The evening was co-hosted by Charlene Foggie-Barnett who shared stories from her childhood. Harris took pictures of the Foggie family for decades. Foggie-Barnett said, “It was such a privilege to have known Teenie Harris, and the neighborhoods he photographed, and to now work with his incredible archive. I’m thrilled to see Ace Pittsburgh fold this important Pittsburgh artist into its programming.”
Making the evening something special was poet Tameka Cage Conley, DJ Soy Sos and musicians Idasa Tariq and Jacquea Mae. Historian and author John M. Brewer shared stories via a slide presentation of East Liberty and talked about the history of the photos that are on display at Ace. He challenged the standing room only audience to name the people in the Harris photographs. People like Lena Horne, Billy Eckstein, Muhammad Ali and Duke Ellington.
Once the presentation was over, I felt it was time to check out the rest of the place. The restaurant, called Whitfield, was very crowded, but the hostess was able to seat my companion and I without a reservation. They serve rabbit and duckling. I played it safe and had the beet salad and French Onion soup. I was also able to check out one of the suites. I felt like I was in a dorm or perhaps the Y. The suite was spacious with a nice bathroom with a tiled shower. The claw foot tub was outside of the bathroom in the bedroom. The most unusual feature in the room was a turntable complete with a collection of albums and a box guitar hanging on the wall. In the honor bar were items like Clark Bars, Zagnuts, condoms and Wigle Whiskey. Seeing condoms in an honor bar were a first for me. Keep in mind this is a boutique hotel and it is not to be “run of the mill.” I just want to give you a heads up just in case you want to put some of your relatives up in this new spot. Actually I found it quite interesting. I keep reminding you not to be chased out of East Liberty, get familiar with these new businesses. Go in, have a drink and look around. Who knows, you just must like it.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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