The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will host its first-ever masquerade ball next week.
PGMC’s Fall Ball will be held from 8-11 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Ethical Society of Philadelphia, 1906 Rittenhouse Square. Proceeds from the concert will benefit PGMC.
Avery Taylor, director of special events for PGMC, said the proceeds will continue to help the chorus afford venues, costumes and choreography for future events.
“It is very expensive for us to produce concerts, which is why we host several fundraisers every year,” Taylor said.
PGMC hosts four to five fundraisers annually.
“We’ve done a Show Stopper fundraiser that was a cabaret-style fundraiser and at OutFest and Pride we have the beer booths,” Taylor said.
PGMC also has staged a bachelor auction in the winter and a drag review. However, Fall Ball is expected to be their largest fundraiser event.
PGMC director of marketing Paul Fontaine conceived the name and theme of the event.
“He had been to several fall- and spring-themed fundraisers,” Taylor said. “He was thinking something along the lines for fall.”
Taylor, along with PGMC development director J. Blaine Bonham, worked closely to develop the agenda for the ball.
The event will include a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, live music, a jazz band and silent and live auctions. The auctions will include prizes such as trips abroad, weekend getaways and signed celebrity memorabilia.
The ball has an array of sponsors, including Barefoot Wine, which will provide the wine served at the ball.
Members of PGMC are also assisting.
“Different chorus members are providing supplies needed for the event,” Taylor said. “We even have a member who has a house in Florida that he is auctioning off for a week. A number of people have come together to make this the great event that it will be.”
The ball will include a short performance by PGMC and will end with a masquerade dance.
Tickets range from $65-$500 and can be purchased at www.pgmc.org.