September 17, 2012|By Sloane Brown, For The Baltimore Sun
What: This soiree at Hunt Valley Inn marks the 30th year Hall has been the society's music director. After a cocktail hour, guests will sit for dinner and a program involving some fun tributes to Hall, who's known for his relaxed nature and cheeky sense of humor.
See: Professional, business and cultural leaders mixed with chorus members and arts supporters. The society's annual Ruby Cabaret usually attracts folks such as Maryland Institute College of Art President Fred Lazarus, MPT's Rhea Feikin and philanthropists Ed and Ellen Berman.
Be seen: The invite says "Night on the Town" attire. You can ramp up a business look or go with easy cocktail attire. You're going to be sitting most of the night and doing a lot of laughing.
Dine: Hors d'oeuvres, dinner, first drink included in ticket price. Cash bar.
Superlative: Friendliest vibe.
Tickets: $85. baltimorechoralarts.org or 410-523-7070.
The Walters Gala & The pARTy: Salute to Gary Vikan
When: Oct. 13
Benefits: The Walters Art Museum
What: Six hundred corporate types, arts leaders and philanthropists arrive in full finery for a cocktail hour and first peek at the museum's new "Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe" exhibit, followed by a seated dinner. In between, Vikan, who is retiring after 17 years at the Walters' helm, will be honored. A Las Vegas theme is a nod to Vikan's affection for all things Elvis. At 8 p.m., the doors open for the shindig's second tier, when 200 more folks will join in for cocktails, desserts and dancing.
See: In the past, we've spotted Baltimore Orioles' owner Peter Angelos and wife Georgia, Brown Advisory's Bill and Nan Paternotte, Kennedy Krieger's gal-about-town Lainy Lebow-Sachs and Nevins & Associates' David and Susie Nevins. The pARTy is being chaired by entrepreneurs Adam and Meredith Borden and Steve and Rosanna Best Corbin.
Be seen: If you have a ticket to the black-tie gala, go all-out glam, or bling it up a la Elvis. You can also use the Elvis theme or a cocktail look for pARTy attire.
Dine: Gala: hors d'oeuvres, seated dinner, open bar. pARTy: desserts, open bar.
Superlative: Swankiest.
Tickets: Gala is sold out. pArty, $90. thewalters.org.
One Night, One Show, One Cause
When: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14
Benefits: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
What: Taking its annual Kimmel fundraising concert to a new level, Paul Reed Smith Guitars is bringing Journey to the Modell Center for the Performing Arts at the Lyric Opera House. Band members will meet and greet some 500 guests at the VIP pre-concert party. Starting at 5:30, you can also mingle with L.A. music industry leaders and former D.C. "Real Housewife" (and girlfriend of lead guitarist Neal Schon) Michaele Salahi, who will host a fashion show. A live auction of autographed guitars is followed by the concert at 8:30.
See: Sterling Partners' Eric and Jill Becker and WJZ's Mary Bubala will be among those who don't stop believing.
Be seen: You can go rock 'n' roll casual or dressy jeans. But, you can also go over-the-top in rocker glam to mix with big-time music types.
Dine: Food station, open bar.
Superlative: The rockingest.
Tickets: $250-$1,000 ($1,000 tickets include front-row seats at concert). $75-$250, concert only.
An Evening of Celebrity Fashion and Fun
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 27
Benefits: Pathfinders for Autism
What: This event, hosted by Pathfinders founders Polly and B.J. Surhoff, generally sells out. Not only is it one big cocktail party — this year at the Center Club — but the Surhoffs recruit sports and broadcasting celebrities for its fashion show. This year's models include Mia Hamm, Nick and Christina Markakis, Chris and Dana Hoiles, Qadry and Holly Ismail, Paralympians Jessica Long and Brad Snyder, and Olympian Ricky Berens.
See: This party attracts many city sophisticates, ages 25-55, like Townsend Capital's David and Gretchen Townsend, and Attman's Marc and Debbie Attman.
Be seen: Trendy cocktail attire. This is your chance to explore this season's glamorous trends and feel completely city-chic.
Dine: Heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar.
Superlative: Biggest jock crowd
Tickets: $200. pathfindersforautism.org or 443-330-5370.
LUX Annual Benefit & Exhibition
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 9
Benefits: Maryland Art Place
What: The party's "Old Hollywood" theme comes from a photograph of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, taken by Elliott Landy, that will be auctioned that night. Landy was a juror for the new MAP photo exhibition and will also be on hand. The honorary chairs are the Ravens' Ray Lewis — an amateur photographer himself, whose work will also be on display — and his fiancee, Juliana Childress.
See: Among those spotted here in the past: board chair Suzi Cordish and her husband, Cordish Co.'s David Cordish; venture capitalist Patrick Kerins and his wife, Terry Morgenthaler of MAP; and Baltimore Museum of Art Director Doreen Bolger.
Be seen: The suggested attire is Old Hollywood or "creative glamour."
