TrulyGrace

Christian Leaders Fellowship: Christmas Festival 2006

Tonight, Barbara, Jonathan, Ornella, and I went to Heinz Hall for the Christmas Festival, after running into Debby Z. at Curtain Call. The Christmas Festival included singing by various religious choirs from around Pittsburgh (accompanied by organ, piano, and various instruments; as well as blessings from religious leaders from around the city and readings of Scripture by people of all ages. There were sing-along carols and songs written by various music directors. We saw our friends in Diocesan choir, as well as Fr. Jim Chepponis, Auxiliary Bishop Paul Bradley, and Donald K. Fellows on organ. This was the first year that Ornella and I had attended the Christmas Festival. There was a particularly rockin' gospel piece entitled "Praise Ye the Lord," directed and composed by Mr. Trini Massie, with sustained moments of FORTISSIMO by the relatively small choir; a particularly moving reading of Luke 2:8-20 by two young people, Cherise and Colin; a pianist who played as if she lacked power steering; and wonderful solo interpretations for the Deaf audience by Jody Longo.

We made the trek to the stage after the show and said hi to Debby Z., Judi, Mary Beth, and Don after the concert. After waiting for 20 minutes to exit the parking garage, we walked downstairs (me: Did we miss the concert?). We opted for a snack of fried calamari at a bar close by--and I saw my bus rider friend P. on the way there (couldn't tell if she were still clean and sober). We ran into Rick D. and friends nearby at Six-Penn. Headed back to the parking garage for the ride home. Made mom a sandwich for a snack, and thought about how great our city is to have events such as this.

Labels: Choir, Christmas, Church, friends, Pittsburgh, singing

posted by Grace @ 12/11/2006 11:38:00 PM