LOVE STORY. It was no coincidence that the colors for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 40th anniversary Pointe in Time ball were pink and blue. Co-chairs Meg and Robert Eberly III were two weeks away from giving birth to their second child. But there was even more significance to this love story. The pair met while members of PBT’s corps de ballet and have gone on to successful second careers that propelled them into the rarified air around the PBT board. They presided over a lovely setting at the Hilton Hotel on Saturday night, where the ballroom was draped in blue and white chiffon and accented with a pair of frosted glass bars. PBT’s Terrence Orr offered a sizeable chunk of the the upcoming Paul Taylor premiere in March, “Company B,” set to music by the Andrews Sisters and playing off America’s mood in World War II. There were no less than three
numbers — Aygul Abougalieva, Caitlin Peabody and Amanda Cochrane in “Joseph, Joseph,” Julia Erickson’s “I Can Dream”-y solo and “Rum and Coca Cola,” where Eva Trapp more than flirted with her ardent followers, Stephen Hadala, Luca Sbrizzi and Alexander Diaz. Alexandra Kochis and Alexandre Silva (sporting a great new tousled hair style) played with the doo wop sounds of “There Goes My Baby.” And Erin Halloran reprised a portion of her triumph in “Sleeping Beauty” (I still can’t believe her uncommon balances) with princely partner Nurlan Abougaliev. Gary Racan & the Studio E Band kept the energy level higher than I can remember as everyone danced to the oldies until the wee hours of the morning.
LOOK WHO CAME TO DINNER. San Francisco choreographer Margaret Jenkins could be seen dining last hursday at Morton’s with Pittsburgh Dance Council executive director Paul Organisak and several members of his board, including Selma Sherman with Leon and Jim Crockard with Melanie. They were rewarded with Jenkins’ personal choreographic story of “Other Suns.”
MAKING A POINTE. This month PBT launched The Pointe Society, a new club designed to engage young professionals. With this new venture, PBT is combining the artistry of ballet with the opportunity to mix, mingle and network with Pittsburgh professionals. Chaired by Katherine Harrell, the club will offer various accoutrements, including a 20% savings on single tickets, two-for-one season subscriptions, $5 off all adult open registration classes (including ballet and Pilates), opportunities to meet and mingle with dancers and fellow members at special by-invitation-only events and more. The annual cost is a steal — $40 per individual and $60 a couple. To join visit www.pbt.org/specials or call 412-454-9129.
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