Winter White Wedding Pictures

In December we held a drawing to win our first Free Winter White Wedding at Pittsburgh's Grand Hall. The contest was open to local veterans of the Iraqi and Afghanistan Wars. Our winners Nicholas Lowery, a corporal in the Marine Corps who had been deployed to Iraq in 2006, and Jennifer Redman wed at the Grand Hall on January 10th. It was a pleasure getting to know this wonderful couple and their family and friends. Here are a few pictures from their big day!

Renaissance City Choir - February 14

The Renaissance City Choir will be performing its Valentine's Gala February 14 at Pittsburgh Grand Hall at the Priory.


The Renaissance City Choir (RCC) is a non-profit organization working to culturally enrich audiences through choral music while educating them about the gay and lesbian community. The members of the Renaissance City Men’s Choir (formed 1985), and the Renaissance City Women’s Choir (founded 1995), have raised their voices to create change through the power of music.

For tickets and more information call 412.362.9484.

Pittsburgh Valentine's Day Events

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be stressful - there are a ton of things happening around Pittsburgh that you could please ANYONE with! Here are some great activities and events during the week of Valentine's Day. Pair any one of these with a romantic stay at the Priory Hotel with our Romance, Romance package and you are sure to stay on your significant other's good side!

February 7 & 8 - A Valentine Death by Chocolate Mystery Tea, Victorene's Tea Room, Monongahela. Experience a Valentine and chocolate inspired menu - along with treachery and murder - at this fun-filled tea party. For more information and to make reservations call 724.258.7199.

February 13, 5:30 p.m. - The Art, Cuisine, & Wine of France, Carnegie Museum of Art, Oakland. Begin the evening with hors d'oeuvres and aperitifs. Stroll through the museum's great Impressionist collection, hearing from docents about paintings by Monet, Renoir, and other French artists. A romantic dinner awaits, with five courses of delectable French cuisine complemented by six distinct wines from the gold-metal wine-making regions of France. The fee is $90 for members and $100 for non-members. Call 412.622.3288 to make reservations.

February 13, 6:30 p.m. - Chocolate & Wine Class, Palate Partners, Downtown. Enjoy a special class that will show you how to compliment a fine wine with delicious chocolates. The fee is $40 per person. For more information call 412.391.8502.

February 14, 10:30 p.m. - Sean Jones, Cabaret at Theater Square, Downtown. Sean Jones will perform jazz standards and some of his own compositions, with one theme in mind: love. Tickets are $27.50 and can be ordered by calling 412.456.6666.

February 14, 7:00 p.m. - Dating Can Be Murder, Gaetano's Restaurant, Dormont. Enjoy a buffet dinner while solving a mystery at this interactive play. Presented by McCaffery Mysteries. For more information call 800.719.0998.

February 12, 7:30 p.m. - Worlds of Love: Valentine's Day Cabaret, Heinz Memorial Chapel, Oakland. Local Opera singer Daphne Alderson shifts to her second love, cabaret music, in this special program for romantics. She performs a wide variety of love songs by various composers such as Don McLean, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. For information call 412.624.4157.

February 14, 8:00 p.m. - Porgy and Bess, Byham Theater, Downtown. George Gershwin's masterpiece, Porgy & Bess, offers the perfect Valentine. Gershwin's thrilling mix of classical, jazz, and blues tells the poignant tale of life and love on Catfish Row. Call 412.456.666 for tickets.

Here are some suggestions from Urbanspoon for the best romantic restaurants in Pittsburgh.

Holiday Awards Gala at the Grand Hall

In early December we hosted a fantastic Holiday Awards Gala in Pittsburgh's Grand Hall for the Northside Northshore Chamber of Commerce. Awards were given out for the categories like Best Kept Secret Business, Best Community Service and Most Worker Friendly Workplace.

There were delicious hors d'oeurvres for everyone in attendance and we gave away many wonderful holiday baskets. Overall, the event was a huge success! Check out some pictures from the event:

Chamber President John Graf delivers the award for “Best New Member” to Karolyn Denson, proprietor of the Treasures boutique on East Ohio Street.

Chamber Director Robin Miller, President John Graf, Secretary Eric Schumann, Treasurer Eric Anderton, incoming President Juan Garrett, incoming Treasurer Peter Stumpp.

Chamber Board Secretary Eric Schumann hands John Graf a plaque recognizing Graf’s service as Chamber President.

Pittsburgh Events in February

Here are some happenings around Pittsburgh this month to check out:

Entire Month:
Phipps Orchid Show, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Sun. Feb. 1 - Sat. Feb. 7:
Feb. 2 - Robert Morris v. Pittsburgh Panthers, Petersen Event Center, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 4 - Tampa Bay v. Pittsburgh Penguins, Mellon Arena, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 - 5 Wine Tour of Spain Class, Palate Partners (Downtown), 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 - Batsheva Dance Company, Benedum Center, 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 6 - Columbus vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Mellon Arena, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 - 8 - Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Heinz Hall
Feb. 7 - Lilly Tomlin, Benedum Center, 8:00 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 8 - Sat. Feb. 14:
Feb. 8 - Detroit v. Pittsburgh Penguins, Mellon Arena, Time TBA
Feb. 9 - West Virginia v. Pittsburgh Panthers, Petersen Event Center, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 9 - Drue Heinz Lectures: Janet Browne, Carnegie Music Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 - San Jose v. Pittsburgh Penguins, Mellon Arena, 7:30 p.m.
Feb 12 - My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Cabaret at Theatre Square
Feb. 14 - Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh Panthers, Petersen Event Center, 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Get the Led Out, Carnegie Library of Homestead, 8:00 p.m.
Feb. 14 - The Olga Watkins Band, 1902 Tavern, 9:00 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 15 - Sat. Feb. 21:
Feb. 16 - Ben Folds, Club Zoo, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 19 - Montreal v. Pittsburgh Penguins, Mellon Arena, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 21 - DePaul v. Pittsburgh Panthers, Petersen Event Center, 7:00 p.m.

Sun. Feb. 22 - Sat. Feb. 28:
Feb. 25. - NY Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, Mellon Arena, 7:30 p.m
Feb. 27 - Movin' Out Opening Night, Benedum Center