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Party x Three
Rob certainly headlined the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force benefit at the Public Theater. But the eve was an absolute love-in for Richard Parsakian, owner of Eons Fashion Antique in Shadyside.
As humble as he is brilliantly creative, Richard graciously donates his incredible talent and resources in orchestrating the knockout ambiance of countless fundraisers in our community. And a crowd of 375 scenesters from the performing arts gave him a standing "O" as he was tapped with the PATF's Kerry Stoner Award for his incredible support ... not to mention his role in the box-office bonanza of $110,000 for his fave cause: the Task Force and its free HIV/AIDS services. In his poignant remarks, Richard especially remembered the friends he's lost to AIDS.
At 21 years, Wednesday also marked the nation's longest continuous partnership between a regional theater company and an AIDS service organization.
In a chic French toast to "Life x Three," PPT's delightful new play that spins a dinner party from hell three ways, John Van de Grift designed the party in triplicate. From the French pop songs wafting over the frou-frou triplets who dominated the sleekly draped and flowered lobby, an incarnation of the glam stage set, to the glitzy Starlite Lounge on, right, three with Eric Susoeff's jazzy trio and the laser-light show that was a nod to the play's astrophysical theme, this one even danced on après-curtain to a disco beat.
On the playbill:benefit chairs Lora and Perry Sigesmund of Perlora with Bossa Nova's Robin and Ann Fernandez; PPT's Ted Pappas; PATF prez Dr. Larry Leahy and director Kathi Boyle with Betty Hill; Gwyn Cready; Lenora Nemetz; Clyde Jones; Kristen and Kevin McMahon; Richard Rauh; Christopher Hahn; Harris Ferris and Holly Brubach; Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak; Dee Bold; Steve Herforth and Peter Karlovich; Gordon Fisher and Wes Scott; Pam and Ken McCrory; Karla Boos; Selma and Leon Sherman; Paul Gitnik; and Jim McDonald.
As well as Leslie Davis and Abe Leizerowski; Clyde Jones; Barb Mendlowitz; Carol Caroselli; Jan and Ernie Meade; Nachum Golan and Steve Hough; Vi and Judge Robert Gallo; Mary Francis Dean and Dan Johnson; Dee Jay and Elliott Oshry; Joe Salandra; Bob Kmetz; Bob Davis and Kathi Hursh; Mary and Tim McVay; Nancy and Joe DiFiore; Mary Beth Johnson; Fred Frank; Hugh McGough; Ada and Stan Davis; Craig McDonald; Maryanne King; Joy Sato; Kenia; and Sue and Scott Lemmie.
| The Dirty Ball |
Leave it to Attack Theatre, the edgy modern dance company, to take a naughty idea and, with gleeful abandon, bend it into the red-hottest, way-coolest, sold-outest Dirty Ball. Nothing majorly outrageous, mind you, just 450 hipsters having a dead-on, dirtylicious time.
Saturday's epicenter of it all was 121 Ninth, Downtown, which elevatored to the breathtakingly filthy gorgeous penthouse of Jessica Coup and Scott Bergstein (they're engaged!) for a posh VIP cocktail party. Where AT's Michele de la Reza, Peter Kope and company came clean in the HUGE (what would you call a 425 sq. ft. space, other than a New York apartment?) bathroom. Stunningly choreographed in the marble tub and under the raining showers! You heard me.
When the second wave hit one floor below, deejay Justin Hopper's spins were smokin' hot, partygoers were confessing "dirty little secrets" or capturing the fabulous fun in a "dirty photo booth." Meanwhile, Patrick Swayze would've flipped his mullet over the dirty-dancing finale.
The dress code included a lot of tanned skin and fashion on the bleeding, not cutting, edge. Many of the same guests from the PATF bash showed for honoree Richard Parsakian who's in the midst of a Richard-fest!
Getting down and dirty: AT prexy Susan DiGirolamo with son Charlie Cairone; Bob Strauss and Kate Colligan; Cathy Lewis and Rob Long; Annie Nowakowski; Ed Harrell; Sara Imbriglia and Steve Leone Jr.; Hiro Miura; Linnea Glick; Fran and Jim Abraham; Lorene and Denis Vinski; Alexi Morrisey; Becky Mingo and Dutch MacDonald; Sara Radalet; Chas Pelusi; Beth Ratas; John Columbo; Tammy and Alex Hardy; and Lynne Figgins wearing a black glass bra.
| High Point |
Bucking hectic schedules, they could hardly be called the ladies who lunch. But 115 fashionables came together at a stunning luncheon that hummed with accomplishment at the Duquesne Club.
Smart and successful, they happen to be Dr. Ellen Roth's closest friends and clients (in her case they're one and the same). She was marking the 16th anniversary of Getting to the Point, her business that serves more than 100 corporations by assisting in the relocation of families to Pittsburgh. And like Ellen, who was transplanted here from Cleveland, they have brought their talents to grow our region.
More to the point, Ellen's also a leading lady on our nonprofit scene and a hostess of the first water. Here's a snapshot of how good an event Tuesday was, and why it's always so well attended. Tables were covered in pale green and centered with Tim Condron's exquisitely pink bouquets of roses, tulips and hydrangeas. The Club's kitchen (a tip of the hat to Tom Wahl and his impeccable staff) was at its very best. When the entree was cleared, the Pittsburgh Opera's young artists merrily performed "the lightest side of opera" that melted the icebergs of March. Afterward, docents led tours of the Club's famed art collection.
Among the transplants, both new and familiar, were such as Dr. Xiaoyan Cai; Lekshmi Ramalingam; Dr. Aletha Akers; Mary Carbone; Dr. Susan Schwochau; Saleet Klein; Dr. Ruta Marfatia; Susanne Marsee; Jacqui Fiske Lazo; Dr. Shelley Lipton; Pat Siger; Judy Linaburg; Catherine Loevner; Maureen Cohon; Jody Amos; Brenda Smith; Mimi Priselac; Nancy Traina; Nicole Bruneau; Sandy Ekstrom; Pam Golden; Yvonne Campos; Dr. Toby Ascherman; Debbi Essex; Einat Nevo; Christopher Hahn; Dr. Loren Roth; and Ellen's beautiful mom, Charlotte Himmel, jetting in from Palm Beach for the afternoon.
| Homeless Heroes |
They are the forgotten kids ... those living in homeless shelters. They know all about the school of hard knocks and little about how to continue their schooling. In 1999, Dr. Joe Lagana began correcting this desperate situation by founding the Homeless Children's Education Fund. Now it's bringing learning, hope and new backpacks to our most vulnerable youngsters who are enrolled in public schools and in sheltered Learning Centers.
At Monday's )Champions for Children benefit in the Rivers Club, Dr. Jim Withers, co-founder of Operation Safety Net at Mercy Hospital, went to the head of the class for providing health care on our streets to homeless men, women and children.
In the crowd of 400 guests bidding at the silent auction and indulging in Betsy Ann's yummy chocolates were hosts Ruth Anne and Ralph Papa of Citizens Bank; hizzoner Luke Ravenstahl; Linda Dickerson; Jim Roddey; Barbara Mistick; Dotti and John Bechtol; Alan Siger; Joyce Bender; Phil Hallen; Ron Bowes; Karen Paras; Jeanne and Scotti Mulert; Pat and Dr. Pete Keim; Susan and Ray Werner; Janet and Matt Simon; and Sarah and Brett Keisel.
| March Madness |
The hoops are here and the Jewish Community Center's got 'em. That fans were 500 deep at the JCC's Big Night for this first-time benefit was a reality check on how vital a force is this nucleus to the Squirrel Hill community. Talk about a full-court press!
It was a slam dunk of cocktails in Center Court, food galore in Levinson Square Garden (can you stand it?) and dancing, dancing, dancing to Gary Racan and his groovy Studio E band. Oh, yes, and the Big East Championship Game on really big-screen TVs.
Celebrating their home court advantage were JCC prez Brian Schreiber and Suzanne; honorary chair Judy O'Connor; Jennifer and Jeff Finkelstein; Ina and Larry Gumberg; Meryl and David Ainsman; Jan and Rick Henry; Ellen and Jack Kessler; Todd Reidbord; Linda and Ken Simon; Barbara and Bruce Booken; Lillian Fitch; and Todd Moules.
