2nd Annual Cool & Fancy Gala

There’s nothing more fun than getting gussied up in your best cool and fancy digs to paint the town red (and blue and green and yellow!) with dozens of your good friends. And, if you’re doing it for a great cause? Even better!

The Second Annual Cool & Fancy Gala was more than we ever dreamed it could be. Not only did we have a rip roaring good time – in an airplane hangar, no less! – we sold a bunch of tickets and raised funds to support the promotion of the creative and performing arts in the greater Southport area.

But don't take our word for it. Check out these fabulous photos! (Click any thumbnail below to view larger)

Party Highlights

Starring, The Community

The true stars of the event were... all of you! For everyone who showed up, who celebrated, and who contributed to a good cause, you're the best!

With the Band

What a Show

The 2023 Maggie Award winning party band LunaSea set the tone. This eight-member group of rockers heated up the dance floor with endless boogie-down fun, only stopping under duress for announcements and auction time. A round of applause, please!

Auction Time

Up For Auction

In addition to another great silent auction, we brought live auctioneer Ray Wycoff back to manage the sale of artworks created by some of the winners of our pole banner project, “Raise Up Your Arts!” After the gala, the banners, which feature the work of 14 local artists, were installed in downtown Southport on utility poles until November. We plan to unveil up to 24 new banners for 2024 during next year’s gala.

The Winners, Please

Thanks to our auction winners who made the process engaging, exciting and entertaining for all!

 

Thanks to All Who Made it Happen

Thanks to all who helped to make this event even cooler and fancier than we ever dreamed!

That Spread

Wilmington’s Middle of the Island Catering Co. did it again – more culinary delights than we could possibly imagine and definitely more than we could consume in one setting. Middle of the Island is welcome back to Southport anytime!

Event Sponsors:

Howie Franklin and the Cape Fear Regional Jetport, Hangar #70E owner Roland Betker, the State Port Pilot, Southport Tap & Cellar, and Uncorked by the Sea with the Booze Buggy

Live Auction Donors:

Bald Head Island Club, Ginger Harper, Live Oak Med Spa, Wade’s Jewelers and ten winners of our “Raise Up Your Arts!” pole banner project who donated original works of art for this gala auction: Harry Burrell, Susan Chandler, Katie Dorsett-Dye, Sidney Godwin, Christie Jacks, Gary Mlynek, Rich O’Donnell, Linda Platt, Gail Simon, and Kate Magill Walters

Supporting Sponsors:

Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry, Committee to Elect Sheriff John W. Ingram V

Table Sponsors:

The Arbor Creek Gang, Blue Tulip Jazz/Austin & Tom Sapp, Dr. William R. Bolding, CL Smith Construction, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Southport/Jason Robbins, Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Oak Island/Carolyn Ownby & Kimberly Sands, Jack & Nicki Craven, Eagle Resources/Babs & Eric Lappala, The Jolliff Team/Kay Jolliff, The Law Office of Ryan W. Johnson, Debra & John McLendon, ReMax Southern Coast/Robert Carroll, Sedona South, Charles & Kelly Theis, and Tiki Tavern

Special Mention:

And a special thanks to the highly successful silent auction contributors, a very large group of volunteers, and all of the artists who submitted entries to our ‘Raise Up Your Arts’ Pole Banner Project. Thanks to Julie Mercer and Liz Clarke Snyder for the beautiful photography on this page, and throughout the project. Thanks to the folks at Frontage Marketing Group for creating the visual design and promotional materials for the gala.

You are all wonderful. Thank you!