Rittenhouse Square is associated with pleasant idylls. Walks through the square on lazy, temperate Sundays, art fairs, lunch dates at flanking cafes, and other such delightful occasions. This past Oscar Sunday however Rittenhouse Square played host to The Red Carpet Oscar Party, decidedly not a mere walk through the park! The event was the brainchild of Desiree Hines and Mark Dahl, both of Traverse Arts Project, and both fixtures of everything fun and theatrical in Philly. Soon after my second cocktail I told Desiree I was impressed by how quickly she created the event. Desiree told me, calmly (although perhaps she should have cast me out of the venue for this assumption) that I was quite…mistaken. “We’ve been working on this for eleven months,” she said proudly as she looked on at the very mixed crowd of gays, straights, students, seniors, some who dressed to impress and others (like me) who pulled together something suggestive of a tuxedo. Their success was quite apparent and she praises their ability to collaborate so effectively. “That’s the great part of our friendship, is that we are both such “live wires” with drive and vision for our artistic endeavors. When we started planning the event, we knew that people would want to sit and watch the telecast, while having a relaxed time. That’s exactly what everyone wanted! And they loved it. It was like being at your friend’s house on a Sunday evening, dressed nicely, and relaxing while the Oscars are on.”

The projection screen was large, spread across the venue’s stage, the decorations were simple, with hints of red and no balloons, which both Desiree and Mark seem to despise. The drinks sponsored by Rain Vodka kept flowing and the food donated by Perfect Bite, the Curried Shrimp, Salmon and Dill Baskets, and comfort food in the form of Minature Burgers delighted our palates. (Thank God I took a dose of hoodia extract on my way out of the house or this writer may have had to leave his skinny jeans behind on his way out of the venue.) The event was staged at the elegant, historic Ethical Society located on the southwest corner of Rittenhouse Square. The lights were low, candles glistened on the round tables and everyone felt quite spoiled by our chic surroundings.

While we were all feeling very elegant Hollywood was quite honest about the universal effects of the bleak economy. This was evidenced by Hugh Jackman’s suggestion that next year he will be starring in “New Zealand,” a tease about and nod to his film with Nicole Kidman “Australia,” and the no-frills opening number. Sean Penn’s and Lance Dustin Black’s speeches and the acceptance by the Ledger family of their son Heath’s posthumous award were tearful, thought-provoking and empowering moments. But this is a review of what I hope to be the first of many Traverse Arts Project Oscar Parties and not really about the Oscars themselves. Although…I…well…okay…I have to slightly review the clothes, sorry! Penelope Cruz you were Spanish Venus born out of a vintage, Balmain froth! Yes, we know you’re statuesque Tilda Swinton, but why must you always look as if you’re trying…to…be a statue? And Sophia Loren really, vergonata (shame on you) you are one of the last great stars of the Silver Screen, I was so happy to see you. You got to act alongside Cary Grant! However, your largesse does not give you the right to steal dresses from Divine’s estate!

However, let me get back to the event.

The idea of an Oscar event outside LA seemed at first a bit of a novelty to this writer. However, there was no novelty at the party. Everything was thoughtfully presented, and elegantly, yet casually executed for the benefit of Philadelphia’s upcoming and first ever LGBT Artists Festival. Mark Dahl spoke to me about what he thought were the most successful aspects of the party, and what he would like to see happen next year.

“My favorite part of the evening was watching guests on the Red Carpet with the paparazzi. The complimentary take home photos were incredibly popular and I watched our beautiful guests run back for seconds and thirds,” he said. He suggested that he may have been a bit of a “media whore” running back five or six times. Don’t be so modest Mark, as this was yours and Desiree’s baby – along with a bevy of volunteers, some clad in cadet-like uniforms – I think you were entitled to as many photos as you wanted.

In terms of 2010’s event Mark, Desiree, and Traverse Arts Project would like to see the event go to the next level. “For next year I would love to see the red carpet double in size. Perhaps sidewalk heaters and tents of some kind would allow us to have the red carpet outside with an additional photo op inside. It would be hot in the center of Rittenhouse Square,” he said, fueled by Sunday night’s success. “I would love to see the party expand and offer one area with a sit down viewing of the Awards Ceremony and another area that offers dancing and watching the event close captioned,” Mark forecasted and fantasized a set for his next Red Carpet Party. In sum, a supper club-type of presentation is what he envisions, a classic, Old Hollywood Glamour idea already gaining in popularity as an event format.

For a first-time event Mark, Desiree, their volunteers and Traverse Arts Project did a stellar job, with enough elegant touches to make everyone in attendance feel like just a little bit of a star. Fortunately, this did not breed any “diva behavior,” however and it was the best event I have been to since I was an impromptu guest at the opening party of a hotel in France last May. Mark asked me what my thoughts were for next year. I am (and friends can attest) somewhat scrupulous. Perhaps my only suggestion to TAP: don’t be so modest about the event doubling! Your efforts were superb, and if you start developing next year’s party eleven months in advance, fueled by your success, I am pretty sure you will get it to more than triple in size.