November 14, 2001: When jazz legend Nancy Wilson sings, she brings the “house down,” but the concert she gave at the Manchester Craftmen’s Guild was designed to help build up the North Side arts center—and did it ever!
From New Pittsburgh Courier

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By Jean Horne, for the Tribune-Review
In a community given up for dead, Bill Strickland believed that “music would get me out of the dark and into the light.” And if you need an introduction to this man, may I ask how long was your nap, Mr. Van Winkle?

Saturday night and the lights were burning brightly on the North Side when jazz legend Nancy Wilson gave the performance of her life at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild. Like Bill Strickland’s bio, this black-tie was called Just Add Inspiration … and they did.

For the full Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_3618.html

Pittsburgh, PA - Saturday, November 10, 2001, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is hosting its first black-tie Gala fundraiser-“Just Add Inspiration” to be held at MCG at 1815 Metropolitan Street.  The celebration begins at 6:30pm and includes a strolling dinner, live entertainment and a premiere concert performance. Dinner entertainment will include music by Duane Dolphin, Roger Humphries, Joe Negri and Jay Ashby with special guest, Herbie Mann.  Magician, Paul Gertner, will perform his unique form of expression known as Jazz Magic.  At 8:30pm, Nancy Wilson will take center stage - in one premier performance - to debut her Christmas CD, A Nancy Wilson Christmas, which was recorded and produced at MCG.  Ms. Wilson’s personal commitment to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild inspired her to donate both the rights to the music and the proceeds from this CD to benefit the MCG Jazz programs.

Ann McGuinn, wife of Mellon Financial Corporation Chairman and CEO, Martin McGuinn, is the Honorary Chair of the event. Clifford Rowe, President and CEO of P.J. Dick Corporation and his wife, Diane, are the Event Chairs.  The guest list is a who’s who of Pittsburgh’s corporate, political and cultural leaders.  Over 50 corporate sponsors, representing both the region and the nation are backing this exciting event with all of the proceeds being directed to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’s efforts to match challenge grants including one from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.  Nearly $400,000 has been raised to date.

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is limiting photography and video footage of Nancy Wilson’s performance to the first song of the concert.  (Approximate start time between 8:30pm and 8:45pm).

Just Add Inspiration” and you get a bash with a beat, not to mention a private concert by the legendary Nancy Wilson.

For the full Pittsburgh Post-Gazette brief:
http://www.post-gazette.com/seen/acrosstown/20011112towns1112fnp1.asp