Mann Center Hosts Gala Honoring 2 Contributors
By Dan Wing
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Mann Center for the Performing Arts held it's 15th annual gala, Party in the Park, Sunday night.
This year's honorees were local restaurateur Steven Starr and PECO for their contributions to the Mann Center.
Party goers were welcomed by a cocktail hour, followed by dinner prepared by Starr. They were then ushered on to the stage where Starr and PECO representative Ellen Cavanaugh were formally honored.
"It's a little strange being honored," Starr said. "I kind of feel like I'm getting really old, or close to death."
Starr was honored for transforming the city's restaurant scene, and for his restaurant 'Crescendo' at the Mann Center, a place, Starr says, brings back fond memories:
"Before I was in the restaurant business, I was in the music business, and I spent many nights here at the Mann Music Center Backstage."
PECO was honored for its ongoing support and community involvement, as well as sponsoring the concert series 'PECO Pops @ the Mann' since 1999.