Bananas, goldfish, flying pigs — none of these are particularly show stopping (except, maybe, for the flying pigs). But if they all walk in as shoes — imagine a fish tank on heels — well then, they become the show. At Steppin’ Out, an annual fundraiser since 2006 for the Toledo School for the Arts, those are examples of footwear that waltzes through the doors of the Park Inn hotel all night long.
Steppin’ Out was started because the school’s creative directors, Martin Porter, Michael Calabrese, Rob Koenig and Tom Brady, among others, knew they needed to raise money to keep the school, a nonprofit, up and running. “They knew they wanted to do an auction because auctions raise money, but many groups host auction fundraisers,” said Bethany Urbanski, TSA development assistant and former student. “So they decided to do an auction with a twist.”
The idea? Create an event which encourages crazy shoe creations to let attendees’ imaginations, and hot glue guns, run wild. Now, seven years later, influential members of the community, several local artists and long-time donators still show up to cocktail hour not in evening gowns, but in high heels, loafers, flats and sneakers all whimsically decorated.
“My favorite was this pair of pink, lace-up high heels — the woman had put a curly tail on the heel and wings on the sides. I loved it – our unofficial mascot is flying pigs, because many people said TSA would only succeed when pigs fly,” Urbanski says.
Though the ballroom will be set up for dinner, it will resemble an art installation. “All the decorations are student-inspired. Last year was ‘Glass Appreciation,’ so all the centerpieces were made out of glass. This year, the theme is jewel tones. Student performance groups will provide entertainment — dancers, a steel drum group, a jazz band and even New Orleans-inspired puppeteers — taking turns on stage. Student artwork, also up for auction,will decorate the walls.”
After dinner , the real fun begins. The live auction, hosted by WTOL-TV Channel 11’s Jerry Anderson, is when the “big loot” is revealed. “One year, someone won a trip to France," Urbanski said. "That same year, we auctioned off the guitar and album of famed TSA alum, singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox.” After the auction, there is a scholarship appeal, awarded to three lucky students, which includes art lessons, private music lessons, dance camps and trips.
Park Inn, 101 N. Summit St. 6 pm on Saturday, March 9. $45 per person; tables of ten $400. Call Bethany Urbanski to RSVP, 419-246-8732 x256 or email [email protected].
