SANTA CRUZ -- Reservations are required for Holidays d'Eleganz, the only professional fashion show in Santa Cruz County, back for its 23rd year.
"We usually sell out," said Jan Tomlinson, co-president of the Dominican Hospital Foundation Guild, which sponsors the event Nov. 20 at the Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for viewing Christmas trees decorated by local designers, which will be raffled off, and bidding on silent auction items. A luncheon begins at noon, with a drawing for door prizes and two of the trees.
When the fashion show starts at 1 p.m., five local doctors will make their runway appearance. They are Chris Allaman, Tony Calciano, Bill Hess, Fred Tomlinson and Freddie Weinstein. Professional models will show off fashions from local stores including Aptos Shoes and Apparel, The Bridal Veil, The Hat Co., Jewels on Pacific and Macy's Capitola.
The Grand Ball, a black-tie optional dinner and dance featuring music by the Live Action Heroes, takes place Nov. 21.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction, and complimentary wine and appetizers. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m. with a short live auction during dessert, drawing for the trees and a $10,000 cash-ticket prize. Those tickets cost $100 each; a maximum of 300 will be sold.
Proceeds will benefit Dominican Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which needs high-tech incubators for premature babies; the Dominican Pediatric Clinic, treating childhood
diabetes and obesity; and the Jon E. Nadherny/Calciano Memorial Youth Symposium, addressing adolescent mental health issues.Over the years, the holiday event has raised more than $2 million for the hospital.
Tickets cost $75 for the fashion show and $125 for the ball. Reservations can be made online at www.dhfguild.org or by calling the foundation office at 462-7712.
