Hippodrome Theater hosts Baltimore Magazine’s Baltimore’s Best 2013 Speakeasy Party
Tiffany Clark and Momo Nakamura were the bee’s-knees in blue. (Anthony C. Hayes)
The elegant entrance of the Hippodrome Theater was closed last Thursday night, though from the sound of the music, you knew something ducky was going on. If you wanted to get in on the action, you had to slip around the block and go to the darkened side door.
The backstairs entry was fitting, as Baltimore Magazine celebrated its 25th Best of Baltimore issue with a sumptuous speak-easy styled party. Presented by Baltimore-based cosmetics giant Covergirl, the affair drew a sell-out crowd of 2,000 to fete the 171 Baltimore’s Best award winners; and to raise money for The Family Tree – Maryland’s leading non-profit organization, dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
A mellow trombone and base riff by the Bumper Jacksons. (Anthony C. Hayes)
Costumes reminiscent of the roaring twenties graced many of the party-goers, while all enjoyed prohibition era hors d’oeuvre and hooch in the keen juice joint.
Jessie Peterson, Director of Marketing for Baltimore Magazine, told the Baltimore Post-Examiner that this was the 5th year the fund-raiser was held at the Hippodrome.
Based on feedback, Peterson said this speak-easy party was, “by far the best”. Thursday night’s soiree generated $70,000 for The Family Tree.
Over the past 10 years, this event has raised more than $545,000 for the worthy non-profit.
Anthony C. Hayes is an actor, author, raconteur, rapscallion and bon vivant. A one-time newsboy for the Evening Sun and professional presence at the Washington Herald, Tony’s poetry, photography, humor, and prose have also been featured in Smile, Hon, You’re in Baltimore!, Destination Maryland, Magic Octopus Magazine, Los Angeles Post-Examiner, Voice of Baltimore, SmartCEO, Alvarez Fiction, and Tales of Blood and Roses. If you notice that his work has been purloined, please let him know. As the Good Book says, “Thou shalt not steal.”