Hannah House, a non-profit organization that helps North Philadelphian women break free from the cycle of poverty, drug addiction, and incarceration, held a fundraiser at Lloyd Hall at Boathouse Row on Thursday, July 24th. The theme of the party, "Buenos Noches", meant that cigar smoke and the rhythms of the Cuban band, Conjunto 23, swirled around in the sunshine until after 9pm. If you're so inclined, it's www.hannahhousephilly.org to volunteer.

The Alliance Francaise held a Bastille Day fete at the new National Constitution Center at 6th and Arch Streets on, yes, Bastille Day. Many guests wore red, white, and blue – no stars, just stripes, and sipped 1997 Chateau Lynch-Bages and nibbled at the delightful feast put on by Max and Me caterers. Though it was a Monday night, the continental spirit got people out onto the dance floor, swinging to Eddie Bruce's band, stellar as usual.

To celebrate the kick-off of the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, the director and stars of the film Latter Days gathered for a pre-screening party. Jacqueline Bisset, one of the movie's stars, was on hand to introduce the cast at the theater later in the evening.

The Global Interdepence tk held its annual dinner at the Four Seasons. Since they put it so eloquently, this is their story: "The GIC is a non-profit organization that recognizes the increasing economic and political interdependence of nations. GIC is committed to the expansion of global trade, believing investment and finance in a sustainable free trade environment is a positive instrument for reducing international tensions and improving worldwide living standards." Oh. Is that all?

Bright cocktails, mermaids and mermen, beach umbrellas, sequined flip-flops and saltwater taffy were some of the signs that summer had arrived at the Kimmel Center. The Summer in the City party was held on Friday, June 6th, starting with cocktails in the main hall downstairs. Dinner was an event unto itself, catered in-house by the always fab Restaurant Associates (you know them from the Art Museum too, and Lincoln Financial field where our Eagles soar). After dinner, guests, clutching small flip-flop shaped boxes stuffed with taffy went to Verizon hall to hear K.D. Lang belt it out (only 3 encores…). The building staff had to kick people out as the night went on and on….