WHAT’S NEWS IN SEWICKLEY
friends, neighbors, colleagues and new
acquaintances before each lecture. The
conversation continues afterward over
desserts, coffee and tea. There will also be
a cash bar. The cost for the three-series
lecture package is $105, including valet
service. Tickets may be purchased by
sending a check payable to: Tapas Talks,
P.O. Box 371, Sewickley, PA 15143.
BEN AVON FALL
FESTIVAL
Seated (l to r): Glenda Larson, Fran Merryman, A.
Gary Chace, Beth Rom and Charlyn Mulkey. Standing
(l to r): Don Lorch, Kimberly LaRue, Margaret Weir
and Holly Hampe. Missing from photo: Annette
Atwood and Honorary Douglas Florey.
NEW SPEAKERS SERIES:
‘TAPAS TALKS’
A local group has launched Tapas Talks,
a new speakers series highlighting the
outstanding talent and achievements of
individuals and subjects pertinent to the
community.
“We want to inform, inspire, connect
and engage the Sewickley community
by presenting lively and dynamic local
speakers,” said A. Gary Chace, President and
Board Chair for the 501(c)3 speakers series.
The first event, scheduled for Oct. 24, will
feature Robert Morris University President
Dr. Chris Howard, who will discuss how
demographics are not destiny: “Five Ways
RMU is Bucking the Trend.”
On Jan. 30, 2020, Christina Cassotis,
CEO for the Allegheny County Airport
Authority, will talk about the terminal
modernization program for Pittsburgh
International Airport.
The series wraps up Apr. 23, 2020, with
Benjamin Mantica, co-founder and co-
CEO of The Galley Group. Mantica will
explain how chef-operators can run their
own businesses for low risk and low cost in
Galley Group space. Nicholas Ambeliotis,
owner of Mediterra Restaurant and Market,
and Barbara McKenna, owner of Hyeholde
Restaurant, will join Mantica for a panel
discussion.
Series subscription holders will
enjoy tapas while socializing with
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Join in the annual Ben Avon Fall Festival
Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is a lovely community event, great
for families and a wonderful way to meet
neighbors and friends. Church Avenue
in Ben Avon will be blocked off for games,
music, food, artisans, crafts, coffee, fire
engines and much more! Details and vendor
applications can be found at theavonclub.
org/fall-festival/.
PITTSBURGH BALLET
THEATRE’S TERRENCE S.
ORR TO RETIRE AFTER
22 YEARS AS ARTISTIC
DIRECTOR
After leading the company for 22 years,
Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr has
announced he will retire in June 2020 after
celebrating the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s
upcoming 50th Anniversary Season.
Over more than two decades as artistic
director, Orr has grown the company’s
repertory with more than 20 new
commissions and dozens of acquisitions.
He has debuted ambitious story ballets
like “La Bayadère,” “Romeo et Juliette”
and “A Streetcar Named Desire;” curated
major masterworks by dance giants
like Jerome Robbins, Jiří Kylián and
Twyla Tharp; and provided a platform
for emerging choreographers, including
from within the company. His original
production of “The Nutcracker” has been
a Pittsburgh classic for close to 20 years.
During his tenure, the company has
grown its ticket sales, school enrollment
and campus. It has debuted the country’s
first professional sensory-friendly
production of “The Nutcracker” and
increased accessibility and educational
programming in the theater, studio and
community.
“I have made Pittsburgh my home and
certainly my life,” said Orr, who has lived in
Sewickley with his wife, PBT Ballet Mistress
Marianna Tcherkassky, since becoming
PBT artistic director in 1997. “It has been
exciting to watch the company grow and
rise to incredible heights.”
Orr, a California native, began his dance
career at San Francisco Ballet, where he
became a principal dancer by age 17. He
went on to lead a celebrated career at New
York City’s American Ballet Theatre (ABT),
rising from corps de ballet to principal
dancer. He joined ABT’s artistic staff while
he was still performing and served as ballet
master from 1978 to 1997. He has staged
works for ballet companies worldwide,
including the Royal Ballet at Covent
Garden, the Paris Opera Ballet, La Scala,
Australian Ballet and National Ballet of
Japan.
“It’s been a real privilege and honor to
work in partnership with Terry over the
past 13 years and he will be greatly missed,”
said Harris Ferris, Executive Director. “I
look forward to supporting the board in the
forthcoming search and transition in artistic
leadership.”
Orr will close his career with PBT by
leading celebrations for the company’s
50th Anniversary Season, which opens
in October at the Benedum Center. The
season will honor the company’s history
with a five-production lineup featuring
“Giselle” with the PBT Orchestra (Oct. 25-
27), “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 6-29), PNC
Presents “Beauty and the Beast” (Feb. 14-
23), “Here & Now” at the August Wilson
African American Cultural Center (March
20-29) and “Balanchine & Tchaikovsky”
with the PBT Orchestra (April 17-19) as
well as exciting repertoire to be performed
on tour on prestigious national stages
including the Chautauqua Institution,
Northrop at University of Minnesota
and others. For ticketing and program
information, please visit pbt.org. ■