HIGH LIFE: Aerialist Kara Russell at the Studio Honors on Nov. 1, 2014. Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

The Studio@620 took over The Coliseum to celebrate its decade anniversary and Studio Honors on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 6:20 p.m. — a first at the historic venue in downtown St. Petersburg.

The Studio Honors program recognized five couples and 10 individuals in celebration of its 10 years of providing eclectic and first-rate performing arts. The event's theme “Magic of Community” underscored a dazzlingly diverse evening of arts, culinary tastes and communal camaraderie.

Studio@620 celebrates decade, Studio Honors in magical style Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

Honorees and guests in attendance included (from left to right above) Dave and Astrid Ellis; Mimi Rice and Dr. Richard Rice; Jeanne and Peter Meinke; St. Pete Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin and Mayor Rick Kriseman; Drs. Kenneth and Nancy Bryant, M.Ds.; LGBT Welcome Center/Warehouse Arts District fundraiser Larry Biddle and his husband, Creative Loafing Editor-in-Chief David Warner; Dr. Peter Betzer and Dr. Susan Beers Betzer; and Emerging Artist winner Cassidy Routh. The honorees all received colorful awards designed by Duncan McClellan Glass.

CL’S HONOREE: Editor David Warner onstage with Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin. Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

A campy video sendup of the honorees offered laughs and not the usual snoozes these types of presentations usually induce.

WHAT ABOUT BOB? Emcee/Studio@620 director Bob Devin Jones asks the crowd “to turn up the silence.” Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

Editors and writers from CL's editorial department, publisher James Howard and others on staff came out in support of Warner and Biddle.

TALL ORDER: CL Music Editor Leilani Polk (right) with friend Liz MacDonald (left) and a stiltwalker. Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

Food by Fresh Go Wild Market Grill, Meze 119, Mazzaro's and other local eateries kept the crowd fed, and Jesse Thelonious Vance and local rock/alt/progressive duo Czyk led off the exceptional entertainment acts that continued throughout the night. Czyk's drummer kept the Halloween spirit alive on Day of the Dead with an all-green leotard. Vertigo-defying aerial dancer Kara Russell of Silks wowed the crowd, and the Nate Najar Band with members of La Lucha contributed a jazzy backdrop.

CABARET SERENADE: Eugenie Bondurant, Paul Wilborn and trumpeter James Suggs. Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

BEAUTIFUL DREAMER: Sharon Scott sings “The Impossible Dream.” Credit: DANIEL VEINTIMILLA

Performers upped the ante on a center stage and in alcove "micro-theaters" on both sides of the dancefloor. In one, Local improv group The Third Thought got some laughs with a cleverly ridiculous farmer-son sketch. Eugenie Bondurant and Paul Wilborn (in smoking jacket, no less) added cabaret panache; Sharon Scott brought the house down with a powerhouse belt-out of "The Impossible Dream."

Susan Hellman gave an equally breathtaking rendition of "Un Bel Di, Vedremo" from Madama Butterfly, and Flamenco dancer Caroline Esparza added snazzy Latina flavor in a gorgeously flowing red gown.