Three Parties... Three Ways to Celebrate Philadelphia

To the Philadelphia Hospitality staff, one of the most gratifying activities in its jam-packed year is standing in the midst of a members’ reception, surrounded by Philadelphia Hospitality Friends — all like-minded supporters who love our city and believe in our work. As our eyes wander the room, we note with pleasure, Friends of long-standing, who never miss an opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes evening; new supporters who have learned of our work, perhaps through attending the Vision for Philadelphia Award Gala, or perhaps through an enthusiastic colleague; along with a huge representation of our board, all eager to meet and thank those whom we depend upon to help us promote the region.

Covering three events in one newsletter gives us the opportunity to highlight how different one can be from the other, yet to point out their commonality – the same commitment to our city and its treasures.

In January 2008, just as our last Opening Doors went to press, our Patrons gathered at Barclay Prime, one of famed restaurateur Stephen Starr’s acclaimed dining spots, located in the historic Barclay Building on Rittenhouse Square. Guests formally welcomed Executive Director Bill Mifflin and raptly listened to Starr Restaurants’ Chief Operating Officer recount Starr’s role in transforming the city into a restaurant destination. It was a festive evening, one in which we all felt the energy of enthusiastic supporters getting together to share their passion for Philadelphia.

(From left) Virginia and Harvey Kimmel, board member Aaron Siegel, Executive Director Bill Mifflin, and Caroline Wischmann enjoy one another’s company at the winter '08 Patrons’ Party.	Starr Restaurants' famed Kobe beef sliders.	Janet and Lew Klein were among the many guests who came to congratulate Bill.

Some time ago Kim Sajet, President of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP), met with us to discuss our upcoming Associates’ reception. When she pulled out a printer’s proof of The Declaration of Independence, the earliest surviving version of The Constitution of the United States, and a rare copy of The Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, we knew this was the kind of goose-bump experience that our Friends would relish.

And when Thomas Holme’s copper plate for the first map of the City of Philadelphia, which William Penn used for real estate promotion was put on the table, we were determined to provide the same excitement for our Friends that we felt that afternoon.

The evening in June when more than 100 of our most generous donors gathered at HSP proved how much our Friends are in sync. We sensed guests’ thrill as they examined, with the help of senior HSP staff, core documents of the founding and early development of the United States. We watched their rapt attention as Kim Sajet enthusiastically recounted engaging anecdotes about the incredible collection she represents. And we heard their animated comments as they thanked us for an exhilarating evening.

Like other receptions we hold, its raison d'etre was to express our gratitude to those who support our work.

And while we are saying thanks, we provide for our guests the type of programs we promote. As they enjoy those programs first-hand they can better understand our visitors’ applause for opening doors to our magnificent city.

Although the behind-the-scenes component of our programs is the highlight (and this was certainly no exception), the opportunity to mingle over delicious refreshments and fine wine with new friends who hold the same interests dear makes the event memorable. We wish to thank STARR Events, which provided the most celebrated dishes from STARR Restaurants’ mouth-watering menus, VineOne for its generosity in furnishing flowing wine and especially the West Insurance Group for underwriting this event.

Kobie West, President and CEO of West Insurance Group, and underwriter of the Associates’ Reception, joins Philadelphia Hospitality Chair Pat Morely and Executive Director Bill Mifflin.	Board member Alice Dagit and guests examine HSP documents.

 

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Philadelphia Hospitality Friends rubbed shoulders with opera stars of tomorrow during our most recent Patrons’ reception at the highly acclaimed Academy of Vocal Arts. Judging from the performance by four extremely talented young vocalists, and the rousing response of our guests to their renditions of show tunes and light opera, these extraordinary students surely have star power today.

Attendees chatted informally with Soprano Michelle Johnson, Tenor Cody Austin, Bass Jeremy Milner and Baritone Steven LaBrie before the program began. Guests had a hunch from the performers’ tuxedo and evening gown attire that these genial young people, so poised and elegant, would not disappoint. And once they saw the vocalists onstage and heard their astounding voices, everyone was eager to talk with them, to hear about their training in the AVA’s striking French Second Empire style home, and learn what concerts were upcoming in their busy careers.

B. A. (Mackie) MacLean, Jr., AVA’s president, as well as Christopher Macatsoris, AVA’s music director, and Davis Lofton, its master vocal coach, were on hand to present their compelling perspectives of the Academy’s exciting work and to provide a true behind-the-scenes look at what celebrated Baritone Thomas Hampson has called “one of the great and rare professional training grounds of the next generation”.

But it wasn't all culture all the time. As usual, our reception was a hit. The exceptional hors d’oeuvres provided by STARR Events (including its signature miniature Kobe beef sliders as well as its creative salmon cones, which were special favorites), the excellent Clos du Bois Chardonnay and Pinot Noir provided by VineOne, and the company of Friends who share a common love of our city made lingering guests wish the evening could go on and on.

And speaking of Friends – we note with appreciation the assistance of PECO and Drexel University College of Medicine, underwriters of this wonderful evening.

Of course, there will be many more opportunities to enjoy a behind-the-scenes event at other respected Philadelphia cultural institutions. Check our website at www.philahospitality.org to learn about the next thank you party for the Friends of Philadelphia Hospitality.

Steve Maurer, Charles Croce of the Kimmel Center, and Marc Zaharchuk of The Aero Space Corporation about to enter the AVA’s theatre	Philadelphia Hospitality Friends enthusiastically applaud AVA performers.	Board member Richard Woosnam, his wife Diane Dalto Woosnam and board of advisors member David Marshall (right) enjoy the reception.