SOCIAL CIRCUIT
A look at the social events, galas, functions and fund-raisers in the area.
On track with International House
International House Philadelphia (IHP), which provides housing in West Philadelphia for 400 students, scholars and interns from more than 80 countries, took a road trip on Oct. 13 for its 48th Annual Global Gala. The destination for this year's benefit, Journey on the Orient Express, was the historic Beaux Arts-era Turbine Hall - the newly renovated contemporary event space on the Delaware River in Chester. The evening, attended by 400, raised $245,000 to support IHP's arts and cultural programs, which are also open to the public.
A ghoul evening
When the 12-piece band the Quake got going at the third annual Gravediggers Ball on Oct. 12 at the Crystal Tea Room, it was enough to, well, wake the dead. More than 300 attended the benefit, which raised $40,000 to help preserve and interpret Laurel Hill Cemetery. Located on 78 acres of green space in East Falls, the underground museum cares for about 100,000 heavenly souls, including Civil War Gen. George Gordon Meade. A portion of the proceeds will go toward a new project to preserve the archives, which date to 1835.
Pretty in pink
Judge Marjorie O. Rendell looked pretty in a hot pink satin gown at the sixth annual Pink Tie Ball, held Oct. 20 at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia Hotel to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Philadelphia. Proceeds from the live auction items - including a limited-edition Warriors in Pink 2008 Mustang donated by Quality Plus Ford Dealers that went for $26,000 and a diamond necklace donated by jeweler Bernie Robbins that sold for $17,000 - helped boost the total raised to more than $500,000. Komen Philadelphia provides breast cancer education, awareness and outreach programs throughout the region.
Sweet charity
CORA (Counseling or Referral Assistance) Services' annual Charity's Ball, chaired by State Speaker of the House Dennis O'Brien, was held Oct. 20 at the Westin Hotel for 200 guests. O'Brien presented the CORA Services Awards to Terry D'Alessandro of Sovereign Bank, Lorina Marshall-Blake of Independence Blue Cross, and Alba Martinez of United Way Southeastern Pennsylvania. The evening raised $50,000 to support the wide range of educational and counseling services that CORA annually provides to more than 20,000 at-risk children and their families in the Philadelphia area.
Picture perfect
P.P.O.W. art gallery of New York - one of 55 galleries from around the country that participated in USArtists: American Fine Art Show to benefit the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts - shone a spotlight on 1981 PAFA alum and artist Bo Bartlett, by selling only his paintings at the 33d Street Armory show Oct. 19 to 21. More than 5,000 works by established and emerging artists were featured at the show. Produced by the Women's Board of PAFA, the show raised more than $300,000 for PAFA scholarships and programs, including $145,000 from the preview gala on Oct. 18.
Social Circuit
For a slide show of more Social Circuit photos go to http://go.philly.com/
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