Yes, fairy tales do come true. And none is more charming than Saturday's Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Diamond Anniversary Nutcracker Ball , which celebrated its dazzling 10th anniversary at the Omni William Penn. As guests strolled through the grand hotel lobby, tiny costumed bumblebees created a welcoming buzz for this enchanted evening that showcases one of the nation's most-admired dance companies. Always steeped in elegance, the PBT's premier party brings out the best and best-dressed in Pittsburgh. Certainly setting the standard were chairs Diane and Hal Waldman , who choreographed "the largest fundraiser in the event's history," thanks to generous patrons and corporate sponsors who stepped up to the barre. Big, indeed. Nearly 500 glam guys and dolls mingled during the cocktail reception and raised the ante on a bounty of lush silent-auction goodies. And that was just the overture. Following brief opening remarks by PBT artistic director Terrence Orr (with Marianna Tcherkassky ), board chair Jeanne Gleason (with Rob ) introduced new exec director Harris Ferris (and wife Janet ). Then it was time for the ball's enduring highlight -- a stunning performance by the troupe's principal soloists. An evening to remember, and more than worthy of the cheers and standing ovation. Magic and music were in the air as Cleveland's Special Event band quietly entertained from its mezzanine perch, and guests wined and dined on a sumptuous feast -- including a specially created three-chocolate dessert with a pair of delicious tiny pink ballet shoes in the center. Apres-dinner, they pumped up the volume as couples danced the night away. Now, let's roll the credits for the swells and gals who added their personal style to this sophisticated soiree: past co-chairs Barbara and David Dick, Peggy and Steve McKnight, Jan and Howard Engleberg and Hilda and Dr. Freddie Fu; Kathleen and Respironics' John Miclot , whose firm is helping to defray the nearly $100,000 tab for dancers' shoes; Carolyn and Bill Byham ; Patricia Wilde; Diane and Dr. Larry Crossett; Joanie and Sam Kamin; Bea and Dr. James Bradley; Pat and Alan Siger; Kitty and Dr. Jim Gleason; Jill and Jeff Lenchner; Becky and Herb Tobin; Susie and Charles Franklin ; Cultural Trust's Kevin McMahon and Kristen ; Fifth Third Bank's Ted Randall with Lynn ; and Prudential Preferred's Ron Croushore with Cindy . Plus Dave and Judy Ehrenwerth in a midnight blue Bob Mackey creation; Doug and Valerie Wood; Mark Popovich and Christine , wearing a turquoise and cream gown; Sarah Hargraves and Pat McArdle; Bernadette and Lowell Smith; Leslie McCombs with son Herbie Pallotta; Roz and Sandy Nieman; Joe and Kathie Salpietro; Jennifer Yates and Chad Dewey ; WTAE's Michelle Wright ; and Kristen Rusnack with Graham Pontarolo . -- John Altdorfer Glitz and Gams 'Twas more than evening of stunning entertainment. The Big Apple came to our town in one of the best holiday shows to ever hit the stage of the Benedum Center. Radiating joy in every direction, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular debuted Wednesday with the Rockettes, whose legs are the eighth wonder of the world, in an SRO benefit performance for Child Watch of Pittsburgh . We felt like kids again with our noses pressed against Macy's Christmas windows while this happiest season and these timeless songs transported us past 12 dazzling acts. As the only charity the Rockettes have partnered with in America ( quelle tribute to CWP's mission of working to solve the problems of our at-risk youngsters), the darlings donated 800 tix to Tickets for Kids' families who might never have been able to afford the show ... plus 500 premium seats that net-netted $60,000 in this first-time fundraiser. Earlier, those gorgeous tap-dancing icons with Santa in tow charmed VIPs, families and posed for picture-takers at the patron receptions that effervesced upstairs and down, where we spotted such as SmithBarney's Nadav Baum and Nancy with Andy Wolfinger; Jim Miller and Marcelle Theis of Dickie McCamey; CWP founder Judy Horgan and director Amy Raslevich ; benefit chair Patrice Matamoros; Marilyn Fitzgerald and Jonathan Han; Lisa and Bruce Bowden ; and Ilene and Jay Fingeret . More of the naughty and nice: Louisa and E.J. Bonavita; Karen and Drew Morrison; Richard Stuart and Bill Cerone; Lynn and Steve Hughes with Annie, Jack and Alex; Sandy and Henry Mordoh with Madison and Sydney; Claudette Lewis with Taylor Brown; Jere Gallagher and Yale Gutnick; Vicki and Art Bomberger; Patti Dolan; Arlene Milon; Lisa and Jeff Catanzarite; Georgia and Bob Hernandez; Betsy and Paul Straitiff; Teo, Scott and Delilah Hollander; Sandy and Larry Rosen ; and Kim and Richard Pollak . Cache and Carry Call it gridlock city. Pittsburgh's finest directing bumper-to-bumper traffic, three blocks deep, around Kaufmann's Department store, Downtown, from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. And still they came ... nearly 5,000 strong. What we had here was an irresistible drawing card for a great cause. Make that a host of great causes, according to Kaufmann's G.M. Neil Penz , and every buck from A Very Merry Evening will be divvied among area nonprofits. A $10 tix gave shoppers a spree of discounts and drawings for fantastic prizes ... while they mixed and mingled with celeb hosts passing trays of treats. Santa had major competition from trunk shows, fashion struts, cooking demos and makeovers. While happenings abounded upstairs and down with that jingle-jangle feeling from sprites of the Ballet Theatre's "Nutcracker," CLO Mini Stars, the Little Dickens Carolers and, quelle hoot, the tap-dancing Kaufmann's Bagettes. Among those too merry to miss, we spotted media celebs Kelly Frey, Demetrius Ivory, Sheila Hyland, Kevin Benson, Kristine Sorensen, Dave Crowley, Trish Hooper, Luis Fábregas, Kim Palmiero and Ron Antill ; chef Chris Gray ; artist Linda Barnicott ; author Jim O'Brien ; and TV entertainment host Christy Rost . A fashionable Fanfare to Kaufmann's beautiful Erika Kirwin , who coordinated the treasure island that netted $70,000 for sweet charity and had us verily, merrily shopping our little hearts out. Banking their shots Banker's holiday• It seemed like the first day of hunting season, and even an orange jacket couldn't save Citizens Banks' president Ralph Papa from the slings and arrows at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh's corporate roast. Time and place was Thursday at the Omni William Penn ballroom, and, after tucking into a delicious wine-and-dine, 200 guests were treated to a verbal bloodletting at its meanest best. Roastmaster Jim Roddey presided over the hijinks ("Ralph's favorite number is 11: the banker's dozen!") with head tellers Dr. Graham Spanier , Penn State prez, Citizens Bank chair Stephen Steinour , real estater Hoddy Hanna and Gateway Financial's CEO David Malone . Hilarious• You can bank on it, and our native son gave as good as he got to his former friends. Cashing in on the fun were benefit chairs Nancy Delaney and Patrick Lucas ; Ralph's bride of 36 years, Ruth Ann Papa; Jim Broadhurst ; Carlow U. prexy Dr. Mary Hines ; BBBS board chair Kenny Ross and Claire with director Wally Jenkins; John Bitzer; Mary Del Brady and Richard Pearson; Nancy and John Traina; Helen Hanna Casey; Eric Hessinger; Lorene and Denis Vinski; Mel Rex; Dr. Curtis Porter; Pat Loughney; Charlie Hanlon ; the Rev. Earlene Coleman; Sara and Alan Guttman; A.J. and Paul Jenkins ; and Craig Campbell . Bottom line: At $100,000, the pot shots raised a pot of gold to continue BBBS mentoring programs with the swell Bigs who shape and enrich the lives of the needy Littles. Higher POWER Thursday's POWER Promises fashion fest kept its word with an "evening of style and a night of hope," as 300 guests at the Heinz Field East Club Lounge applauded the true-life success stories of women recovering from alcohol and other drug addictions. As Allegheny County's only halfway house for women in recovery, POWER serves more than 1,500 clients through its various rehab programs. Switching from its usual Sunday matinee offering, this year's soiree spotlighted longtime volunteer Lois O'Connor with the Window of Hope award. Opening the fast-paced program, event chair Susan Block Jones introduced two POWER alums before turning over the podium to emcee Brenda Waters . As models graced the catwalk in glam ensembles from area emporiums, we spotted fashionistas such as POWER director Rosa Davis ; board prez Suzanne Parks and David Knorr; Tracy and Dr. Ken Melani; Catherine and Mark Loevner; Ceci Sommers; Tricia Kassling; Marsha and Scott Deaktor; Karen and Ed Linder; Etta Cox; Kathy Matta-Klingelhofer and John Brown; Jan and Dick Pagliari ; and Lynn and Ron Davenport . More power to them. -- J.A. Rudy who? Donna Hanover , former first lady of New York City whose marriage to Rudy Giuliani ended in a $6.8 million divorce settlement, reconnected with her high school heartthrob 30 years "after he dumped me." A year after moving out of Gracie Mansion, the actress and TV host of "Famous Homes & Hideaways" married lawyer Ed Oster and is traveling the lecture circuit to promote her delicious new book, "My Boyfriend's Back." Closer to home, she anchored KDKA-TV's "Eyewitness Magazine" with Dave Durian from 1977-79. Donna dished from her trove of true stories about rediscovering love with a long-lost sweetheart at Thursday's book signing, boutique and luncheon hosted by the Ladies Hospital Aid Society at the tony Fox Chapel Golf Club. To benefit LHAS community and social service projects. Clothes matter, and this charitable crowd of first ladies was zipped into beautifully tailored fall suits, like benefit chair Laura Kronk in a knockout tan Yves St. Laurent pants number; co-chair Kasia Bruniany in white; LHAS prexy June Yonas and director Dee Dee Troutman; Cher Kotovsky; Judy Linaburg; Shirley Green; Catherine Loevner; Tricia Kassling in violet tweed; Gertrude Caplan; Lisa Gaydos; Mary Novick; Ethel Feldman; Donna Southard; Hannah Kamin; Sandy Pinsker; Jayme Latta; Marcia Weiss; Violet Marcus; Windy Wedlake; Evanne and Irene Addams ; and Mary Zubrow . Additional Information: Photo Gallery click view gallery View the Photo Gallery for Nutcracker Ball Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review click view gallery View the Photo Gallery for the rest of Fanfare Aimee Obidzinski/For the Tribune-Review