Laugh lines

The Urban League of Philadelphia held its annual black-tie gala June 6 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, raising more than $500,000 for the nonprofit. After an evening of dinner and an awards program honoring PRWT Services and the University of Pennsylvania, comedian George Wallace left the 600 guests laughing with a 50-minute performance. The gala's honorary chair was Joe Neubauer, chairman and chief executive officer of Aramark.

Wall to wall

Actress Jane Seymour was among the 550 guests who attended the Mural Arts Program's fifth annual Wall Ball, held June 4 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The benefit, which raised $200,000, boasted the largest turnout to date, up from 400 last year. The evening honored State Rep. Dwight Evans and the Philadelphia Police Department, which received the program's first Mayor's Award. A one-week stay for up to 10 people in a 14th-century villa in Tuscany, donated by John H. McFadden, was the top-selling auction item, going for $8,000 twice.

Urban cowboy

The Children's Crisis Treatment Center held its 10th annual Roundup June 5 at Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The country casual event, cochaired by Marina Lesser and Catherine R. Rappaport, featured dinner, dancing, and rides on a mechanical bull. The Roundup, attended by 370 guests, raised $230,000 for the center, which provides behavioral health services to Philadelphia's children and their families.

Lady in red

The American Heart Association's sixth annual Go Red for Women luncheon, held June 5 at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, raised $750,000. The 550 guests enjoyed heart-healthy cooking demonstrations, a performance by singer Lady Alma, and a fashion show featuring designs created by the Philadelphia University students who won the Red Dress Design Contest. The event honored Mary Stengel Austen, president and chief executive officer of Tierney Communications.

Bravissima!

Opera star Denyce Graves took center stage at the Commonwealth Youthchoirs' fifth annual Gala Concert, held June 16 at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater. The sold-out concert featured Graves performing a variety of music ranging from Gershwin to a rousing Carmen medley with 200 singers from the Pennsylvania Girlchoir and the Keystone State Boychoir. Following the concert, a dessert reception was held at the University of the Arts' Hamilton Hall. The benefit for 600, cochaired by Ellie Hanson and Christy Yaffe, raised $45,000.