As a long-time resident of the Hill–– although to some, twenty years is nothing, but I digress–– I sometimes take for granted just how many people I know, and, more importantly, how many people who *know* people I know. (Two words: Sandra Moscoso. #iykyk)
So if you are new around the Hill and you want to be in a place with like-minded folks, I have two lovely options for you. At both of these venues, you will be united by art in some form, and you will enjoy camaraderie and a very special alchemy that will stay with you for a long time– not to mention, you will make friends!
“One of the most intimate and creatively challenging events I’ve ever attended.”
Cynthia’s owner, Phil Coppage, and I coincided at one of Matthew Viator‘s salons– house parties at Matthew’s home, filled with music and merriment. When I asked him what he thought of the evening, he summed it up with the quote above. He is right on the money.
Matthew is the musical genius behind Studio V, a teaching studio he runs out of his Hill home. Whether you are a budding pianist or singer, or if you are an established musician who wants a challenge, Matthew can educe incredible things out of you. At the summer salon, the spotlight was on 17-year old Santiago Gonzalez-Winthrop, who’s been a student of Matthew’s since he was eight years old. During the salon, Matthew and Santiago’s mother reminisced about the development of his talent and the late nights at previous salons, waiting to perform. She wondered why Matthew would have scheduled a young child to perform past 10 p.m., but nothing at the Viator salons is quite what you expect. For one, as audience we are not just passive listeners, but we are expected to interact with the players and the music. Knowledgeable and seasoned performers go back and forth with people who are new to the world of music but it all feels natural and organic.
And, by the way, what a talent Santi has: During the evening, we were treated to his beautiful, developing piano artistry, where he challenged himself with Beethoven and an incredible piece by Philip Glass, Piano Etude No. 12–– my favorite of the night. He is a disciplined technician who loves Rachmaninoff and whose time as Matthew’s student led him to write an entire Youth Sonata–– you know, as teens do. It’s not often that you see a young person navigating so confidently the world of adults, so this was exceptional.
I asked Matthew why he focuses his performances as a house party/salon format, as opposed to a recital. This happens to be part of his philosophy of education. He says, “Horace, the Roman poet and teacher, defined the salon as the place where people could come and exchange ideas and deepen ties of friendship. The idea of having a place where we can come together and talk about something other than our social obsession is incredibly life-giving. Just sitting around and talking about… a new composition and have a discussion on what it evoked in you– it becomes a launchpad for a vibrant conversation. It becomes relational and stops being dominating.”
And it’s true. Matthew and his husband Amilcar’s home is cozy and inviting, with an abundance of plants and pets, so it’s not as impersonal as a recital space. It also feels safer for performers with anxiety. People who were strangers at the beginning of the evening became fast friends before the night was over. The small, intimate space thundered with the rich sound of the concert grand piano that dominates the Viators’ living room. And after the performance, we were all quizzed and tested by Matthew, who shone as the mercurial host with the most.
Matthew’s salons are open to the public but since space is very limited, you must contact Matthew at mviator.com should you wish to attend.
“The Literary Feast is a fantastic example of the magic of living in Capitol Hill. The host may be a mystery, but chances are you’ll know a neighbor, and I guarantee you’ll meet fun, interesting people at every dinner.”
The Literary Feast is a much more publicized affair, but no less intimate than the Viator salons. This FUNdraiser, which has been a mainstay of the Capitol Hill community for well over twenty years, is designed around books. Neighbors volunteer to host parties of between four to six diners on average, and the evening’s theme centers around a book (which you are not required to read, by the way). As Sandra Moscoso states above, you will probably run into someone you know; if you don’t, you will definitely meet some great folks.
This year’s book list is here. All in all, between 30 to 40 Capitol Hill homes participate and it’s up to attendees to dress up as much or as little as they wish. After dinner, all participants are welcome to have dessert at the Hill Center, where the evening is capped with something sweet and a little tailfeather shaking. Year after year, attendees make new connections as they help raise funds for the Capitol Hill Community Foundation. CHCF has been caring for the Capitol Hill community since 1989 and as Sandra reminds me, “…the efforts in coordinating, hosting, and participating don’t end with the fun dessert at Hill Center… the efforts live on in form of benefiting our amazing local schools!” Tickets for the upcoming Literary Feast on November 7 are available now. Click here to register.