Inliquid.com and The Art Biz hosted the second annual art auction at the performance garage of Jeanne Ruddy Dance on September 22nd. DJs Crystal Clear and Cozmic Cat provided music throughout the silent auction and later, at the after party at Ruba Hall. Profits from this event will benefit the community-based cultural education center, Taller Puertorriqueno's, children's art programs. Over 75 local artists and 60 businesses donated items to be sold at auction.

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts held its 3rd annual wine auctions, to the delight of area winelovers. The event took place at the beautiful Museum at Broad and Cherry Streets on September 21st. Sotheby's humorous and able auctioneer, C. Hugh Hildesley, conducted the sale of some very rare and highly sought-after international wines. After viewing and tasting the lots of wine, bidders competed to see who would take home these prized items. A gourmet dinner was served in the rotunda, surrounded by gorgeous works of art.

Mercedes Benz sponsored a test-driving promotion in Philadelphia to hype its new 2001 C-class. Their slogan, "Live. A lot," in this case led to Swanky Bubbles on September 20th. The idea is to get people out to drive the cars by offering a free appetizer with their meal. Good for the restaurant, good for Mercedes. If you want to buy a Mercedes-Benz, then it's good for you too.

The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art held their kickoff to the social season with their annual Rodin Party on September 19th, at, where else – The Rodin Museum on the parkway. Over 500 guests buzzed hither and thither down the paths bordering the shallow pool. Despite having an open beer and wine bar, no one managed a swim that night. Later, after the museum closed at 8:30, the apres-fete was held at the Philadelphia Raquet Club in Center City. The remaining 300 or so partiers stayed tucked in a high-ceilinged, plush, maroon room that still managed to feel cozy until the last of them dwindled to numbers small enough to be accomodated by Rouge, which is where the party finally wound down late-nite.

On Monday, August 27 the Mann Center for Performing Arts celebrated its 25th anniversary with conductor Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic in an All-Beethoven performance - 25 years after their Mann Center debut! The Mann offers diverse, world-class entertainment and nothing captures the spirit of that better than this internationally acclaimed orchestra. After the concert, guests gathered under the stars to watch the fireworks and top off the evening with a cake and champagne birthday celebration.