64th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball
#64Carats: A night of intrigue awaited more than 300 guests during the reimagined 64th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball at the Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown, on Saturday night.
This year, guests were present for a “robbery” of sorts as they witnessed a giant diamond being mysteriously stolen and replaced with a fake. But the real magic trick was the fact that this was one of the best attended Diamond Horseshoe events in years. “We are happy to say that more than a third of the crowd is New Guard,” said event co-chair Alexandra Good, with husband Brian Linville. The New Guard is the Pittsburgh Opera’s young professional board who took the reins for this event. “We wanted to provide a new sense of self and purpose to help usher in the new generation of operagoers,” added co-chair Celia Soehner. After cocktails, guests were ushered up to the 17th floor where an elegant sit-down dinner awaited them as well as a spirited rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” by the talented resident artists.
“I am so proud of the last 80 years, and tonight’s event shows that we are in good hands for the next 80,” said general director Christopher Hahn. After dinner, partygoers made their way into the “vault” for a dessert buffet and dancing as LUXE Creative’s Samuel Andres spun tunes well into the night.
#SEEN: Event co-chair Dan Gorchynsky, board chair Michele Fabrizi, president of the board Gene Welsh with Marty Healey, auction chair Melanie Crockard with Jim, Dr. Lisa Cibik and Bernie Kobosky, Vivian and Bill Benter, Gabriela and David Porges, Roseanne and Dr. Mark Wholey, Joaquin Navarro and Patrick Moore, Izear Winfrey, Doris Carson Williams, Diana Reid and Marc Chazaud, Mariel Soehner and Ian Holubiak, newly engaged Rita Zabelina and Clement George, Mara Leff, Danielle Katz and James Snyder, Casey Pratkanis, Alex and Harris Heit, Jennifer Yates and Charles Owen, Dr. Elie Aoun and Justin Matase. #SEENBestDressed: Candice Chadwick in Carolina Herrera. Also attending were Albert Fonticella and Chris Edwards, Bob Davis and John Klein, Dr. James Worry, Peggy Schiavone, Dr. Josh Hagen and Todd Kratofil, Claire and Joseph Faulk, Dr. James Sahovey and Nicholas Miskovsky.