Thursday, January 19, 2012

Experience Dutch Culture with Three Month Distinctively Dutch Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date:
January 18, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082



The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust launches

The Distinctively Dutch Festival

The Cultural District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

February 18 - May 20, 2012

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, a nonprofit arts and economic development organization at the center of Downtown Pittsburgh’s revival, will host an array of U.S. and world premieres as part of an interdisciplinary arts festival: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Distinctively Dutch Festival. Celebrating the culture and contemporary performing and visual arts from the Netherlands, the three-month festival will feature dance, theater, music, visual art, film, literature and architecture. Events will be held February 18-May 20, 2012, throughout Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, as well as at select venues, including MCG Jazz, City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Carnegie Mellon University.

Presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, The Distinctively Dutch Festival is supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Performing Arts Fund NL, Music Center the Netherlands and Theater Instituut Nederland. In addition, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust gratefully acknowledges the Carol R. Brown Performance Fund for support of the Festival, as well as media partners Pittsburgh City Paper and 90.5 Essential Public Media.


Drawing on a long-standing history of presenting Dutch contemporary artists in Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust identified 2012 as the year to launch another punctuating, culturally-focused festival—in line with its preceding Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts (2008 and 2004), Australia Festival (2007) and Québec Festival (2004). J. Kevin McMahon, Cultural Trust President and CEO said, “Dutch artists are renowned for their innovation and creativity, and one of our objectives at the Trust is to share their extraordinary performing and visual arts and Dutch culture with Pittsburgh audiences. The artists whom The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has invited showcase the outstanding caliber of craft, technique, expression, collaboration and bold spirit of exploration we identify as ‘distinctively Dutch’.”

Dutch Ambassador to the U.S. Renée Jones-Bos said, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on this exciting project to showcase many Dutch artists in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, one of the most creative cities in the United States. It reflects the forward-looking mentality, entrepreneurial spirit and innovative nature that the Netherlands shares with the US and with Pittsburgh in particular.” The festival was made possible through a generous grant from the Performing Arts Fund NL, Music Center the Netherlands and Theater Instituut Nederland and is actively supported by the Dutch Embassy network, specifically the Consulate-General of The Netherlands in New York. The festival is an example of how cultural diplomacy can create lasting economic, political, academic and artistic ties between the Netherlands and Pittsburgh.

Creativity and innovation stands at the core of Pittsburgh’s strategic transformation. Pittsburgh’s rich cultural heritage includes the likes of Andy Warhol, Art Blakey, Rachel Carson and Martha Graham. That heritage provides fertile grounds for the innovative and creative performances of Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras, Jiří Kylián and Michael Schumacher, PIPS:lab, Wunderbaum, Toneelgroep Amsterdam, JacobTV, Drums United and many others. Distinctely Dutch marks the cultural tradition of innovation that Pittsburgh shares with the Dutch.

Additional programs may be added to the festival calendar. For a listing of events and to receive updates, please visit TrustArts.org/dutchfestival or call 412-456-6666. Groups may purchase discounted tickets by calling 412-471-6930. Visit www.dutchartevents.com for more information on Dutch arts in the U.S. and follow Dutch Art Events on Facebook and Twitter.

DISTINCTIVELY DUTCH FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITIONS


Dance Works Rotterdam/ André Gingras
ANATOMICA
U.S. Premiere
Presented by Pittsburgh Dance Council
Sponsored by First Commonwealth
Saturday, February 18, 8pm
Byham Theater
101 Sixth Street, Cultural District
$14-$45

“It’s a terrific splurge of vibrant physicality and joie de vivre that sets out to showcase what an amazing miracle the body represents.” —The Times of London

Choreographed by the daring André Gingras, ANATOMICA is an unyielding exploration of the physical extremes of sexual competition and attraction. Inspired by the danger, beauty and consequences of the body on display, Gingras delves and soars into the body’s extraordinary abilities and profound fragility. Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras puts contemporary dance in a social context, bringing relevant moral dilemmas into the theater with energetic raw dance. Described by theater and visual artist Robert Wilson as “rigorous, intellectual and free in spirit,” the company emphasizes collaboration and dialogue with other organizations and artists beyond the boundaries of contemporary dance.


Wunderbaum
Detroit Dealers
World Premiere
Thursday-Saturday, February 23–25, 8pm
Trust Arts Education Center
805 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District
$30

Set against the rise and fall of the American car industry, theater maker Walter Bart tells the story of his granddad, car dealer Arie Bart. In a cross-over of dramatized documentary, theater and music, Arie’s remarkable life is juxtaposed with the romance of the American Dream and the transience of the car as a sex symbol. Based in Rotterdam, Wunderbaum is a group of actors who work collectively, together with a designer and a dramaturge, as well as musicians, writers, photographers and film producers. Chameleonic, collaborative and often site specific, the performances of Wunderbaum take on many shapes resulting in newly discovered theater forms combined with a fresh look at humankind and society.


PIPS:lab
Diespace
U.S. Premiere
Friday–Sunday, March 23–25, 8pm Trust Arts Education Center
805 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District
$30

Born in the underground party scene of Amsterdam, PIPS:lab is known throughout the Netherlands for producing raw, expressive, visually stunning, interactive multimedia performances. The six members of this tech-theater collective have emerged as do-it-yourself masters of the unexpected. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn. Now PIPS:lab has created Diespace: “the first active internet community for the deceased.” Interactive video technology, music, and sardonic wit: Diespace is an innovative look at life, death and the Internet. Co-produced by Melkweg Paradiso Productiehuis. DieSpace is supported by the Fonds voor Amateurkunst en Podiumkunsten, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten, Prins Bernhard Cultuur Fonds and VSB Fonds.


Jiří Kylián and Michael Schumacher
Last Touch First
U.S. Premiere
Presented by Pittsburgh Dance Council
Sponsored by First Commonwealth
Friday and Saturday, April 6–7, 8pm August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District
$35

“It’s that rare occurrence: a performance that really grabs you and leaves you affected In mind and body for days...Last Touch First is such a performance; a joining of the best forces of dance.” -Trouw

Choreographer-in-residence and former artistic director of the acclaimed Nederlands Dans Theater, Jiří Kylián has joined forces with master of dance improvisation Michael Schumacher to create Last Touch First. Set within an imagined 18th-century manor house, the performance touches the depths of desperation, madness and loneliness within six characters. Through incredibly slow stop-motion movement these gripping and magical vignettes resonate like a Chekhovian drama. A Holland Dance Festival production in cooperation with Nederlands Dans Theater and Steps Festval, Zwisterland.


Rachel Nieborg & Ine Mulder
Girls’N’Guns
April 27–June 10
707 Penn Gallery
707 Penn Avenue, Cultural District

The famed “still life” of old masters is reinterpreted by two young Dutch artists: photographer Rachel Nieborg and designer Ine Mulder. The duo began working together on Girls’N’Guns in 2008 when Ine Mulder asked Nieborg to join her for shooting practice. The project evolved into a carefully crafted set recasting the still life paintings of the 17th century. Working with a metronome to fine tune the precision timing, one would literally shoot a gun while the other shot photographs. The images have not been edited with photo software, but capture the raw tension of stillness and movement, violence and beauty.


Global Navigators
April 27–June 10
Wood Street Galleries / SPACE
601 Wood Street / 812 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District

“Global Navigators explores and embodies our fascination with unknown cultures through various media, forms and processes.” -Murray Horne, Curator, Wood Street Galleries

For the Distinctively Dutch Festival, more than a dozen visual artists— including Peter Bogers, Gerard Holthuis, Marnix de Nijs, Folkert de Jong, Guido van der Werve and Karen Sargsyan—will be featured in this exhibition that examines the very nature of global exploration. This contemporary Dutch expedition traverses the terrains of the Internet and new media as well as mines the historical context of Dutch exploration.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has a long history of presenting visual artists from the Netherlands, including most recently Edwin van der Heide, telcosystems and Informationlab, which created Pittsburgh’s first art+technology public art installation entitled Cell Phone Disco.


JacobTV
The News
World Premiere
Sponsored by Joan Humphrey
Friday, April 27, 9pm Byham Theater
101 Sixth Street, Cultural District $20–$30

“JacobTV is preoccupied with American media and world events and draws raw materials from those sources. His work possesses an explosive strength and raw energy combined with extraordinarily intricate architectural design.” -Limor Tomer, General Manager, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A tragicomical story of our times ... never finished, constantly updated! Classical music outlaw and avant-pop composer, Jacob Ter Veldhuis a.k.a. JacobTV has created his newest opus, The News. In an orchestrated video-opera of talking heads and political pundits, JacobTV has sampled speeches and sound bites from news media to create everything from a militant staccato for the angry evangelist to a lyrical adagio for elegant presidential rhetoric. This unique synthesis of speech, music and video is performed by JacobTV and the intrepid Chicago-based chamber ensemble, Fulcrum Point. Featured soloists are Josefien Stoppelenburg, soprano, and Lori Cotler, alto.


MCG Jazz presents
Dutch Women of Jazz
Friday–Saturday, May 18–19, 8pm Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
1815 Metropolitan Street, North Side
Adults: $30 or buy both shows for $50; Students: $20 or buy both shows for $30

MCG Jazz is proud to present Holland’s finest female jazz musicians. Specially recommended by the Muziek Centrum Netherland, a distinguished center for the promotion of music both in the Netherlands and abroad, these three diverse bands represent the best in Dutch jazz.

On Friday, May 18, MCG Jazz features a double-bill with Amina Figarova Sextet and the saxophone-led Tineke Postma Quartet. The immensely talented and critically-acclaimed Saskia Laroo Band performs on Saturday, May 19. Discounted packages are available if you purchase both performances.

With her penchant for thoughtful, enthralling melodies and bright, clear alto sax sound, Tineke Postma’s bright voice has been making a mark on the U.S. scene over the last couple years.

Called “one of the most important composers to come into jazz in the new millennium” by Jazztimes, Amina Figarova’s graceful and erudite piano style and showstopping band will challenge and inspire you.

Saskia Laroo, hailed by American public and press at large as “Lady Miles of Europe,” is one of the few women trumpet stylists, and headlines her own show for this once-in-a-lifetime Pittsburgh concert.


Beumer and Drost
Dudes
North American Premiere
Presented by Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival
Sponsored by Giant Eagle
Wednesday–Sunday, May 16–20
Charity Randall Theater
4301 Forbes Avenue, Oakland
$8

Dudes is a hybrid performance of song, dance, puppetry, slap-stick and mime that takes place in the confines of a small locker room where the limitless possibilities of the imagination unfold. Founded by Loek Beumer and Peter Drost, B&D is a self-made theater company that has built a strong reputation and loyal audiences in the Netherlands and Belgium for their innovative theatrical works for children, youth and adults.


Drums United
World of Rhythm
Presented by Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival
Sponsored by Giant Eagle
Friday–Sunday, May 18–20
Bellefield Hall
315 S. Bellefield Avenue, Oakland
$8

Drums United is an explosive and exciting world-percussion group interweaving the rhythms of African drums, Indian tablas, Cuban rumbas and more, with percussionists from nations such as Bangladesh, Senegal, Spain, Germany, Surinam and Venezuela. Led by award-winning Dutch percussionist and bandleader, Lucas van Merwijk, Drums United celebrates the unifying power of music that transcends culture, language and difference.


DUTCH ARTS IN PITTSBURGH

Wednesday Wine Flight: Dutch Diaspora
Wednesday, February 1, 6:15pm Cabaret at Theater Square
655 Penn Avenue, Cultural District, $35.75

Explore the Dutch influence on the global wine industry as part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Wednesday Wine Flights. Call 412-456-6666 to reserve tickets to this popular wine series.

A Creative Conversation with Wunderbaum
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
Thursday, February 16
Trust Arts Education Center
805 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District

Join director Walter Bart and members of Wunderbaum in a creative conversation about the collaborative and interdisciplinary process of theater making and performance. Call 412-394-3353 to register for this free event.

Choreography Workshop with André Gingras
Friday, February 17 Dance Alloy Studio
5530 Penn Ave, East Liberty

Professional dancers and choreographers are invited to study with renowned choreographer André Gingras for this intimate examination of choreography and creative process. Space is limited. To register, call 412-471-6079 or email education@trustarts.org.

Craft Beer School: Let’s Go Dutch
Tuesday, February 21, 6:15pm Cabaret at Theater Square
655 Penn Avenue, Cultural District, $25.75

Experience Dutch culinary arts paired with craft beers that will delight the beer lover’s palette. Call 412-456-6666 to reserve tickets to this popular beer series.

Ben Van Berkel: “The New Understanding”
Wednesday, February 29, 6pm Carnegie Library Lecture Hall
4400 Forbes Avenue, Oakland

Join architect Ben Van Berkel of UNStudio in Amsterdam for a lecture presented by the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture and the Heinz Architectural Center at Carnegie Museum of Art. This free lecture is supported, in part, by public funds from the Netherlands Cultural Services. For more information visit www.cmu.edu/architecture/lecture.

Spring Flower Show
March 17–April 15 Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
One Schenley Park, Oakland

$12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $11 for students, $9 for children, members and children under 2 are free. Open daily: 9:30am–5pm; Fridays until 10pm. 412-622-6914 www.phipps.conservatory.org

Take a trip around the world at the Spring Flower Show, a colorful celebration of vibrant locales and cultures. A Dutch display in the historic and spacious South Conservatory will showcase the beauty of tulips with swaths of blooms; intricately-painted wooden shoes and an iconic windmill. Nearly 15,000 bulbs planted in the front of the glasshouse will also flower to represent the spectacular fields of Holland right here in Pittsburgh.

2012 Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival
March 22–April 15
Carnegie Mellon University

Faces of Others is a series of international film festivals featuring selections from Poland, Netherlands, South Africa, Israel, Palestine, Argentina, France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Norway, Iran, Korea, Romania, Russia and Pittsburgh. The “Distinctively Dutch” program highlights the recent cinematography of Holland and encompasses a wide range of the latest, award-winning films, documentaries and video installations by Dutch artists. For a full description of films, venues, and ticket info, visit www.cmu.edu/faces or call 412-445-6292.

Pittsburgh Technology Council Night and Artist Talk with PIPS:lab
Saturday, March 24
Trust Arts Education Center
805 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District

Join the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Creative Technology Network for a post-performance artist talk with members of PIPS:lab focused on the do-it-yourself programming and technology behind Diespace. Special rates available for Pittsburgh Technology Council members.

Improvisation Workshop with Michael Schumacher
Saturday, April 7
Dance Alloy Studio
5530 Penn Ave, East Liberty

Professional dancers and choreographers are invited to study with master of improvisation Michael Schumacher. Space is limited. To register, call 412-471-6079 or email education@trustarts.org.

Dutch Poetry
Tuesday, April 17
City of Asylum/Pittsburgh
330 Sampsonia Way, North Side

Join City of Asylum/Pittsburgh for an evening with Dutch poets Joost Zwagerman, Erik Jan Harmens, Helene Gelens, John Schoorl, Pieter Boskma and Lucas Hirsch. For more information visit www.cityofasylumpittsburgh.org or call 412-321-2190.

Dutch Dining in the Cultural District
Monday–Friday, April 23–27
various venues

Visit our website trustarts.org/dutchfestival to see a list of participating restaurants, including Meat & Potatoes among many others that will feature a Dutch-inspired dishes and other special offerings during this week.

Rethinking Cities in the 21st Century
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh
Thursday, April 26
Trust Arts Education Center
805 Liberty Avenue, Cultural District

Join creative thinkers from Pittsburgh and Holland to discuss the transformation of urban cities in the 21st century. For more information, call 412-456-6666.

Dutch Art At Carnegie Museum of Art: Self-Guided Tour
Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Avenue, Oakland

The Carnegie Museum of Art’s world class collection includes great works from the Netherlands. Enjoy masterpieces as diverse as Droog Design’s cabinet You Can’t Lay Down Your Memories to elegant 17th century inlaid Cabinet on Stand. Paintings range from Van Gogh’s important landscape The Plain of Auvers to innovations in early 20th century abstraction by Mondrian and Bart Antony van der Leck. For more info visit http://www.cmoa.org/.


Ticket Information & Advanced Reservations

For Tickets & Updates

ONLINE: www.TrustArts.org/dutchfestival

Follow us on Facebook.com/CulturalTrust and Twitter@CulturalTrust

PHONE: 412-456-6666

GROUPS: 412-471-6930

IN PERSON: Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Cultural District


Programming is subject to change. Please call or visit website for additional information.
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Posted on behalf of Joanne Quinn-Smith by Joyce Kane.  Joyce is the Owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

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