Staff members of Latrobe Art Center and Ricolita’s Cafe got a jump on the Yellow Tie Gala by taste-testing prototypes for the event’s signature cocktail.
Assistant Director Joe Bellack was the mixologist.
The quaff that received final approval was served at the annual nightclub-slash-block party held Friday in the center and outside on Ligonier Street.
“It has strawberry vodka, creme de cacao, creme de banana, frozen bananas, milk and ice, garnished with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple chunk,” Bellack said.
“It tastes just like a banana split — so how do you like them bananas?”
After a pandemic-year pause, the center’s premiere event returned with the traditional features that guests have come to expect, according to Executive Director Michael Tusay.
In addition to the signature cocktail, guests were treated to a table laden with Ricolita’s heavy hors d’oeuvres and dance music by Neon Swing X-perience, all topped off with banana splits courtesy of the Latrobe Dairy Queen.
The frozen treat said to have been invented in Latrobe was served by Dairy Queen owner Terri Miller and employee Kaeleigh Hlavsa.
Bellack was assisted behind the bar by Anthony DiVittis and Seth Rupert.
Joining Bellack and Tusay in organizing the gala was gallery assistant Janet Mason.
The gala is held in conjunction with Latrobe’s Great American Banana Split Celebration. Attendance topped 160 on the clear, balmy, late-summer evening.
Seen: Richard and Joanna Stillwagon, Bill and Rosemarie McGarrity, Fran and Charon Tandrich, John and Pat Marsh, Dennis and Kathy Rafferty, Jessica Rafferty, Bill and Peg Panasiti, Kathy Kelley, Tom and Helene Long, Alan and Karen Kane, Phyllis Yesh, Beth Ann Ferlin, Ed Jenkins and Kathy Vigna, Karen Rosa, Jody Smith and Garrett and Courtney Master.
