Soiree in the Strip

The Midwife Center is holding its fourth annual gala, Soiree in the Strip, on Thursday, October 22, at the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District. It's their main fundraiser of the year, and the evening is chaired and emceed by journalist Natalie Bencivenga.

For context, The Midwife Center is Southwestern Pennsylvania's only licensed, freestanding birth center. They focus on client-centered primary gynecological, pregnancy, and birthing care, and the gala brings together local leaders, clients, and the community to raise money for their programs and services. The funds go toward the center's work in the region.

The night itself is built around a few different things going on at once. There's a light dinner buffet with desserts and drinks, a silent auction and a raffle, and a round of trivia. The biggest draw for most will be the after-hours access to the museum, so you can wander through the galleries when the doors are closed to the general public. It's a fairly full program, with the dinner, auction, and museum access all happening in the same space.

Logistically, the main event runs from 7 PM to 9:30 PM, with a VIP reception beforehand from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. The venue is the Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, in the heart of the Strip District.