Sunday, April 22, 2012

4/21/12 Stephanie & Jeff's Wedding Ceremony and Reception


We played in two of the most beautiful spaces in town on Saturday.  John played the Steinway Grand Piano at Calvary United Methodist Church on the North Side which is famous for it's stained glass windows.  We were so busy prepping music I never got around to taking any pictures. Thanks to Rev. Larry Homitsky and Alida for their attention and direction to get all of the details right.  Music included:
Prelude: "Glory Of Love" by Peter Cetera; "Bed Of Roses" by Bon Jovi; "Open Arms" by Journey; "All I Ask Of You" from Phantom; "From This Moment" by Shania Twain; and "The Way You Look Tonight"
Mom's Processional - "Only Time" by Enya
Bridesmaids Procession - "Lost On This Moment" by Big and Rich
Bride: "Canon In D"
Unity Cross" - Faithfully" by Journey with singers Rachael and Vincent Tresco
Recessional: "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey
Postlude - "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay and "A Whole New World" from Aladdin

Then it was off to The Grand Hall At The Priory to play our mix of lively tunes of all styles to get the evening started.  Thanks to Walt and Heather at the hall for their hospitality.
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Friday, April 20, 2012

4/19/12 CCAC Legends Dinner

For the second year in a row we had the pleasure of playing this elegant affair at Heinz Field. This was appropriate space because one of the award winners was Art Rooney II of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Other heavyweights attending were former County Executive Dan onorato, PNC President, Sy Holzer, NASCAR racing team owner Chip Ganassi, former State Legislator and current Chairman of the Community College Of Allegheny County Board of Directors Bill Robinson, and Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly.  All Star chef Bob Sendall of All In Good Taste Productions (photo below) designed a gluten-free dinner for 400+ which was perfectly executed an served by Aramark.
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4/14/12 Titanic Dinner

After Matt & Amanda's Wedding reception I drove to the North Side where we were honored to play for a recreation of the last dinner on the Titanic at the home of John DeSantis.  He has been having us play for his Twelfth Night Of Christmas party for many years so we knew this would be great.  Our Harpist Marissa Knaub played through Cocktails, then Charles and Mary May played Violin and Cello Duets through Dinner, followed by my Vienna Night Orchestra for dancing until the wee hours. In addition to light Classical pieces and Viennese waltzes we enjoyed hearing those Americana favorites with fuller orchestration than we use on our AAA Bus Tour Titanic Dinner Adventiure shows. "Oh, You Beautiful Doll", "Bill Bailey", "Come, Josephine", "Beautiful Dreamer", "Moonlight Bay", "You Made Me Love You", "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and finally at 1:10 AM we finished with a reverential "Nearer My God To Thee".  It was like a time capsule opened and we stepped back 100 years.

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4/14/12 Amanda & Matt

The Twentieth Century Club in Oakland hosted this couple's Wedding Ceremony and Reception.  If you have never been there the Ballroom is so classic that you expect Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to step onto the dance floor.  The Ceremony was held in a beautiful room on the second floor.  Dinner was served in the third floor dining room second floor.  Lot's of great spaces to entertain your guests. Thanks to Andrew Hutchinson for making it easy to get in and out and up and down.  Will be back next month.
Music highlights:
Mother's Procession: "Jesu, Joy Of Mans Desiring"
Bridesmaids: "Trumpet Voluntary"
Bride: "Bridal Chorus" (Here Comes The Bride"
Unity Candle: "Simple Gifts"
Recessional: "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn"
Introduction Songs:  "What I Like About You" and "The Power Of Love"
Cake Cutting Song: "Happy Together"
First Dance" The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra
Wedding Party Dance: "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King
                                    Bride and her Dad: "You Are So Beautiful" Joe Cocker
Groom and his Mom: "In My Life" The Beatles
Longest Married Couples Dance: "Through The Years" Kenny Rogers
Last Dance: " Save The Last Dance For Me"

4/8/12 Easter Brunch

With John Garrick on Piano we played for the 600 guests who came to enjoy their Holiday meal at the Ramada Hotel on Route 30 in Greensburg (formerly Four Points by Sheraton).  They liked us so much we were invoted back on Mothers Day.  Come on out.  Special thanks to my old friend Chris Ulrich who cooked up this brilliant idea.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

4/7/12 Christina & Paul

It was a gorgeous Spring Day as the couple exchanged vows on the new outdoor patio at the Hyeholde restaurant in Moon Twp.  A small group of only 12 people total.  it might have been the only wedding where I met everyone attending. It was a pleasure to be a part of - especially before the July heat hits.
Music picks:
Bride's Entrance: "Bridal Chorus" by Wagner (Here Comes The Bride)

Wine Ceremony: "Simple Gifts"

Recessional: "Ode To Joy" by Beethoven

Most Photos by David Lee Folk
Thanks to Matthew Haushalter at Hyeholde for the hospitality.
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Sunday, April 1, 2012

3/31/12 MEGHAN & JEFF

The Matthis and Olkowski clans got together at The Chadwick in Wexford to celebrate this important moment.  Lot's of Irish music for the Ceremony and Cocktails, great crowd for the strolling violin during dinner and the jumped for Disco, group dances, and even a polka filled the floor. My biggest fan might have been the little guy on the right side of the photo below who never took his eyes off me.
Highlights
Bride and Bridesmaids Processional: "From This Moment"
Unity Candle: "Music Of The Night"
Recessional: "I Do" by Colbie Caillat with backing track
Musical Toast: "All I Ask Of You"
Cupcake Cutting: "How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor
First Dance: "Lost In Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson
Meghan and her Dad: "Daddy's Little Girl"
Last Song: "Save The Last Dance For Me" by Michael Buble
Meghan and her Dad: "Daddy's Little Girl"

Interesting Idea: Photo booth with background of Niagara Falls (see below)
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3/30/12 FELIX & ZINA

The Renaissance Hotel was decked out for this couple as they held their Cocktail Hour first then moved onto the Ceremony in the Jimmy Stewart Room.  The rest of the party was held in the ballroom as the two families who emigrated from Russia toasted, ate, drank and danced with traditions in mind.  With John Garrick on Piano we played Troika's, Waltzes and music from Fiddler On The Roof as well as American favorites by request.  The dancing went on into the wee hours with music ranging The Beatles to Techno to recordings made by Felix's late father on keyboards.  We did not understand everything that was said so I'm glad music is a universal language.

Brides Processional: "Sunrise, Sunset"
Rose Presentation: "Simple Gifts"
Recessional:"Simon Tov, Mazel Tov"
First Dance: "Unforgettable"
Favorite Dance Music Tune: "Back In The USSR"
A big thanks to Tony Lee and Dante at the Renaissance for setting this up and putting together a great party.

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3/30 HILLCREST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL


For the fourth year in a row I had the pleasure of being part of Arts Day at this Norwin District School.  10 mini-shows playing everything from Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nacht Musik" to Irish and American fiddling to Rihanna's "We Found Love" on my Yamaha Electric Violin.  The photo shows my small setup with Roland Micro-Cube amp, AKG Wireless receiver, Digitech Effects Box, Boss Looping Station with the Yamaha 4-string on the desk.
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