Kitschy-koo

Andy's 15 minutes still aren't up.

The rains came Saturday night, and the line snaking around The Andy Warhol Museum for the opening of "Possession Obsession: Objects from Andy Warhol's Personal Collection" still wouldn't quit. It was a scene Andy loved best. Some 500-plus collectors, artists, Beautiful People, dealers, museum moguls and swells rubbing elbows with gamy bizarros, drag queens teetering on stilettos, and tattoo-parlor tribesmen flaunting their obsessions … a society as freed from convention as was the artist who gave new meaning to having it all.

In 1988, a year after Andy died, Sotheby's spent 10 days selling his stuff on the block. From trendy tchotchkes to museum-quality treasures, the rich and famous shelled out nearly $30 million for over 10,000 items. Like the collection of 136 cookie jars that Movado Watch chairman Gerry Grinberg (in from Manhattan with his wife, Sonia ) bought for $198,605. One wouldn't expect to find piggly-wigglies at The Carnegie, would one• But they're the focal point of this compelling insight into Andy's obsession. Quel revelation .

AWM archivist and the show's curator, John Smith, traced 300 objects from the sale and beautifully mounted them in the seventh-floor galleries. Isabella Rossellini lent an Art Deco cigarette case, Ralph Lauren sent his Navajo rug, and there's a Man Ray painting from Julian Schnabel.

Beyond the cookie jars and stacks of Fiesta Ware (the Factory's "china") is a heady blend of 19th-century furniture and silver, Art Deco objects and bijoux, American Indian art and artifacts, to the gallery with Robert Mapplethorpe's knockout photographs of the rooms in Andy's brownstone … before they were obliterated by possessions. And you'll laugh out loud at the full-length portrait of Johnny Weissmuller, the first Tarzan, that leads into the collection of movie posters from the <#213> 40s. The show's even more fascinating when seen in context with Warhol's work in this dynamic setting.

When the Bard said, "The play's the thing," he wasn't talking about the show on these walls. This show would've had Andy flipping his fright wig in joy, beginning with a soaring spiral of evening shoes in the entryway. As a wait staff wearing little more than tattoos careened across the main floor with trays of chartreuse Jello, the room rocked to the New Invisible Joy and lead musician Sister Penny Tration, who dispensed towelettes to wash away sins.

I'm still not sure I can believe what I saw and heard. Screens flashing the seven deadly sins were banked on two and throbbing to a funkadelic Studio 54 beat. Deejay David DePino of NYC's Paradise Garage was in charge of the boogie night. The faint of heart played bingo in the underground karaoke cafe. While the fashion scene could be described as, um, 15-minutes-plus.

Like the gold dust twins, Allison Wonderland and Rebecca McKane ; the show's designers Rebecca Henn and David Celento in matching BMW motorcycle gear, their obsession; Jessica O'Brien carrying a bag made of cartoon characters imprinted on bottle caps; Brandeis U's Pamela Alara couture number fastened with giant safety pins; Vicky Clark in a wheelchair ("the Center for the Arts hired Tanya Harding to take me out!"); Sarah Nichols sporting a $100 price-tag brooch on her black sweater; Bicky Goldszer's jacket was decoupaged in shoes; Andy's pal Paige Powell ; NYC dealers Haim Manishevitz turned heads in an Issey Miyake jacket inspired by Miro, and his wife, Audrey Friedman , wore a drop-dead Dali brooch of real ruby lips with teeth of pearls (get it?). They first sold their show pieces to Andy and then reclaimed at auction.

It was easy to spot AWM director Tom Sokolowski and board chair Lea Simonds ; The Carnegie's Dottie and Ellsworth Brown , Richard Armstrong, Dolly and Curt Ellenberg; Christine Toretti and Joe Hardy (his cigar store "Punch" is a standout). As well as Irv and artist Aaronel deRoy Gruber (her Tiffany vase is the finest in the show!); Caryn Rubinoff and Craig Dunham (saying "I do's" next week); Teri and Damian Soffer ; PNC's Diane Blanton; Susanne and Jim Wilkinson ; NYC collectors Madeline and Jay Bennett; Judith and Kevin O'Toole; Lynn and Ron Davenport ; Sotheby's Nan Chisholm and Leslie Proudy; Helene and Todd Blodgett; Christine and T.J. McCrady; Judith and Steve Thomas; Philip Pelusi; Barb Mendlowitz; Rhoda Neft; Kitty and David Hillman; Katy and Fred Sherman; Kathy Kendra ; and Mark Philis .

Plus the Mattress Factory's Barbara Luderowski and Michael Olijnyk; Harley Trice; Margery King; Gordon Fisher and Wes Scott; Michelle Pagano; Pilar Lebovity; Henry Simonds; Kevin Silson and Marsha Berger with her arm in a cast; Pilar Lebovitz; David Jobin; Ellen Brooks (soon to be opening an antique shop); Colleen Russell Criste; Karey and Mark Joensen; Judy Grauer; Louisa Rosenthal; Richard Parsakian; Kate Lydon draped in a plastic fantastic boa; Jo-Anne Bates; Jerry Morosco; Paul Ford; Peggy Wather; Bob Davis; Mark Power; Rosemary and Joe Mendel; Larry Leahy; Anne and Raymond Sekule; Carolyn Terner and Gary Poll; Gaye Auslander and Lou Chernan; Rachel Baron and David Horn .

It's run-don't-walk time to the Warhol.

Oh, you've got to have friends. And when the effervescent and energetic Arlene Snyder , president of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation, invites 400 of her best pals to a swank shindig, the result is Saturday's always-elegant annual Celebration of Friendship Ball at the Westin Convention Center hotel. After all, that's what friends are for.

While husband Tim enjoyed the fabulous food and entertainment, Arlene and her busy band of chairs and co-chairs orchestrated a well-tuned fund-raiser that netted over $210,000 (and they're still counting) to renovate the 79-year-old School of Nursing at West Penn, the Hospital Built on Friendship (You get it, right?). Special kudos to ball chairman Lori Grass (with husband Dr. Jeff Grass ); Deb Heppner (Dr. Brad 's mate) Jennifer Abercrombie ; Angela Caushaj ; Kathy Lutins ; Maureen O'Brien (who took home the night's biggest prize); and so many more committed and hardworking women.

No one needed to nurse a drink (the bar was free until after dinner), as the crowd mingled and noshed on the irresistible appetizers prepared and served by banquet manager Scott Buehrle and his five-star staff. In the main ballroom, where yellow friendship ambience roses from Hepatica graced the tables, the musical magic of After Dark created a smooth soundtrack for dining and dancing. You could almost see the ghosts of Fred and Ginger on the parquet floor.

With enough silent and Chinese auction prizes up for grabs to supply "The Price Is Right" for another 30 years (and, yes, Bob Barker will still be the host), guests placed their bids on everything from a seven-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Aspen to jewelry from Henne. Maureen O'Brien, the lovely and lucky wife of West Penn CEO and President Charles O'Brien , placed the high bid on the outing in Aspen, where she can schuss from her chalet to the slopes, just 60 feet away.

Was there a doctor in the house• You can bet your HMO co-pay on that. The top docs in every specialty from orthopods to brain surgeons traded their OR scrubs for designer tuxes and fabulous gowns. Super medics in the crowd included Dr. Herb Diamond and Carol ; Dr. Tony DiGioia and Cathy , and their three lovely daughters Angela, Noelle and Maria ; Dr. Gregorio Delgado and Mary ; Dr. Doug Stewart and Mary ; Dr. Sharon Cowden and her mate, Jere (you can call him "Jerry"); Dr. Scott Beasley and wife and Pitt history prof Liann Tsoukas ; Dr. Jim Uselmen and Ann ; Dr. Riccardo Marinelli and Marie ; and Dr. Michael Spearman and Lauren . These medics and their better halves provided the perfect prescription for fun, fashion and friendship. No second opinion needed.

The non-medico guest list included Board Chairman David McClenahan; Eric and Kathyn Kofmehl ; Tom Jackson and Janet ; Chris and Sandy Bonnet ; Emily Goldberg and the evening's best escort, her 11-year-old son, Harrison ; John Bourse and Barbara ; David and Barbara Burstin ; Cynthia Carrow and James Kyper ; Mike and Debbie Busch ; Jerry and Terry Fedele ; Dennis and Cindy Gilfoyle ; ex-Steeler Paul Martha and Roxanne Sturckow ; Jerry and Carole Katz ; Mark and Kristen Lane ; Tom and Diane Chakurda ; Richard and Joanne Chesnos ; Luke and Jeanne Desmone ; Keith and Carol Neyland ; Woody and Nancy Ostrow ; James and Claire Rosenberg ; Jim and Michelle Smith ; Lloyd and Mary Margaret Stamy ; Rich and Debbie Talerico ; soon-to-be-newlyweds Ray Volpatt and Tracy Lane ; and Jack Studnicky of the Ritz-Carlton Club in Aspen.

One thing's for sure, Arlene, you've got a friend (or 400)!

— John Altdorfer

Who doesn't love a sneak preview• Especially when the cast of characters includes many of Pittsburgh's glitterati. It was Hollywood on the Boulevard (of the Allies, that is) when hotties showed for a Red Carpet Sneak Preview and Oscar-worthy fashion strut at Izzazu Salon. Tinseltown meet the Steel City.

The lavish presentation earned a two-thumbs-up review and created a strong buzz for "Lights! Glamour! Action!," the Pittsburgh Film Office's Oscar Night bash at the Loew's Waterfront Theatre on March 24. Tuesday's sneak peek featured the stunning fashions of Nicole Miller, Gilar and NYC designer Chevas Rolfe, who made a special personal appearance. Docherty models were dressed to the nines in super-glam gowns from Venetia's City Boutique.

Izzazu owners Emilio and Gino (one name only for these stylist superstars) hosted a bevy of guys and dolls who schmoozed and cruised the set like true celluloid heroes. Localites included City Controller Tom Flaherty , PCNC's wisecracking "NightLine" talk-show host Chris McIntyre , Lt. Guv candidate Catherine Baker Knoll , and district justice Anthony Saveikis, who held court in a decidedly judicial black suit.

Leave it to Veronica Guarino to steal the show in a dazzling look of brown velvet over sleek black chiffon pants. She accessorized with a 200-year-old necklace worn by Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dangerous Liaisons" and a $100,000 Harry Winston diamond watch that Sissy Spacek wore to this year's Golden Globes. A lucky bidder may be basking in the glow of all this firepower at the PFO's Oscar bash and, after the last envelope has been opened, returning it to leading-man handsome Lou Guarino , proprietor of Louis Anthony Jewelers.

The strong cast of supporting players included PNC's Mia Hallett ; Pittsburgh Mag's Chris Fletcher; Jennifer Fuller from Make-A-Wish (we did!); Palomino's GM and event caterer Kevin Reed; Gary Torre of Venetia's; Becky Thurner ; PFO's Rick Munroe; Nancy Byrnes; Aldene Lacaria of Eyetique; Eric Brown; Evie Hessinger; Corey Lechat ; and PMI prez David Case, whose date was a real dog … his delightful Yorkie, Willie. Shallow, a dynamic acoustic duo of guitarist Alan Quinn and vocalist Tory Schnupp, provided the movie-themed party vibe.

That's a wrap.

— John Altdorfer

The headiest rush of the CLO Ambassadors' swirling and sniffing of wines as cutting edge as your e-mail provider was quaffing them in the Duquesne Club's sanctum sanctorum, La Cave … a stellar cellar for its pedigreed wines and lockers for members with stashes to match. The temp is a constant 55 degrees and the ambience is (ha ha) dee-vine.

Friday's downstairs tasting for top-shelf sponsors moved upstairs to bid on a silent auction with 450 guests ready for the next hot grape. With Capital Wine & Spirits' dizzying collection, there was no excuse for drinking the same old chardonnay or one-note merlot, you know.

You should also know that none of these bottles had straw on it. And that the CLO's new leadership Ambassadors are charged with growing a younger batch of volunteers to "celebrate musical theater" in our town.

Mike Walsh and Jane Dixon , there with Lisa and Michael , co-chaired the benefit with grand cru assists by Christina O'Toole, Tami Andrus, Amy Jumba and Joyce Biearman with Dennis for such oenophiles as Marsh USA's Mike Barbarita and Debbie with Tim Jackson and Kriste; Charlie Gray and CLO's Jim Mercer ; Federated's Kirk Montgomery, Larry Caracciolo and Diana with Boyd Murray and Brenda; Bill Lambert; Scott Spector and Athar Khan of American Airlines; Chris and Tom Kobus; Suzy and Jeff Barbarita; Cheryl Young; Laurie Burkhart; Chris Heck; Kevin Biber ; and Tony Venneri .

As well as wine connoisseurs Kristin and Mark Lane; Patti Matty; Debbie and Gary Truitt; Michele and Paul Michaels; John Whiteford; Elaine Keim ; the Club's new G.M. Scott Neill ; and CLO Pink Frolic chairs Rita and Bob Randall . On Wednesday, the Randalls flung open the doors to their abfab Fox Chapel hacienda for a cocktail soiree with co-hosts Helen and Steve Casey . Call it a gifted gathering, since 60 of their pals brought along a treasure or two for the ball's famous pink boxes.

Hurrah for syrah.