The spectacular grand foyer of Benedum Center and its balcony promenades was the location for Cultured Cocktails.
Hundreds of people were at the Benedum Center Saturday night, but not for a play or a concert. It was the second annual Cultured Cocktails party by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Members of the Cultural Trust and the general public enjoyed a dining-and-drinks celebration. Restaurants offered a sampling of one of their dishes paired with a specialty cocktail made from liquor and mixes from featured purveyors. Singer Mia Z and DJ Soy Sos provided the tuneage, while liquor bottles flew in the air from performance-art bartenders.
Models wore beautiful dresses and several drag queens posed for photos with attendees. The cocktail names were very creative. There was even a Pittsburgh version of the popular Sex on the Beach cocktail. The Commoner featured Sex on the Mon Wharf as their paired drink. All the entertainment ingredients made for a fun and tasty evening.
Participating establishments were: BLEND, Braddock’s Rebellion, Bridges & Bourbon, BURN by Rocky Patel, The Capital Grille, The Commoner, Con Alma, Eddie Merlot’s, Hough’s, Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, NOLA; or, The Whale; The Warren, Wolfies Pub, and Yuzu Kitchen. Fashion and decor by Richard Parsakian of Eons Fashion Antique. Hair and makeup by Izzazu Salons. The event sponsors were UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.
Braddock’s Rebellion Sous Chef Shawn Stockdill adds a finishing touch to Devils on Horseback, which was paired with a Rebellion Sour.
Spencer Warren and Shannon Donovan manned The Warren’s colorful table dispensing Cheeseburgers in Paradise and Son of a Sailor cocktails.
Girls just wanna have fun and these stylish ladies were definitely enjoying themselves. (l. to r.) Gina DePaul, Ronna Puskar, Michaele Fisher, Deborah Erbstein, and Jaime McGovern.
Those blurry objects are liquor bottles that Stevie P from Liquid Flair Entertainment tossed in the air while putting on a cocktail show. Mikey Mills (not pictured) also displayed his bottle tossing skills.
Mia Z and her band entertained the guests with some happening songs.
A Wolfie’s Pub bartender does a high pour while making an In Sheep's Clothing cocktail.
Ashley Fink models a beautiful yellow dress with a train so long it could be in a royal wedding.
Scoops for the Sweet Crab Claw Fritters line the table in an interesting pattern in the prep area of Monterey Bay Fish Grotto’s station. The fritters were paired with a Corpse Reviver #Blue cocktail.
Preparing the Sweet Crab Claw Fritters was a family affair at the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto station, with Cook Ed Smith and his daughter Devon.
Modern Oysters (a vegetarian oyster) were offered by the hard working crew of or, The Whale and paired with a Feeling Nauti cocktail.
The spectacular grand foyer of Benedum Center and its balcony promenades was the location for Cultured Cocktails.
DJ/music producer Soy Sos (née Herman Pearl) kept the mix hot with tunes from Prince, The Clash, and even some salsa music.
The friendly crew from BURN by Rocky Patel were keeping guests happy with Rocky Pops (pizza on a stick) and Dr. [Pepper] Jack [Daniels] Floats.
Drag queens Miss Thea Trix (l.) and October Obermine take fun photos with attendees.
The new Con Alma restaurant in Shadyside featured Mini Tuna Tostadas and a Root Down Remix drink at their tables.
Jonathan Fridg and Sarah Powers of BLEND chat with a couple enjoying their vodka juleps.
These fashionable marketing-and-communications staffers from the Cultural Trust are (l.to r.) Robin Elrod, Madigan Greiner, and Lindsey Neyland.
Photos and story by Rick Handler, executive producer of Entertainment Central.
