Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Day 331- Second Annual Cultured Cocktails at Benedum -A Toast to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust


The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust  recently hosted their second annual cocktail party, Cultured Cocktails.  This was Pittsburgh’s biggest cocktail party with entertainment, signature drinks paired with food samples from over 15 trendy restaurants, and more.  I was excited to raise a glass and  toast  the Trust that has enriched this city with inventive and diverse programming in music, dance, theater, art, jazz and even magic. 

   
Reflection
The Benedum felt more like a South Beach club than a theater as you entered the Grand Lobby where  Mikey Mills and Stevie P, from Liquid Flair, juggled bottles to pulsating music and lights.  This party utilized all three levels of the theater's lobbies and even the Lower Gallery so there was plenty room to get to all the stations.


 I am a social sipper and not much of a drinker, but  I am a lover of food. There sure was an eclectic array of bites that  tickled the palate: Rye Roasted Pork (Eddie Merlot's), Sweet Crab Claw Fritters (Monterey Bay), Shrimp Seviche (NOLA) and more.

Braddock's Rebellion- bacon wrapped around dates stuffed with pork
The foods and drinks were as diverse as the Trust’s cultural programming. Many of the restaurant patrons paid homage to the upcoming  2019-20 Broadway series. The Warren Bar and Grill served a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” paired with the drink, “Son of A Sailor” made with tequila, obviously inspired by show  Escape to Margaritaville (coming May 2020). 


Or, The Whale served Modern Oyster with Feeling Nauti 
This event previewed some of Pittsburgh’s newer restaurants  such as, Con Alma which offers jazz every night and  Braddock's Rebellion boasting to have the regions largest and most diverse bourbon selections. Everyone seemed to have their favorite drink and food. My vote went to  Or, The Whale's,  “Modern Oyster” (a sweet potato chip with beet puree, quinoa caviar, and macadamia nut butter)  paired with “Feeling Nauti”  (Tequila and other stuff that hit my taste buds just right). 


Mia Z preformed in the Lower Gallery
This was a night to sample inventive drinks and foods, dance, listen to jazz and celebrate the Cultural Trust  that continues to make Pittsburgh a hub for the arts. The Trust  offers new cultural experiences in dance, theater, art and recently, with the opening of  Liberty Magic, up-close slight of hand magic. Cheers to this event, Cultured Cocktails, and cheers to the Trust that  continues to bring cultural and economic revitalization to Pittsburgh.


(The Trust can keep you entertained almost every night of the week.  Join me and explore: 2019-2020 Broadway in Pittsburgh, Cabaret Series, Multiple Choice Events,  Libery Magic,  EQT Children's Theater Festival,  Three Rivers Arts Festival and more at trustarts.org )

Spiritual Source
And I will say to my soul, "soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry ( Luke 12:19)

Other Sources