Bob O'Connor benefit continues the dream

Local arts organizations will join forces in "Continuing the Dream" of the late Mayor Bob O'Connor at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Heinz Hall. Mayor O'Connor died from lymphoma in September, and all proceeds will benefit lymphoma research at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"My family and I are honored that these artists regard Bob's vision for the community so highly," Judy O'Connor, his widow, said in a statement. "For all these groups to get together to do this is just fantastic and so generous. The money that they raise for lymphoma research is truly needed and will be put to good use."

Kenneth Nickel, head of the dance department and ballet master at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School of Midland, will produce the event, which will be hosted by WTAE-TV's Sally Wiggin, WPXI-TV's Peggy Finnegan and WQED Multimedia's Michael Bartley.

Participating groups will include Attack Theatre, Bach Choir, Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Dance Alloy Theatre, Duquesne University Tamburitzans, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Mendelssohn Choir, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony Brass, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Prime Stage, Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance, UMOJA African Arts Company and Voices of Harmony.

Tickets: $25.50-$100.50; call 412-392-4900 or visit www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

Glass Center resignation

Karen Block Johnese, who resigned as executive director of the Pittsburgh Glass Center last week, stepped down because she decided it "might be good to have a new challenge."

She will remain at her position until a replacement is found or until Aug. 1, 2007.

Johnese began her involvement with the Center nine years ago as a fund raiser. She was the founding board president and has been executive director since November 2003.

"I never really thought I was going to stay on forever," Johnese says. The executive director she replaced, who had been at the center for a year and a half, was found after a four-month national search, an effort the center didn't want to repeat at the time. "I just knew I needed to rescue that situation."

Now the organization, which opened in 2001, is stable, she says, and she expects a smooth transition. A search for a new director will begin soon. Johnese also expects to remain involved with the center in other roles.

But "being executive director is constant. I'm ready for a little less constant. And my plan is to not have a plan yet."