Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Arts Center

January 10 
7:30 – 11 p.m.

Ready to party like it’s 1699? Pomp and excess will converge at Chatham Baroque’s Twelfth Night Gala.

Celebrating the life and legacy of the one and only Sun King (read: Louis XIV)—one of history’s greatest arts patrons—the organization’s 16th annual fundraiser will combine culinary and cultural wonders, fantastical and macabre merrymaking and French Baroque sounds.

A benefit bash to befit a king, Twelfth Night—dubbed “The Death of Louis XIV”—marks the 300th anniversary of the legendary monarch’s death and showcases the musical mastery of Chatham Baroque.

Have a bourbon in honor of the House of Bourbon as you bid on original works via a silent auction curated by The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and enjoy sumptuous cuisine and libations from Pittsburgh favorites E2 and Bar Marco.

This year’s auction, which includes oil and encaustic paintings, photography, sculpture and ink drawings, features work by Seth Clark, Mia Tarducci Henry, Stephanie Armbruster, Terry Boyd, Stephen Tuomala, Ron Copeland, Ron Donoughe, PJ Zimmerlink, April Friges, Gavin Benjamin and Travis Schwab.

Channeling the dazzling splendor of the Palace of Versailles, Chatham Baroque will enchant and entertain gala-goers with music evocative of Louis the Great’s reign. Hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Brian Siewiorek (of WYEP fame), the tres chic affair also ties together the organization’s performance season packed with French Baroque music.

Those seeking Le Grand Festin experience can opt for the gala’s VIP event (tickets are available through Wednesday), which will be held in the Peirce Studio from 6 to 8 p.m. VIPers will enjoy a meal prepared by The Capital Grille during a dining experience set to the passionate songs of Edith Piaf performed by Daphne Alderson. Hosted by WQED’s Anna Singer, the VIP dinner will also include a private performance by Chatham Baroque.

Oh, but what to wear? Here’s the fun part: the invitation reads “funereal cocktail chic,”so we suggest you think way beyond that LBD, to wigs, capes, lace, mules and more.

Purchase tickets.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.