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Baltimore magazine’s 2024 Best of Baltimore Party
August 15, 2024
7 – 11 p.m.
Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center/M&T Bank Exchange
Imagine being able to experience the very best that the city has to offer under one roof. That’s the beauty of the magazine’s annual Best of Baltimore party—an all-out celebration of excellence in Baltimore dining, arts, entertainment, media, and more.
At the Hippodrome Theatre and adjoining M&T Bank Exchange, some 1,100 guests sampled food and drink from 28 restaurants, caterers, eateries, and drink purveyors—many of which were named in the magazine’s current “Best of Baltimore” issue. There were tunes by Rick and the Revolving Doors and The Wafflers, as well as dance music spun by DJ Kopec in the Exchange. If that wasn’t enough fun, folks could also try their hand at pickleball, golf, and blackjack—or put themselves in the hands of caricature artists.
When it came to creating an eye-catching, Charm City-inspired look for this year’s Best of Baltimore Party, Jules Holdford knew she wanted to one-up her outfit (featured in this column) from last year.
This year, Holdford had fashion designer Yelé Oladeinde not just create her dress, but also the fabric for it—using the art from the magazine’s past 18 “Best of Baltimore” covers. (Each represents the 17 years that Jules has lived in Baltimore, plus one for good luck.) Then, the Baltimore tour guide added all sorts of fun accessories. (Think: lemon peppermint stick earrings from Keppel & Kismet, stickers from CrescentPearl on Etsy, and a special mani by Light Street Nail Salon.)
How else to expand on the “Summer in Baltimore” theme? Bring along your best friend of 17 years—Jaron Lockett—who donned his own spirited ensemble. The federal employee modeled a flamingo-themed shorts set he found on Amazon, set off by a set of flamingo beard clips from Veronica of Circle B Enterprises.
“Beards should have bedazzlement,” Lockett explained, with a laugh.
Left to right: Baltimore magazine colleagues: Debbie Darmofal, Vice President of Finance & Operations; Janelle Diamond, Baltimore Weddings editor; Michael Teitelbaum, president; Jane Marion, deputy editor
Left to right: Jason Jones, photographer; Thomas Miller, Maryland Collision auto body technician; Isaac Gainer, Johns Hopkins Hospital IT specialist; Brandon Ferges, real estate investor
Left to right: Jeanine Turner, Turner Design Firm owner/interior designer; Gary Maslan, attorney; Dave Willner, Radio One director of sales; Terry Willner, Table Toppers office manager
Left to right: Gregory Tucker, The Tucker Group CEO; Catherine Tucker, development professional
Left to right: Steve Geppi, Baltimore magazine publisher; Breanna Geppi, Club Pilates general manager; Roger Cullen, retired transportation engineer; Gina Geppi, Geppi Family Enterprises social media manager
Left to right: Jenny Bixler, Brown Advisory senior financial analyst; Andrew Pipitone, Das Bierhalle co-owner; Cailin Seirafipour, The Archdiocese of Baltimore director of instruction; Ali Seirafipour, Brown Advisory senior finance manager
Left to right: Brandon Johnson, US VA Hospital electrical engineer; Olesha Haskett, photographer/BOB Readers’ Poll winner
Left to right: Seth Estevis, college student; Cara Mastrostefano, woodworker; Laura Kwash, nutritionist
Twins Allison McCurnin (left) and Kristin McCurnin (right) share many things, including a passion for fashion—which was clear in their outfits.
“But we have different aesthetics,” said Kristin, a nurse practioner with Health Care for the Homeless.
“My style is reserved classic—simple cuts, elegant but comfortable,” noted Allison. The vice president of business development at Residential Title & Escrow demonstrated that concept in the silver Zara sequined slip dress, topped with a Barbie pink blazer.
“I’m sophisticated grunge. I like everything with an edge to it,” said Kristin, in a black slip dress under a AFRM floral mesh sheath that she found on sale at Nordstrom Rack.
