Monday, January 31, 2011

Bagels for Babies Benefit Magee-Women's Foundation


Panera Bread to donate 100% of the proceeds from cinnamon crunch bagels on February 1st to Magee-Womens Foundation in honor of Magee's Centennial Celebration.




PITTSBURGH, PA, January 25, 2010 – In honor of the Centennial Birthday of Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Panera Bread is hosting Bagels for Babies on February 1st, donating 100% of the Cinnamon Crunch bagel proceeds in all 26 Pittsburgh-area café locations to Magee-Womens Foundation in support of Women and Infant Health Research.



Panera Bread plans to extend Bagels for Babies and its support of Magee-Womens Foundation by donating a portion of the proceeds of any bagel pack purchased on February 2nd through the end of the month.

Throughout the months of January and February, Magee-Womens Foundation is the Operation Dough-Nation partner in the Pittsburgh market benefitting from the canister donations at the registers in all 26 Pittsburgh bakery-cafés. Panera Bread also supported the Magee’s 100th Birthday by providing gifts for the first 100 mothers to give birth at Magee-Womens Hospital in 2011.



Panera Bread and its franchisees support charitable causes through its Operation Dough-Nation program. Since it was founded in 1992 to formalize Panera’s commitment to community involvement, Operation Dough-Nation has contributed both monetary and bread donations through its Community Breadbox™ and Day-End Dough-Nation™ programs to local food pantries, hunger relief agencies and other community organizations.

About Covelli Enterprises

Covelli Enterprises operates more than 180 bakery-cafés in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky and Florida. Covelli Enterprises is the nation's largest franchisee of Panera, LLC.



www.paneracovelli.com

Breakfast Series Feature Women Who Have Fought Injustice and Victimization

The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of Business & Professional Women’s Club

Invites you to our second

Breakfast Panel & Discussion Speaker Series

Benefiting the Linda Turner Cobb Memorial Scholarship Fund

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 River’s Club ~ Oxford Centre 7:30AM to 9:00AM promptly

Donation -$35.00 pre-registration *Special ticket price for the Breakfast Series pre-registration ~ $65.00 for two sessions

At the Door: $40.00

Honorary Sponsors -$100.00 Please call for information on Sponsorship of the GPBPW Breakfast Series

The Linda Turner Cobb Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in memory of our dear friend and past President of GPBPW.


Please join us for a special forum on

“Women Who Have Fought Against Injustice and Victimization”



Come, listen and learn from our distinguished panelist and join an interactive discussion on how we can advocate against the injustice and victimization of women.

“SAVE THE DATE” for our 3RD SPEAKER SERIES

“Human Trafficking: The Courage to Speak Up”

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 ~ 7:30AM – 9:00AM ~ Rivers Club

RSVP: Bonnie DiCarlo: bonnie255@aol.com 412.480.5247 JoAnn Forrester: selfimagebz@aol.com 412.670.4322



REGISTRATION FORM

NAME _____________________________________________________________________ ORGANIZATION______________________________________________________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________________________________

CITY_______________________STATE______Z IP CODE ___________________________ TELEPHONE_____________________________E-mail ______________________________ BREAKFAST $35 NUMBER PEOPLE ATTENDING: ____________ …Total $_____________ HONORARY SPONSOR $100_____________ Includes listing in the Program plus one breakfast

Table of 10 $350 ______________________________________________________________

For reservations and/or information about Supporting and Sponsoring our three part Linda A. Cobb Memorial Scholarship Breakfast & Discussion Series please call or contact:

Bonnie DiCarlo: bonnie255@aol.com 412.480.5247 JoAnn Forrester: selfimagebz@aol.com 412.670.4322

Checks Payable to: GPBPW

Mail checks to: GPBPW P.O. Box 4620 Pittsburgh, PA 15206

GPBPW MISSION:

To achieve equality for ALL women in the workplace, through advocacy, information and education



“Together We Can Make a Difference for all Women”

Friday, January 28, 2011

Theatreworks USA' Award Winning Junie B Jones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@pgharts.org


Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater

presents

Theatreworks USA

in

Junie B. Jones

The Lucelle Lortel Award winning show for best

musical and choreography is back by popular demand!

February 13-20, 2011

Six performance locations throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents award-winning Theatreworks USA in June B. Jones, from February 13-20, 2011, at six performance locations throughout the Pittsburgh area. Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, February 13, at 2:00 p.m & Student Matinee: February 14, at 10:15 a.m.; East: Gateway High School, February 16, at 7:00 p.m.; North: Pine-Richland Middle School, February 17, at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Hopewell High School, February 18, at 7:00 p.m.; South: Mt. Lebanon High School, February 19, at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.

Theatreworks USA’s performances of Junie B. Jones return to the Pittsburgh area by popular demand. The musical is based on several books from the award winning series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus about Junie B’s first grade experiences. The production will feature four mini-musicals: Top-Secret Personal Beeswax: A Journal by Junie B (and Me!), which features diary entries by Junie, which are designed to give children ideas for their own writings; followed by Junie B, First Grader (at last!); Junie B, Boss of Lunch; and Junie B, One-Man Band. The show closes with the entire company asking the audience to keep journals and to write down the story of their lives.

Theatreworks USA’s Junie B. Jones production is based on the best-selling books by Barbara Park, and adapted for the stage by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich. The production is directed by Peter Flynn, choreography by Devanand Janki, scenic design by Luke Hegel-Cantarella, and costumes by Lora LaVon. This 60-minute musical is recommended for audiences age 5 and up. The show was nominated in 2006 for the Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreography.

“Brilliant, bouncy, and beautiful (The Journal News).”

“A splendid hour of music, laughter, life lessons and the art of putting on a show (New York One).”

Theatreworks USA is America's largest professional non-profit theatre for young audiences and families. Since 1961, they have enlightened, entertained, and instructed over 78 million people in 49 states and Canada. Under the direction of Artistic Director Barbara Pasternack and Managing Director Ken Arthur, Theatreworks USA is the recipient of a Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award. Additionally, the company was awarded the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award in 2001. Theatreworks USA has a distinguished history of not only providing young audiences with their first taste of the performing arts, but also giving young actors, writers, directors, and designers an early opportunity to work in this field. A list of the company’s alumni reads like a veritable "who's who" of theatre.

Individual tickets ($11 at the door, $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.pgharts.org, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930.

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming for children which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. Each year Pittsburgh International Children's Theater presents a Family Series and the Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, which is one of only four international children's theater festivals in the nation.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Presents, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

David Garrett, Violin Virtuoso Performs at The Benedum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

Diana Roth
412-471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

Electronic artwork is available upon request.


The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents

International Violin Virtuoso, David Garrett

Sunday, February 20, 2011, Benedum Center


Pittsburgh, PA: Internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso, David Garrett, will return to Pittsburgh for one performance only on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center. This concert is part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

A true prodigy, David Garrett began playing violin at age four, and was signed to the prestigious classical music label Deutsche Grammophon by thirteen. After leaving his native Germany for New York City as a teenager, Garrett was accepted at the world famous Juilliard music school, studying under the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Already described as “…an entire corpus of virtuoso violin art, expounded with a fearsome beauty beyond comprehension” by BBC Music Magazine, David Garrett has achieved a lifetime of musical accomplishments at only 28 years old. Garrett has gained international stardom, with gold and platinum selling discs internationally, and chart-topping albums in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Far East, U.S. and a Top 20 UK hit.His performance uniquely integrates classical medleys with modern pop hits like Vivaldi’s “Summer” and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” while also featuring the artist’s original compositions such as “Chelsea’s Girl.”

Garrett comments, “Every good musician is always, in effect, a musician of instinct - throughout the course of their life, no matter how much theoretical knowledge is accumulated. For only when you really trust your innermost being, so absolutely convinced of one thing, can you also inspire others with it.”

David Garrett has been winning over audiences since the release of his self-titled debut album in June 2009. His numerous appearances have included performances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, Today Show, Fox News Channel, CBS Saturday Early Show and his first PBS smash, “Live In Berlin.” His technically jaw-dropping performance of “Flight of the Bumblebee,” was recorded in the 2010 Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest-ever performance of the piece (a blistering 66 seconds), wowing crowds the world over. In addition to being the best-selling new classical artist of 2009, he was also Billboard’s #9 highest-charting new artist overall, across all genres. His CD David Garrett, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Chart, and held the #1 position for nine weeks, remaining in the Top 10 for over 40 subsequent weeks.

Garrett’s current tour features classical compositions as well as pop and rock solo performances by Garrett, and accompaniment by his five piece band. Garrett’s tour will also highlight his latest album Rock Symphonies, released in summer 2010. Rock Symphonies displays Garrett’s love of both classical and rock, marrying the two genres with a fierce intensity and brings new interpretations of his favorite rock anthems by U2, Nirvana, Metallica and Aerosmith to name a few. "In so many ways, listening to popular music motivated me in my approach to classical music," he has said. Garrett adds, "It can also work the other way round - that's why I want to lead people to discover a mixture of different music.”

Tickets ($28.50, $33.50, $38.50, $43.50) for February 20, 2011, performance of David Garrett, at the Benedum Center, may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.
###

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Jazz Trumpeter Sean Jones Gets You in The Mood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
412-471-8062



Celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend with jazz artist

SEAN JONES

Saturday, February 12, 2011, at the Cabaret at Theater Square

Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents “shades of love,” a special BNY Mellon JazzLive exclusive the weekend before Valentine’s Day, featuring the music of jazz star, Sean Jones. On Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 10 p.m. Mr. Jones, along with his New York Quintet, will perform songs from the soon-to-be-released CD, No Need for Words, at the Cabaret at Theater Square. A second show, For Lovers Only: A Celebration of the Love Song, will be held at 11:30 p.m. Mr. Jones notes, “From the most euphoric feeling, to the heart wrenching agony of loneliness, this music will take you on a journey through the various hues and tones of love.”

Janis Burley Wilson, Vice President for Education and Director of Jazz Programs at the Trust, says, “Anticipation is high for the new album, No Need for Words, and we are excited to be able to give the Pittsburgh jazz audiences an opportunity to hear this beautiful music before the rest of the world.”

Sean Jones has established a reputation as one of the finest jazz trumpet players in the world, touring with his own band, as lead trumpeter with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, with the Marcus Miller band, and numerous other groups, all over the world. He also resurrected the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra in 2009. He is considered by his fellow musicians, and critics, to be the “heir apparent” to the jazz legacy left by greats like Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown and Freddie Hubbard. Jones New York quintet includes Louis Cato on drums, Orrin Evans on piano, Luques Curtis on bass, and Brian Hogans on saxophone.

The band is made up of a group of young superstars in their own right. Louis Cato has played with Marcus Miller, Phillip Bailey, Mos Def, Q-tip, and attended Berkeley School of Music. Orrin Evans has 12 albums, has been named the Philadelphia Ambasador for the Arts, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Solo. Luques Curtis plays with Latin jazz legend, Eddie Palmieri, and just released his first album as a leader. Brian Hogans plays with Russell Gun, and has played with Sean Jones for four years. A multi-instrumentalist, Hogans plays sax, drums, and piano.

Tickets for each show cost $25.75 - $30.75 and are available by calling 412-456-6666, visiting pgharts.org or purchasing at the Box Office at Theater Square.
###

Precision Marching Band DRUMLine Live Back by Popular Demand

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org



The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents

DRUMLine Live

High stepping, precision marching band, back by popular demand

Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., Benedum Center

Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents DRUMLine Live featuring a 40-member, high-energy marching band cast of students and alumni (one drum major, five dancers, one host and 33 wind and percussionists) from the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities and created by musical director Don P. Roberts. “It’s a marching band extravaganza that parades out of the football stadium onto the stage with explosive percussion, resounding brass and dazzling choreography” (The Morning Call).

Watch as the “Lines” battle it out in a collaboration of explosive, precision style marching, hip-hop and R&B routines for one performance only on Tuesday, February 15, 2011,at 7:30 p.m., at the Benedum Center. Cohen & Grigsby is the season sponsor of the Trust Presents 2010-11 series. Tickets ($20.75, $27.75, $38.75, $45.75) can be purchased online at pgharts.org, by telephone 412-456-6666 or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, in the Cultural District, Pittsburgh, PA. Groups of 10 or more, call 412-471-6930.

DRUMLine Live combines over 50 years of tradition and precision marching band style with modern high stepping, funky dance rhythms, and exciting musical repertoire ranging from classical to Top 40. The showdown of rhythm and speed between the "Lines" will rock audiences with its precision and pulsing force. Along with explosive choreography and incredible feats of athleticism from the “steppers” and dancers, DRUMLine Live creates an exciting stage experience that showcases how this type of marching is the most upbeat, exciting style of marching today. "DRUMLINE LIVE puts the black marching band tradition on the theatrical stage -- effectively creating something that could very well out-stomp ‘Stomp’ and out-blast ‘Blast.’” —Springfield News Sun

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Trust Presents series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Pittsburgh Dance Council, Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org
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Monday, January 24, 2011

Pittsburgh's 7th Season of Shakespeare in the Parks Announced

PSIP announces MERRY WIVES and return of “BYOB!”


Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks is proud to announce the start of its 7th season providing the Steel City with FREE Shakespeare plays and events.

Join us for our first BYOB (“Bring Your Own Bard”) monthly reading: “Shakespeare’s Favorites,” Thursday January 27 at the Te Café. BYOB is a once-a-month reading series where fans and performers of Shakespeare come together to enjoy an evening of informal performances of their favorite scenes, sonnets, and monologues. Alan Irvine, local storyteller and PSIP board member, will be the evening’s MC.

BYOB serves as a warm-up for PSIP’s free summer production of MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, a comedy hilariously exploring the themes of marriage, cuckoldry, and revenge. The show will be directed by Tommy Costello and will run FREE in cityparks in September 2011.

Please join us for these BYOBs through June with the following themes:

January: Shakespeare’s Favorites (Thursday Jan 27)

February: Short Scenes for a Short Month (Thursday Feb 24)

March: War/The Month of Mars (Thursday Mar 31)

April: Animals (Thursday Apr 28)

May: Let's Go a-Maying (Romance) (Thursday May 26)

June: Marking Merry (Thursday June 30)

Donations accepted at the door. Readers and audience members alike are encouraged to bring copies of their favorite Shakespeare plays and join in the reading of sonnets, scenes, and songs. Fun for the whole family – kids welcome.

THE TE CAFE

www.te-cafe.com

2000 Murray Ave (at Beacon St).

Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Squirrel Hill

(412) 422-8888

Readings begin at 7:00 PM. Anyone interested in reading should contact pittsburghshakespeare@yahoo.com or 412.404.8531.

Baked goods, coffees and teas will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

www.pittsburghshakespeare.com. Friend us on Facebook: Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks.

Do you like what we do? Or want to see us do a specific show? Let us know!...on Facebook or via email at pittsburghshakespeare@yahoo.com. See you in the Parks!

Bringing you free Shakespeare since 2005.

Bring a blanket, a loved one, and a thermos.

http://www.pittsburghshakespeare.com/

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Smash Revival of HAIR Comes to Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org


PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh presents

THE SMASH BROADWAY REVIVAL OF

HAIR

WINNER! BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL 2009 TONY® AWARD

COMES TO HEINZ HALL

FEBRUARY 15-20, 2011

HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, will play Heinz Hall for a limited engagement February 15-20, 2011. Tickets ($20-$69) are available by calling (412) 392-4900, visiting the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue) or online at www.pgharts.org. For more information about the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh 2010-2011 subscription series, please call (412) 456-1390. Groups of 10 or more may call 412-392-4819. This tour is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

HAIR won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and is currently playing on Broadway where it also received the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

The story of a group of young Americans searching for love and peace during the Vietnam era, HAIR is a timeless portrait of a movement that changed the world. Its groundbreaking rock score paved the way for some of the greatest musicals of our time. HAIR features an extraordinary cast and dozens of unforgettable songs, including Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, Good Morning, Starshine and East to be Hard.

The New York Times says "Diane Paulus's THRILLING, EMOTIONALLY RICH production delivers INTENSE, UNADULTERATED JOY" and Time Out New York says "HAIR SPEAKS TO A WHOLE NEW GENERATION!."

Directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Karole Armitage, HAIR features a book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. HAIR contains smoke effects and strobe lighting.

HAIR is presented on Broadway and tour by The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director) Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Gary Goddard Entertainment, Kathleen K. Johnson, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Fran Kirmser Productions/Jed Bernstein, Marc Frankel, Broadway Across America, Barbara Manocherian/WenCarLar Productions, JK Productions/Terry Schnuck, Andy Sandberg, JAM Theatricals, The Weinstein Company / Norton Herrick, Jujamcyn Theaters, Joey Parnes and by special arrangement with Elizabeth Ireland McCann.

Parental Discretion Advisory: While many find this show suitable for young adults 13 and older, parental discretion is advised. There is a dimly lit 20-second scene with nudity that is non-sexual in nature.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Presents, Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.
###

Thursday, January 20, 2011

White LIght Black Light Evokes Icelandic Landscape

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
(412) 471-6082
Corpuz@pgharts.org



White Light – Black Light

January 28 – April 3, 2011

Wood Street Galleries, 601 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District

Opening reception during Gallery Crawl 5:30-9 p.m.



PITTSBURGH, PA: Mesmerizing, contemplative, hypnotic and dramatic are ways to describe the Icelandic landscape. The latest exhibition at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Wood Street Galleries evokes this imagery through the works featured in White Light-Black Light.

Finnbogi Petursson’s sound-modulated light work captures natural phenomena of sound, water, fire, shadow and light, channeling and transforming them into something other than what they are. “Think of phenomena that you can feel and think about, but never see,” explains White Light – Black Light artist Finnbogi Petursson.

Jan Tichy’s multimedia installations also draw upon the ephemeral; natural phenomena are presented within a digital photographic domain. In Tichy’s “Tubes” a TV monitor ‘plays’ the white noise of itself while projecting onto a landscape of tubes within a closed environment that is at once transitory and concrete. With shadow and light assuming equal roles, this sensory environment is hauntingly beautiful and ominous in its measured play.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS AND ARTWORK

JAN TICHY’s works intersect video, sculpture, architecture, sound and photography. Using video projection as a time-based source of light, Tichy creates physical and psychic spaces to explore themes of concealment, obscurity, and the seen and unseen. Born in communist Prague, Jan Tichy moved to Israel in the 1990s where he earned a Political Science degree from Hebrew University. Tichy studied photography at Bezalel Academy of Art and subsequently earned an MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. His work has been exhibited in Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, Jerusalem, Paris, Prague, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Venice and Washington, D.C. Tichy’s work is included in the collections of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Tel Aviv Museum of Art; MoBY - Museum of Contemporary Art, Bat Yam; Spertus Museum, Chicago and the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Installation no.11, consists of two wall-sized projections facing one another; one wall features a projection of the sea, the other, the desert. The projections are flanked on one side by five photographs of an ancient Egyptian Horus, and on the opposite, a single photograph of a moth reflected in a mirror. The projected images of sea and desert cycle through light and dark: the sea emerges from total whiteness and disappears into full black; the desert materializes from the shadows and evaporates into white light.

Cycling in and out of resolution, the images projected are resolutely unstable and the viewer’s perception of them continuously shifting. Additionally, the space is physically and perceptually crisscrossed by a series of animated linear projections and also by a web of masonry strings, strung from floor to ceiling. The shadows of these strings, like the shadows of the viewer who must navigate around them, are inscribed directly onto the images.

The room embodies shifting and contested perceptions of the land itself, which is transformed from mere space in to a discernable locale through history, use, and the social-psychic field. Installation No. 11 is exemplary of Tichy’s tendency to make works that slip in and out of “focus.” His work conjures up multiple and often contradictory meanings, emotions, and ideas, connecting the eye to the mind and to the heart.

Born in Reykjavik, FINNBOGI PETURSSON is one of Iceland's most prominent artists. He is known for works that fuse sound, light, sculpture, architecture and drawing. Sound, a crucial element of his work, is typically incorporated into spare sculptural installations. Pétursson represented Iceland at the Venice Biennial in 2001 with his monumental sound installation Diabolus. Collections include T-B A21, Vienna; Malmo KunstMuseum, Sweden; Nordiska Akvarell Museum, Sweden; and the National Gallery of Iceland. Permanent installations are at Landsvirkjun, Vatnsfellsvirkjun (an electric power plant), Reykjavik University and the Reykjavík Energy Headquarters.

The artist writes: “In both artworks at Wood Street Galleries, as in many of my other pieces, I'm working with a sine wave, an elementary form of sound that bears a distinct relationship to nature. In Sphere (2003), sine waves within a frequency range of 50 to 60 Hz are channeled into a large, clear bowl of water, creating reverberations on the water's surface. Light is then projected from beneath the water onto the ceiling, creating an undulating orb of light. As the sound modulates, the patterns of the projection fluctuate and evolve. Mesmerizing, hypnotic and unearthly in its beauty, this dynamic installation evokes the primal nature of sound within a dazzling display of shadow and light.

“In Reset (2011), I am using three sinus waves to create circular patterns on the surface of a large pool build in the gallery. Spotlights shows the water reflection from different angles in one image on an opposite wall. The ripples travel across the water surface: they disappear for a short time when they reach a soft line in the middle of the piece , then appear bit later mixed with the ripples coming from the opposite direction. Together they form a 3hz dreamless drawing.”

Delta brainwaves are the lowest brainwave frequency, they range from 1,5Hz - 4,0 Hz, but are the highest in amplitude. Delta waves are considered the deepest possible level of mind / body relaxation and are commonly associated with the deepest sleep state and a state of unconscious awareness. 3hz (of "Reset") lies just on the border between delta and theta waves, just after you stop dreaming.

GALLERY DETAILS:

White Light – Black Light

January 28 – April 3, 2011

Opening reception during Gallery Crawl 5:30-9 p.m.

Wood Street Galleries is located at 601 Wood Street above the T-Station in the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District.

Hours:

Wednesday & Thursday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Free and open to the public

For more information, call 412-471-5605 or visit woodstreetgalleries.org

Wood Street Galleries is a project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
###

Monday, January 17, 2011

Art Teacher In-Service Day Links Educators to Their Creativity Side

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Melissa Marullo
412.969.2530
mam@judith-kelly.com

Society for Contemporary Craft Holds Art Teacher In-Service Day

Educators Go Back to Their Roots as Artists

(PITTSBURGH, PA) January 10, 2011 – Art teachers are known for their ability to bring out the creativity in their students by showing them different forms of art, techniques, and how to express themselves. However, these teachers aren’t strictly educators, but they are artists themselves, and like to be reminded that every so often.

In the summer of 2008, the Society of Contemporary Craft (SCC) created the art teacher in- service day, where teachers from any school district are able to come to a workshop to rediscover their own creativity while learning new techniques and processes. Now, the teacher in-service day is known as one of the best workshops art teachers participate in for Act 48 professional development credit.

On Monday, January 17th, art teachers are invited to attend a workshop instructed by visiting or local instructors, hosted by the SCC in which they are able to get creative, work with their hands, and visit with other art teachers around the area. Each workshop provides seven Act 48 credits and information on how to adapt the learned techniques to the classroom.

Mary Ann Andreassi, art teacher at Pine-Richland High School, has attended multiple workshops, and finds the Teacher In-Service day to be very beneficial.

“Over the past 13 years of being a high school visual arts teacher, it has been challenging to find affordable enriching art experiences that build my own skill level and give me the tools needed to keep my students up to date with techniques and materials that contemporary artists are currently using,” Andreassi says.

Pieces made in the workshop will be exhibited in the downstairs studio exhibition space during the SCC 2011 Bridge Exhibition Series from April 16 - October 24th.

Andreassi says, “Workshops like these make me a more productive teacher, they give me skills to keep my students current with modern artistic practices, and they give me the reassurance and confidence as my artistic arsenal continues to grow.“

Tuition for the workshop is $140, which includes a box lunch, materials, and a gallery tour. Classes offered include:

· Needle Felting as an Art Medium [TT018] with instructor Briony Jean Foy, where participants will compose and paint with yarns and rovings to complete a landscape, portrait, or abstract composition.

· Fundamentals for Recycled Plastic Crafting [TT019] with instructor David Edgarwho will familiarize arts educators with a new way of exploring creativity using post-consumer plastics.

· Glass Beadmaking [TT020] with instructor Darlene Durrwachter-Rushing includes creating beads with hot glass and the art of flameworking with Hot Head touches.

· Splashes of Color Journal [TT021] with instructor Lily Hoy where participants will make a journal out of hand-decorated papers with a long stitch style binding.

Presenting contemporary art in craft media by international, national, and regional artists since 1971, the Society for Contemporary Craft offers cutting edge exhibitions focused on multicultural diversity and non-mainstream art, as well as a range of classes, community outreach programs, and a retail store. Exhibitions and family friendly hands-on art activities in a drop-in studio are always free to the public.
# # #

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Smith Unearthed Reveals the Foundation of Mormonism



Media Contacts:


Melissa Hill Grande
412.561.6000 x203
mgrande@picttheatre.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

___________________________________________________________________________

New Classics presents Smith, Unearthed in January

New play by Erik Ramsey explores myth and magic

behind foundation of Mormon religion

Pittsburgh, PA -- January 10, 2011. The New Classics Series returns on Sunday, January 23rd at 7:00 p.m. with Erik Ramsey’s play Smith, Unearthed, directed by Martin Giles and performed in the Charity Randall Theatre at the Stephen Foster Memorial in Oakland. New Classics is a cooperative program presented by the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Theatre Arts and Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre. The series is intended to highlight new works and showcase up-and-coming playwrights.

The reading is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a talk-back with the cast and audience. The moderators will be series coordinators Melissa Hill Grande, PICT Associate Artistic Director and Director of Marketing, and David Peterson, a graduate student in the Ph.D. program of the Department of Theatre Arts.

The reading will feature actors from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Theatre Arts, including Julianne Avolio, Aric Hudson, Martel Manning, George Moira, Sarah Turocy, and Jordan Walsh.

Smith Unearthed poses this question: How did Joseph Smith, Jr., a failed oracle and convicted conman, rise to become the prophet and founder of the Mormon Church – arguably the fastest growing religion in the world today? The play chronicles the days leading up to Christmas, 1825 when Joseph Smith, Jr. and his father, on the run from the law as confidence men and scammers, return in disgrace to the family farm in upstate New York to save their house from being repossessed. In the process of escaping the clutches of both their creditors and the investors they’d recently fleeced, they lay the foundations of Mormonism.

Based on historical accounts of Mormonism’s early years, the play dramatizes the moment in time when Junior first begins to believe he has been spiritually imbued with the true story of the American continent: that Native Americans are actually a lost tribe of Israel and that he, Joseph, is the one man who knows the history of Jesus Christ’s appearance to them here. Disillusioned by his failures dowsing for precious minerals as a “seer for hire”, and disappointed in himself for turning his gift for divination into a cynical grift, Junior hopes to marry and find a simpler life free of prophecy, real or invented. But instead of climbing from the legal and ethical hole he’s dug himself into, he digs deeper and strikes a different kind of gold: he invents Mormonism. No scholars deny Smith practiced magic, but no one knows for certain if that magic was simply a combination of charisma and sleight of hand or truly anointed and supernatural. Smith Unearthed asks an audience to divine the truth of the matter for themselves.

Erik Ramsey is an Associate Professor of Playwriting in the MFA Playwriting Program at Ohio University. His plays have been produced around the country, and Samuel French and Dramatic Publishing have published several of his short works. His recent play, Lions Lost, has been developed at numerous regional theaters including Cleveland Public Theatre, American Stage, Victory Gardens, and Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre. Currently, he is writing a trilogy of historical dramas about the surprising turn of events that boosted Joseph Smith from life as a small time con-artist to Prophet of the

Mormon Church; the first in the series, titled Smith, Unearthed, has been read or featured at the International Society of Contemporary Literature and Theatre Conference (Estonia: 2007), the Gwen Frostic National Reading Series at Western Michigan University (Nov, 2008), and at Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble (Dec, 2008). His two textbooks, "The Art of Theatre: Then and Now" and "Experiencing the Art of Theatre" are in their second edition from Wadsworth (2010), and are in use at over 100 colleges and universities nationwide. In 2007 Erik was named a Kennedy Center Faculty Fellow for his work as a new play development specialist and in 2010 he was appointed as Director of Innovation, Research and Theory for WordBRIDGE Playwrights' Laboratory after many years of developmental dramaturgy nationwide working with both professional and emerging playwrights. This past September he taught master classes in playwriting and play development technique at Lubimovka Playwrights Laboratory in Moscow, Russia.

Martin Giles is a Pittsburgh-based actor, director and playwright. His recent production of When the Rain Stops Falling for Quantum Theatre was named one of the top productions of 2010 in both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. For PICT, Giles most recently directed The Dumb Waiter (Pinter Celebration), and the world premiere of his own play, Beautiful Dreamers. His upcoming projects for PICT include playing Teddy Platt in Alan Ayckbourn’s House and Garden, and playing Doctor John Watson in The Mask of Moriarity.

Persons who are unable to attend the reading in person will be able to view it online via LIPLO™ (Live and in Person, Live and Online), a new internet technology pioneered by PICT Operations Director Stephanie Riso and Alex Geis. Geis of 21 Productions and videographer Randy Griffith of RLG Creations will live-broadcast the readings, and viewers will be able to respond via live chat as they watch the performances on the LIPLO™ website, www.liplo.com.

The final reading for the New Classics season will be Hangin’ Up My Heart by Michael Schwartz, directed by Michael Fuller. It will be held in the Henry Heymann Theatre on Sunday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m.

For more information about “New Classics,” contact Melissa Grande at 412.561.6000 x203 or mgrande@picttheatre.org.

# # #

The University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Theatre Arts (founded in 1982) offers the BA, MA, MFA and PhD degrees in Theatre Arts. All faculty members are active in both teaching and artistic / research activities. The department shares a philosophy of theatre education, the chief feature of which is the firm conviction that theory and practice, academic and creative work, and educational and professional theatre must be integrated for a successful program of theatre education. The University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theatre is the department’s flagship theatre company with performance spaces in the landmark Stephen Foster Memorial and the Cathedral of Learning. www.play.pitt.edu.



Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre was founded in 1996 to diversify the region’s theatrical offerings by providing Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania audiences with high-quality, text-driven, affordable productions of classical theatre and the works of classical and contemporary Irish playwrights and to significantly improve employment opportunities for local talent in all facets of theatrical presentation and production. PICT is a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, and a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. PICT is the Professional Theatre in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh and PICT productions at the Charity Randall and Henry Heymann Theatres are presented in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh – Department of Theatre Arts.

Tango Fire Performs Tango Inferno

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@pgharts.org


Pittsburgh Dance Council presents

Tango Fire

from Buenos Aires, Argentina

in the Pittsburgh premiere of Tango Inferno

Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 8:00 p.m.

Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street


Pittsburgh, PA: Considered Argentina's gift to the world, tango is one of the most alluring and exciting dance forms, evoking sensuality and intrigue, lust, raw energy and knife-edge precision. The Pittsburgh Dance Council presents the Tango Fire dance company from Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Pittsburgh premiere of Tango Inferno, on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. at the Byham Theater. “Rarely has the tempestuous tango looked like so much exuberant, out-and-out fun... This is tango with a big smile and boisterous high jinks performed by exquisitely skilled dancers with spirit and charisma to match” (The Boston Globe).

Tickets ($19-$45) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. First Commonwealth is the proud season sponsor of Pittsburgh Dance Council, and WDUQ 90.5 FM is the media sponsor.

About Tango Fire

Under the choreographic and artistic direction of Yanina Fajar, Tango Fire a company of exceptional singers, dancers and musicians has been performing together as a dance troupe since 2005. This combination of hot talent collaborates to bring the passion and sensuality of tango to a sizzling stage performance. “A sizzling, sensual taste of the real thing…sexual electricity crackling at the arch of an eyebrow, exploding at the twitch of a hip” (The Evening Standard, London). The company’s first world-wide tour titled Tango Fire was met with phenomenal success. Audiences and critics have universally agreed that Tango Fire is the hottest, most irresistible tango company performing in the world today.

Artistic director, choreographer, and dancer Yanina Fajar was born in Pergamino, Buenos Aires and began dancing at the age of six. Yanina studied dance at Fracasi Conservatoire of Dance obtaining a degree in Arabian Bellydance, Spanish Folklore dance and Argentine Folklore dance. She has studied with the best tango dancers in Argentina including Sandra Butz and Gabriel Ortega, Silvio Lavia, Nito and Elva García, and Pepito Avellaneda.

About Tango Inferno, newest choreography by Tango Fire

Tango Inferno, created by director Yanina Fajar and assistant choreographer and dancer German Cornejo, is the newest and most passionate tango show from the repertoire of Tango Fire. It sets the stage ablaze with ten brilliant dancers, supported by the critically acclaimed quartet of musicians known as Quatrotango. Tango Inferno entices and enthralls its audience with the delights of tango, a most alluring and intoxicating form of dance. Tango has always evoked sensuality, intrigue, lust and provocation. In the new show Tango Inferno, Tango Fire traces the dance from its origins in the red light district of Buenos Aires to the popular public dances of today known throughout Argentina as the Milonga, and through its more recent evolution into the world of contemporary ballroom.

German Cornejo, assistant choreographer of the show Tango Inferno and dancer for the company, was born in Zárate, Buenos Aires Province. At the age of 10, German started studying tango and by age15, he obtained a degree from Gatell Conservatory of Dance with the honorable title of Master of Tango. In addition to performing, German is also regarded as one of the best teachers of Show Tango in Buenos Aires with many of his students reaching top positions over the past four years in the finals in the Tango World Cup.

Each year, the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases a world-class season of dance. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Dance Council continues to help make our Cultural District one of the country’s leading arts and entertainment centers.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Pittsburgh Dance Council, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Trust Presents, Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org
###

Late Night Cabaret Series Announces Winter Schedule

For Immediate Release



The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Jan. – Mar. Schedule for

The Late Night Cabaret Series

Thursdays - Saturdays at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue

www.pgharts.org



PITTSBURGH…The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust continues to bring nightlife downtown with plenty of high-energy programming in the Late Night Cabaret series. For more information on any Late Night Cabaret event, please contact Randy Kirk at 412-325-6766, or at kirk@pgharts.org.

Scheduled Events – Winter, 2011 (January – March)

Thursdays Pittsburgh Improv Comedy Jam – Improv comics from all over the 'Burgh take the stage every Thursday night, performing unscripted scenes in this fast & frenetic improv jam. Each night features randomly-generated teams and truly unpredictable comedy.

Fridays Salsa Fridays - The Cabaret at Theater Square becomes one of the city’s hottest late night dance floors every Friday from 10pm until 2am. DJ Jeff Shirey, DJ Carlton, DJ Paul Mitchell and other guest DJs spin the hottest Latin dance music to keep the crowd moving.

Saturdays – Mystery’s Most Wanted

Mystery’s Most Wanted presents…It’s Murder, Charlie Brown!

January 22nd 10:00pm

What do you do when an agent signs you to an ironclad contract? In this case, when the agents name is Ebeneezer Screw and it's almost Christmas, you kill him. Journey back to 1940's Broadway and see how these divas deal with the death of their agent and the opening of their latest production, Santa Claus, Superstar.

Mystery’s Most Wanted presents…One Love to Lose…

February 19th 10:00pm

When television’s highest rated soap opera faces technical difficulties, the actors must mount an outrageous live performance in which everything becomes real -- even the murder!

Mystery’s Most Wanted presents…Robin Hood Don’t Look So Good.

March 12th 10:00pm

Take a journey back to Sherwood Forest, where a rakish Robin, a sly Sheriff, and a not-so-married band of men and maidens take a risqué romp through Naughtiham.

**Mystery’s Most Wanted shows begin with a cast mingle at 10pm, and the show at 10:30pm.

Saturdays - Variety

The John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Talk Show

February 5th 10:30pm

Media personality and comedian John McIntire hosts this irreverent and entertainingly informative panel show, which features local journalists, politicians and comics exploring topical issues and riffing on the news of the day. Timely topics and panelists are announced two weeks prior to each show.

The Hodgepodge Society

March 5th 10:30pm

“The Hodgepodge Society is a clandestine organization as old as time itself...or it may very well be older than time, we’re not sure, but as soon as we figure out a scientific way to measure time in the absence of time, we’ll revise this press release. May all those who stand in our way fall prey to the death of a thousand cobras. May all those who choose to stand beside us, stand triumphant in victory with a humorous study in their hands and a dirty limerick in their hearts. Everyone else, enjoy the rampant sketch comedy!”

Romp and Roll with Gorman Lowe & Friends

March 19th 10:30pm

A MUSICAL REVUE as irresistible as it is irreverent! Romp and Roll is a break-neck, mad-cap barrage of BROADWAY MUSIC, PARODIES and BURLESQUE COMEDY with a touch of the “BURGH”

Last Saturdays Pittsburgh Improv All*Stars

January 29th, February 26th, March 26th 10:30pm

The last Saturday of every month features the best troupes, special guests, games and performers from Thursdays’ Pittsburgh Improv Jam.


**There will be no Late Night Cabaret on Saturday, February 12th.

Late Night Cabaret

Tickets to the Improv Jam are $3.00. All other events are $5.00 unless noted.

Ticket holders from any earlier show downtown gain free admission (based on seating availability; must show ticket stub for free admission).

Performances begin at either 10:00pm or 10:30pm, depending on the event.

All Late Night Cabaret events are 21 & Over

We compliment our Late Night series with our popular Late Night Happy Hour, from 9:00-11:00pm! Guests can enjoy a wide selection of $2.50 craft beer bottles, $3.50 featured wine and discount food to start the Late Night right!

Contact Randy Kirk at 412-325-6766, or kirk@pgharts.org for more information.

Women-Drivers.com Names Pittsburgh 2010 Top Car Dealerships



For Immediate Release


January 14, 2011
Contact Media Relations

412.327.2604
info@women-drivers.com


Pittsburgh 2010 Top Car Dealerships as Rated by Women

Dealerships are Rewarded for Earning the Trust of and for Being Customer Service-friendly to Women

PITTSBURGH - Who made the cut for the top car dealerships in Western Pennsylvania? The female consumer has spoken.

While Women-Drivers.com has been successfully connecting women and families with Certified Women-Friendly™ Dealers, shoppers have been steadily rating their Browsing, Purchasing and Service experiences at various regional dealerships; and the results from the year 2010 are in.

Shadyside Honda was ranked highest by women in greater Pittsburgh. Also included on this list are Jim Shorkey KIA, Lexus of North Hills, Baierl Toyota, North Hills Toyota, Baierl Chevrolet, Baierl Acura, Rohrich Toyota and #1 Cochran Buick. Anne Fleming, President, Women-Drivers.com™, will be delivering the award certificates to these dealerships in January.

Certified Women-Friendly™ Dealers are leading the trend towards higher consumer satisfaction via the rising purchasing power of the purse; and these particular dealers are getting more leads and referrals. Women-Drivers.com™ allows women to Write Reviews about various car dealerships and educates and quickly connects consumers with Certified Women-Friendly™ Dealers in the United States.

How Consumers and Auto Dealers both benefit?

Dealerships would be wise to pay attention to the shifting demographics of the auto buyer as research shows that women influence up to 80% of car purchases: 54% of new cars in the United States are purchased by women and 68% of these women finance their purchase. More loyal than men, women request 65% of the mechanical service work done at dealerships. The online reputation management (ORM) tools are free of charge and allow dealers to engage and market to women based upon actual consumer reviews. The reviews are integrated into a dealership's Facebook and Twitter sites -- social channels where women spend a lot of time on-line.

What Are the Criteria for Being a Certified Women-Friendly™ Dealership?

A dealership must have a minimum of ten reviews to qualify. For each review written, a rating is posted with scores ranging from a 5.0 (Excellent) to a 1.0 (Marginal). Each review falls under one of three categories: Browsing, Purchasing or Servicing. A Certified Women-Friendly™ rating of 3.8 or higher indicates that a dealership has earned the trust and reputation of being service-oriented towards women.

About Women Drivers

Women-Drivers.com is a review site where women rate their experiences at car dealers in the United States. Locate Certified Women-Friendly Car dealers in your region and get the latest tips on buying and servicing your vehicle.

Contact 412.327.2604 to schedule Anne Fleming for an interview. Learn more at
Women-Drivers.com.
###

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sun Rising on Brownsville's Redevelopment Prospects

For Immediate Release


Jan. 11, 2011





"Brownsville on the move – remembering the past, but moving forward" – Mayor Lester Ward

Sun Rising on Brownsville's Redevelopment Prospects

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Seven students from the Brownsville Area School District's art department will lead a community initiative on behalf of the borough's mayor to showcase five historic buildings now controlled by the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.

The students will gather at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 in the Market Street parking lot to construct a mural that will be expanded as more buildings become available for redevelopment and adaptive reuse. The students' community day is being held in conjunction with AmeriCorps Vista's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2011, a nationwide annual event promoting volunteerism as a tribute to the late Civil Rights leader.

Brownsville Borough Mayor Lester Ward initiated the multi-faceted project, which is aimed at marketing the buildings' availability to the more than 8,000 motorists who daily pass through the downtown while depicting the progress of an ongoing eminent domain case by the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority.

"What we're trying to do is bring some light to these buildings, bring light back into the town," explains the mayor, "and bring some hope."

The project's first phase will target vacant commercial properties recently acquired by the redevelopment authority – 5 Market St., 21 Market St., 18-24 Market St., 35 Market St. and 43-47 Market St. During the borough's heyday in the 1960s, commercial uses included specialty shops, a department store and a Murphy's 5&10, a now-defunct chain that embedded itself into the fabric of prosperous towns.

BASD's art students selected a sun design by senior Kendle Parsons as the focal point for a colorful mural featuring stencils of their silhouettes on the vacant storefronts. The conceptual phase included design input from AmeriCorps OSM/Vista's local volunteer Blake B. Fisher and BASD art department director Brian Nicholson.

"I've never really seen anything happening in Brownsville. I've heard it used to be busy and there were things to do. Now, there's nothing," says Parsons, who will be attending Waynesburg University in the fall. "Our project is the beginning of something new to signify Brownsville's rebirth."

In addition to Parsons, the participating BASD students are seniors Jared Gibson, Karen Ross, Gabby Vaughn and Parsons plus juniors Chad Gump, Garret Rohrer and Matt Karol.

The students' project is sanctioned by the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, Brownsville Area School District, Brownsville Blueprint Communities Committee, Brownsville Borough, Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp., Brownsville Rotary Club, AmeriCorps Vista and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2011.
###

For additional information, schedule photos or interviews:

Andrew French, Executive Director, Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, 724-437-1547 ext. 210

Brownsville Mayor Lester Ward, 724-785-3363

Brian Nicholson, BASD art department director, 724-785-2021

Monday, January 10, 2011

MADAGASCAR LIVE Comes to the Cultural District

For Immediate Release




DreamWorks Theatricals and Broadway Across America Bring “MADAGASCAR LIVE” to Pittsburgh's Cultural District

FEBRUARY 4-6, 2011


DreamWorks Theatrical’s First-Ever Live Family Touring Show Plays the Benedum Center for 8 Shows

PITTSBURGH, PA: DreamWorks Theatricals and Broadway Across America today announced that “MADAGASCAR LIVE,” DreamWorks Theatricals’ first-ever live family touring show will play the Benedum Center on Thursday, February 3, through Sunday, February 6, 2011. The production is expected to visit over 70 cities across the United States beginning in January 2011. The brand new stage show aimed at family audiences stars the cast of popular characters from the beloved “Madagascar” film series, including Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and members of the madcap Madagascar crew, King Julien and the crafty Penguins.

Tickets ($18-$45; VIP Package $100) are available online at pgharts.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more may purchase discounted tickets by calling 412-471-6930. Performances are 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This presentation is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series.

Widely successful across audiences of all ages, the original story will be brought to new life in the 90-minute stage show that will transport audience members from the Central Park Zoo to the wild of Madagascar. In addition to featuring everyone’s favorite characters, “MADAGASCAR LIVE” takes the audience on an action packed adventure with imaginative set, costume and puppet design, magnificent singing and dancing and the hit song “Move It, Move” for an experience the entire family will enjoy.

For more information about “MADAGASCAR LIVE,” visit www.madlive.com. Find “MADAGASCAR LIVE” on Facebook (www.facebook.com) by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madagascar-Live/156147897738163.

About DreamWorks Theatricals

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (DWA) established DreamWorks Theatricals to produce stage productions based on its films and other original adapted works. Currently planned projects include an arena spectacular based on How To Train Your Dragon produced in association with Global Creatures as well as an arena show based on Kung Fu Panda produced in association with Franco Dragon Entertainment. DreamWorks Theatricals is currently represented by the North American tour of Shrek The Musical as well as the upcoming London production set to open in May of 2011 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. DWA is devoted to producing high quality family entertainment though the use of computer-generated animation. Jeffrey Katzenberg currently serves as DWA’s CEO and is on the Board of Directors and was a co-founder of DreamWorks Studios in 1994. The President of DreamWorks Theatricals is Bill Damaschke

About Broadway Across America

Broadway Across America (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current productions include Promises, Promises; Million Dollar Quartet; La Cage Aux Folles; West Side Story; Memphis; The Scottsboro Boys; the West End production of Flashdance and the upcoming revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Current touring productions include Dreamgirls and Nickelodeon's Storytime Live. Please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

Media Contact:

John Tellem, Tellem Worldwide                                           
(310) 313-3444                                                                  
jtellem@tellem.com

Veronica Corpuz, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-6082

corpuz@pgharts.org

Cultural District Hosts Gallery Crawl

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District

Friday, January 28 2011

5:30 - 9pm

Presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust



PITTSBURGH, PA - The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Department of Education and Community Engagement heats up Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District with the free and exhilarating Gallery Crawl on Friday, January 28, from 5:30 - 9 p.m. This lively arts open house showcases an array of activities throughout the Cultural District with an eclectic mix of visual art, dance, music and more.

"There’s no better opportunity to explore the artistic side of Downtown Pittsburgh than during a Gallery Crawl. The Cultural District is the place for bringing people together for socializing and sharing an interest in the arts," said Kathryn J. Heidemann, Senior Manager of Education and Community Engagement, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

All Gallery Crawl events are free and open to the public. For more information and a map of the Gallery Crawl events, visit pgharts.org or call 412-456-6666. The Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District is sponsored by First Commonwealth with media support from City Paper and 91.3fm WYEP.

The following is a line-up of Gallery Crawl highlights and happenings:

Wood Street Galleries

601 Wood Street

White Light – Black Light

Installations by Finnbogi Petursson and Jan Tichy. U.S. debut of ephemeral installations that contrast digital light projections and ‘natural phenomenology’ over two floors of gallery space.

SPACE

812 Liberty Avenue

Scale

Invites a group of 8+ artists and designers to disseminate innovations in the use of low cost, efficient, or highly durable approaches to making and living. Guest Curator: Ally Reeves

Music by DJ Slinky

Tito and Exchange Way

Cell Phone Disco

A surface that visualizes the electromagnetic field of an active mobile phone. Several thousand lights illuminate when you make or receive a phone call in the vicinity of the installation.

Trust Arts Education Center

805-807 Liberty Avenue

Lower Level (Peirce Studio):

ALBA FLAMENCA

Flamenco performance featuring Mir Ali, Jon Bañuelos, Jim Bond, Barbara York, Anjali Soi and Carolina Loyola-Garcia. Special appearance by Phat Man Dee.

2nd FLOOR (Movement Room):

Club Dance Classes w/ Jame’ Elis

3RD FLOOR:

Saturday Light Brigade New Year’s Storyboxes

Voices of children as they share hopes for the New Year contained within an original work of art

4th FLOOR

Tango Experience by Cuidado Tango

Pittsburgh’s most dangerous tango band, fusing backgrounds in tango, classical and jazz music to create a fresh and unique sound.

Artists Image Resource Archive Exhibition

Archives of prints from print-related projects with professional artists.

Pittsburgh Sketch Crawl: Cheryl Ceol

Sketches created by illustrator Cheryl Ceol during the Pittsburgh Sketch Crawl, a six-hour drawing marathon in Downtown's scenic plazas.

929 Liberty

Handmade Arcade Craft Night!

Learn how to upcycle some of your old tees into something purposeful, or create your very own unique button.

Harris Theater

809 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh Filmmakers presents short films by local filmmakers looping throughout the evening.

Shaw Galleries

805 Liberty Avenue

Keepsake from the Cloud

Eight reproductions from the collection housed in The British Library.

707 Penn Gallery

707 Penn Avenue

Transmission: Work by Ian Brill

An immersive environment that relies on light and sound to remark on the recursive relationship we share with technology, while in pursuit or avoidance of enlightenment.

709 Penn Gallery

709 Penn Avenue

After the Sky Has Fallen

A site-specific installation by Jill Larson, artist and founder of Fe Gallery.

Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts

808 Liberty Avenue

Culinary Sculptures

Various sugar and tallow sculpture pieces created by PCI faculty. Hot food and beverages prepared by PCI students available for $1-$1.50

937 Liberty Avenue

2nd FLOOR

Unexpected Materiality

A series of interactive table surfaces built with obtainable materials and technologies. Thoughtful integration of material properties and a variety of sensing and actuation mechanisms creates unexpected material experiences.

3rd FLOOR:

Pittsburgh Gospel / Roots

Work of Hill District artist & Octogenarian Lula Smith on display, plus an indigenous sacred musical encore performance collaboration between Deryck Tines of Pittsburgh Gospel and Elie Kihonia of Afrika Yetu at 8pm.

Liberty (Window)

Moxie dada: Boundless

Beginnings and first steps, impressions for a lifetime

Tonic**

971 Liberty (2nd floor gallery space)

Moroccan Magic

Featuring ‘Organic Mixed Media’ paintings by Jill Lena Ford, created using natural materials and inspiration gathered on a recent trip to Morocco.

August Wilson Center for African American Culture

980 Liberty Avenue

In My Father's House, Sculptures by Thaddeus G. Mosley; Pittsburgh: Reclaim, Renew, Remix; Bridging the Blood: Your Blood Line is Mine and other exhibitions on display

Future Tenant

819 Penn Avenue

Acid Rain: A Plague Upon the Waves

Curated by Jerstin Crosby, a group show of video artists who have been featured on Crosby's cable access show entitled Acid Rain.

Northside Urban Pathways Gallery

914 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh Portraits

Student self portraits inspired by famous Pittsburgh artists with visiting artist Leslie Ansley, made possible by a grant from Pittsburgh Council on the Arts.

Music by Sounds of Steel

Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 Gallery

111 Ninth St.

NEW WORK

Recent artwork by Pittsburgh CAPA visual art department students.

Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

810 Penn Avenue, Suite 200

Work by Pittsburgh-based artists. Come enjoy light refreshments, see the art, and meet the artist(s) up close and personal.

Katz Plaza

655 Penn Avenue

First Commonwealth Hospitality Spot

Complimentary glow sticks, Starbucks refreshments and more courtesy of First Commonwealth

Live music by Joy Ike 5:30-7:30

Katz Plaza

7th St. and Penn Avenue

Steel Town Fire

Pittsburgh's premier Fire Art performance group will wow the crowd with their graceful dancing & intricate moves on poi, snakes, swords & other burning props. 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 pm

Arthur Murray Dance Studio**

136 Sixth Street

Ballroom Dance Lessons

7:30 Cha Cha, 8:00 Tango, 8:30 Swing



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ALL INFORMATION AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Visit pgharts.org for updated and more detailed information

Lead Sponsor: First Commonwealth, Other Sponsors: City Paper, WYEP 91.3 FM, Kreider Printing

TEXT “CRAWL” TO SMASH (76274) to receive special exclusive offers and more!

All locations are wheelchair accessible unless otherwise noted.
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Friday, January 7, 2011

SBA Prescribes Loan for Local Pediatric Practice



Dr. Todd Wolynn (l) and Dr. Albert Wolf (r)

News Release


PITTSBURGH DISTRICT OFFICE

Release Date:
December 3, 2010

Contact: Janet Heyl (412) 395-6560

Janet.Heyl@sba.gov

Release Number: 11-02/PGH

SBA prescribes loan program for local doctors, helps cultivate a family friendly pediatric practice

PITTSBURGH – When Dr. Todd Wolynn became a new father, he was willing to stay up nights to nurture his three children. With the help of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Wolynn, 44, is again finding himself forgoing sleep to care for his new baby – an all-encompassing pediatric practice in a Greenfield strip mall.

Wolynn and partner Dr. Albert Wolf recently utilized the newly implemented Small Business Jobs Bill to purchase the Greenfield location to develop their practice by offering traditional services and providing a one-stop care center for children newborn to age 18.

The two doctors met while completing their pediatric residency at Mercy Hospital and joining their instructor as physicians at the former Southwestern Pediatric Association. In June, Wolynn and Wolf formed the Kids Plus Pediatrics practice in Greenfield and companion office in the Pleasant Hills section of Pittsburgh.

The two recently closed on the Greenfield location, enabling them to purchase the former Southwestern Pediatric Association site plus four additional retail slots. The doctors now own the practice and building where they have routinely met with young patients and their parents for more than 10 years. The practice houses the Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh, adoption health services, infant nutrition and sleep services and a wellness center.

For Wolynn and Wolf, pediatrics was a natural fit. Each was a standout in science and worked with children as coaches and camp counselors.

“We have a philosophy where we listen to families, focus on intimate relationships and never rush anyone out the door,” Wolynn explained. “By combining that philosophy with the progressive use of business and social applications, we hope to create the pediatric practice of the future.”

Under a collaborative effort between the Regional Development Funding Corporation (RDFC) and PNC, the partners obtained an SBA 504 Loan and qualified for a waiver under the Jobs Bill on any lending fees, which saved them more than $16,000. Wolynn and Wolf used the funds to upgrade the facilities, employ clinical and administrative persons and hire a communications director and project manager.

“These two individuals will enable us to implement new activities and communicate with parents via social networking and educational videos,” Wolynn said. “We also have a Health and Wellness Center where we provide classes to expecting parents and in the future hope to offer yoga and Pilates classes to parents and community residents.”

Carl Knoblock, Pittsburgh SBA district director, said Wolynn and Wolf are prime examples of what people can do when they think outside the box. “This is a great example of two professionals in traditional fields using new technologies and employing business professionals to grow their practice and become an even greater asset to the community,” stated Knoblock. “They understand the importance of offering services that enhance the lives of their clientele, whether it’s an instant message parenting tip or extended services.”

Rebecca MacBlane, executive director of the RDFC said because of their unique services, she found it particularly satisfying to support Drs. Wolynn and Wolf. “They offer all-encompassing care for parents before, during and after birth,” she said. “It’s a unique approach to pediatrics and I’m pleased to have assisted them.”

Wolf said the SBA’s assistance enabled Kids Plus Pediatrics to grow into the multi-faceted practice once envisioned by its founders.

“Because we were a new entity and forming our practice at the same time, we just didn’t have the financial numbers to complete this without the SBA,” he explained. “The loan enabled us to do a lot more for our young patients.”

The 504 Loan Program is an economic development program that supports American small business growth and helps communities through business expansion and job creation. This SBA program provides long-term, fixed-rate, subordinate mortgage financing for acquisition and/or renovation of capital assets. Loans are provided through Certified Development Companies (CDC’s) who work with the lending community to make loans in first position on reasonable terms, helping lenders retain growing customers and provide Community Redevelopment Act Credit.
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If you would like to arrange an interview with SBA Pittsburgh District Director Carl Knoblock or Dr. Wolynn and Dr. Wolf, or would like further information on SBA’s loan programs, please contact Ms. Janet Heyl at 412-395-6560 x103 or by email: Janet.Heyl@sba.gov

The U.S. Small Business Administration – helping small businesses start, grow and succeed.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Stephen Petronio Company Celebrates 25th Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@pgharts.org

Diana Roth
(412) 471-8717
roth@pgharts.org

Electronic images are available upon request.



Pittsburgh Dance Council presents

Stephen Petronio Company

Celebrating 25th Anniversary

Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 8:00 p.m.

Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street



Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Dance Council presents The Stephen Petronio Company on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. at the Byham Theater. “A richly layered, juicily contemporary experience…sharply articulated…heady spontaneity …terrific dancers …a mix of super-athletes and wild creatures…unexpected and revelatory effect” (Susan Reiter, New York Press).

Tickets ($19-$45) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. First Commonwealth is the proud season sponsor of Pittsburgh Dance Council, and WDUQ 90.5 FM is the media sponsor.

About The Stephen Petronio Company

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season and returning to Pittsburgh after ten years, The Stephen Petronio Company continues to spread its rich contemporary work with the world. Acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, Petronio is widely regarded as one of the leading dance makers of his generation. New music, visual art and contemporary fashion collide as his dances produce powerful modern landscapes for the senses. He has built a body of work with some of the most talented and provocative artists in the world. “…Stephen Petronio and his elegant troupe create indelibly beautiful imagery by matching steps with just the right music and visuals…a feast for the senses…” (Rebecca Milzoff, New York Magazine). Since the inception of the company in 1984, The Stephen Petronio Company has performed in 26 countries throughout the world including the presentation of over 35 New York City engagements.

Among the riveting choreographic masterpieces for the Pittsburgh performance will be one of Petronio’s best known pieces, MiddleSexGorge, and the world premiere of his newest experimental endeavor, Ghostown. Each set is riveting and shocking, yet elegant and polished. They are sure to leave the audience wanting more.

About Stephen Petronio

Stephen Petronio was born in Newark, New Jersey, and received a BA from Hampshire College in Amberst, Massachusetts, where he began dancing in 1974. Initially inspired by the dancing of Rudolf Nureyev and Steve Paxton, Petronio was the first male dance of the Trisha Brown Company (1979 to 1986). He founded Stephen Petronio Company in 1984 and has gone on to build a unique and powerful language of movement in collaboration with contemporary innovators in the fields of music, visual arts and fashion.

Stephen has received numerous accolades for his work, including a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, as well as awards from the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, an American Choreographer Award, and a New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award. “He is one of the few contemporary dance makers who have created an instantly recognizable style…fresh and unpredictable…infused with emotional texture and wit…jarring and just right” (Roslyn Sulcas, The New York Times).

Each year the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases a world-class season of dance. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Dance Council continues to help make our Cultural District one of the country’s leading arts and entertainment centers.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Pittsburgh Dance Council, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Trust Presents, Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.
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YWCA Receives Verizon Grant




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




CONTACT:

Laura Harwin

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

412-255-1279

YWCA receives Verizon grant for anti-violence activities

PITTSBURGH, PA : The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is pleased to announce a grant of $8,000 from Verizon for the YWCA Week Without Violence.

“We appreciate Verizon’s support of our efforts to bring others together to identify peaceful solutions and take action against the violence in our community,” said Magdeline E. Jensen, CEO, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh.

The YWCA Week Without Violence is an annual campaign that focuses attention on practical, sustainable non-violent alternatives through a week-long series of events. Besides the YWCA, numerous community agencies spearhead and/or are involved in these events. In 2010, activities included promoting safety activities among young children; highlighting ways women and men can work to prevent violence against women; identifying hate crimes and how to report incidents; and presenting youth perspectives on violence and violence prevention.

“On behalf of Verizon, we are pleased to support the YWCA in its mission to break the cycle of violence in the community,” said William B. Carnahan, Vice President-External Affairs, Verizon Pennsylvania. “This event aligns with Verizon’s mission to create safer communities through domestic violence prevention.”

The YWCA Week Without Violence is an international event that has spread to over 50 states and 40 countries. The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh will once again be joining YWCA’s nationwide for the 16th annual YWCA Week Without Violence coming October 2011, dates to be announced.

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is a women’s membership movement committed to the elimination of racism and the economic empowerment of women and girls. For more information about the YWCA’s programs and services, persons may visit www.ywcapgh.org or call 412-391-5100.
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Motivating Gen X & Y Presented by EWC




Motivating Generation X & Y

With four generations in the workplace, the intersection of style, preference, modes and speed have taken leadership nuances to new heights.

With the onset of iPods, BlackBerrys, Facebook, iphones and... who knows what's next, how do we motivate our savvy new leaders to leverage diversity and synergy?

by

Dr. Jan Ferri-Reed



Best-selling author and keynote speaker

January 27, 2011

Sheraton Station Square Hotel

11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

EWC Member: $30 Guest: $40



Attend this dynamic and entertaining KEYNote to:


· Identify the trends and preferences of Gen X & Y

· Build workplace environments of inclusion and engagement

· Gain techniques for coaching and mentoring colleagues


About the Presenter:




Jan is a seasoned consultant and President of KEYGroup®, a 30-year international speaking, training and assessment firm and co-author of Keeping the Millennials: Why Companies are Losing Billions in Turnover to This Generation and What To Do About It. Jan has presented a variety of programs to thousands of managers and employees in a diverse range of organizations across the globe. Jan's work focuses on creating productive workplaces and retaining talent while increasing the bottom line. She does executive consultation, facilitation of senior level, planning and team building retreats and keynoting at corporate and association events.

Representative clients for whom Jan provides services include GlaxoSmithKline, MARC Advertising, DelMonte Foods, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, US Steel Corporation, Volkswagen-Audi-Porsche, Pitney Bowes, MTV Networks, Merrill Lynch and UBS-AG.

Schedule for Program:

11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Registration and Networking

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Lunch

12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Program

Registration:

You can register online by using this link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1019195441.

or by email to ewcpgh@aol.com and please mail your check payable to Executive Women's Council to:

Roberta Rollings
241 Patterson Road
Bethel Park, PA 15102
412-848-9011

Camelot Dazzles with New Pittsburgh Public Theater Production


Hayden Tee as King Arthur



Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents

Camelot

Magnetic young stars bring new life to Lerner & Loewe’s legendary musical in a dazzling production directed by Ted Pappas.

PITTSBURGH (January 4, 2011) Pittsburgh Public Theater’s biggest event of the season is a spectacular new production of the beloved musical, Camelot. Directed by Ted Pappas, Camelot runs January 20 – February 20, 2011 at the O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater’s home in the heart of Downtown’s Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit www.ppt.org. Camelot is presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

With a book and lyrics written by Alan Jay Lerner and music composed by Frederick Loewe, Camelot evokes the court of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The legend is told through music that sparkles with wit and gorgeous melody, a story about the quest for chivalry and the forces that stand in its way, and the enchantment and pageantry of a realm that has lived in our imaginations for centuries. Songs include “The Lusty Month of May,” “How to Handle a Woman,” “Before I Gaze at You Again,” “If Ever I Would Leave You,” and of course, “Camelot.”

King Arthur will be played by New Zealand native Hayden Tee, described as “One of the great male talents of the Australian musical stage” by The Daily Telegraph. Opposite Tee, as Guenevere, will be Kimberly Burns, whose credits include leading roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Pirates of Penzance. Also featured in the cast of 22 are Keith Hines as Sir Lancelot, Noble Shropshire as Pellinore, Alex Coleman as Merlyn, Don DiGiulio as Mordred, and Daisy Hobbs as Nimue.

The knights, ladies, and pages are: Dieter Bierbrauer, Greggory Brandt, Mark Campbell, Joe Jackson, Joe Paparella, Jonathan Pendergrass, Matthew Charles Thompson, Ben Thorpe, Theodore Watts, Zanna Fredland, Amanda Frennier, Christina McCann, and Sarah Ziegler. The role of Tom will be shared by Joshua Brelsford and Dustin Butoryak.

The orchestra will perform under the musical direction of F. Wade Russo. Camelot’s design team is James Noone (Scenic), Alejo Vietti (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Ruth E. Kramer is the Production Stage Manager and Fredric H. Orner is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Camelot made its Broadway debut in 1960. Other memorable musicals by Lerner & Loewe include Brigadoon in 1947, Paint Your Wagon in 1951, My Fair Lady in 1956, and the 1958 film Gigi, which won nine Academy Awards.

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents

What: Camelot

When: January 20 – February 20, 2011

Performance Schedule

Tues. through Sat. at 8 pm (except Tues., Feb. 15 when the show is at 7 pm).

Sat. & Sun. at 2 pm (except Sat., Jan. 29).

There will be an additional 2 pm matinee on Thurs., Feb. 17.

Sun. at 7 pm.

Press Night is Thurs. Jan. 27. Opening Night is Fri. Jan. 28.

Ticket Prices: $40.75 to $65.75. $15.75 for students and age 26 and younger.

The PNC Family Fun Pack is designed for patrons bringing children to Camelot, which is recommended for ages 10 and up.

For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit www.ppt.org