The 21st Century Society, the Young Friends of the Philadelphia Orchestra held one of their Happy Hours at the Phoenix's bar/restaurant, Tir Na Nog, which means The Land of Youth to raise awareness of the Young Friends' party at the 2003 Academy Ball. At $200 per ticket, this might be the most costly of any of the various Young Friend groups' ticket of the year, but the party can't be beat. It's also white-tie, so get your penguin suit out boys.

Prend garde a toi! The Opera Company of Philadelphia kicked off the season with the Carmen Gala, held November 8th at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The theme was Black Tie with a Touch of Red and those with some spirit followed that decree. Those who were more conservative admired their fellow opera lovers' red purses, cumberbunds, bows, socks, etc…

This year's Henri David Halloween party was held at the Wyndham Franklin. Over 1,500 costumed guests crowded the upstairs hall and ballroom. There's nothing I can say that will tell you what these photos will… Make sure to click on the little photos to see the entire photo!

21st Century Society--The Philadelphia Orchestra's Young Friends' group, threw a costume party on Halloween in the lobby of, where else?, the Kimmel Center. While this party was a bit tamer than Henri David's it was by no means dull. Pretty people in imaginative costumes, open bar, a great band, and the ultimate venue ensured that!

No one took off their shirt at the Breast Health Institute's Give the Shirt off Your Back for Breast Cancer dinner gala on October 25th at the Hyatt at Penn's Landing. Last year the event came with a handful of buff, half-clad young men to underscore their point. This year, like last year, Brian Kapra and his team at Evantine Designs did the flowers and decorations. They were among the most spectacular we've ever seen at any event too, with each table bearing a fashion designer's name and a floral theme to go with it. Thierry Mugler was our favorite, with purpley-blue hydrangeas and giant shooting silver stars springing out of the four-foot-high arrangement. This year's event raised $350,000 toward the fight against breast cancer.--Click on small images to see entire photo--