Royal Birthday celebration
Queen Victoria was #SEEN toasting with more than 150 guests, posing for her portrait and practicing her royal wave on Thursday night at the Mansions on Fifth in Shadyside for a birthday party in her honor. (And she looked great for 198 years old!). It was a lighthearted affair hosted by WQED to celebrate the Masterpiece Theater series, “Victoria,” as well as raise funds for programming. Guests Christopher Hahn and Ron Booth, Izear Winfrey and event co-chair Cindy Gerber all got into the spirit of things wearing regal costumes. Ms. Gerber even went for the tiara. “When else could I wear one?” she said with a smile. Long-time supporters and new faces mixed and mingled as they chatted about the importance of WQED. “The programming work that WQED does seems more important and relevant now more than ever,” said David Bush, with husband Tim McVay. Partygoers enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks while taking photos with the “Queen,” posing for their own hand-drawn silhouette, enjoyed episodes from “Victoria” in the parlour room and reveled in live classical music by the Amadeus Quintet. It was an evening fit for royalty, indeed!
#SEEN: Co-chairs Ken and Marina Lehn, Darryl Ford Williams, Diana Rath and her daughter, Christina Rath, Hoddy Hanna, board chair Tom McGough with Becky, Bill and Vivian Benter, Steve and Peggy McKnight with daughter Libby, Jim Cunningham, Jean Horne, Jui Joshi, Deb Caplan, Dr. Loren and Ellen Roth, Catherine Loevner, Angela DeVanney, Rennick Remley, John and NancyTraina,BobandNancy Barry, Angelo Manenti and Kate Colligan, Commonwealth Court Judge Michael Wojcik and Dr. Traci Wojcik, Bob and Sharon Sclabassi, andLilli Mosco.
I love a good theme party! City Theatre puts on one of the best every year and this year was no exception. “I just wanted an excuse to dress up dripping in diamonds,” laughed artistic director Tracy Brigden. And with a theme like “Classic Hollywood,” there were plenty of starlets “Puttin’ On the Ritz.” But what makes City Theatre patrons so loyal that they come out to support an event like this for 24 years? “What they do is so innovative and exciting, we are so proud of them,” said co-chair Nancy Traina. As guests walked the red carpet, stopping for the “paparazzi,” they were welcomed into a wonderland dreamed up by event producer Joe Mineo, who created a lounge-like environment that hearkened back to the eras of Sinatra and Garbo. A black and white color palette abounding with candles and feathers allowed photos of classic Hollywood legends such as Cary Grant, Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe to take center stage. Partygoers were encouraged to read lines from classic film reels at the Steeltown Entertainment Project pop-up booth before grabbing a glass of bubbly and perusing the silent auction. Hungry? Movie-themed food-lined stations like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” scrambled eggs with lobster or “An American in Paris” Coq au vin with vegetables whet appetites. It was truly an “Affair to Remember”!
#SEEN: Co-chairs Laura Kronk, Melanie Crockard, June Yonas, Lew and Julie Gardner; managing director James McNeel, #SEENBestDressed: Anita Smith, #SEENBestGlam: Marta Mazzoni, Joanna Obuzor, Peter Taglianetti and Dr. Vonda Wright, Dominic and Charlene Petrelli, Jason Kollar, Bob Buzzelli, Dan Rossi, Richard Parsakian, Ken and Pam McCrory, Dolly Ellenberg, Michele Fabrizi, Emy Mack Jamison, Todd Owens, Roseanne Wholey, C.T. Steele and Tony Hernandez, Larry Leahy, Nancy DiFiore, Maggie Carr, Art and Terry Wiland, and the newly engaged Ned Schano and Becca Rozic. (Congratulations!)