Metropolitan Safari will benefit students in Rwanda

Two students from Rwanda's Akilah Institute for Women will address supporters in Tampa on Sept. 30 at Metropolitan Safari.

The event, from 7 to 10 p.m., is at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. It also will feature African music, dinner and an auction.

Akilah Institute was co-founded by Tampa native Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Beth and Cody Davis. It provides young women a post-secondary education, with a focus on developing career and leadership skills. The first group of 50 students began study this year and will graduate in three years with degrees in hospitality to work in the fast-growing tourism field.

The Tampa stop is among seven stops for the students, who will be in the United States for about six weeks. They begin their visit today in Chicago and conclude it in Washington, D.C.

For the Tampa event, The Drum Cafe Florida will provide entertainment; Debra Shrills will be the emcee; and Al Keck will be the auctioneer.

Many Tampa residents, including former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis and former University of South Florida president Betty Castor, are part of the planning committee.

Tickets are $75 per person; VIP tickets are $125 each. The VIP ticket includes a cocktail party with the students beginning at 6:30 p.m.

For tickets, see www.metropolitan safaritampa.eventbrite .com

Roaring '20s are re-created

UT CAMPUS - The Great Gatsby Party will re-create the world of the 1920s speakeasy with music, games of chance, food and a vintage Rolls Royce.

The first-time fundraiser will be at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Fletcher Lounge on the University of Tampa campus, which formerly was the Tampa Bay Hotel.

"Gangsters" will demand a password to enter the party, and there might be a raid before the evening concludes. Food will be from 1920s menus of the Tampa Bay Hotel and guests are encouraged - but not required - to dress in clothes representing the era.

Entertainment will feature the band Full Circle and singer Lisa Casalino.

Tickets begin at $75, with sponsorships up to $5,000. Proceeds benefit the H.B. Plant Museum, located in the former hotel.

For tickets, go to www.plantmuseum.com or call (813) 258-7302.

Broadway Rocks benefits USF center

Broadway Rocks, a food, wine and entertainment event, will benefit the University of South Florida's Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center.

The event will be from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 W.C. MacInnes Drive.

The ninth annual fundraiser includes samples from area restaurants and wineries, an assortment of auction items and a performance by the Straz center's Cabaret Singers.

Tickets are $75 per person, with VIP tickets available for $125, which allows guests to attend a reception at 5:30 p.m.

The center treats more than 5,000 patients from the West Coast and Central Florida. For tickets, call (813) 844-4547.

Firefighters in pink to visit

USF CAMPUS - The Guardians of the Ribbon, a not-for-profit organization of firefighters, will visit Moffitt Cancer Center at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29 as the 26th stop on the Pink Heals Tour.

Three pink firetrucks carrying the Guardians, with firefighters donning pink fire suits, will be at the Moffitt campus. Anyone touched by cancer is encouraged to sign the trucks.

The Guardians also will caravan with local fire and police departments to Joe Chillura Park downtown for a rally, which begins at noon.

John Kiluk, breast surgical oncologist from Moffitt, will discuss prevention, treatment and support groups.

For information on the Moffitt stop, call (813) 745-7369; for nationwide tour information, go to www.pinkfiretrucks.org.