PIFA 2013 Gala

See which Philly VIPs checked out the arts festival’s time machine.

Last night, the Kimmel Center hosted a spectacular gala for the 2013 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), which runs through April 27th.

Todd Herremans’ Hoops for Help

The Eagle’s foundation hosts VIP-studded charity event.

Philadelphia Eagle Todd Herremans hosted the First Annual Todd Herremans Foundation Hoops for Help at the West Club of Lincoln Financial Field, benefiting six different charities: No Place to Hate, American Cancer Society, Cooper Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Magee Rehab, and Autism Research. Herremans' told the crowd that he didn't want to pick one charity as so many need our help, and that every year he would do it this way. There were many notables in the crowd mixing among guests. I saw Heather Mitts Feeley, former Eagles Mike Mamula and A. J. Feeley, and Fred Lee Barnett. Jennaphr...

HughE Dillon: ACHIEVEability Food for Thought

With 34 of Philly’s top chefs at the event, I picked up some news for foodies.

Nearly 600 guests, 34 of Philadelphia's top chefs, and 6 ABC's Alicia Vitarelli were at ACHIEVEability's annual Food for Thought event Saturday night at the Navy Yard. ACHIEVEability aims to break the cycle of poverty by stabilizing families and focusing on higher education. Below: Vitarelli and Tim Thornton, of Vanguard, participate in the live auction.

Zarwin Baum March Madness Party

Philly VIPs catch NCAA tournament basketball action at the Crystal Tea Room while raising money for Philabundance.

With the start of March Madness, there were at least a half dozen big parties in Philadelphia, and one of the biggest was hosted by the Zarwin Baum law firm and HUB International Parties at the Crystal Tea Room. This year, more than 2,000 people attended the annual event, an eight-hour extravaganza, where guests dined on burgers, wings and chicken, enjoyed an open bar, had their favorite cigars rolled in the cigar room, and watched the NCAA games on projection screens. Pictured: Firm founder Norman Zarwin, Sheriff Jewell Williams, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, and Mitchell Kaplan, partner at Zarwin Baum.

UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball

2013 marks the first year a United Negro College Fund Mayor’s Ball has been held in Philly.

On Friday night, Philadelphia hosted its inaugural United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Mayor's Masked Ball at the Marriott Downtown. The UNCF has hosted these balls throughout the country, but this was the first time they held one in Philly, and they put the whole thing together in less than two months. It was very impressive. Pictured: Mayor Michael Nutter and First Lady Lisa Nutter.

American Red Cross Red Ball 2013

Nearly 1,000 dined and danced at the Please Touch Museum.

On Saturday night, the American Red Cross held its annual gala, Red Ball, at the Please Touch Museum, and nearly 1,000 people dined on delicious food by Seasons 52, the Water Works, Ristorante Panaroma, and the JNA Institute of Culinary Arts, and danced to the tunes of CTO Artists. The evening’s hostess, Renée Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross greets the guests, as chairman of the ball Leon LaRosa (left) and chairman of the board Tom Hays look on.

PMA Young Friends Winter Gala

A bash to support the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosted their annual Winter Gala at the museum on Saturday, with all proceeds going to the Young Friends' mission of support for art acquisitions, education, conservation, and special projects within the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Below: Rachel Swartz, Shawn Robertson, Megan Fredericks and William Bond Read IV were excited to check out the newly opened exhibition "Great and Mighty Things": Outsider Art from the Jill and Sheldon Bonovitz Collection; it runs until June 9th.

Philadelphia Flower Show 2013

Guests at the preview and young friends parties get the first peek at "Brilliant!"

"Brilliant!" is the appropriate name for this year’s edition of the world-renowned annual Philadelphia Flower Show from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This year's displays take inspiration from the beauty and splendor of Great Britain’s magnificent gardens, as well as its wonderful history of pop culture and royalty. The annual black-tie preview party (this year, scheduled a night earlier to give the show two full weekends for the public to enjoy Brilliant!) was held Friday. Pictured: Peter Auerbach, Out Hotel, Kristin Auerbach, Drew Becher, PHS president, and Eric Lochner, president of global talent management at Kenexa.

Reading Terminal’s Valentine to the Market Gala

A crowd of 600 tasted the Market’s fantastic food and danced the night away.

Reading Terminal Market's Valentine to the Market Gala was held Saturday night. The benefit brought out a crowd of almost 600. There were interactive love-themed activities, including a love potion station, a sketch artist, tarot card readings, and a make-your-own love pillow station. There were also live performances on two different stages, and the dance floor was packed till nearly midnight. Proceeds benefited the Reading Terminal Market Preservation Trust. Pictured: Paul Steinke, general manager of the Reading Terminal Market (left) and Paul Levy, CEO of Center City District.