In the shadow of Clayton, across Miss Frick's great lawn and exquisite gardens, streamed some 4,100 fans of First Fridays at the Frick , a musical adventure now in its ninth season at the Frick Art & Historical Center, Point Breeze.
The good news about this concert by the Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery -- there's no bad news -- is that it didn't rain. Never mind that the lamas had prepared a special incense offering to the weather gods. More good news: The concert was free, open to the public and all this under no roof.
As the Dalai Lama smiled from his photograph on the stage altar, nine monks trained in the mystical arts of Tibet's sacred music and dance performed for two hours. Rather, they rejoiced in a tapestry of ancient instrumental and vocal sounds as an offering of world healing. Hardly a toe-tapper, but fascinating in its rhythms and exotic costumes.
Chantmasters simultaneously intone three notes to produce an ethereal sound that was most stirring at its extremes. And for a bone-shaking experience with the full power of Judgment Day, the lamas unleashed their 10-feet-long dungchen trumpets. On international tours, they've filled Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as sharing stages with such artists as Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant and Philip Glass. Tours that are sponsored by Richard Gere Productions and the DL Institute.
With the Frick's reputation for doing things right, there were basket trays for the Cafe's yummy picnic suppers and a wait staff to whisk them away afterwards. The audience lolled on blankets and lawn chairs, and there was a easy camaraderie that couldn't have been nicer. Regulars toted their own vittles in wicker hampers or coolers and some laid on gourmet feasts with china and crystal.
And these are some of the people who were there: Frick director Bill Bodine; Carol and Joe Massaro; Caryn Rubinoff and Craig Dunham with son Max; Felicia and Mark Bennett with daughter Katherine; Joanne and Robert Coburn; Marianne Geyer; Dick and Dr. Nancy Neiland Fisher; Ruth and Myron Garfunkel; Sally and Ted Newman; Marylynn Majors; Melissa Craig; Ivan Novick with kids Howard and Jodi and grandkids Jason and Hilary; Patti and Sandy Berman; Janet and John Spear; Marion and Sam Edelmann; Lisa Antoun and John Eskridge; John Mulig; Eban Adams and Anne Stanton; Irene Otte; Anita Newell; Frances Pecjak; Marce and Jack Schulz; Betty Havryluk and Dr. Irv Guyette; Sherree Hall and Jill Martin with son Ethan Hall Martin; Tessie Binstock; Linda Shensa; Phyllis and David Felman; Nicole Campbell and Jeff Marshall; and Barbara and David Weiner .
Plus designer Catherine Montague; Eileen Stewart and daughter Mary Margaret; Mary Margaret Coyne with sons Brendan, Daniel, James Coyne and their ladies fair; Kathy and Tom Kowenhoven with Isabelle and Benjamin; Carol and Louis Ottobre; Eva and Charles Vaughan; Denise and Dennis English; Francois Marchand; Judy Traister; Joe Cuccaro; Pauline Bellemare; Linda Esposto; Jan Moravec; Nancy Noyes; Gene Casey; Ken Goldsmith; Kelli and David Terdian and son John; Victor Bianculli; Dr. Jean Gittings; Mary Baldwin; Hilary and Jim Saint with daughter Sierra Katherine; Sue and Gary Heitzenroder; Kate Morris with daughters Stella and Lola Wallace; Linda Melada; Joyce Berman and Dick Spine; Pat, Paul and Penny McKenna; Patty and Paul Friday; Linda and Dan Haller; Karen and Bill Cooper; Myra Posner; Connie Rabocay; Joanne Ligeros; Cece Krumrine; and Kathleen and Fred Hann .
Music hath charms, 'tis true, but the real attraction here are the charms of the Frick, a neighborhood jewel that's earned its foothold on the highest rung of community outreach.
Om on the range.
| Into the Woodlands |
Fabulous! Forgive me for that overworked adjective, but it's about to get worked over again. It's really the only one that describes Notes from the Heart , Saturday afternoon's inspired concert at The Woodlands in Wexford.
After a week of rehearsals at the overnight music camp for children with disabilities, 52 fragile youngsters performed side by side with
world-class members of our music community ... musicians who know that life isn't fair and, bless 'em all, they helped tip the scales in the kids' favor in a deeply moving program. Bigs and littles played together across enormous challenges.
Led by PSO resident conductor Lucas Richman, highlights paired PSO oboe Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida with Ann Marie Suski on the violin and PSO cellist Irvin Kauffman on the banjo with harmonica player George Casselberry. PSO principal bassoon Nancy Goeres and Andrew Clark , choral director of Tufts University in Boston, joined the entire ensemble in Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." If the planet Earth could sing, I think it would sound something like these kids. Deprived of the easy joys of childhood, they've found joy in music.
Brazilian nightingale Lilly Abreu, Edward Cumming (now music director of the Hartford Symphony), violinist Penny Anderson Brill, trombonist Ryan Moser, music therapists Debbie Benkovitz and Andrea Scheve, Jen Miller, Molly Quinlan and Cathy Senko were other guiding spirits. As well as abfab music man Charlie Gray , who produced "Bringing Out the Stars," for the kids who supplied the brightest wattage in the free concert.
Now in its fourth year, the music camp was the dream of Woodlands Foundation's chairman, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Don Reigel . But it took his friend, Sydelle Kessler , to make it a reality. Twas she who recruited the musicians to the program ... just try saying no to this amazing grace.
Need I tell you you had to be there⢠If you were, you would have spotted hockey superstar Alexei Kovalev (now with the New York Rangers), who sends The Woodlands $500 for every goal he scores; Mendelssohn Choir's Robert Page and Glynn; Ceci Sommers, Gay Reigel; WF Prez Peter Clakeley and Gail; Connie Eagan; Amy Humphrey; Martha and Ted Fithian; Irene and Dr. Bob Szulman; Beth Snyder; Leslie Heck ; and 300 cheering fans.
Love notes.
| Urban affairs |
President George W. Bush spoke to the nation's most influential African-American leaders at the Urban League Conference here last Monday, as did seven presidential hopefuls, in a program so crammed with sessions that attendees surely must've cloned themselves to do it all.
Then the fun began with a luxe reception and benefit concert at Heinz Hall for UL presidents and delegates from every major city in the country ... and the national sponsors who have taken a leadership position at the conference. While the $400,000 raised benefited NUL's programs for youth and economic development, housing and education. Of course, our town's African-American elites were also in the mix because the conference has remained a social beacon through good times and bad.
At the glam reception for 600, a group portrait in fashionable elegance, there was an air of festivity, of deals being closed, contacts
being made. Everyone wanted to meet the three most important people at the party: NUL's chairman Michael Critelli (also Pitney Bowes' board chair), its prez Marc Morial and ULP's prexy Esther Bush . Rodney McCoy fiddled away at Truffles and Flourishes' high-palate buffet of pink baby lamb chops, crab cakes, platters of shrimp and such that were superb. Outdoors, the eve was lit by lanterns, candles and nonstop flashbulbs.
The crowd swelled to 1,300 for showtime. To the stage came rocking rhythm-and-blues Broadway star Stephanie Mills (she was Dorothy in "The Wiz") and soul singer Frankie Beverly & Maze , both delivering scorching performances and heavy-metal power chords.
Keeping the dream alive.
| Guilding the Bobbi |
The Civic Light Opera 's ladies who lunch met at the posh Pittsburgh Golf Club to heap praises on the lovely head of Bobbi Aiello , the dynamo who chaired the Guild's Pink Frolic Ball in June. Not only was the Big Apple-themed ball a glamfest and fun, it raised $100,000 for the CLO's educational and outreach programs. Just another reason why the Guild's pink ladies are the envy of every nonprofit group in town. Since the Frolic's get-go in 1955, they have staged it solely as a volunteer committee effort.
Hats off to those damsels in Tuesday's cheering section like Dee Bold; Dottie Florence; CLO Guild prexy Patti Matty; Marsetta Schweiger; Rona Dane; Jettie Mooney; Rita Randall; Vi Gallo; Ruth Smith; Terri Hastings; Debbie Fazi; Ann Connelly; Janice Meade; Sara Schneeberger; Dottie Urda; Ann Baldrige; Pauline Henry; Cookie Roberson; Arlene Sokolow; Audrey Zelkovic; Joan Maggio; and Esther Lapiduss .
The centerpieces of this merci beaucoup luncheon, deftly chaired by Kim Jackson and Barbara MacQuown Telang , were the Constance Rockwell Scholarship winners ... nine talented young actors, voice majors, musicians and set designers who are studying for their big break in show biz.
They were tickled, well, you know ...
| Guilding Downbeat in the District |
Katz Plaza, a beautiful tree-lined oasis of art and benches in the heart of our Downtown Cultural District, has cachet. But this summer it has buzz.
Since the beginning of June, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has been treating jazz fans to Downbeat in the District ... a free Tuesday
jazz series (5 to 7 p.m.) that's open to the public in the Plaza through Aug. 26 ... on Wednesday, if it rains. There are chairs for resting your bottoms on and popcorn on the side. With grace notes, of course, from DUQ's Bob Studebaker who hosts the weekly scene.
Masterminded by the Trust's Janis Burley Wilson , we found music lovers of all ages taking a break from summer in the city and rush-hour traffic on Tuesday to kick back with the Latin-flavored jazz band Salsamba , just one of our great jazz groups tapped for the series. Five seasoned musicians (bass Jeff Grubbs plays with the PSO) were swinging with effortless artistry in a relaxed setting. What's not to like?
Here and there, we spotted Luke Desmone; Deb and Jim Sullivan; Rick and Cindy Davidson; PCT's Gail Eaton, Lorene Vinski with Denis, and Madeleine Elish; Zina Carter; Dave DeSimone; Rona Nesbit with parents Peggie and Rich; Bill and Dotty Smith; Claudia and Dave Fath; Debra Clemons; Natalie and Terry Thomas; Paulina McCullough; Margaret and Charles Washington; Jeannie Winters and Al Fabian; Barbra Labbie and Chris Power; Pat Horvath; Tracy Edmunds; Fred Weber; Betty Reynolds; Ted Lau and daughter D.J. Brewster; Norma Caquatto; Dawn Williams; DUQ's Mark Yacovone and David McCarthy; Nicole Druga; Millicent Smith; and Beth Thomas and Pete Hewlett , who pedaled in from Lawrenceville on their twin bikes.
For more sounds of summer, check out the way cool Kenny Blake band tomorrow.
| Regatta thunder |
You gotta a lotta bang for your buck at the Three Rivers Regatta . Saturday night and the Zambellis were back on their barges between both stadiums (the Pirates won at PNC Park!) to fill the skies with the mother of all pyrotechnic displays. Every volley was a grand finale of showering brilliance and thunder.
Before and after, the Regatta powers that be -- and we're so not talking the boats -- could be found at the Buca di Beppo hospitality tent, deliciously manned by David Wolk, where we caught up with Regatta chair Ken McCrory; Cathy and Tony Renda (his outfit staged the event!); Jamie and Bill Sarris; Gail and Greg Harbaugh; Cathy Niederberger and Guy Costa with son Joe; Dan and Debbie Frankel; Terri and Don Hastings; Mari and Alan Hertzberg; Sala Udin; Tom Stevenson; Catherine and Gordon Seman; Tom Petrone; Ann and Don Brown; David Cohen; and Diane Greco , who powered the wowsa fun.
And then came the father of all traffic jams.
