Y2K’s most Dazzling Dozen

Ready or not, it's time for the most talked about benefits of 2000. It was almost an embarrassment of riches, they were so fine. Don't worry if your faves didn't make the cut. There's always the real millennium to make resolutions come true. The 21st century is so bright, we're already wearing shades.

If giving a marvelous party is an art, then giving a fabulous party is an art form. These fetes fabulous were not only an art form, they achieved lift-off. And hit prime-time gold for sweet charity.

This time, it's an even dozen that cast the longest shadows on Pittsburgh's philanthropic landscape ... with a pair of aces in a league of their own. The envelope, please.

Best of the Best

Taking its title from Jamie Lee Curtis' just-published children's book, the Where Do Balloons Go• Gala soared higher than the balloons in its title. And netted over $1 million to mend tiny broken hearts at The Children's Hospital Heart Center. Sure, she could have phoned it in. But the most famous parent at the party worked the auction-packed crowd with, 'I'm ruthless, I'm loud, and I want your money.' You bet your Blahniks, they turned their pockets inside out for her.

This one had it all ... sizzlement and swelegants, wonderment and wondrous cause, unstoppable pizzazz and passion, and a committee of young turks - chaired by Cheryl and Steve Schwarzawelder with Teri and Damian Soffer - who sent it to the moon. And the top of our list.

Best of the Best II

Filled to the gills with 1,600 big fishes trolling the sights at our animal kingdom in Highland Park, A Night to Treasure was a spectacular launch of the Pittsburgh Zoo's new aquarium. Although Atlantis may surface before all that swims are in their new digs, this party with a porpoise made a monumental splash as the best orchestrated, most exciting and creative glam fest to walk on the wild side. Got that, Ahab•

There's gold in them thar gills. Tanks to mermaid Susie Franklin and a school of hot numeros, the rave wave net-netted a cool million for our wildest cultural treasure.

Luncheon of the year

New York may have its Easter Parade, but Pittsburgh can now lay claim to the Spring Hat Luncheon. No matter that the setting was the stuff of dreams, it was the best-dressed, best-looking damsels in killer hats who stole the show in this glass slipper afternoon. Chairs Ritchie Scaife and Audrey Fisher cornered the fabulous party market with a four-star stunner to fund the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's project of restoring the Visitors Center in Schenley Park ... one of our four urban oases that PPC has pledged to return to former glory.

Best can do

The only thing more dazzling than the Carnegie Museum of Art's preview, where black-tie-and-blue-blood swanks mingled with Palm Pilot turks and art world denizens, was the landmark show itself, 'Aluminum by Design: Jewelry to Jets.' A knockout at every turn, the magnum opus is testament to the uncanny vision of CMA's chief curator, Sarah Nichols. Chaired by Ranny Ferguson, the Women's Committee stretched ingenuity to the max in creating the smashing, high-gloss ambience of the party that launched it.

Best dynamic duo

Holy smoke, and ring my butler, if caped crusader Elsie Hillman and bearded boy wonder George Miles didn't ride across the hallowed Hall of Carnegie Music as Batman and Robin in the slickest, funniest, fastest-paced award ceremony in the history of Gotham City. WQED's Elsie Awards, named for our community treasure, raised $185,000 and honored three singular sensations: Sir Victor Borge, grandest dame Rachel Mellon Walton and actor Michael Keaton.

Ball of the year

Pittsburgh Opera took red-carpet glamour to new heights in a stunning 'last tango' fare-thee-well for Gigi and Tito Capobianco, the Argentinean soul mates who brought us truly grand opera for 17 years. For power, the Maecenas Ball guest list was of the international, name-dropper variety with star turns by legendary mezzo Regina Resnik and baritone Sherrill Milnes. While the fashion wattage, led by ball chairs Electra and Jim Agras with Miryam and Bub Knutson, was only drop-dead gorgeous.

Best master plan

A super-glam celebration of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's master plan that transformed Downtown's red-light district into a vibrant hub for the performing and visual arts ... and the vision of Carol Brown who steered its course for 16 years and put the gold back into the Golden Triangle. The classy Designs on Downtown, chaired by Janet and Bill Hunt, showcased cabaret star Michael Feinstein in a course of music appreciation not to be missed.

Best rainbow

Golden-oldie icons of rock 'n' roll, The Four Tops and their Las Vegas act, headlined Juvenile Diabetes Foundation's ultra-sensational Rainbow Gala. The buzz was so intense that every one of the 650 seats in the glitzy ballroom had been sold before the invites hit the mail.

Kitty Gleason, Sue Zitelli and Anne German co-chaired the eve, with assists by party wiz Bonnie Chirigos who donated her all, and raised $630,000 toward finding a cure at the end of the rainbow.

Best Mardi Gras

The saints came marching in with a blast and crowned Jeff Romoff, prez of UPMC Health Systems, King of Mardi Gras. In the midst of a rompin' stompin' Rampart Street parade, UPMC's top docs rolled out HRHealness on an E.R. gurney. Quel float. Up from the bayou jumped Lou Astorino, John Paul and Marty McGuinn to chair the caper that raised $300,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania.

Best curtain call

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The Pittsburgh Public Theater broke another clod of new ground at its Dramatic Investment, a never-been-there, never-done-that showstopper that had 'em rolling in the aisles one moment and dancing on stage the next. By invitation only, it was a merci beaucoup razzle-dazzler for the angels who not only masterminded its move to the new O'Reilly, but raised $15.2 million to make that dream a reality. Gerri Weiss directed the star vehicle, with major scripting by Nadine Bognar and Linda Miller.

Best speakeasy special

F. Scott Fitzgerald penned such a Gatsby Gala, and Cole Porter set it to song. A deja-vu frolic of fringed flappers, tres shieks and a bathtub filled to the rim with gin that roared across the Frick Art & Historical Center in Point Breeze. Pam and Ken McCrory chaired the cat's meow that bootlegged $60,000 for the Pittsburgh Dance Council.

Best sundae scoop

Families followed the yellow brick road to the field of creams at Pressley Ridge Schools' Ice Cream Sunday. Scoopmeisters Julie and John Quaid chaired the old-fashioned, all-you-can-eat day of funshine that went to the head of the class.

In a league of their own

'Everybody looks alike,' someone once said, 'but some are taller than others.' If the same can be said of parties, these two towered:

(1) Teri and Damian Soffer's spectacular dinner party in the art-laden, architectural masterpiece they call home for guest of honor Mikhail Baryshnikov, the greatest dancer in the world today, and the young fireballs of his White Oak Dance Project. To benefit the Pittsburgh Dance Council.

(2) If only a handful of musicians in an era can lay claim to greatness, Lorin Maazel is one of them. To celebrate the maestro's 70th birthday, Richard Simmons chaired a dinner party in the Mozart Room at Heinz Hall that could only be called glorious in excelsias. Ably assisted by Jane Treherne-Thomas and Dave Christopher, the superior eve offered rare insights into the genius who grew up in our town. To benefit the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Honor Roll

American Ireland Fund Gala

Giggles and Glamour Gala, Hillman Cancer Center

Medallion Ball, Pittsburgh Vision Services

Steelers Fashion Bowl IX, Cancer Caring Center

Twilight Tour of Fallingwater, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Richard Rodgers Tribute to Gwen Verdon, Civic Light Opera

Children's Ball 2000, UPMC Hospice Program

Red Hot + Halloween, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force

The Warhol Look/Glamour Style Fashion/Preview, Andy Warhol Museum

Barnum's Kaleidoscape Preview, Children's Hospital

Dave & Buster's Grand Opening, Junior Achievement

Man and Woman of the Year

Jim Roddey
Allegheny County executive

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Jim's brilliant business card never gets in the way of his generosity to this community. Even before he took his oath of office in the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, he has been a powerful force for the betterment of our region. Since then, he is leading a legion of volunteers in the public and private sectors by example. Yet, Jim still makes time to energize countless benefit bashes. Mischievously. And we all know he has been cloned.

Nadine Bognar
Chairman/CEO Bognar & Co.

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Nadine has always been ahead of the curve. As a young widow with two small children, she built the organization her husband founded into a major supplier of raw materials to the steel industry. The genuine article, she lives by the philosophy that there's no limit to the good you can do if you don't mind who gets the credit. Just ask any number of the arts, education and human service agencies she has mentored and with whom she has shared her expertise, leadership and caring.

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A FANFARE to the real winners. The creative, charitable men and women whose untold volunteer hours raised millions and made the magic happen. May you continue to make our city sparkle with your charm, grace and dedication to worthy causes.

Damn the tuxedos, full speed ahead in 2001. And may the bubbles in your Veuve Clicquot never go flat.