Candlelight Crescendo: The Moment That Lit Up a Summer Night
Written by Zhenru Yan
At exactly 8 PM last Friday, the first candle quietly flickered to life inside a black box-style room at Pittsburgh Playhouse. From the outside, it looked like any ordinary space—square, minimal, painted black with no fixed stage or seating. But stepping inside, it felt like entering another world.
We placed 100 chairs in a loose circle around a small central performance space. The seats were close—intimate, but not crowded—like being at a gathering in an old friend’s living room. There were no microphones, no speakers, no flashy production—only the pure, unamplified sound of City Six Strings, who drove all the way from Cleveland to gift us with an unforgettable “handmade concert.” The acoustics of the enclosed space carried every note naturally. At moments, you could hear the gentle friction of the bow on strings—so quiet and detailed it felt like the summer air itself was humming along.
The concert opened with Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer”, as refreshing as a chilled peach soda. The set continued with Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso”, Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em”, and The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”—a series of familiar hits reimagined through the warmth of string instruments. Lovers leaned on each other. Fingers intertwined. Heads gently rested on shoulders. It was more than a concert—it was a feeling.
The audience, mostly couples and spouses, came dressed to impress. Some men wore suits, some women in little black dresses and pearl earrings. One guest carried a small bouquet she’d just received at dinner. It didn’t feel like an ordinary Friday night—it felt like an anniversary, a proposal, a secret celebration. After every piece, the room erupted in applause—not the polite kind, but the kind that comes when people forget they’re at a performance and just feel something.
The audience, mostly couples and spouses, came dressed to impress. Some men wore suits, some women in little black dresses and pearl earrings. One guest carried a small bouquet she’d just received at dinner. It didn’t feel like an ordinary Friday night—it felt like an anniversary, a proposal, a secret celebration. After every piece, the room erupted in applause—not the polite kind, but the kind that comes when people forget they’re at a performance and just feel something.
We were proud to partner with Sushi I, Yuzu Kitchen, Vallozzi’s, and Revel, who offered all ticket holders 20% off dinner that evening. Many guests came straight from a delicious sushi roll or a bowl of handmade pasta, cheeks still glowing from wine and good conversation. One woman laughed and told us, “We’ve officially made this our summer tradition.”
We were especially honored by the presence of Mayor Ed Gainey and the First Lady, who sat quietly near the center and listened with deep focus, rising to their feet to applaud the musicians at the close.
There was no elaborate stage, no dramatic lighting, no spectacle. And yet, that’s what made it perfect. The simplicity, the proximity, the honesty of the music created something rare—a shared experience that didn’t need to shout to be heard. Just a few instruments, a circle of candles, and a night made with intention.
We’re already planning 2 to 3 more candlelight concerts later this year, each with a new theme—perhaps jazz, movie soundtracks, or a classical/pop crossover. We’re also exploring new venues and collaborations with local musicians. Got an idea or a song you’d love to hear under candlelight? Email us at info@pittsburghdna.org—we’d love to hear from you.
And until then—may the music from that night echo through the rest of your summer.
