WEST PALM BEACH – It was elbow to elbow, or feather to feather, as friends and supporters toasted the Center for Creative Education (CCE) at Amici Ristorante in Palm Beach for the recent celebrity bartending event.  Co-chairs Diana and Michael Perry along with CCE board member Maura Ziska served guests while a Carnivále-clad addition made her rounds to greet supporters at this kick-off event for CCE’s upcoming Over the Big Top Goes Carnivále on November 7th.  Tips and donations from the evening benefited programming for CCE. 

The fifth annual “Over the Big Top” event is set at a private Palm Beach residence.  The evening will feature dinner, dancing, snake charmers, fire eaters, contortionists and other Carnivále-inspired surprises!

“We had a wonderful crowd at Amici,” began Tom Pilecki, executive director for CCE.  “We really appreciate everyone coming out to support CCE and help raise vital dollars for our in- and after- school programming.  Event chairs Tricia Quick and Diana and Michael Perry, along with the committee have been planning a fabulous Over the Big Top event and are incorporating some of the aspects of CCE programming into the theme.”

Proceeds from Over the Big Top events will benefit programs for the Center for Creative Education, a not-for-profit educational organization that supports partnerships among schools, arts and cultural organizations, artists, community-based organizations, and human service providers.  CCE integrates the arts into academic curriculum and after school activities in Palm Beach County. 

            Over the Big Top committee members include honorary chairmen Susie Dwinell, Ross Meltzer, Alex Snyder and Keith Williams and members Nicole and Dave Atkinson, Beth Beattie, Reid Boren, Jackie and Beau Breckenridge, Jane and Gordon Brown, Diane Buhler, Celeste and John Cassidy, Maura and Eric Christu, Jan Coniglio Cook, Barbara and Michael Crimi, Aime Dunstan, Julia Duresky, Laura Evans, Nadine and David Fite, Jillian and Mat Forrest, Caroline and Tom Forrest, Lou Lou and Jamie Gordon, Nicole and Jason Guari, Jim Held, Kenn Karakul, Christine and Desmond Keogh, Carol and Tom Kirchhoff, Dana and Jessica Koch, Andrea and Brian Kosoy, Bill Kopp, Karyn and Kevin Lamb, Dianne and Mark LaRoe, Helene and Matt Lorentzen, Mia and Bob Matthews, Jessica and Shawn McGruder, Ali Mendia, Pam and Brad Miller, Sarah and Brian Miller, Stephen Mooney, Nicole and Ryan Munder, Mario Nievera, Colleen Orrico, Ruby Patterson, Chrissy Poorman, Kourtney Pulitzer, Chad Renfro, John Ripley, Linda Soper, Danielle and Craig Storch, Jessica and Clay Surovek, Rena Toppe, Betsy and Wally Turner, Sabra Van Der Poel, Scott Velozo, Michele Vogel, and Penny Williams.

            Sponsors for Over the Big Top Goes Carnivále include Atlantico Rum; Champion Tours and Events; John C. Cassidy Air Conditioning; Laura Evans; Fite Shavell & Associates; Tim Givens Building, Inc.; Melanie and Chris Hill, Kofski Antiques; David G. Lambert Foundation; Mario Nievera Designs, Inc.; Margaritaville Holdings; Jim & Sharon Mattei and The Mattei Foundation; MPerry Design, Inc; Palm Beach Society magazine; PNC; Tricia Quick; Regency Party Rentals; Saks Palm Beach Gardens; Stanton Family Foundation; Tropical Pest Management; Very Important Paws; and Wittmann Building Corporation.