plus a special Sole Sister-only event to be announced soon.

Tickets Now on Sale

As Cheshire Cat warns, “don’t be late,” to purchase your tickets, because its time to sip, shop and support a great cause. For more information or to purchase tickets for Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Wine Women & Shoes events, visit www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call (850) 460-8800.

ABOUT SINFONIA GULF COAST

Sinfonia Gulf Coast was founded in 2005 on Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast with the mission of redefining the symphony experience. Under the guidance of founder and Music Director Demetrius Fuller and a dedicated board of directors, the nonprofit orchestra is in its 11th season of innovative musical programming, designed to entertain, educate and inspire the community.

Since it’s founding, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has presented more than 430 concerts and events, has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and businesses throughout the community and has reached more than 90,000 children through its Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program/music education outreach initiatives.

For more information on Sinfonia Gulf Coast, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org, call (850) 460-8800 or e-mail info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

ABOUT WINE WOMEN & SHOES

Wine Women & Shoes is a multi-day annual fundraising event hosted by Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Proceeds from this event benefit Sinfonia’s music education programs. Wine Women & Shoes is one of the fastest-growing event series in the country. Elaine Honig, a scion of the prominent California wine producing family, created the event, which was inspired by the classic country ballad “Wine, Women and Song.” Now in its 11th year, the WW&S team has produced more than 220 events, which have helped raise more than $37 million for various non-profits across the country.