Philly’s Academy of Music Ball cancelled

The Academy of Music’s anniversary concert and ball has been cancelled – for the first time in history – and won’t be rescheduled, due to Snowstorm Jonas.

“Outof respect for the safety of our patrons, the Academy of Music Board of Trustees has regretfully cancelled the 159^th Anniversary Concert and Ball planned for this Saturday, Jan. 23,” Alyssa Porambo, public relations manager for The Philadelphia Orchestra, wrote in an e-mail to Metro.

Actor Martin Short was to be the event’s special guest.

“The now-elevated blizzard warning, supported by the state of emergency issued by Governor Wolf and the snow emergency issued by Mayor Kenney, informed our decision. We are currently in the process of making arrangements to donate surplus food from the event to local food banks and shelters.

“Generations of Philadelphians have crossed the threshold of the Grand Old Lady of Locust Street’ in winters past for this event,”Porambo said.

“We hope that the current generation will continue to support this tradition of affection. The Anniversary Concert and Ball is the National Historic Landmark’s most critical fundraiser, which supports the preservation of the building so unique to the Avenue of the Arts.”