Cecilia Coleman teams with ‘Popa’ Banks to bring more entertainment to Pittsburgh

by Genea L. Webb

For New Pittsburgh Courier

Tired of the bar scene and looking for mature, African American entertainment shows? Then the newly reconstructed “Upscale and Classy Pgh” is for you.

“Here in Pittsburgh, we are trying to bring the momentum of some upscale and classy events and concerts and other functions here. I think it’s missing consistently so there are going to be comedy shows and concerts from gospel to R&B,” explained Upscale and Classy Pgh team member Cecelia Coleman. 

Upscale and Classy Pgh was originally started 10 years ago by longtime Pittsburgh concert promoter Wynorris “Popa” Banks who serves as the organization’s CEO. When COVID-19 struck, Upscale and Classy Pgh had to slow its roll. Donell Jones was scheduled to come to Pittsburgh two years ago but had to cancel due to COVID. Banks used to hold monthly “First Friday” events in a hotel in Oakland that featured entertainment, food and fellowship on the first Friday of each month. In addition, Banks brought in R&B group Cameo and Boney James among others. He has been an integral part of promoting music in Pittsburgh since 1983.

Wynorris “Popa” Banks

“I started it because I believed that Pittsburgh needed some upscale and classy vibes,” Banks said. “You hear a lot about shootings and all that stuff and there’s very few places where adults can really go out and enjoy themselves, so we are trying to create an environment where people could come out, dress up, feel safe and have fun.”

In addition to Banks and Coleman, other Upscale & Classy Pgh team members are: Tanisha Thomas, Kimberly Hart, Larry Lipsomb and John Carter. Their duties include promoting, marketing, advertising and ticket sales. Banks is confident the team he has working with him now will help make Upscale & Classy Pgh a success.

Cecelia Coleman

“I’ve followed Cecilia and the other team members for a while and the way people profit is by getting out, spreading the word and this team does that every well,” Banks said.

Coleman, who has been a part of the rebirth of Upscale & Classy Pgh since 2020 to help keep up the group’s momentum, is using her skills from her annual Mother’s Day fashion shows and events at the Afro American Music Institute, under “CC Productions.”

“I was always cool with Popa Banks. He was on a different magnitude so when he asked me to collaborate and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it, it was right up my alley,” Coleman told the Courier. “I’m still going to be doing my own events, including a Whitney Houston tribute in honor of the late Donald Patterson,” she said.

Other members of the Upscale & Classy Pgh team include Rev. Deryck Tines, Jon Carter, Larry Lipscomb, Kimberly Hart and Tanisha Thomas.

Coleman insists that Upscale & Classy Pgh isn’t competing with other Pittsburgh entertainment venues or groups like the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh Improv or New Horizon Theater Inc.

“We’re not trying to compete. We would like to bring some diversity as well,” Coleman said. “Especially what the world went through with the pandemic and feeling like you were almost on house arrest just being home…I think anyone bringing enjoyment to people’s lives (is a good thing). Everybody just wants to see and hear music and see people entertaining at this point.”

In the meantime, Coleman and the Upscale and Classy Pgh team are working hard to bring more versatile entertainment to “da ‘Burgh.”

“Stay tuned,” Coleman said. “There will be a lot of shows coming soon.”

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