Johnny on the Spot

stage hands: Mark Segal and Robert Key join Sir Elton John as the performer is honored outside Independence Hall.

by Mary F. Patel

Mark Segal missed his calling. He should have been a fundraiser. The Philadelphia Gay News publisher pulled in well over 1,000 people to the first Freedom Concert and Ball, which raised awareness for HIV/AIDS on a hot Fourth of July holiday evening.

Pop icon Sir Elton John was the prime attraction of the day. In the morning, John received the first City Of Brotherly Love Humanitarian Award from Mayor John Street on the steps of Independence Hall. The award was given to recognize the performer's role in supporting education and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Few politicos, with the exception of U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, made the event. The openly gay Boston congressman joined the dignitaries on stage. Wearing a well-designed, dark-blue suit with blue sunglasses, John arrived by motorcade during the singing of the national anthem by the Voices of the Pops.

By evening, he was the special guest at the ball inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art before headlining the Philadelphia Freedom Concert on the steps outside.

Ticket prices were steep, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 a person. Those who gave $2,500 got to go to the "Green Room," where they could have their picture taken with John during the ball. At the concert, they sat in bleachers above the stage.

Proceeds from the ball were split between the Elton John AIDS Foundation, run by executive director Robert Key, and the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund, a local HIV/AIDS charity of which Segal is president.

Guests drank and noshed while listening to live performances by Rufus Wainwright and fab string trio Time for Three.

Aside from the star power, Segal lobbied hard to get political support for the cause. To that end, plenty of politicos attended the party. City Councilwoman Marian Tasco held court at a corner table, where she gave her take on the 2007 mayor's race.

"Dwight Evans will run and win," she said, "and I am supporting him."

U.S. Rep. and Democratic Party Chairman Bob Brady returned from Wildwood with voluptuous wife Debra for the event. He said the big concern in Washington these days is the looming battle over who will replace U.S. Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, who announced her resignation last week. The congressman, who supports a filibuster even though House members don't have much of a say, added he is hosting a fundraiser for Bob Casey next week to support Casey's quest to beat U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.

You expect flamboyance surrounding Sir John, and the gala didn't disappoint. Luminaries paraded down the grand staircase to a trumpet fanfare from red-coated court pages to the small stage. Introduced by personality Jerry Blavat, the procession included comedian Bruce Vilanch, currently appearing on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray; the mayor with his wife, Naomi; U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, who came stag; the Bradys; and Wainwright, who looked adorable in tight blue jeans.

Only Segal would invite state Sen. Vincent Fumo to come wearing fluffy white angel wings. Fumo floated down with girlfriend Teri Reilly, sporting a new blond look. Segal and Fumo are friends and Fumo was a key sponsor of the gala.

There was no grand entrance for John, who slipped in through the curtain behind stage with gal pal Billie Jean King, in a mod, spiky hairstyle. He wore a black suit, embellished with embroidered lilies and accented with a red satin high-neck shirt. He sported a diamond-encrusted cross on a chain. His remarks were brief — he thanked everyone for their support — and gave no interviews.

Rob Metzger, a master plumber who designed the Tuscany spa in Segal's house, met with Segal frequently during the long ball project. He said he believed the $2 million fundraising goal was met.

"I think they exceeded it," said Metzger, who was there with Shannon Markham.

"I think he looks great," said Markham, who travelled from Ohio to see John. "For a 60-year-old man he looks fantastic." (Give it time, Shannon. Born in March 1947, John is a mere 58.)

John gave a stellar (and fee-free) performance following Bryan Adams, Wainwright and Patti LaBelle. The ticket-holders' experience was enhanced by a dessert tent, featuring Italian ices and a chocolate fountain, and the Local 98 libation tent.