Social Circuit
The Opera Company of Philadelphia held its fourth annual Viva la Diva Gala Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel. The black-tie benefit for 280 honored board member Ellen Berman Lee, who, with her husband, Jerry Lee of B101, has supported the nonprofit for the last 10 years.
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Viva la Diva
The Opera Company of Philadelphia held its fourth annual Viva la Diva Gala Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel. The black-tie benefit for 280 honored board member Ellen Berman Lee, who, with her husband, Jerry Lee of B101, has supported the nonprofit for the last 10 years. Among the live-auction items was dinner for 16 at the Gladwyne home of Jay Tolson, prepared by Savona chef Andrew Masciangelo, with wines donated by Stephen Somkuti; it went twice for $11,000. The evening, cochaired by Opera Company board chairman Stephen A. Madva and his wife, Denise Creedon, raised $150,000.
Three strikes, you win
It was a winning combination April 30 when Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and centerfielder Shane Victorino hit the lanes as cohosts of Philadelphia Futures' Get in the Game benefit, held at North Bowl in Northern Liberties. The event for 400 raised more than $150,000 for the nonprofit, a mentoring and academic-enrichment program for high school and college students. The benefit was chaired by Phillies president David Montgomery, Daniel Fitzpatrick of Citizens Bank, and Arn Tellem of WMG Management.
Center stage
The Wilma Theater celebrated co-artistic directors Blanka Zizka and Jiri Zizka's 30th anniversary with the theater May 1 at its annual Gala. Peggy Greenawalt received the first Wilma Star Award for her service as the theater's board chair since 2005. The event for 225 also featured an anniversary performance at the Wilma followed by dinner, a silent auction, and dancing at the Doubletree Hotel. The Gala raised $146,580 for the theater.
Spring break
Lisa Nutter, wife of Mayor Nutter and president of Philadelphia Academies Inc., hosted the nonprofit's 40th Birthday Party and Spring Break fund-raiser May 2 at the Water Works Restaurant & Lounge. The event for 375 guests raised $220,000 for the nonprofit, which prepares young people for employment and postsecondary education through career-focused programming.
Divine evening
Actor Sam Waterston of Law and Order gave a dramatic reading at the 250th Anniversary Celebration of St. Peter's Church May 2 at the historic Society Hill church. The event also included a cocktail reception for 300; a parade of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, founded in 1774; and dinner for 90 at the Powel House. The event, cochaired by Donna Wechsler and Jacquie Lewis, raised about $25,000.