The 161st Anniversary Concert and Ball was celebrated Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the Academy of Music and Hyatt at the Bellevue. A sold out crowd enjoyed a pre cocktail party, a spectacular concert by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra along with special guest Steve Martin, before making the iconic walk up Broad Street to the Bellevue for dinner, dancing and fun. The Anniversary Ball is a White Tie event, with a very strict dress code with no room for interpretation. Even the photographers who shoot the event are required to adhere by the dress code of White Tie and full length gowns. That being said, lets see who the stand outs of the evening were as decided by a PhillyChitChat panel. Funds from the gala go to the restoration fund for the Academy of Music building

Marilyn Russell, WOGL in a stunning glittery gown was my date for the evening.

Dr. Lynn G. Dever, MD and Jim Dever, Bank of America’s Philadelphia market president. Bows were big this year!!

Amazing mother daughter fashionista’s Sloane Glass and Nancy Glass

Linda Swain wearing Nicole Miller and Ian Swain

Lydie Szabo Brown, 161st Anniversary Concert and Ball Co-Chairmen and Paul De Janosi

Kevin Johnson and Kimya Johnson, RED HOT. Red was the dominate color of the night for the ladies.

Congrats to Jason and Rachel Cevera, baby girl Cevera, due this May.

Lynsie Solomon wearing a gorgeous Rene Ruiz with dapper husband Evan Solomon
Stunning Amber Gomes and husband Pedro Gomes|
Amber wore Johnathon Kaye. He was a Project Runway Allstar.Janice Wright Waitkus and Bob Waitkus

Janice wore Kay UngerRed Dress from Neiman Marcus, white fur Jacques Ferber. I loved her handbag from Anthropologie and elegant 18k Caviar LAGOS jewelery

Brad Marshall and Sarah Marshall arrive at the pre concert cocktail party at the Academy of Music. Sarah is wearing Monique Lhuillier  from Neiman Marcus

Susan Boulton and Mark Mills
Stunning in winter white Elizabeth Wixted and Kyle Scott. 2018 will be a very good year in deed as the happy couple are engaged to be married

Another couple walking down the aisle this year Erika Blatt and Cory Siegfried, who will exchange rings in April.

I wish I had gotten a full length shot of these two beauties, but it was upstairs during the cocktail hour and it was packed. I love, love, love their textured dresses: Rafaela Torres with a mix of gold, black and silver applique dress and Carrie Benson silver, black and grey applique dress

This photo doesn’t do Alissa Frederico‘s dress justice as I forgot to change my white balance on my camera with Alex Holley scarlet red silk satin strapless gown.

Dress: @marchesafashion Baubles: @bernierobbinsjewelers MUA: @seth_bartonroberts for @priv Headband: @justinemcouture @labellemariee Hair:

Stellar

Sharon Phillips Waxman with daughter Mackenzie Drew.
Sharon’s company SPW Productions was one of the producers of the Academy Ball event again this year.

SPW Productions secured the entertainment which were seen along the Broad Street promenade. The women on the left is wearing a spectacular gown, which makes my list of the 24 best list.

 Yasmina Moukarzel and John Giordano, had the wedding of the century last year, and my pick for one of the best events of the year in an earlier post on chitchat.  Yasmina is wearing Giambattista Valli haute couture

Kristin Detterline, beautiful green gown accessorized with Bernie Robbins jewelry and Justin Jeffers

Anne Hamilton, Board Member of the Academy of Music, here with husband Matt Hamilton

Best Dressed repping the Philadelphia Eagles as Anne drapped the flag around her beautiful gown, with a ribbon.

Stunning and never disappointing Anne Callahan wearing Oscar de la Renta

Best dressed of the evening, Dr. Nina Radcliff looks gorgeous in her spring like gown, a staunch Trump supporter, Dr. Nina, TV personality and columnist’s date for the Ball was the handsome Democratic Senator Larry Farnese, proving that you can reach across the aisle, put politics aside and find common ground.
For all the details on the 161st Anniversary Ball

For more photos from the Ball check out Philly Style Magazine and CBSPhilly. Additional Photos will appear in the March issue of Philadelphia Magazine (some may be on this page) and next weeks Liberty City Press