80th Anniversary Gala Celebration Chair Vicki Baker Graboys, left, and PPLM Board Chair Ilene Greenberg smile for the camera. (Photo by Roger Farrington)
 

On September 20, more than 600 guests celebrated the 80th anniversary of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) at a black-tie gala at Boston's World Trade Center.

The theme of the gala was "Old Hollywood Glamour" and began with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and dancing. Starlight Orchestra, a popular 11-piece band from New York City, provided the music.

Gala Chairs were Vicki Baker Graboys, Leigh and George Denny, Jen and Tom Hawkins, Beth Johnson and Rob Ketterson, and Suzie Tapson and Gordon Burnes.

Julianne Moore, Allison Janney and Michael Weatherly were the honorary celebrity chairs. Cecile Richards, president of PPL America, was the guest speaker.

Boston Lyric Opera Raises $500,000

Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) announced this week that it met its $500,000 fundraising goal set for its annual gala held Saturday, September 27 in honor of outgoing General Director Janice Mancini Del Sesto.

This record-breaking achievement capped off a sparkling tribute to Ms. Del Sesto's 17-season tenure at the Company. The event, held at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, was attended by more than 300 guests representing the Boston arts community's leadership and supporters.

The Shubert, BLO's performance home, was the perfect setting to honor Ms. Del Sesto. Festivities included cocktails in the lobby, dinner on an expanded and elegantly decorated stage, a live auction, and a special performance by internationally renowned soprano Marquita Lister, who will appear in the title role of "Rusalka" this season.

A proclamation from Honorary Chair, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, was read that dedicated the day to Ms. Del Sesto, and long-time arts and entertainment critic Joyce Kulhawik graced the stage as Mistress of Ceremonies.

Mandarin Oriental Scheduled to Open this Weekend

Boston's newest hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, is scheduled to officially open this weekend on Boylston Street in Boston's chic Back Bay.

Styled by renowned interior designer Frank Nicholson, the 136 guestrooms and 12 suites will delight guests with subtle Asian elegance and stylish traditional touches.

All guestrooms and suites are beautifully designed with custom furnishings in golden-hued, exotic wood and lush silk, and feature views of the Back Bay.

We are told that guests will be pampered by a variety of luxurious amenities, including in-room welcome gifts, spacious granite bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and rainforest showers, and therapeutic bath amenities.

The hotel's restaurant Asana will offer all-day dining from a menu designed by executive chef Nicolas Boutin, which will include both American cuisine and authentic Asian dishes, incorporating seasonal ingredients found in New England.

The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows will afford great views onto Boylston Street, creating a lively ambience, also shared by the hotel's adjacent M Bar & Lounge.

A 16,000-square-foot Spa will feature holistic treatments blending Eastern traditions with modern techniques from its nine private treatment rooms, including a Hydrotherapy suite, a spacious Sanctuary Couples Suite, and a deluxe Mandarin Suite.

Guests who wish to expand their wellness program will delight in the culinary offerings at the Spa Café.

The new venue can accommodate intimate gatherings or as many as 600 guests for special events, with more than 10,000 square feet of function space, situated on the hotel's second level. The 4,200-square-foot Oriental Ballroom and the hotel's three smaller function rooms will all be equipped with Mandarin Oriental's signature technology systems, private pre-function areas and a dedicated kitchen.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most prestigious hotels and resorts. Mandarin Oriental now operates, or has under development, 40 hotels representing over 10,000 rooms in 24 countries, with 16 hotels in Asia, 14 in The Americas and 10 in Europe and North Africa.

For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com/boston.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
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