Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts
Posts by Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts:
David Wickerham Performance
Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts was proud to present David Wickerham in a performance on Friday, September 5 at Lincoln Hall, Foxburg, PA, sponsored by Paul McKissick, who restored and brought the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ to Lincoln Hall. The concert was an 80th birthday celebration for Paul’s wife, Sally, and Dr. Arthur Steffee, founder of ARCA and benefactor of Foxburg.
As of Thursday, September 4, the concert was SOLD OUT, with a waiting list for tickets, with more than 130 people in attendance. Lincoln Hall was filled with lovers of theatre organ music, Paul McKissicks’s treasured McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer, and the artistry of David Wickerham.
Acclaimed as one of the greatest theatre organists of his generation, David Wickerham dazzled and mesmerized the audience with his superb arrangements of the theatre organ repertoire and his incredible improvisational skills. He took a request list from audiences during intermission and then wove them together into an uninterrupted tapestry of tunes for the duration of the program.
David took several special requests on the first half including Bali Hai from South Pacific from Paul McKissick. The daughter of ARCA members, Jan and Barney Knorr, who is in the United States Armed Forces, had been married at a distance during the previous week; Dave played a wedding medley to celebrate their marriage. Three pages of requests from the audience were delightfully and eloquently woven together to entertain the amazed audience. Dave concluded the program with a stirring Happy Birthday medley tribute – with the audience joining in singing – to Dr. Arthur Steffee and Sally McKissick’s to celebrate their 80th Birthdays.
ARCA's Mid-Summer Events
ARCA presents their mid-summer line of events starting with “Heavenly Strains of Genetic Harps Plus” – on Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 PM in Foxburg’s air conditioned Lincoln Hall. Click here for the complete event information.
ARCA’s 2014 Jazz Festival
Saturday, July 26, 2014: The Eric Krouse Trio, The Foxburg Wine Cellars, 2-5:00 PM (Free performance)
The weekend kicks off with a free performance by the award-winning Eric Krouse and his trio at the Foxburg Wine Cellars Grape Arbor on Saturday, July 26 from 2-5:00 PM. Click here for more info.
Saturday, July 27,2014: The Tania Grubbs Quartet, Lincoln Hall 7:00 PM
Adults $25, ARCA Members $20, Students $10
To Reserve Tickets, call 724-659-3153
ARCA’s JazzFest Highlight Performance: Acclaimed recording Jazz Vocalist Tania Grubbs with her swinging trio of Pittsburgh Jazz Greats – Pianist Daniel May; Bassist Jeff Grubbs and Drummer Tom Wendt. Click here for more information.
Sunday, July 27, 2014: Mark DeWalt & Catro, The Allegheny Grille Deck, 6-9:00 PM (Free performance)
JazzFest! concludes on the deck of The Allegheny Grille where you can enjoy the smooth sounds of Mark DeWalt and Catro while sipping your favorite cocktail and having dinner or scrumptious appetizers. Click here for more information.
“Two Voices in Fiber” Exhibit
“TWO VOICES IN FIBER” EXHIBIT was presented by The Red Brick Gallery and Shop, From Friday, May 23 to June 15 with an opening reception, Saturday, May 24 – 3:30 to 5:30 PM
Spring was in full swing in Foxburg and adding to things to do while in town, the Red Brick Gallery and Shop the artist cooperative sponsored by Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (ARCA) presented its second guest art exhibition of the season “Two Voices in Fiber” in the Upstairs Gallery. The new extended Gallery hours are Friday Noon to 8 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM.
“Two Voices in Fiber” featured the colorful and exquisitely intricate works of Rhoda Taylor and Barbara Frohne beginning Friday May 23rd with an Opening Reception Saturday May 24th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Frohne are dear friends. Both are Western Pennsylvania artists, both retired educators, both now reside in Slippery Rock, PA and are bonded by art of the hand and eye, Barbara the quilter and Rhoda the fiber artist.
Rhoda Taylor is a Red Brick artist member who works mainly with fabrics. She has drawn, painted, sewed fabric, knitted, crocheted, embroidered, and done some form of art as long as she can remember. Following retirement as a university professor of biology she took quilting classes, fell in love with commercially available fabrics, and felt compelled to make fabric wall hangings. She joined the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh and began taking a number of workshops from nationally known artists through the Guild, and other sources in which she learned a variety of techniques. As a biologist, she is fascinated by the patterns and colors which occur in nature and produces patterns on fabric by hand dying, bleach discharging, and rust-printing. It is exciting to her to iron the damp dyed, discharged or rust-printed fabrics and see wonderful marks and patterns develop almost serendipitously! She then “paints” with these patterned fabrics, assembling and stitching them with commercial fabrics, including coffee filters, into works of art.
Rhoda’s work has been juried into more than 35 art exhibitions. She has solo exhibits in Maryland, including one later this year. She shows and sells her work at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, as well as the Red Brick and two galleries in North Carolina. She belongs to the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Society of Artists, and the Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA).
Barbara while teaching at high schools in Venango County became interested in quilting which continued as her life long pursuit and now her passion since retirement. Her beautiful and colorful patterns accent both the traditional quilt and what are now termed “Wall Hanging Art Quilts”. She enthusiastically shares her skill and the Art of Quilting through teaching at Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) which holds classes at Slippery Rock University. This is her first major show with Rhoda Taylor and she is enthused to be sharing the space with a fellow fiber artist who also a friend.
River City Brass in Emlenton – June 20, 2014
ABOUT RIVER CITY BRASS BAND: Founded in 1981 by the late Robert Bernat, (conductor and music director 1981‐1994) the RCBB was the first professional concert band to be established in the United States in over 25 years. Today, the River City Brass Band performs a 56‐concert series in Western Pennsylvania. In addition, the 28‐piece ensemble tours extensively throughout the United States with more than 60 performances each year as part of community concert series, major symphony pops series, and arts festivals. For thirty years the RCB has delighted audiences in the Pittsburgh region, nationally and internationally. Their most recent international tour took them to Italy in May of 2013.
Mr. Gourlay, a native of Scotland, began his career at the age of 18 as the Principal Tubist of the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Zurich Opera. James also conducted Great Britain’s Grimethorpe Colliery Band, leading one of the most internationally lauded and prominent brass ensembles in the world on a tour throughout the British Isles, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
From California to New York (as well as everywhere in between), River City Brass Band has delighted audiences with its signature style. Every performance features both superb soloists and some lighthearted fun! Often called the “Boston Pops ‐‐ In Brass,” the band’s extensive repertoire includes American tunes, Big Band swing and jazz, music from Broadway and Hollywood, classical and contemporary masterworks, and ‐‐ of course ‐‐ traditional marches.
In its ongoing commitment to education, RCB proudly has maintained an acclaimed youth band and in 2012 inaugurated a ‘Saturday Music’ program for students in grades 5 to 12, partnering with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. This program has been designed to explore and grow the musical interest and abilities of Pittsburgh’s public school students.
Fritz Keck-Oil Portraits of Historic Pittsburgh
The Red Brick Gallery and Shop in Foxburg, Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (ARCA) artist cooperative reopened its 2014 season on Friday April 25th with an exhibit of“Oil Portraits of Historic Pittsburgh”, displaying the captivating work of Fritz Keck.
An Opening reception was held on Sunday, April 27th, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM providing an opportunity to meet and visit with Fritz Keck. The reception coincided with ARCA’s marvelous afternoon concert at Lincoln Hall presenting the up and coming piano virtuoso Alvin Zhu.
The Red Brick is located at 17 Main Street in “downtown” Foxburg and is open on week ends, with new extended hours beginning Friday April 25th till the end of the year: Friday Noon to 8 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM.
Fritz Keck is a Pittsburgh painter who has gained recognition by creating original oil paintings of old historic Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania. According to his website…”Using old photos as reference, Fritz brings these images to life in his paintings, allowing his palate to reflect the diversity and uniqueness of the Pittsburgh Region. With practiced brushstrokes, Fritz’s paintings reveal the vintage character of this distinctive history”. www.fritzkeck.com
Dane Vannatter-Songs from the Heart, May 17, 2014
Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts presented a Cabaret Evening on Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 PM featuring DANE VANNATTER, nationally acclaimed jazz vocalist and recording artist
Returning by popular demand, Dane Vannatter charmed and delighted his Lincoln Hall audience on Saturday, May 17, in an intimate Cabaret Evening of song performing with a world class jazz trio, including Daniel May, piano, Tony DePaolis, bass, and Michael Tomaro, saxophonist. The trio providing the background for Dane is composed of nationally-known jazz artists whose careers go beyond live performance into the areas of composition, movie scores, touring, recording and education. Lincoln Hall was aglow with nightclub cabaret-style seating and candlelight, a perfect setting for a rel axing night out. Wine and cheese was served.
Once again Dane left the audience begging for more of his unique vocal artistry and sensitive interpretations of the classic American songbook displaying his vocal palette of colors. Dane ran the gamut of emotions singing a program of heartfelt, passionate, humorous, joyous, touching songs that spanned seven decades. The audience was enchanted. During the evening members of the audience got up and danced at the back of the hall.
Hailed in the Boston Globe as “Vannatter is one of the most jazz-savvy cabaret singers around,” Vannater’s glorious voice, unique vocal style, and multi-genre song selection will delight Foxburg’s audience. Well-known for his stylistic interpretations, Dane has appeared in established cabaret venues on the East Coast and in PIttsburgh. Listen to ‘Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” on his website, danevannatter.com
DANE VANNATTER REVIEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY: Reviewer Bob Blumenthal of the Boston Globe said that “Vannatter is one of the most jazz-savvy cabaret singers around,” and Carol Sloane with Concord Records acclaimed Dane as ‘my favorite among the new young male singers’. George Evans of CKUT/Kl03, Montreal said, “Dane Vannatter makes it sound so easy – his style is so natural and his sound so free that one could get the mistaken impression that singing isn’t work to him at all, but as simple as breathing and just as organic.”
Dane hails from Muncie, Indiana where his grandparents were Church of God ministers who traveled the country playing and singing for death row prisoners. He attributes his love of music to his grandmother, who lovingly taught him to play the piano and introduced him to the wonderful complexities of harmony. Equally influential in Dane’s early musical experience was his father’s love of jazz and masters of the song, such as Kay Starr and Billie Holiday. His father’s extensive and varied album collection provided the vehicle through which the young Dane began to learn and experience the art of interpreting song. Whether they use their talents in the popular or classical music genres, most singers begin to reach a vocal maturity in their late 20’s or early 30’s. It was at this age that Dane began to approach singing very seriously as a result of an invitation to participate in a contest in Boston.
Currently living in Pittsburgh, Dane has received Bistro awards for Outstanding Vocalist and for his recording, Flight, by the critics of BackStage in New York. He has been acclaimed by reviewers at The New York Post, The Boston Globe and BackStage for a style that “blends facets of cabaret and jazz with intelligence and care”. The Boston Globe remarks: “Dane Vannatter’s distinctive style leaves an imprint on whatever music he sings. His voice has a floating quality that gets in your head and won’t leave…his music is a swinging, soaring adventure!”. He has been nominated for four MAC awards and is a Nightlife Award finalist. Carole Sloan with Concord Records proclaims Dane as “my favorite among the young male singers”.
Two Voices in Fiber
Spring is in full swing in Foxburg and adding to things to do while in town, the Red Brick Gallery and Shop the artist cooperative sponsored by Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (ARCA) is please to announce its second guest art exhibition of the season “Two Voices in Fiber” in the Upstairs Gallery. “Two Voices in Fiber” will feature the colorful and exquisitely intricate works of Rhoda Taylor and Barbara Frohne beginning Friday May 23rd with an Opening Reception Saturday May 24th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Ms. Taylor and Ms. Frohne are dear friends. Both are Western Pennsylvania artists, both retired educators, both now reside in Slippery Rock, PA and are bonded by art of the hand and eye, Barbara the quilter and Rhoda the fiber artist.
Rhoda Taylor is a Red Brick artist member who works mainly with fabrics. She has drawn, painted, sewed fabric, knitted, crocheted, embroidered, and done some form of art as long as she can remember. Following retirement as a university professor of biology she took quilting classes, fell in love with commercially available fabrics, and felt compelled to make fabric wall hangings. She joined the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh and began taking a number of workshops from nationally known artists through the Guild, and other sources in which she learned a variety of techniques. As a biologist, she is fascinated by the patterns and colors which occur in nature and produces patterns on fabric by hand dying, bleach discharging, and rust-printing. It is exciting to her to iron the damp dyed, discharged or rust-printed fabrics and see wonderful marks and patterns develop almost serendipitously! She then “paints” with these patterned fabrics, assembling and stitching them with commercial fabrics, including coffee filters, into works of art.
Rhoda’s work has been juried into more than 35 art exhibitions. She has solo exhibits in Maryland, including one later this year. She shows and sells her work at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, as well as the Red Brick and two galleries in North Carolina. She belongs to the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Society of Artists, and the Studio Art Quilt Associates, Inc. (SAQA).
Barbara while teaching at high schools in Venango County became interested in quilting which continued as her life long pursuit and now her passion since retirement. Her beautiful and colorful patterns accent both the traditional quilt and what are now termed “Wall Hanging Art Quilts”. She enthusiastically shares her skill and the Art of Quilting through teaching at Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) which holds classes at Slippery Rock University. This is her first major show with Rhoda Taylor and she is enthused to be sharing the space with a fellow fiber artist who also a friend.
Have the opportunity to meet both artists at the opening reception on Saturday afternoon May 24th. The Red Brick is located at 17 Main Street in “downtown” Foxburg and is open on weekends. The artist cooperative is composed of local and regional artists who include painters, weavers, photographers, and potters. The members in turn all share shifts of gallery time to enable the Red Brick to be open.
To know more about ARCA and its mission, as well as the Red Brick Gallery and Shop visit www.alleghenyriverstone.org. The current Upstairs show is Fritz Keck’s “Oil Portraits of Historic Pittsburgh” now through May 18th; which is a nostalgic moment down memory lane of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Viewers often invoke, “I remember that place” and then launch into a story. The Gallery phone number is 724-659-0003, and during open hours will be answered by the current artist at the Red Brick. Callers during non open hours can leave a message for a call back at a later time. The new extended Gallery hours are Friday Noon to 8 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM.
Traveling Show at The Red Brick Gallery
The Red Brick Gallery and Shop is an artist cooperative sponsored by the Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts located in Foxburg, PA, and has just reopened for its fourth season. In the summer of 2013 the Red Brick Gallery invited fellow artists from the Saxonburg Area Artist Cooperative (SAAC) for a guest exhibition of their works at the Red Brick in the Upstairs Gallery. SAAC reciprocated the invitation and the Red Brick Gallery is pleased to announce a number of the Red Brick artists will be participating in a traveling show hosted by SAAC at their gallery location in Saxonburg. The show begins Friday May 9th with an opening reception Saturday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
The “Multi-Artist / Mixed Media Show” will feature a number of Red Brick members: accomplished photographers; Raymond Rossi and Daniel Stainer, painters; Donna Edmonds – botanical watercolors, Jason Floyd Lewis – captivating landscapes, Angela Hardwick – scenes with an old England air; the intriguing tapestry artist Rhoda Taylor and hand weaver Blanche Hall along with the prolific popular potter Paul O’Neal and sweet ceramic works of Amanda Lewis. The Red Brick artists are delighted to travel south and share the spotlight with their friends at SAAC. The Saxonburg Area Artists Cooperative is located in the vibrant and revitalized town core of Saxonburg at 215 Main Street (rear) and the COOP hours are Friday 12 noon to 8 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM. The SAAC gallery phone number is 412-260-5779.
ARCA established the Red Brick Artist Cooperative in 2011 to provide area artists a suitable venue for the display and viewing of their works and a consignment sales outlet for the members. Artist Donna Edmonds initially helped organize and coordinate the gallery events as well as member participation, who all volunteer their time to have the space open to the public. The Gallery’s home is a charming and historic 135 year old building that was once the business office of the Fox family from Philadelphia and the namesake of the Foxburg village. It was attractively restored by its current owners who are also ARCA members since 2004, and became known as The Red Brick. The building also serves as the office of the Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts, a regional non profit organization fostering the performing arts in the northern Allegheny River valley and encouraging local artists efforts. For more information on the Red Brick Gallery Traveling Show feel free to contact Drew Orient at 412-867-1816 or by email odrewid@aol.com. To know more about ARCA and its mission, as well as the Red Brick Gallery and Shop visit www.alleghenyriverstone.org. Next Red Brick Upstairs Gallery Show is “Two Voices in Fiber” beginning Friday May 23rd with an Opening Reception Saturday May 24th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Current show is Fritz Keck’s “Oil Portraits of Historic Pittsburgh” now through May 18th, it is a nostalgic visit down memory lane.
Alvin Zhu, Pianist, April 27, 2014
Young Steinway Artist Pianist, ALVIN ZHU, performed on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 PM at Lincoln Hall in Foxburg – with a reception in The Red Brick immediately following the concert, accompanying the exhibit of artist Fritz Keck, “Oil Portraits of Historic Pittsburgh”
The brilliant artistry of young pianist, Alvin Zhu, was greeted with a standing ovation on Sunday, April 17. As on audience memory posted on Facebook, “Alvin Zhu’s concert yesterday was brilliant! We will never forget this original and inspiring young pianist and believe he will become a national treasure. Thank you for discovering him and bringing him to Lincoln Hall and the Foxburg community.”
Having just performed a recital at New York’s Lincoln Center, Alvin Zhu, Classical Pianist, brought his big romantic style in works by Chopin, Grieg, Beethoven and Schumann to n our own Lincoln Hall on Sunday, April 27, at 2:00 PM. This 22 year-old award-winning and world-traveled multi-talented pianist and composer, performed an eclectic recital program that has mesmerized audiences everywhere. (See Event listing for his full program).
Tickets for Alvin Zhu on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 PM – Adults $25, ARCA Members $20, Students $10 To reserve tickets, call 724 659-3153.
After the concert, concert goers met the artist, Alvin Zhu, at a reception in the Red Brick Gallery and Shop located at 17 Main Street in Foxburg, as you view the first Red Brick Gallery exhibit of the 2014 season, “Oil Paintings of Historic Pittsburgh”, featuring Pittsburgh artist, Fritz Keck. The exhibit runs from April 25 through May 18. www.fritzkeck.com
Alvin Zhu has won numerous awards and competitions, has been a featured artist on NPR and has been heard world wide in recital and as a soloist with orchestras in the United States, Canada and China. His list of teachers and mentors is a who’s who of the piano world. Watch him on youtube as he plays Rachmaninoff Sonata No. 2 Op. 36, 1st Movement.
Born from a musical family, Alvin Zhu is continuing his grandfather Gongyi Zhu’s genetic Legacy as a great performing pianist. In the short time since he was inducted as the first American pianinst to the Young Steinway Artists Roster in 2009, his talent and maturity have further blossomed. He has performed internationally to consistent acclaim while he continues the 5 year Accelerated BM/MM program at the Juilliard School, which only admits the strongest students both academically and musically.
Alvin has swept audiences across the world. His artistry has taken him to various halls around the world from New York’s Steinway Hall, Pittsburgh’s Heinz Hall, Australia’s Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Park’s Performing Arts Center, Pittsburgh’s Convention Center, Canada’s Montreal Palais du Congress (Convention Center), China’s Beijing Concert Hall, venues in Beijing, Shanghai, Taicang, Suzhou and cities in Europe.
A current student of Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky at the Juilliard School, Alvin is a musician and a sensitive artist. As a child, he began lessons with his mother at the age of four and studied piano with Yeeha Chiu of Pittsburgh and Marylene Dosse. Alvin has had master classes with Gary Graffman, Emanuel Ax, Lang Lang, Murray Perahia, Leon Fleisher, Malcolm Bilson, Misha Dichter, Shikun Liu, and David Allen Wehr.
Tickets for Alvin Zhu on Sunday, April 27 at 2:00 PM were Adults $25, ARCA Members $20, Students $10