Mann Music Center’s Party in the Park Gala

Wednesday night the Mann Music Center celebrated the 2014 Party in The Park Gala with musical entertainment from Diana Ross, who is on her “In The Name Of Love” tour. The evening started off with a welcoming cocktail party before the 650 guests were ushered into the dinner tent to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Stephen Starr catering, as well as a short program. The highlight of the dinner was a tribute to outgoing board chairman Justin P. Klein. (Chris Bruner, managing partner, Ernst & Young, LLP Philadelphia, is the new board chairman as of March 1st.)

Then it was time for the Diana Ross’ concert. I photographed Miss Ross at Radio City Music Hall in 2009, where she allowed the press 45 seconds to capture her image; at the Mann that time was cut back to 0 seconds, but I was able to get a semi-bad cell phone shot. It was a shame, because she looks as beautiful and flawless as ever. Her concert was nearly 70 minutes long with no intermission, and included 5 outfit changes, (10 if you count when she would drop her big bird-feathered coats).

The best part: she had a matching fan for each of the outfits, turquoise, yellow, white, green and blue (not her signature red, though.) She was generous throughout the show and fanned her fans as well as her band. I was a little disappointed that she didn’t acknowledge she was in Philadelphia — sticking with the script — but she smiled a lot and thanked the fans in her Miss Ross way.

She opened with “I’m Coming Out” to a cheering crowd, the highlight of the night had to be her “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” that got even the people sitting in the front seats to stand and dance. She closed out the night with her anthem, adding her own touch to “I Will Survive,” and survive she has, 50 years after exploding onto the charts; Miss Ross is still going strong.

For best results, view gallery in full-screen mode.

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Miss Diana Ross on stage at the Mann Center

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Chris and Andrew Bruckner.

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From left: David Pittinsky of Ballard Spahr, Alecia Pittinsky and former U.S. District Court Judge James Giles.

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From left: Art Panfile of Deloitte Consulting LLP and Wayne Vincent.

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Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest.

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From left: Halley, David and Liz Elliott.

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From left: Juliette Mortimer and Lauren Elsenpeck.

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Kevin and Sarah Kleinschmidt.

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Kate and Chris Chimicles on the town for the first time since their baby was born last month.

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Amy Rhoads and Jeff Cook.

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From left: Nancy Wolcott and Jane Pepper.

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Carrie Nork Minelli, director of advertising and public relations at Parx Casino, and Scott Barnes.

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From left: Deborah Johnson visitor services manager at the African American Museum, Rhoda Blount, VP of education and community engagement at the Mann Music Center, Sam Katz and Catherine M. Cahill, president and CEO of the Mann Music Center.

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From left: Alan and Louise Reed, Craig Mann, Susan Ellis and Justin Kline, outgoing board chair, who was being honored at the evening's gala.

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From left: Saadiyah Bayah and Ivben Taqiy with an orginal work of art that Ivben created and hoped to give to Miss Ross.

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From left: Rich Lee and Brad Richards.

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From left: Felicia Odom and Shawn Donaldson, both of Parx Casino.

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From left: Alan Greenberger, deputy mayor for economic development and director of commerce, Greta Greenberger, City Hall tour director, Cathy Cahill, president and CEO of The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Joan Reilly, senior director at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and Michael DiBerardinis, deputy mayor for environmental and community resources for the city of Philadelphia and commissioner of the department of parks.

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.