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Pointe in Time Ball held at the Westin Convention Center
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Chairs Gabriela and David Porges. -
PBT dancers Christine Schwaner and Alexandre Silva. -
Terrence Orr and Marianna Tcherkassky. -
Lynn and Ron Davenport. -
Carolyn and Bill Byham. -
Becky and Herb Torbin. -
Janet and Harris Ferris. -
Kitty Hillman and PBT principal, Julia Erickson. -
Freddie and Hilda Fu.
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A rosy glow filled the Westin Convention Center ballroom Saturday, causing the nearly 400 guests to gush "c'est manifique" as they arrived for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's Pointe in Time Ball. The theme was "A Parisian Cabaret," and the spectacular dinner would have made Julia Child proud. Seared scallops, herb-rubbed filet or cornish hen, slow-roasted tomato salad, a cheese plate and French pastries -- everything was perfection and that was before the spirited crowd took to the dance floor with encouragement from Gary Racan and the studio-e Band.
Of course, the ball supports ballet, and the evening began with a wonderful sampler of performances by PBT dancers. Other company members mingled in black tie, giving guests a chance to meet them both during cocktails (an absinthe bar was a novelty) and the silent auction that preceded the live version. With offerings like a trip to New York or Paris, a two-week adventure in South Africa and more than 70 bottles of French wine, it was no wonder the auction fetched more than $100,000 under Jim Roddey's experienced gavel. By evening's end the gala total was $450,000, but a truer measure of success was how much fun the guests had and how late many stayed.
Gabriela and EQT CEO David Porges chaired the ball, lending their style to the elegant evening. Of course, PBT executive director Harris Ferris was there with Janet. And artistic director Terrence Orr and his wife Marianna Tcherkassky greeted guests as they arrived. Among them were Cindy and Murry Gerber (they hosted the Patron Party), Dr. Michael and Norma Sobel and Dr. Vonda Wright with Peter Taglianetti (both couples underwrote wine gatherings), Steve and Peggy McKnight, Dr. Freddie and Hilda Fu, Colleen and Denny Travis, Melanie and Jim Crockard, Kathleen Miclot, Susan and PG publisher John Robinson Block, Shelley and Jim Taylor, Steve Webster, Chuck Snyder and Carol Shriber, Ed Byrnes, Bill and Vivian Benter, Donna and Tom Hotopp, Morgan and Kathy O'Brien, Richard Burkland and Maureen Kerr, Debbie Dick and Art Stroyd, Louis Talotta and Clyde Jones. Those fab flowers were from Hens and Chicks and that rosy glow? Martin Potoczny of Luxe Lighting + Atmospheres.
First Published November 13, 2012 12:00 am
