The Philadelphia Classical Society

“CAAS Funded 5th Annual PCS Classical World Fashion & Design Show in memoriam Norma Goldman and Rudy Masciantonio @ Bryn Mawr College on December 15th”

Mary Brown [executivedirector@caas-cw.org; 610.212.6908]

January 4, 2017

Like Dido’s retreat in nemus umbriferum [Aeneid.VI.473], the inimitable collection of ancient Greek and Roman costumes assembled by Norma Goldman, and animated by her various colleagues each summer at the American Academy in Rome on privileged balmy evenings, has vanished into the Lugentes Campi.

Yet Professor Goldman, as dedicatee, would reveal her fey smile at the sight of the costume collection of Penn Museum Docent and retired U.S. Marine Joe Balmos which he had so generously shared at the 5th Annual Classical World Fashion Show sponsored by the Philadelphia Classical Society, held on Thursday, December 15 in Bryn Mawr’s hallowed Great Hall in Old Thomas Library.

Under the watchful gaze of Athena Lemnia fully embellished with dutiful votives, recreants ranging from first grade to Bryn Mawr graduate students donned remarkably authentic costumes reminiscent of Heracles, Roman centurians and legionnaires, and Greek and Roman maidens and matrons, with an inspiring commentary authoritatively intoned by antiquarian Joe Balmos.

Rudy Masciantonio to whom the festivities were also dedicated would grin at the enthusiasm evident throughout the evening which served as prequel to the ancient Roman Saturnalia festival.

Tables festooned with greens and berries and bedecked with delicious foods and libations added to the engagement.

Students from Wayne Elementary School, the French International School, Boys Latin, Radnor High School, Valley Forge Military Academy, and Bryn Mawr College, as well as Penn Museum Docent colleagues and Philadelphia Classical Society officers and members regaled in the beauty of the Great Hall, formerly host to Katharine Hepburn devoted in her library hours, with its massive fireplaces and luscious stained glass windows.

All of this was made possible by a generous grant from the Grants Committee of The Classical Association of the Atlantic States, chaired by Marian Makens of the University of Pennsylvania.

In their staggered departures, all of the guests pledged to continue this colorful and inspirational tradition next year on a comparably propitious evening in December.