32nd Annual Dinner Dance at DeSales University

“Derby Days” is the theme of DeSales University’s 32nd annual dinner dance on Saturday, March 16. The black-tie event will be held in Billera Hall, where the evening’s festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails and a gourmet dinner at 8:00 p.m., followed by dancing until midnight.

All funds raised by the annual five-star gala benefit student financial aid. Frank and Beth Boyer will serve as chairpersons, and they will be joined by area business, professional, and community leaders as well as DeSales alumni, who are sponsoring tables or providing contributions.

Will Neuert, associate professor of theatre, created the decorations for this year’s dinner dance as he has for the last 14 years. Two DeSales students, juniors Justin Haugh and Adam Curry served as assistant designers. Billera Hall will be transformed into America's extravagant springtime sports party with a taste of Louisville, Kentucky. Guests will enjoy mint juleps and the sites and sounds of the America’s sophisticated horseracing traditions. A DeSales alumna, Christine Moore, owner of Christine A. Moore Millinery based in New York City, supplied several original hat designs to showcase at the event.

During the reception beginning at 7:00 p.m., guests will enjoy assorted hors’d oeuvres and a full bar. Dinner, which follows at 8:00 p.m., will include a Derby Cobb Salad with a French vinaigrette; a duo entrée of petite grilled fillet mignon with Henry Bain sauce and bourbon and maple glazed alder smoked salmon. Sides include piped whipped sweet potatoes with praline streusel and spring vegetable bundles. Dessert will be Kentucky Derby Bourbon pecan pie with crème fraiche.

Entertainment will include music provided by The Rich Postmontier Ensemble. Also as part of the evening’s festivities, six DeSales dance students will perform an opening dance number.

Admission is $200 per person. For more information and reservations, please contact Diane Moeser, director of special events at DeSales, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1307, or at diane.moeser@desales.edu.