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Spectators on the streets of downtown Pittsburgh gathered to watch as the 920 event guests arrived. The fairytale began as everyone was greeted by Cinderella and Prince Charming alongside their pumpkin carriage. The guests entered Heinz Hall’s garden through an enchanted 12-by-20-foot hand-painted storybook to the cocktail hour.
A closer look at the storybook entrance. Note the evening's musical program is included.
Cocktail hour in the garden at Heinz Hall, home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Heralding trumpeters signaled to the garden once it was time for the next chapter of their evening to start. All 920 event guests joined an additional 1,796 concert guests to a standing-room-only crowd. Virtuoso Yo-Yo Ma joined maestro Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a concert that included Tchaikovsky’s 'Suite from The Sleeping Beauty.' After a standing ovation, the Gala and Soiree guests separated for their own post-concert events.
The 500 Gala guests dined in six different dining rooms. Here, the Grand Lobby at Heinz Hall, transformed into a fairy tale space. A heavy garland of tree fern was swagged through the space, accented with hanging grapevine spheres. Emerald lighting accented the lush greenery while creating a dazzling prismatic effect on the iconic Heinz Hall lobby crystal chandeliers.
Crystal Sponsor tables in Heinz Hall.
On tabletops, antique books were dissected and made into delicate verities of text-based paper flowers made by a local artisan. Delicate specimen orchids, such as lady slippers, and forest foliage including maidenhair fern and staghorn, accented the flowers.
The overlook room was inspired by 'Robin Hood.' Elements of sporting, costume, and woodland richness were balanced by delicate and elegant floral and ample candlelight. Burnished gold trumpets elevated arrangements composed of local seckle pears and lady apples, with handmade arrows piercing each arrangement to give a sense of an arrow in mid-launch. The tabletop itself featured suede-laced cylinders for floating candles, and delicate glass decanters with pheasant feathers and green garden roses. Rich emerald green velvet linens evoked a sense of Robin Hood’s trademark cloak.
The Grand Tier Lounge presented a unique opportunity for decor through its distinctive architecture. The pumpkin-shaped windows inspired the decor to be focused towards a Cinderella concept. Contradictory elements such as natural albino pumpkins and seeded eucalyptus garlands woven through antiqued candelabras were paired with ultra-modern glass lamp votives and Lucite chairs, a nod to Cinderella’s famed glass slipper. Draping and a variety of large custom clocks – just about to strike midnight – a solution that was not only beautiful but practical as well, as they concealed the service bar. The vivid blue ambient lighting made all of the glass and Lucite surfaces in the room sparkle as though they were in the moonlight.
A centerpiece in the Cinderella Room; note the albino pumpkin.
A longer view in the Cinderella Room.
The lower level of Heinz Hall evoked the mystery and drama of the Evil Queen’s Castle. In the 'Mirror, Mirror' Rooms, low centerpieces in tapered mirror boxes were packed with eggplant calla lillies, burgundy roses, and red apples, while tall centerpieces featured a clear glass riser packed with this iconic element from the Snow White tales. Fairy-tale inspired mirrors hung on columns that framed the guests’ tables, causing more than a few guests to approach it saying, 'Mirror, mirror, on the wall ... '
Enchanted Mirror menus in the Evil Queen Room.
Matte black votives, black chiavari chairs and plum taffeta linens gave the room the stateliness, richness and formality of a royal event, while the ambient red and violet lighting created a sense of drama depth and suspense for the dinner guests in the Evil Queen Room.
The Mozart Room featured a Jack and the Beanstalk theme, including 10-foot 'beanstalk' centerpieces. The centerpieces incorporated giant sunflower centers, local foliage and vines, and included local hanging bean pods – all topped off with artisan made white wire mesh clouds. Low centerpieces sat atop vine-inspired paisley linen, and featured hearty fruits, vegetables and floral such as artichokes, green hydrangeas, green cabbage roses and edible nasturtium.
While Gala dinner guests enjoyed Heinz Hall, the 375 Soiree guests walked across the street, where the Fairmont Pittsburgh ballroom was transformed into an enchanted affair including a 40-foot castle backdrop bringing attention--and record bidding--to the silent auction. 'Snow White' offered additional fundraising support as she sold mystery apples as guests went on a quest for elaborate bottles of wine, bejeweled chalices or even a tiara.
The theme was continued through the food and drink as 'Snow White’s Poison Apple Cider' was passed, cocktails were served with a 'Drink Me' tag, and guests dined on fare that included hand-carved Roast Beast and a Queen of Hearts raspberry tart.
A Soiree centerpiece.
A long view of the Soiree Ballroom.
Following dinner in the variety of rooms, Gala guests came back together to share dessert in the garden, hosted by maestro Manfred Honeck. The coffee and cordial bar was accompanied by a dessert spread that encompassed half a dozen options including Red Currant Basque Cake and Black Forest Parfait. With desserts in hand, the event closed out a record-breaking silent auction.
