It seemed like everyone had been buzzing about it. Tickets sold out weeks in advance. Panicked calls were made, begging for a way in. Final count clocked in at 700, plus a few more who came from as far away as Texas, California, and Florida.

And when the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel re-opened the pearly gates for one night only, there simply was no coming back to earth.

“I'm spending all night in Heaven!” said Helen Wylie.

This was an urban family reunion decades in the making. The celestial Downtown nightclub, infamous by any standard, had reigned supreme as a must-go in the early '80s with a second run a decade later.

“I lived here every weekend for five years,” said Robin Hebert, who flew in from Dallas.

Within minutes, MetroMix DJ John Hohman — one of the originals — filled every inch of the dance floor. Males wearing little more than six packs and angel wings appeared. An authentic disco ball began to spin. Aerialists dangled over a crowd that swelled by the minute.

“I'm gonna dance until my hair falls,” said Rebecca Whitlinger.

VIPs took full advantage of the luxury of migrating upstairs, perched with the perfect view of the delicious melee unfolding beneath them. And although the walls refused to talk, at least a partial glimpse at past debauchery began to unfold.

“Oh, we were angelic,” assured Cindy andRich Engler.

Spied were Renaissance GM Paul Newmaster, event producer Ronda Zegarelli of Acrobatique Creative, Frank Murgia, David Sedelmeier, Bob Davis andJohn Klein, Mark Wells, Courtney andBob Crawford, Richard Parsakian, Clint Pohl, Kelli Burns, Roy Tucker, Len Semplice, Norman andGail Childs, and Heaven's original owner, Rick Stein.

The event benefited the Community Liver Alliance.

Kate Benz is the society columnist for Trib Total Media and can be reached at kbenz@tribweb.com, 412-380-8515 or via Twitter @KateBenzTRIB.

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