Reimagining Rock at Candlelight Crescendo: Recap
Written by Arlo Grey MacFarland
This past Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 9 p.m., the Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) hosted its second Candlelight Crescendo performance with the band Cello Fury. The concert was performed at the Pittsburgh Playhouse Theatre located at 250 Forbes Ave.
Image courtesy of Zhenru Yan.
Cello Fury filled the theater with a fantastic set lit by close to a thousand candles. The set, called Reimagining Rock, left the audience in awe. Their show spanned several decades and styles of rock, featuring songs like The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” Styx’s “Renegade,” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The trio’s sound is something unforgettable: whimsical, moody, and adding a touch of fantasy to classic rock.
“Cello Fury is excited to partner with the Downtown Neighbors Alliance for this special Candlelight concert! Curating a set list of rock favorites, reimagined with three cellos, is a great way to share our rock/classical fusion sound with the audience. At the wonderful setting of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, surrounded by a thousand candles, it’s definitely a highlight of our fall shows!,” said Nicole Myers of Cello Fury
Seating only 100, the show quickly sold out, prompting the DNA to add more seating. The final total was 120 attendees before DNA had to turn people away.
The venue itself is a black box theater, similar to a very small warehouse, able to be moulded for any set desired. And Saturday, it was transformed into a magical, illuminating space.
Image courtesy of Zhenru Yan.
“This is our second Candlelight concert, and now both shows are sold out. This is what we envisioned, and this is not only an amenity for the residential community, but for downtown as a whole. We were over capacity tonight, the music was great, and most importantly, everyone enjoyed themselves. As great as the crowd believes we are, wait until they realize that we are only scratching the surface. Downtown Pittsburgh will become the best downtown for mid-size cities in America,” said DNA Executive Director John Valentine.
We hope you enjoyed your discounted dinner at one of our collaborating restaurants: Yuzu Kitchen, Revel, Sushi I, and Vallozzi’s. Make sure you keep on the lookout for our next installment of the Candlelight Crescendo series!
