John Heller, Post-Gazette Christopher Hahn, left, Nadine Bognar and Mark Weinstein have a ball at the ball. Click photo for larger image.

An early performance, a late supper, dancing until midnight to the swing sounds of New York society's George Gee Orchestra ... Saturday was a full night for opera lovers and supporters.

The 51st Diamond Horseshoe Ball took "Opera Rocks" as its theme and created a festive gala around the opening of Richard Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos," with its star-studded cast and a few celebrity surprises like Dan Onorato, Jim Roddey and Bob O'Connor. They played guests at a party where an opera company and comedy troupe perform simultaneously so the fireworks can go off on schedule. Talk about ending with a bang!

Then the Pittsburgh Opera Association stepped in to shuttle ball guests to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for cocktails, a sumptuous dinner of lobster medallions, filet mignon and baked crab cake and a fabulous dessert plate.

Connecting the ball to opening night a few years ago was an inspired move, giving added punch to both. Saturday continued this new tradition, aided enormously by a shorter performance. The logistics in such an undertaking are impressive, and chairs Dr. John and Michel Franklin (she's also president of the POA), Dr. Michael and Rose Kutsenkow and Dr. Joseph and Rose Kunkel Roarty did an admirable job of bringing everything together smoothly.

Mime Kelly Finnegan entertains the guests. Click photo for larger image.

Sy and Cathy Holzer and ever-gracious Nadine Bognar served as honorary chairs for the evening, during which John and Nancy Traina were presented with the Minerva Award for their longtime dedication to the opera.

The auction that followed dinner seemed longer than usual, but many guests who weren't busy bidding on an apartment in France or a condo in Florida were lucky enough to have a cast member at their table. Spreading the singers among the guests was a wonderful way to for everyone to meet on an informal basis, and for the cast to feel appreciated after so much hard work.

The triumvirate of general manager Mark Weinstein (with Susanne Marsee), artistic director Christopher Hahn (with Ron Booth) and music director John Mauceri (with Betty), three of the most personable men in Pittsburgh, welcomed and then charmed guests during the auction. Catching the "A train" to the dance floor were ball co-chairs Anita and Ross Dacal, Marjorie Hughes, David Savard, Sandra and Bill Stout and Dr. Chandra and Kathleen Reshmi. In the mood were Francois Bitz, Doug Millar and daughter Meredith, Sydney and Tucky Wolfson, Susan and John Robinson Block, Dave and Pearl Figgins, Dr. John and Dolores Barber, Frances and Joe Kane, Bill and Karen Groll, Gloria Ley, Bobbi and Ralph Aiello, Howard and Maryann Burnett, Merrill and Miroya Stabile, Stan and Carol Russell, Mary and Woody Turner, Dr. Loren and Ellen Roth, Frank and Athena Sarris, Eric and Jill Ondos, Jason Altmire, Mark and Karey Joensen and many more.

"A Tribute to Joe DeNardo" was held Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Hilton, sponsored by the Salvation Army and WTAE-TV. ... "The Magic of Mentoring" Recognition Event honored Elsie Hillman during a cocktail reception held Thursday at Heinz Field. Dan Rooney presented the award on behalf of the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. ... The 2005 Good Government Award dinner sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh was held Thursday at the Sheraton Station Square. David Donahoe, Citizens Bank, the National Council of Jewish Women and its past president, Lynette Lederman, and Sister Grace Ann Geibel were honored. ... A fashion show to benefit victims of Katrina was sponsored by the United Jewish Federation Thursday at the Concordia Club. ... Saturday the Second Annual Lung Gala was held at the Omni William Penn Hotel. Dr. James Dauber, Gary Largent and Kathleen Lindell were honored during the dinner. ... The Sewickley Valley Hospital Foundation held its third annual Country Club Crawl Saturday, with guests traveling to three local country clubs for dinner and dancing.