The Stars Come Out at Night Gala

by A.D. Amorosi

With its mix of comic and musical talent, beauty pageant winners, celebrity look-alikes and award roast-and-toasts to local luminaries, Heaven Sent Communications Inc.'s first annual The Stars Come Out At Night black-tie benefit gala for the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sounds as fabulously schmaltzy as a Jerry Lewis Telethon. (It's not to be confused with the Wellness Community of Philadelphia's Evening Under the Stars May 30 gala with Cokie Roberts.) In the spirit of variety-show schlapstick, Stars will show off speakers like Miss Pennsylvania USA Camille Young and gives awards to music magnates Peter Nero, CN8's Arthur Fennell, Kenny Gamble (pictured here) and Leon Huff (a big deal, as you rarely see them together). It will hold an auction for sports gear and appearances on CN8's Let's Cook. You can also get your photo snapped with Michael Jordan and Marilyn Monroe -- or at least their look-alike imitators. Also in attendance at the reception will be members of The Stylistics, The Bluenotes and a baker's dozen of Philly soul greats. That's the fun, showy stuff; the cream on the icing, as the old showbiz saying goes. But Stars' true cause is to hook up the gala evening's proceeds with the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its Team In Training runners, Maribeth Wechsler and Alyssa Haydt, who'll run the Society's national marathon on June 1 in San Diego. So you dress up, you get something to eat and you do some good. If Jerry Lewis could get down on one knee, he'd sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" for this night.

First Annual The Stars Come Out At Night gala, Fri., May 23, 8:30 p.m., $40-$45 for main event, $50-$55 for main event plus 7 p.m. VIP reception, Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, 17th and Race St., 215-753-8734.