Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2012                                                      

Liz Fetchin                                                                                  Meghan McNamara
Director of Marketing and Communications                                 Marketing Coordinator
412-441-4442 x3801                                                                      412-454-9117
lfetchin@phipps.conservatory.org                                                 mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org

Phipps and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Celebrate the Season with Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes
Evening of Dance and Botanical Delights Features Excerpts from The Nutcracker and Winter Flowers

Pittsburgh, Pa.—Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) are pleased to combine two Pittsburgh traditions on Friday, November 30, for Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes —a special family-friendly event bringing the magic of The Nutcracker ballet to the public garden’s 1893 glasshouse.

Inviting guests to “come home for the holidays” with colorful poinsettias, elaborate wreaths and a Victorian hearth, Phipps’ festive Winter Flower Show will complement a sampling of ballet vignettes—including the Sugarplum Pas de Deux—from PBT’s annual performance of Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker. One of ballet’s most cherished stories, this classic with an iconic score by Tchaikovsky has enchanted audiences since its 1892 premiere in Russia—one year before Henry Phipps opened his conservatory in Pittsburgh. Each year, PBT brings the magic of The Nutcracker to our city, drawing inspiration from local landmarks, vistas and traditions.

This season, two sessions of Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes will be offered with performances at 6 and 7:30 p.m. A meet and greet with the Sugarplum Fairy—as well as other costumed dancers—will serve as the perfect ending to each show. Registered guests can also get into the holiday spirit by exploring Phipps’ Winter Flower Show and new Winter Light Garden, an outdoor wonderland with glowing orbs, “dripping” snowballs, luminous trees and a fountain of light. Café Phipps will be open too, serving wine and other themed fare.

Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes costs $25.75 for adults and $12.75 for children, and includes an exclusive 50-percent off ticket special to attend PBT’s full-length performance of The Nutcracker at the Benedum Center. Reservations are required and can be made by visitingwww.pbt.org/events or calling 412-454-9107.

Finally, Phipps and PBT are thrilled to present Saturdays with the Sugarplum at 10:30 a.m. on December 15 and 22. These 30-minute creative movement dance classes and story time sessions with the Sugarplum Fairy held at Phipps are perfect for children all ages. These events are open to the public and free with Phipps admission, which is $12 for adults; $11 for students and seniors; $9 for children 2-18; and free for members and children under 2. All participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes in which they can easily move.

ABOUT PHIPPS
Established in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. stands as an eco-champion among America’s 500 public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate visitors with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and worldwide biodiversity through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.

Winter Flower Show and Winter Light Garden (Nov. 23, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013)
Starting on November 23, 2012, Phipps invites the public to “come home for the holidays” as the guests of honor at Winter Flower Show, one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved family traditions. And, beginning on November 25, a brand new outdoor Winter Light Garden exhibit will shine with scores of whimsical LED light forms, adding even more enchantment to the public garden’s spectacular seasonal displays. Winter Flower Show, designed by Bob Vukich, and Winter Light Garden, designed by studio i, run through January 6, 2013 and will be open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. as of November 25. Visit Phipps online for November 23 and 24 show hours. (Note: Phipps will close at 5 p.m. on December 24 and reopen at 9:30 a.m. on December 26).

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane 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