‘ Jane’ pens another Florence Book / Star

'Indiana Jane' pens another Florence book It would be difficult to find someone who loves Florence, Italy, more than Indianapolis philanthropist Jane Fortune . Fortune lives there with her partner, Bob Hesse , about four months out of the year. As evidence of her soft spot for the city, she has done everything from penning “To Florence con Amore,” a 2007 book about the art-filled city’s best behind- the-scenes places, to starting a foundation aimed at restoring and preserving Florentine female artists’ work — pieces Fortune says have been largely overlooked. She added to that list last month when her latest book came out: “Invisible Women: Forgotten Artists of Florence,” an art history book that spotlights the work of women. Fortune is known as “Indiana Jane” for her efforts in the Italian city, where her culture column shows up in “The Florentine,” a biweekly publication for English speakers. In Indianapolis, she is better known for her recent support of the inaugural performance of the Indianapolis City Ballet. “Invisible Women,” ($28, The Florentine Press) made its debut in Indianapolis this month.

To celebrate, Fortune’s local friends (and Hesse, to whom the book is dedicated) gathered for a book- signing party Dec. 8 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Fortune explained that the proceeds of both books are channeled to her foundation, which helps advance Italian female artists. The IMA gift store carries both of Fortune’s books, and they can also be ordered online at shop.imamuseum.org. Equal access to holiday fun The Italianate home of Ken Ramsay and Joe Everhart on the Old Northside created some holiday magic for Indiana Equality this month. It’s where the organization brought in more than $50,000 in a Dec. 10 fundraiser, “Holiday IN the Old Northside.” According to the event program, civic leaders William Fortune and Joe Blakley donated more than $10,000 to the effort to end discrimination in Indiana based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Nearly 300 people — among them philanthropists, educators and politicians — showed up for the soup-tasting event held inside Ramsay and Everhart’s lavishly decorated home. (The house used to be a clubhouse for a German-American singing and social group.) Tom John , chairman of the Marion County Republican Party; Edward T. Treacy , chairman of the Marion County Democrats; and Timothy Maguire , chairman of the county’s Libertarian Party, all attended and even got together for a photo at one point. Setting the stage for sing- off Supporters of Michael Feinstein ‘s effort to bring the music of the early and mid-1900s to high school students are preparing for next year’s incarnation of the Great American Songbook High School Academy and Competition.

The June 2-6 event will mark the second time students will in an Indianapolis vocal competition, trying to win a chance to perform with Feinstein — a pianist, singer and archivist of American popular songs — in his City club. To do so, they must perform a selection from Broadway, Hollywood musical theater or the Tin Pan Alley era of the early to mid-20th century. Trying to raise awareness for the unique competition, Mag Cole Russell (cousin to famous Great American Songbook contributor Cole Porter ) and Indiana arts philanthropist Richard Ford co-hosted a Dec. 3 event at Woodstock Club. Laney Wilson , Indianapolis, who earned third place last year in the first Songbook competition, performed during the event, which was attended by former Indiana first lady Judy O’Bannon; John Herbst , president and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society; and Indianapolis Symphony President and CEO Simon Crookall , among others.