Gala

Design is important to Lisa Reed. The 35-year-old Hampden resident has made it her career as an architect at Cho Benn Holback + Associates. The shape of something is also important when it comes to her personal style. When we "Glimpsed" Reed at Everyman Theatre's gala at the American Visionary Art Museum, she explained her style philosophy: "As long as I have on one nice thing, I can cheapen everything else up and be a little more trendy. But I like to keep one classic piece in the mix."

Just because a party is black tie doesn't mean it's stuffy. The crowd that gathered for the Caritas: Saint Agnes Spring Gala in the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency may have been wearing gowns and tuxedos, but as soon as the band started up, the dance floor filled. Saint Agnes Cancer Center director Dr. Carole Miller boogied with her colleagues, before pulling Saint Agnes Foundation president Sherry Welch out of her seat to join them. "This is a bunch of doctors who never get a chance to party together, so we love throwing this for them.

F or years, the Baltimore School for the Arts' Saturday night Expressions gala has been a sellout, even with $300 ticket prices. That's why the school also holds a more casual, less expensive version the following Monday. As BSFA celebrated its 30th year, the Monday night party joined the ranks of its big brother. "It's totally sold out. Look at this. It's unbelievable," said event co-chair Carole Sibel as she viewed the crowd milling in the Segal Gallery, enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails before that evening's student performance.

Debi Culotta describes her style as easy and relaxed. "My favorite clothes are jeans and T-shirts. But when I go out, I like to grow up a little bit." For the 55-year-old CEO of GEOVerdi Energy Systems, that means a glamorous short dress, like the one we glimpsed her wearing at the Marriott Waterfront for the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation's annual Aspire Gala. The Baltimore resident acknowledges that she's been dressing a bit out of her comfort zone lately, thanks to a fashion-forward friend in Palm Beach, Fla., where she's spending the winter.

I t was a star-spangled night at the American Visionary Art Museum, as several hundred folks gathered for the museum's annual gala. Many guests followed the suggested dress code of "broad stripes and bright stars," in honor of the museum's current exhibition, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." "I need a photo with Captain America," said Diana Kim, a Washington-based makeup artist, as she spotted AVAM's communications and marketing manager, Pete Hilsee, in his costume, complete with foam rubber muscles.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Art Modell and Joe Ehrmann were honored Friday night as part of the sixth annual Aspire Charity Gala, put on by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to recognize those whose "work has made a difference in the lives of others." "We look for worthy candidates, and when Jackie's name was brought up, we just thought she was perfect," Cal Ripken Jr. said. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that "works throughout the country with Boys & Girls Clubs, Police Athletic League centers, inner-city schools and other organizations serving America's most distressed communities," according to its Web site.

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation announced its honorees for its sixth annual Aspire Gala. Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee , Ravens minority owner Art Modell and former Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann will be recognized at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on Feb. 12. Joyner-Kersee will be presented with the Aspire Award, Modell will be honored with the Charles M. Cawley Legacy Award, and Ehrmann will receive the 2010 Cal Sr. Award....

I t's not every day you see the top judge in the state playing the role of party photographer. Robert Bell, chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals, snapped shots at the annual awards reception for the Maryland Legal Services Corp., which provides civil legal assistance to low-income Marylanders. This was an evening all about the giving of one's services. "This gives us a chance to get together with grantees, judges, legislators and people who do so many good things for people who need legal aid," said F. Vernon Boozer, Maryland Legal Services Corp.

At first glance, the Back on My Feet Baltimore Bash at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall had all the trappings of a traditional gala: A few hundred folks meeting and greeting, all decked out in suits and shimmering dresses. However, as soon as you looked down, you knew this wasn't your average shindig. There were sneakers everywhere. "You're supposed to wear cocktail attire with sneakers because Back on My Feet is all about running," said Anne Mahlum, who founded the nonprofit in 2007 in Philadelphia to help the homeless learn self-sufficiency through a running program.