SOCIAL CIRCUIT
A look at the social events, galas, functions and fund-raisers in the area.
Gala for Karnell
The Joan Karnell Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital held its fund-raising gala, Together We Can, Friday at the National Constitution Center. The dinner for 325 guests, cochaired by Dr. Arthur "Chip" Staddon, the center's medical director, and Dr. David Mintzer, chief of oncology, raised more than $185,000 for the center. A highlight of the evening was a performance by mezzo-soprano Julia Mintzer, daughter of Dr. David Mintzer, who sang a selection of opera songs.
Taking note
Nearly 400 guests attended Settlement Music School's 103d Anniversary Gala, held April 9 at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The dinner, cochaired by Jerry and Clara Wright and Deborah Goldblum and her husband, Gary Bridges, showcased the school's Rosalie Magen Weinstein and Matthew B. Weinstein Woodwind Quintet, conducted by former Philadelphia Orchestra first violinist Sidney Curtiss and coached by his wife, Shirley. The evening raised more than $300,000 for Settlement, which provides music, dance, and visual arts programs to children and adults in six branch locations in the area.
Dancing for dollars
The local chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America held its third annual Dancing With the Philadelphia Stars benefit April 10 at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing. The event's 10 contestants each performed a dance with a professional partner from Society Hill Dance Academy. Competing against nine other contestants, including Girard College president Autumn Adkins Graves, City Representative Melanie Johnson and AIDS Fund executive director Robb Reichard, Lorina Marshall-Blake of Independence Blue Cross and her partner won for their cha-cha. The event for 340 guests raised more than $51,000.
Sound of music
Astral Artists, which helps gifted classical musicians launch their careers, held its Color Me Astral! gala April 2 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts' Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building. The evening, which honored Dolores and Robert Siegel, featured a classical music performance by Astral artists flutist Julietta Curenton, pianist Sara Daneshpour, and saxophonist Doug O'Connor. Cochaired by Beth and Jack Kolpen and Keith and James Straw, the gala for nearly 200 guests raised more than $58,000 for Astral.
Media mavens
The Philadelphia Black Public Relations Society celebrated African American women in the media at its annual Milestone event, held March 29 at Peco's Energy Hall. The event honored Pamela Browner-White of the Eagles; Berlinda Garnett of Fox 29; Sara Lomax-Reese of WURD Radio; and Desiree Peterkin Bell, director of communications and strategic partnerships for Mayor Nutter. Proceeds from the fund-raiser will support Dress for Success, which provides business clothes and career development programs for disadvantaged women.
