More gatherings and notable events...

Monday, June 23, 2003

Riverfront Trail Mix(er)

	Jennie Luvv and Colter Harper of Boilermaker Jazz Band. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

A rainstorm couldn't stop a celebration of the environment on the South Side Friday night. Friends of the Riverfront gathered for the second annual fund-raising Trail Mix(er), which also marked the beginning of the summer solstice. Scheduled for the banks of the Monongahela, the event was moved into the incredible Terminal Properties buildings. The sophisticated vocals of Jennie Luvv, which were accompanied by the upbeat music of the Boilermaker Jazz Band, created the atmosphere for the event. The location of the party was relevant to the purpose of the organization because a future project involving the development of a trail will take place just below the Terminal. None were without a cold drink and a plate full of delicious hors d'oeuvres. Those spotted at the party were organizer Jennifer Thoma, Highmark's Jack Shaw, Mayor Tom Murphy, Lisa Schroeder of Riverlife Task Force, Cathy McCollom, Kent Edwards, Marco and Paula Cardamone, John Stephen, Cathy Neiderberger of PNC, city Councilman Bill Peduto, Andy Baechle, Anne Marie Lubenau of the Community Design Center, musician Nelson Harrison, Bill and Peg Barron, Jen Saffron, Steven Paul, Christine Davis, Dina Klavon, Steven Quick and Karen Slotnick.

-- Emily Craig

Associated Artists' 93rd Exhibition

Tim Fabian and Sally Gehl. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

Torrential rains didn't dampen the spirits of guests at Friday's opening reception for Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 93rd Annual Exhibition. The move to the University Art Gallery in Pitt's Frick Fine Arts Building provided a smaller space than the Carnegie Museum of Art, but there was room for works by 54 local artists working in assorted media. So many artists, family members and friends gathered for a first glimpse of the exhibition (it runs through July 22) that was chaired by Sally Gehl. Among them were juror Liz Thomas, Dr. Bernard Michaels with his artist wife, Pauline, JoAnne Bates, Kathleen Zimbicki, Marsha Ruddy, Vic and Lila Hirsch Brody with granddaughter Jackie, Jane Arkus, Marilou Milona Zombek, Fred Frank, Jerry and Helen Caplan, David Dinkin, Jeff and Eileen Ruttenberg, Peggy Mills, Will Darling, Ann and Peter Haigh, Eleanor Wedner with daughter-in-law Andrea Wedner and granddaughter Hilary, Marjorie Shipe, Maureen Rolla, Dr. Leonard Rubenstein, University Art Gallery's Josie Piller and AA president Tim Fabian (doing a great job).

A Date with Destiny

	George Pry, the Honorable Jennifer Smith, premier of Bermuda, and John Johns. (Matt Freed, Post-Gazette)

Paintings by the Honourable Jennifer Meredith Smith, the premier of Bermuda, testified in an accomplished way to her training at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Her work was displayed in the gallery of the school's Downtown building during a reception Wednesday for other alumni, board members and guests. A 1971 graduate, Smith was a professional artist in Bermuda before entering politics and becoming premier in 1998. Helping to welcome Madame Premier here to receive an honorary doctorate of humanities during commencement ceremonies were Art Institute president George Pry, president emeritus John Johns, board chairman Marylouise Fennell, retired president Dennis Fantaski, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, the Cultural Trust's Kevin McMahon, Judy and Ron Davenport, city Councilmen Gene Ricciardi and Alan Hertzberg, Point Park College president Katherine Henderson and husband Tracy, Esther Bush, Lou and Renee Camerlengo, the PG's Martha Rial, Linda Dickerson, Ray White and Pittsburgh magazine editor Betsy Benson.

Unseam'd Shakespeare turns 10

Laura Smiley and Tim Carryer. (John Heller, Post-Gazette)

There was nothing unseemly about last Monday's revel to celebrate Unseam'd Shakespeare Co.'s 10th anniversary. "Bacchanal: A Feast for the Senses" attracted many longtime supporters to Casbah in Shadyside for a four-course dinner created by chef Eric "Spud" Wallace. For an appetizer, guests watched Olivia Kissell belly dance with a scimitar, and then it was on to the wild stuff, such as foods chosen to reflect opposing passions and entertainment by Soma Mestizo, Sugar Daddy and the Bigboned Girls and Phat Man Dee. Company founder and artistic director Laura Smiley welcomed guests along with co-chairs Rosemary Tomassi and Michelle Dawson (with 7-month-old Ian and husband Tim Dawson). Loyal fans included Mark Chapman, Doug Mertz with Stefano Muneroni, Wendy and Dan Taylor, Laura's mother, Alice Smiley, and Richard Rauh. Also there were board president Tim Carryer, co-founder Launch Cyte, Lisa Renby, Marci Woodruff and chef husband Lon Durbin, Adrienne Wehr and husband Rob Bupp, Dr. Sam Cho, Judith Diperna, Lynne Pastor, Chris and Sachiko Howard and many more.

Wine, Women and the Men Who Love Them

	Sue Rielly, Jeanne Caliguiri, Dr. Joe Kelley and Denise Johnson. (Lake Fong, Post-Gazette)

Can hope be found in a bottle? Yes, decided the East End Supporters of Girls Hope -- in the sale, if not the sipping, of some extraordinary wines. Jeanne Caliguiri, Denise and Bruce Johnson, Karen and Dr. Joe Kelley and Sue and Bill Rielly hosted a wine tasting and auction Thursday at the Pittsburgh Golf Club to benefit the organization, which was founded in 1990. Girls Hope offers gifted girls in at-risk family situations a nurturing environment in which to thrive. "We do not want to replace the family, we want to work with them," explained director Sister Donna Maria Tahaney. After getting acquainted with the variety of the vine via six sensational wines, guests prepared to bid on some wonderful and no longer available bottles from private collections. Bidding on the blancs and Margaux, but not Bordeaux, were Debbie Barbarita, Rosie Welsh with her mother, Kathleen, Bill Rielly Jr., Kathleen and Toby O'Brien, Carol Murphy, Maureen and Matt Elder, Jackie and Charles Ferrara, Cathy and Ronald Tisch and Lee and the Rev. Douglas Spittel. For information on the annual Women's Tournament at the Pittsburgh Field Club (golf, tennis and bridge) in September, call 724-869-2868.

-- Patricia Sheridan

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