The Hillside Club: A Cultural Treasure and Home to Three Lovely Pianos

Winding along a walking path to Berkeley's Arch, I clutched a self-made map as a guide to a posted rental. On Cedar, as I was about to make a left turn, I stopped to investigate a house that had an attractive sign announcing a concert.

The neighborhood was new to me though it rekindled ties to my North Bronx sojourns along tree-lined paths. My destination on a remarkably similar route was to a Workman's Circle Jewish School housed in the cellar of the old Amalgamated.

Decades later, after my relocation to California's promised land, it was by coincidence that I stumbled upon the "Hillside Club" draped in foliage that had a link to homes that dotted the suburban fringes of New York, and had a historical character. 

A 60ish woman in jeans and a casual red top, swept the bordering sidewalk as if she owned the house that had its identity posted on an eye-catching sign.

After a closer look at the facade,  I noted a roster of events that could overwhelm a visitor to this culture-packed club on any day of the week.

I hesitated to intrude upon the street sweeper's time by reeling off gads of questions about this charmer.

Front and center, a "pocket" Opera, was the afternoon feature--a Donald Pippin production of "Tales of Hoffman," by Offenbach that was scaled down to  pocket-size proportion by its reduced orchestration and staging.

In a heartbeat, I was rubbing elbows with two cast members, taking their pictures, as Erma gave me a royal Hillside Club tour, heeding my well-timed request.

Michael Mendelsohn, who played "Spallanzani" posed impishly in front of the camera. A second cast member and producer, bristling with energy, exhibited a gallant air.

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Erma Wheatley and John Feld were Hillside's Managers doing soup to nuts things to keep the spirit of the place alive. (They also made sure to promote the Club's rental opportunities to insure its stable economic status in the present and well into the future )

John shuffled a stack of chairs in an awesome space  with hardwood floors, a high wood-beamed ceiling, huge bay windows, and a gorgeous decorative fireplace.

My eyes, however, were riveted to a grand piano draped in a blue cover, that  sat on the big stage.

Not ONE but THREE resonant pianos, surfaced, at the Club-- all were well-maintained and nicely situated. Israel Stein, one of the Bay area's best technicians had a hand in their well-being as was evident by the love that seeped from each key depression.

My favorite, by far, was a "B" model Steinway (about 7 feet), that dated to 1925. Its shimmering tone and perfect regulation kept me a fixture at its plush leather bench, spinning out Mozartean phrases.

Next in line, a slightly earlier "L" model Steinway, sat in a room off stage. It was neighbor to an antique style Sherman Clay console with a gorgeous, florid rack. Its voice was quite satisfying for its size, adding to a family of "singing" instruments.

The grand pianos, owned by the Etude Club sprang to life in solo and chamber music performances presented throughout the year. 

Hillside-sponsored cultural events included appearances by renowned jazz, chamber music, and solo players. In a panoply of brochure-listed activities, visitors could sample descriptions of An Afternoon Tea, Art Show and Sale, Author Talks, Chi Gong and Tai Chi, Cybersalons, Dances, Monday Night Movies, Game Night, Last Friday Ladies Lunch, Poem Anyone? and the Hillside Club Round Table.

An attractive display of literature lined Berkeley's oldest Community Club in an aesthetically beautiful entryway that led to an icing on the cake, awesome well-lit center space. I marveled at a black and white photo of the first formal dinner held at the Club in 1910. A more contemporary setting was its mirror image, hung beside it.

Hillside's current "Buy A Brick" campaign was its most recent fund-raising campaign.

A donor could purchase a brick to "honor family, friends, an organization, favorite cause, or in memoriam, for a special person."

An institution like this deserved sustenance to guarantee its long-term survival.

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I left Hillside, with a newfound attachment to it.

I reasoned, if I landed a lease anywhere nearby, I'd become a full-time member, contributor, and who knows, maybe performer?

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The Hillside Club

2286 Cedar

Berkeley CA 94709

Quote taken from early Hillside Club documents:

"The purposes for which the club is formed are to cultivate a spirit of civic patriotism among the residents of Berkeley; to work for and encourage the making of parks and the planting of trees within city limits; to beautify the streets, gardens and homes within said city; and to encourage all branches of art."

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"The club eventually grew into a venue for cultural activities as stated in the current Hillside Club brochure."

LINK:

Hillsideclub.org

Correction: The original version of this post incorrectly gave Donald Pippin's name as Donald Pittman. It has been corrected.