Trust Fund

Chocolate Symphony

by Monica Weymouth

Fri., April 20, 6-10:30 p.m., $500, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., 215-561-2919, www.alz-delawarevalley.org

You can never go wrong with a Tastykake, but it's OK to broaden your sweet-tooth horizons. At Chocolate Symphony, the Delaware Valley Alzheimer's Association's annual fundraiser, even Jelly Krimpet diehards will be impressed as Philly's finest pastry chefs pay homage to everyone's favorite ingredient.

As the chocolate fountain flows (always cool, always will be), chocophiles can sample/inhale Buddakan pastry chef Kate Honeyman's signature chocolate pagoda. While Water Works' Chad Durkin and Loews' Amanda Kaewvichien are presenting pastry, Frank Urso of Barclay Prime will offer playful candy creations. If you can deal with any more sensory input, quirky swing band Girls From Mars is performing, and an auction includes VIP Phillies tickets, the usual Caribbean cruise giveaways, and a not-so-usual "Page for a Day" position in Harrisburg.

Despite these sweet perks, the night is ultimately about raising awareness for a disease that afflicts 294,000 people in the tri-state area. Jon Runyan of the Philadelphia Eagles and his wife, Loretta, will host the evening. Awards will be presented to several regional volunteers, and New Jersey Sen. Fred Madden will be honored as Public Servant of the Year.

"It's about a love for chocolate, but it's really about a love for people," says Lisa Radin, special events consultant at the Alzheimer's Association.

This totally means the philanthropic calories don't count.