Maecenas XXXIII
The fashionistas were out in full force on Saturday — on clearly the most glamorous night of the year in Pittsburgh — sashaying their way through the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters in the Strip District. The garage space became their runway, expertly lit and transformed to create a warm, inviting ambience by event producer LUXE Creative. The vibe? Old meets new. “We want to make room for the new guard and encourage younger people to step up and take the reins,” said event co-chair Dr. Lisa Cibik (who shined in Gucci with husband Bernie Kobosky). She co-chaired the event with her daughter, Alexandra Good (in Givenchy with husband Lt. Brian Linville) who brought with her plenty of new faces to enjoy the modern, yet industrial, design of the cocktail hour before moving into the swanky ballroom for dinner. It was complete with a mile of rope draped elegantly over the partygoers, reminiscent of bridges connecting the past to the future. Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner by All in Good Taste Productions including delicious braised cabernet short rib, roasted breast of poussin, yellow beets with spiced almonds, and Bob Sendall’s Pittsburgh famous Toffee Taboo with ice cream and a sour cherry sauce while taking in magical performances by the resident artists of the Pittsburgh Opera. Afterward, roughly 350 partygoers flocked back to the dance floor and enjoyed even more pastries as the champagne flowed. The event raised more than $375,000.
#PghProud: The theme of this year’s event was Pittsburgh Proud in honor of “The Summer King” about baseball player Josh Gibson. “We wanted to expand our awards this year to include all the industries that are making Pittsburgh what it is today,” said director Christopher Hahn. Added Gabriela Porges, who attended with husband and honoree David Porges and their daughter Victoria: “The arts are vital to any strong community, and we support the opera as it strives to connect children who may not have the opportunities to express themselves through music.” And what does it mean to be Pittsburgh Proud? “I’m proud of Pittsburgh for stepping up and embracing new ideas and newcomers that are going to help make this city great,” said honoree Doris Carson Williams.
#SEEN: Honorees Dr. Arthur Levine, Andrew Moore, and singer Daya (who couldn’t personally attend, but sent a video message expressing her gratitude for being included); also #SEEN: board chair Michele Fabrizi (in Lela Rose), Bill and Vivian Benter, Nadine Bognar, John and Virginia DiPucci, Dr. Mark and Roseanne Wholey (in Carolina Herrera), Paul Gitnik (who shined in a sequined dinner jacket), Ron Booth, Patrick Moore and Joaquin Navarro, Jim and Melanie Crockard, Dr. Bill and Natalie Hoffman, Philip Ferland and Doug Nolder, John and Nancy Traina, Brian Walton and Samantha Gannaway, Ron and Judy Linaburg, Anne Chen, Liz Hofreuter, former senior judge Robert Gallo and Donna Murtha (wearing Christian Purtin), Chelsea Pompeani, Peter Taglianetti and Dr. Vonda Wright, Jim and Lauri Cunningham, David and Beckie Belczyk, James Snyder and Danielle Katz, Dr. Loren and Ellen Roth, Jean Horne, Bob and Sheri Sclabassi, Martin Potoczny, Jeremy Resnick and Janera Solomon, and Nicholas Davidson.