What we’re about
Hello fellow wine lovers!
We have been managing the group for over five years now and what fun it has been!
We are a group looking for members that truly want to become part of the family and share what life has to offer!
We do all sorts of different events so please do read the details on each event thoroughly.
Most of our events will either require a pre-payment as we will be purchasing tickets or paying venues directly.
Our casual small dinner reservation events will also require a pre-payment to hold your spot which will be refunded to attending members. This is an attempt to eliminate no-shows and have full capacity at our events. Some higher end venues will charge $50 to hold spots so I will increase the amount in those instances.
NOTE: In order to attend events held in private homes (cheese, chef du jour and the like) members must have attended three previous public venue events.
There is an annual fee of $15 to cover the $400 annual fees we incur from Meetup. After covering the Meetup Fees I promise I will spend every dime on items to raffle at events!
Featured event
Shen Yun: China Before Communism - International Day in St Pete - Part 2
Join Us for an afternoon in St. Pete! 🌟We are calling this International Day with Italian, Chinese and Turkish/Greek if you want to partake of all stops but you get to pick and choose. This one is for the big event: Shen Yun!
🛍️ First Stop: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Start the day with a foodie adventure!
RSVP to this separately so we know who to look out for!
🕚 Planning to arrive at: 11:30 AM at Mazzaro's Italian Market:
Address: 2909 22nd Avenue N, St Petersburg, FL 33713
👉 Bring a cooler and stock up on 🍝 homemade pastas, 🥖 baked goods, 🥩 meats, wines, and more. Grab a bite before the show!
🎭 Next, an 8-minute drive to the Main Event: Shen Yun!
Experience a breathtaking, all-new production featuring 500 world-class artists. Shen Yun hasn’t been back to Sarasota since 2014—this is worth the drive!
📅 Date: Saturday, February 7
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM (Arrive by 1:15ish PM)
📍 Location: Mahaffey Theater
⏰ Duration: 2 hours (includes 15-minute intermission)
🎥 Watch the Preview: https://youtu.be/MkeR8FXFqxY
🌐 Shen Yun Official Site: https://www.shenyun.org/
🚗 Parking: Mahaffey Theater Lot: 💵 $10 cash
Nearby garages and street parking:
- Southcore Garage: weekend rates and accepts credit cards
- Baywalk/Sundial Garage: Hourly rates with a weekend max
- Street Parking: Metered spots via ParkMobile app (check event restrictions)
💸 Group Ticket Info -
- 10 people → $114.45/ticket, Loge seating area - normally $124.75
- 15 people → $97 per ticket!
- Orchestra seating -> $142/ticket ( since we are going all the way out there, might be better to splurge!) <-- most of us are doing this!
We need to confirm by January 6th to secure the group rates. We can have a mix of Loge and Orchestra seating. Just need our group of 10! Let's do this!
💳 🚨 Payment Alert → Annie
Payment covers ticket to the show only.
Zelle: sarasotawinefun@gmail.com (Last name: Malka)
Venmo: @Annie-Malka (Last 4 digits: 0345)
📝 Include event name & date in payment note.
Pay for each event separately for easier tracking.
🔁 Refund Policy
❌ No-shows or late cancellations that cannot be filled from the waitlist are non-refundable.
If plans change, update your RSVP and leave a comment so we can help fill your spot.
✨ About Shen Yun
Every year, Shen Yun unveils an entirely new lineup of dances, musical scores, and songs, making each season a completely fresh experience. Expect 💃 classical Chinese dance and captivating story-based performances, 🌏 ethnic and folk traditions from across China, and 🎨 dynamic animated backdrops that transport you to celestial realms and ancient landscapes. The 🎻 Shen Yun Orchestra masterfully blends Eastern melodies with Western symphonic richness, while 👗 exquisite handcrafted costumes bring history and legend to life. You’ll also enjoy 🎤 bel canto vocalists and stirring solos on the erhu, an instrument whose haunting tones echo the human voice. This is more than a show—it’s a journey through China’s ancient, divinely inspired culture, offering a glimpse of beauty and grace that feels almost heavenly.
🍽️ Dining Options
Let's dine in St Pete after the show —RSVP for that separately once posted.
🌸🏮Let’s be inspired by the splendor of China pre-communism, plus try a new delicious restaurant, stock up on goodies for home from the gourmet Italian Market, and wonderful company. Join us for this little field trip outside of Sarasota.🐉
Upcoming events
33
- $23.54
Bella Vita Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria - Beneva
Bella Vita Italian Kitchen, 501 N Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL, USThe Sarasota/Bradenton restaurant scene is constantly evolving; we aim to bring you an event at a newer restaurant each month!
Join us for a small table reservation at Bella Vita italian Kitchen Pizzeria.
🧾 Event Details
- This is a casual, small-group reservation—no pre-set menu or pairings.
- Prepayment via the methods listed below of $23.54 is required for this event. Attending members will be refunded the weekend after the event.
- You are expected to settle your own tab directly with the restaurant on the night of the event.
- 🍽️ Menu: https://bellavitafamiglia.com/menu
About Bella Vita
Welcome to Our Family! At Bella Vita, we pride ourselves on crafting authentic Italian dishes that celebrate rich flavors and traditional recipes. Our chefs use only the freshest ingredients to ensure every meal is a delightful experience.
Immerse yourself in a cozy atmosphere that combines rustic charm with modern elegance. Whether it's our signature meatballs that keep you wanting more, the incredible desserts that make your mouth water, or simply a glass of wine that can transport a sommelier to Italy, everything is designed to make you feel at home.
Quality is at the heart of everything we do at Bella Vita. From sourcing the best produce to creating homemade sauces, we ensure that every bite reflects our dedication to excellence and passion for Italian cuisine.
💳 Payment Instructions
To reserve your seat, please send an exact amount via one of the methods below:
Venmo
- Username: dkbvenmoaccount
- Last 4 digits of phone: 2192
Zelle
- Email: dawna9999@yahoo.com
- Name: Eldringhoff
## RSVP, Deposit & Refund Policy
📝 Please include the name and date of the event in the payment note to help us post your deposit more easily. Pay for each event separately, not one lump sum.
🔁 Change of plans? Please update your RSVP and leave a comment so we can help confirm someone on the waitlist. The local restaurants count on our support!
✅ This is a refundable deposit to hold your spot - refunds will be issued the weekend after the event.
🚫 No-shows or late cancellations that we’re unable to fill from the waitlist may not be refunded.
Let's try something new - together!12 attendees - $32.07
Dinner & Music: Schmaltz & Pepper
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 25 Kumquat Court Sarasota, Sarasota, fl, USThis will be fun! Remember Payadora last year? This is their alter ego. Join us for an evening with Schmaltz & Pepper!
Dinner Before the Show
Join us for dinner before the concert. We will be dining at Wolfies (keepin' it in theme!).
- 📍Wolfies is located close by: 1420 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota FL 34236
- 🍽️ Menu: https://originalwolfies.com/page/menu-pdf
- No pre-planned meal or wine pairing. You will have the entire menu from which to order:
🚫 Please do not RSVP if you only want to attend the dinner. This event is for those of us attending the show with (an optional) dinner beforehand. They do have a food truck at the venue if you prefer to skip dinner. Please lmk so we can update the count for the restaurants.
🌙 Al Fresco: We may be dining outdoors, weather permitting.
🚗 Parking: Free street parking available. Overflow parking at Gulfside Bank (333 N. Orange Ave).
Then it's a short walk (about a block or two away) to Fogartyville.
📅 Friday, January 9th
🕗 Concert at 8 PM | Doors open at 7 PM
📍 Fogartyville Community Media & Arts Center
🎟️ Tickets:
- $26.90 (Fogartyville members)
- $32.07 (non-members)
👉 Let us know if you're a member and send the correct amount. - Note that Fogartyville is a small venue. While indoor seats are available, I’ll continue to grab them as we get paid RSVPs.
- I suspect they’ll open patio seating the day before the event — it’s lovely outside in January! 🌤️ The patio is comfortable, with fans to keep a breeze flowing.
🎟️ The cost is the same no matter where you are seated. You’ll have a great view from any seat.
🎤 About Schmaltz & Pepper
Fogartyville presents Schmaltz & Pepper, a groundbreaking ensemble that is redefining the traditional boundaries of Yiddish music, blending classical mastery with innovative compositions and soulful arrangements.
Classy klezmer- chamber music and jazz infused with schmaltz
A uniquely virtuosic and entertaining chamber ensemble performing original music inspired by Klezmer, Yiddish Swing, Jazz and Classical music.
This powerhouse ensemble brings together some of Canada’s most celebrated musicians: Eric Abramovitz (Toronto Symphony principal clarinetist), Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist Drew Jurecka, virtuosic violinist and Payadora founder Rebekah Wolkstein, Juno-nominated bassist Michael Herring, and Juno-winning pianist Jeremy Ledbetter. Together, they’re reshaping Yiddish music with bold original works, genre-bending arrangements, and electrifying performances.
In just six months, they went from concept to a sold-out debut broadcast live from Zoomer Hall. Since then, they’ve headlined major festivals like Ashkenaz, Toronto Summer Music, and Jewish Music Week—and 2025 is packed with top-tier chamber music appearances across Canada. |
📝 RSVP & Refund Policy
- Include the event name and date in your payment note
- 💳 Pay for each event separately — no lump sums
- ✅ Payment covers your concert ticket only
- 🔁 If your plans change, update your RSVP and leave a comment
- 🚫 Refunds will not be issued for no-shows or late cancellations unless we can fill your spot from the waitlist
- 📋 Waitlist Tip: Send payment even if you're on the waitlist — tickets will be purchased while available, and paid waitlist members will be prioritized as spots open
💳 Payment Instructions
To reserve your spot, send payment via:
- Venmo: `dkbvenmoaccount` (last 4 digits: 2192)
- Zelle: `dawna9999@yahoo.com` (Name: Eldringhoff)
🎶 Classy klezmer- chamber music and jazz infused with schmaltz - the future of Yiddish music 🎤 with some fun🌟.
12 attendees
Past events
742
Group links
Organizers
Members
185
