Second Annual POPS Ball: “Pops of Gold”

The Second Annual POPS Ball took place Wednesday night at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The black-tie gala started with an hour-long cocktail party, with passed hors d’oeuvres and souvenir photos being taken.

Governor Tom Corbett stopped by and greeted the guests. At 8 p.m. guests sat down for dinner in the Grand Ballroom where Frank Giordano, president of the Philly Pops, welcomed the guests before the Philly Pops took the stage. Maestro Michael Krajewski conducted a 45-minute Philly Pops concert that highlighted the season, with guest pianist/singer Tony DeSare performing a selection from his “The American Songbook Then and Now,” which will be performed in its entirety in March with the orchestra.

After dinner there was dancing as the 65-piece orchestra performed for another hour, featuring fun numbers like “Bandstand Boogie” and “Mack the Knife” and concluding with “In The Mood,” which had the dance floor packed. Proceeds from the evening go The Philly Pops concert series and educational programs. The emcee for the evening was Pat Ciarrocchi, CBS 3 Philly

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From left: Charles D. Mandracchia, Esq., board of directors, Michael Krajewski, music director of the Philly Pops, Charlotte Krajewski, Tony DeDare and Darcy Krajewski.

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From left: Frank Giordano, president of the Philly Pops, Governor Tom Corbett, and Joseph Del Raso, chair with his wife Anne (not pictured) of the Philly Pops Gala.

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Lynda and Larry Kaufman.

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From left: Sandra and Stephen Sheller with Dottie and Frank Giordano, co-chairs of the Philly Pops Gala.

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Joseph Smith and Sharla Feldscher.

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Lori and Jim Ehret, president of Ehret Construction Company, with Martha and Bob Bolling, SVP at RBC Wealth Management.

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From left: Peter and Rebecca Michaelson with Cindy and Larry Wanerman.

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Salvatore M. Debunda, Esq., chairman of the board of directors, and Cheryl A. Finocchiaro.

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Jennifer Murphy and Anthony Serafine they told me the highlight of the evening was dancing to the Philly Pops.

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Former Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent J. Fumo and Carolyn Zinni.

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From left: Frank Donnell, Mary Jo DePazza, Carrie Nork Minelli, Donna Lane, and Tom Bonner, all of Parx Casino, one of the sponsors of the evening.

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Trish Wellenbach, CEO at Green Tree School & Services, and Larry McMichael, partner at Dilworth Paxson LLP.

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Dancing to the Pops.

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Alix and Peter Jacobs.

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Matt and Jackie Bean.

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.