From left, Amanda Marcello, Debra Simone and her daughter, Miss Rhode Island, Francesca Simone.

When the president of the Providence Performing Arts Center, J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, introduced Providence’s former mayor Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr., applause and cheers wafted through the historic theater.

Cianci walked onto the stage, stood behind the podium, and waxed nostalgic about the theater in front of a crowd of some 750 on July 29.

“It is a wonderful theater with a strong staff. Great spirit went into the renovation of it,” he said. “You paid for it. So enjoy it.”

Singleton credited Cianci with playing a major role in fixing up and expanding the stage to accommodate large-scale Broadway musicals such as Phantom of the Opera. “I remember that he [Cianci] said to me, ‘I am going to give you $1 million [for the renovation] but it will not get me one vote.’ ”

The guests were attending Rhode Island Monthly’s annual party to celebrate the roll-out of its Best of Rhode Island issue. Cianci was among the 284 personalities, businesses and services that made the magazine’s “best of” listing. The former mayor picked up the award for Best Radio Talk Show Host for his midday show on WPRO-AM radio.

PPAC’s lobby was dotted with tables set up by some of the winning businesses and services so guests could check out their wares or sample food products. “I believe this is the biggest party we have ever had,” said John Palumbo, the publisher of Rhode Island Monthly. “It takes an entire year to plan this issue. The party brings together all kinds of folks from the media, politics and business.”

First-time winner Tom Wright, owner of 1149 on Division Street in Warwick, said that obtaining the title Best New Restaurant was “a wonderful opportunity.” He added, “It’s the party to be at so we are appreciative.”

Other winners included Channel 10’s Frank Coletta. He noted that he has won Best Television Morning News Anchor for the past 17 years.

“I don’t think I have missed a year,” he added. “It’s always gratifying [to win]. There are 600 channels out there, and I am only on one.”

Coletta attended with several colleagues who also received a “best” distinction. Among them were Gene Valicenti, Patrice Wood, Frank Carpano, Jim Taricani and Gary Ley.

The money brought in by this party (estimated at $20,000) will go toward grants (between about $2,000 and $5,000 each) to enhance art education at local schools. This year the recipients of the grants, a joint venture between PPAC and R.I. Monthly, included Catherine Davis Hayes, Oakland Beach Elementary School, Warwick; Melissa Guillet, Alice M. Waddington Elementary School, Riverside; Mary McMurtery, Birch Vocational School, Providence; Mia Thompson, Forest Park Elementary School, North Kingstown; and Rachel Tushman, Providence Country Day School, East Providence.