Saturday night was the Academy Ball, an event I used to read about in Ruth Seltzer’s Society Column in the Philadelphia Inquirer when I was growing up. I was that kid that read the society pages, and for someone that had an aversion to a suit and tie, I was fascinated by the white tie idea.
Fast forward to adulthood and here I am, not only do I get to cover it, but I get to go to it and take a “date”. Mike never wants to go, he’s fascinated like I am. Last year I took Ian Crumm, this year I went with everyone’s BFF
Kory Aversa
Before the concert there is the Chairman’s Pre-Concert Reception, which is a great place for the society photographers to get their shots. I went in with the mind set I need 20 amazing, unique shots for my column in Philadelphia Magazine. Another periodical I read growing up, checking out the photos and now calling my own. You don’t know how humbling, and amazing it is to have that responsibility and I take it seriously. (At the same time I think OMG I was a paralegal, I planned to always be one, how did I get here?)
I had a heck of the time the other day picking out photos to run in my PhillyMag column, everyone looked great and had a story.
Usually I try and pick people who are real standouts, have a story, haven’t been in the column in at least 3 months, and anticipate if they are going to be in an upcoming column (Friday night is the Black Tie Car Show, then there’s the Flower Show). Rachel Moore on the right is in the column with her gorgeous gold Oscar de la Renta dress. I positioned her so that you could see her gorgeous bow on her dress in a nearby mirror. But here’s the dress in full color, in the magazine I had to lighten the photo as the mirror was dark. At the bottom of this entry I’ll have a link.
I love Monique Crawford, but this photo was just wrong with the photo bomber on the right and that not very pretty jacketed person over her shoulder. I wish we weren’t near the stairs. Anyway Monique is wearing one of the big signature colors of the night, gorgeous green.
Scott Quigley, Monique, Alissa Higgins and Matthew Higgings. (Don’t count these photos out from appearing in Philly Mag hard copy though. I sometimes pull from PhillyChitChat to go into the magazine.)
My boss, David Lipson and his always stylish wife Susan.
Anne Callahan and Charles Croce style standouts every year.
Sandy and George Norcross. They were supposed to be in my column, but like Anne and Charles above, I forgot to upload them. So bummed. Love their style.
Alana and Rich Tosti
The hottest couple on the planet of Philadelphia: Brandon McMullin and Rep Brian Sims
Complementary high style: Stephanie and Dr. Kirk Brandow with Carol Tamburino.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew “A.J.” Marsico or as I call them my friends,
AJ Marsico and Annie McCormick Marsico.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Al Pacino Special Guest
Simone Porter Violin
James Alexander Creative Director
Anniversary Concert Program:
attrib. J.S. SMITH/orch. Ormandy “The Star‑Spangled Banner”
Rachmaninoff from Symphonic Dances, Op. 45:
III. Lento assai—Allegro vivace—Lento assai, come
prima—L’istesso tempo, ma agitato—Poco meno
mosso—“Alliluya”
Kreisler/orch. McAlister “Caprice viennois,” for violin and orchestra
Sarasate “Zapateado,” from Spanish Dances, Op. 23, No. 2 (First Philadelphia Orchestra performance)
Mascagni Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana
J. Strauss, Jr. “Wiener Blut” Waltz, Op. 354
Co-chair of Anniversary Ball Linda Siegfried (wearing Oscar de la Renta) special guest star Al Pacino
The concert was terrific, originally I was sitting inside, but when the photo above this happened I slipped outside and shot it through the window in door, as there are rules about shooting after a certain time inside the hall. I’ve shot through the window at other times too. I really needed the photo of everyone, including the chairs on the stage. I had forgotten that happened. The complete photo is on Philly Mag
Flo Celender makes her way down the Academy of Music staircase after the concert.
Flo is wearing vintage Christian Dior.
This year they did something really creative and added entertainment as ball guests made their way from the Academy of Music to the Bellevue:
8:30 PM–9:15 PM: Promenade to the Bellevue! Ball at the Bellevue!
Featuring the Delaware County Christian Academy Choir (2013 More 101 FM Choir competition winners!) (above)
The Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble on Broad Street
The Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School Choir at the Bellevue!
Love this whole outfit
And Danielle Hankin and Renee Dubyk
Stunning:
PhillyVoice Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor Leah Kauffman with Managing Director Lexie Norcross.
Peter and Celeste Madden
I basically bum-rushed the elevator, he’s
surrounded by security who (of course) immediately want me removed. Al
told them to relax. I said “Al, I’m not into selfies, I’d rather have a
real photo” threw his one (large) security guy my phone. Al’s quote “I
agree about selfies, they breed vanity.” What a guy. Unforgettable!
The Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School Choir at the Bellevue!
Lea and Chris May. Their photo was also sent to the Liberty City Press where I have a weekly column in a hard copy newspaper.
Sen Vince Fumo and fiance Carolyn Tini
I loved her dress, I just didn’t have a spot for them.Gaia DiGiacomo and Carmine Berardi
Rachel Luber Cevera and Jason Cevera enjoy dinner and a view of the dance floor from the Balcony. As “Young Friends” these are where our seats are located. I adored this photo, but I chose another shot of someone sitting. Photo tip: Sitting photos never make it in the magazine. Sometimes I will take one of each, sitting and standing and will add the standing one to the magazine. This time I had so many shots to choose from and I know I’ll see these two soon.
Brian Tierney
Carol Fitzgerald, executive director of Penna. Society, Larry McMichael, chairman of Dilworth Paxson LLP and wearing Oscar de la renta Patricia Wellenbach, CEO of Green Tree School in Philadelphia.
Kory Aversa
Carrie Minelli, Director of Marketing at Parx Casino and Dino Minelli
Kim Adu
So many great people in this photo. Oh and there’s Rachel Moore’s Oscar de la Renta and her bow. So many people wore Oscar as a tribute to him at the Academy Ball.
Purple shoes sir
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