Dance Notes: PBT and King Richard

IN A GALA MOOD. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has a lot on its plate this week with the opening of its season with “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Benedum Center on Friday (see Martha Rial’s photos). The Pittsburgh City Council presented a proclamation to artistic director Terrence Orr, who was accompanied by Aurora, Puss ‘n Boots and Bluebird. The proclamation honors the company’s 40th anniversary and “Sleeping Beauty.” But it also announced the return of  the music director/conductor position with the appointment of Charles Barker, currently principal conductor at American Ballet Theatre and one of the top ballet

conductors around, for a three-year contract. Could more live music be far behind? Speaking of galas, PBT’s annual benefit, Pointe in Time, unfolds at the Pittsburgh Hilton with an elegant dinner and PBT performance. This year the company will add afterpointe!, beginning at 10 p.m. until midnight, with live swing and salsa, a Boyd and Blair cocktail, desserts and mixing with some of PBT’s glamorous dancer at only $40. Cocktail attire suggested. For ticket information, visit Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Scads of Pittsburgh’s arts glitterati gathered at the Andy Warhol Museum Monday night to pay tribute to Richard Parsakian, who has leant financial, artistic and personal support to virtual everyone in the city over the years. With Pittsburgh Filmmakers executive director Charlie Humphrey as emcee, Richard watched Vanessa German wax poetic on the arts, Lenora Nemetz vocalize about “Gypsy,” some of Richard’s favorite female impersonators perform and — surprise! — Kyle Abrahamson, who came in from New York to dance a touching piece d’occasion.