Dreamweaver Marketing Associates News and Views

Dr. Seuss Turns 108, Let's Celebrate!

2012-02-24T11:06:00.003-08:00

WQED PITTSBURGH CELEBRATES DR. SEUSS' BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 2 WITH THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON, A PBS KIDS MULTIMEDIA EVENT

WQED "SEUSS-IRIFIC" BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH THE CAT IN THE HAT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012 11 A.M. - 1 P.M.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 21, 2012

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

WQED PITTSBURGH CELEBRATES DR. SEUSS’ BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 2

WITH THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON, A PBS KIDS MULTIMEDIA EVENT

WQED “SEUSS-IRIFIC” BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH THE CAT IN THE HAT

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012

11 A.M. – 1 P.M.

PITTSBURGH – On March 2, WQED Pittsburgh will celebrate the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss with THE CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON, a two-hour marathon of PBS KIDS series THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will air on WQED-TV from 8-10 a.m., with encore presentations from 2-4 p.m. that day and Saturday, March 3 from 7-9 a.m. on WQED: The Create Channel. Kids will also be able to engage with the Cat and friends through games and video content online and on mobile.

“Families, schools and communities around the country celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday every year,” said Jennifer Stancil, Executive Director of Educational Partnerships. “WQED honors the legacy of Dr. Seuss’ original thinking, whimsy and curiosity everyday on air with The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! which offers kids new ways to approach science, critical thinking and problem solving. With THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON and our “Seuss-irific” Birthday Party, we will offer kids a first-hand Seussian adventure to continue fostering their curiosity and build their science skills.”

THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will feature two brand new episodes, “Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter,” which takes the Cat, Nick and Sally on a journey through the four seasons, and “When I Grow Up/Doing It Differently,” in which Nick and Sally explore what it means to grow up and learn that trying a different approach can sometimes be the best way to solve a problem. The marathon will also include encore presentations of “Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice” and “Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints.”

In addition to broadcasting the marathon, WQED will host a “Seuss-irific” Birthday Party with the Cat in the Hat at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 3 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Families will have the opportunity to meet the one-and-only Cat in the Hat, sneak preview two new episodes. Also in recognition of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, children will be able to beautify their “Mulberry Street” by making “seed balls,” a mixture of clay powder, compost and seeds that can be placed on barren patches of land for growing. For more information on this event visit the WQED EDU Facebook® page at facebook.com/wqed.edu.

The celebration will continue online and on mobile. Video clips from all four episodes featured in THE CAT IN THE HAT-A-THON will be available for free online at PBSKIDS.org/video and on the PBS KIDS Video App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! has ranked among the top ten programs for children ages 2 to 5 since it premiered on PBS KIDS in September 2010.* The series is a key part of WQED and PBS KIDS’ commitment to helping kids build critical STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – skills through engaging content across platforms.

Images from these episodes are available on PBS PressRoom.

Following is a listing of the episodes airing during the March 2 CAT-IN-THE-HAT-A-THON on WQED-TV from 8-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.

“Seasons – Spring and Summer/Fall and Winter” *NEW*

“Seasons – Spring and Summer” – For Show and Tell at school, Nick and Sally must bring something from their favorite season. But how can they choose which is their favorite? The Cat in the Hat takes them to the magical Garden of Seasons, where they can visit any season they like, any time they like! They meet three young animals and journey with them as they begin to grow up. Sally decides that she has two favorite seasons, and with the pictures taken from the Snaparama camera, she now has a scrapbook of pictures to show why!

“Seasons – Fall and Winter” – It’s Nick’s turn to choose a favorite season. Back to the Garden of Seasons to visit Fall and Winter! In Fall, they meet up with their friends from Spring and Summer to have a going away party for Candy the goose who’s about to fly south. In Winter, they have a great time playing with Sam the hare while all his other friends hibernate. Nick can’t decide on just one season, so he makes a picture of all the fun they had in both seasons!

“When I Grow Up/Doing Things Differently” *NEW*

“When I Grow Up” – Sally and Nick are trying to guess what they’ll be when they grow up when the Cat drops in for a visit. Cat is sure Nick and Sally will never guess what his friend Puggle will be when she grows up. When they see her, they start guessing right away! A frog? A duck? No, a beaver! They discover that, while Puggle may have some similarities to other creatures, she will grow up to be a duck billed platypus.

“Doing It Differently” – Nick and Sally can’t seem to find Harvey the guinea pig. They find the Cat in the Hat instead! Cat suggests that Sally and Nick might find Harvey by meeting three friends who always do things differently – like a bird that runs instead of flies, or a cat that swims, or a fish that walks on the mud! Nick and Sally are sure to find Harvey now – by doing it differently!

“Hooray for Hair/Ice Is Nice”

“Hooray for Hair” – Sally and Nick are getting their hair cut today; maybe they should try new hairstyles! A trip to meet three of Cat’s friends (and some styling help from the Wig-o-lator) will help them decide! Should they have Yak hair? No, too hot! How about hair like a fur seal? Not quite, too short. A porcupine? No way! How will they ever get a hug from their moms with hair that spiky? They decide that the hair they have is what’s perfect for them!

“Ice Is Nice” – Nick and Sally want some nice cold lemonade, but there are no more ice cubes in Sally’s fridge! A trip to Freeze-your-knees Snowland will fix that! They meet Cat’s friend Polly the polar bear who introduces Sally and Nick to all the different kinds of ice that make up her home. After trying many types of ice, they find the kind that will be perfect for their lemonade!

“Chasing Rainbows/Follow the Prints”

“Chasing Rainbows” – The kids are painting a picture of a rainbow but can’t remember all the colors to use. Luckily for them, Cat takes them to Color-ga-lore to meet King Kaleidoscope, an expert on rainbows! A musical number teaches them the proper color order, and a silly spray of water leads them to discover how to make their very own rainbow!

“Follow the Prints” – Nick and Sally are enjoying a backyard picnic when they discover their last strawberry has gone missing! Who could have taken it? Cat’s friend Cluey Looey can help them! They are off to Muddyfeet Waterhole where they learn about how the differently shaped feet, paws, or hooves of various animals make differently shaped footprints. Back home, they follow the prints and discover their strawberry was taken by a squirrel! Luckily, the Cat has some more!

About WQED Multimedia

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

About THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT!

THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! was created in response to recent findings that children graduating from kindergarten are less prepared to learn about science than about other subjects. The series supports young children’s science learning by introducing scientific inquiry skills, teaching core science concepts and vocabulary, and preparing preschoolers for kindergarten and first grade science curriculum — all in whimsical style.

A team of science and early childhood experts developed the curriculum for the first season’s 40 episodes, each of which begins with a question posed by Sally or Nick. Although the Cat knows a lot of things, his insatiable curiosity to learn more about the world leads to adventures with Sally and Nick in his one-of-a-kind Thinga-ma-jigger, a marvelously Seuss-ian contraption that sprouts wings, pontoons, booster rockets, skis, and just about anything else needed to find the answer. The inquisitive gang travels to the bottom of the sea to observe giant sea worms, zips to the rain forest to visit animals living in Kapok trees, and shrinks to bee-size to visit a hive and learn how honey is made. Guided by the Cat, the kids figure things out by observing, collecting and managing clues, making connections, constructing and evaluating theories, and having discussions – all in a preschool-appropriate manner. Produced by Portfolio Entertainment Inc. and Collingwood O’Hare Productions, in association with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Random House Children’s Entertainment, Treehouse, and PBS KIDS, THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! is based on Random House’s best selling Beginner Book collection, “The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.”

ABOUT RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

Random House Children's Entertainment, a division of Random House Children's Books, is dedicated to expanding the reach of children's stories beyond books to a variety of traditional and new media platforms. Drawing from the rich and varied library of books published by Random House, the company's mission is to create, produce, and distribute quality projects for young people that will educate, enlighten, and entertain. Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks and apps, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House is also the longtime home of the beloved and bestselling Dr. Seuss books which continue to make learning to read fun for millions of children everywhere. Seussville (www.seussville.com) -the official home of Dr. Seuss on the Web-is the place for children of all ages to play and learn with Dr. Seuss's wonderfully whimsical books and classic characters. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

ABOUT DR. SEUSS ENTERPRISES, L.P.

The primary focus of the Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. is to protect the integrity of the Dr. Seuss books while expanding beyond books into ancillary areas. This effort is a strategic part of the overall mission to nurture and safeguard the relationship consumers have with Dr. Seuss characters. Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) said he never wanted to license his characters to anyone who would “round out the edges.” That is one of the guiding philosophies of Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Audrey S. Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss, heads Dr. Seuss Enterprises as President.

About PBS KIDS

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS programs supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit PBS.org/pressroom. Follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

*Ratings Source: NTI NPower, PBS KIDS’ Monthly Ranker
September 2010 – December 2011

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

Woodville Plantation Hosts a Day with the Nevilles

2012-02-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

February 22, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rob Windhorst
412-221-0348
rwindhorst19@comcast.net

QUICK FACTS:

Event: A Day With the Nevilles

Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012

Time: 1 to 5 pm

Place: Woodville Plantation, 1375 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Cost: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 Kids Age 6-12, Free Kids Under 6

WOODVILLE PLANTATION HOSTS A DAY WITH THE NEVILLES

BRIDGEVILLE, PA (February 22, 2012) - Step back in time at Woodville Plantation when this museum presents a special event. On Sunday, March 4, 2012, visit the Neville family and their friends as they enjoy a typical afternoon at Woodville Plantation. Visitors can interact with historic interpreters as they enjoy period games, sewing, entertainments and dining at the period correct hour of 2 pm. Special hours for this this event are from 1 to 5 pm. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids age 6-12 and free for kids under 6. A house tour is included with admission.

Woodville Plantation, the home of John and Presley Neville, is Western Pennsylvania's link to the late 18th century. Built in 1775, this living history museum interprets life during the period of 1780-1820, the Era of the New Republic. Guided tours of the house are available every Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.

Just 7 miles and 15 minutes south of Pittsburgh, Woodville is conveniently located 1/4 mile north of Interstate 1-79 Exit 55 (Kirwin Heights Exit) on Route 50, near the intersection of Thoms Run Road, in Collier Township. For further directions or for more information, please visit Woodville's website at http://www.woodvilleplantation.org or call 412-221-0348.

-END-

QED Cooks Celebrates 100th Episode

2012-02-24T10:31:00.001-08:00

100TH EPISODE OF QED COOKS TO AIR ON WQED-TV

Commemorative cookbook to include 200 of the best and most requested recipes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 20, 2012

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

100TH EPISODE OF QED COOKS TO AIR ON WQED-TV

Commemorative cookbook to include 200 of the best and most requested recipes.

PITTSBURGH—WQED’s program director and “cooking guy” Chris Fennimore is the host of QED Cooks, a local program that has celebrated the delicious food culture of Pittsburgh for the last 18 years. Much more than a cooking show, QED Cooks is about heritage and the tradition of passing down recipes to the next generation. Premiering March 3, 2012 at 10 a.m. on WQED-TV QED Cooks and Fennimore will celebrate the 100th episode of this series in a special called QED Cooks 100.

Along with his kitchen cohort Nancy Polinsky Johnson, Fennimore will take a fond look back at some of the top-requested recipes of all time, show regulars including Fennimore’s son Joe from toddler to teen, bloopers, and much more. Viewers will have the opportunity to keep QED Cooks and programs like it on the air by becoming members or renewing their membership with WQED during the program. A commemorative QED Cooks 100 cookbook with more than 200 of the best and most sought after recipes in QED Cooks history will be available as a thank-you gift.

QED Cooks started in August 1993 when Fennimore had a large harvest of zucchini that summer from the community garden where he volunteered his time. Not knowing how successful the program would be, the first show (Zucchini Cheesecake) wasn’t even recorded. “Nancy and I brought in all the bowls and other utensils from our own kitchens and we used a folding table as our set,” said Fennimore.

Today, over 600 local home-cooks and chefs have graced the set in WQED’s Studio C for the 106 cooking marathons WQED has produced. National PBS chefs like Lidia Bastianich, WQED Board of Directors member and host of Lidia’s Italy and Lidia Celebrates America (seen on WQED-TV) and Mary Ann Esposito, host of Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito have also partnered with Fennimore and WQED for several cooking specials over the years. Locally through the Steel City Chefs series, WQED partnered with local restaurant chefs like Daniel Leiphart, Executive Chef from Isabela On Grandview and Michele Savoia, Executive Chef and Owner of DISH Osteria and Bar to give viewers the opportunity to learn how to make their favorite restaurant dishes and receive gift certificates for those restaurants.

From the over 100 QED Cooks marathons, 16 have been distributed to public television stations around the country through PBS and American Public Television (APT) as the America’s Home Cooking series. These cookbooks are available for purchase from SHOP WQED by calling 1-800-271-1307 or by going to shopwqed.org.

QED Cooks also has its own webpage complete with selected recipes, a full list of available cookbooks and a monthly blog written by Fennimore.

“The only reason why this show has worked so well here at WQED is that we have such a concentration of great home cooks who have been generous enough to share their family treasures with their friends and neighbors,” said Fennimore.

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

Spirit of Uganda at the Byham

2012-02-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: February 20, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

Electronic artwork is available upon request.

Spirit of Uganda presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Sunday, March 18, 2012, 4:00 p.m., Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the critically acclaimed Spirit of Uganda on Sunday, March 18, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. at the Byham Theater. This performance is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. “Invigorating the stage with that elusive thing called joy,” (The New York Times) Spirit of Uganda, produced by Empowering African Children, presents riveting programs of music and dance for audiences of all ages. To the melodic tones of standing drums, with dramatic choreography, bright, layered rhythms, and gorgeous call-and-response vocals, a vivacious cast of performers, aged 8-18, bring to life the sounds and movements of East Africa.

“Young, proud, and marvelously spirited musicians and dancers. Whatever these performers do, in whatever different bright attire, they do with discipline, fervor, and joy ... the pounding feet and agile bodies, the drums and vibrant human voices all send a message – one of courage and hope.” – Village Voice.

“An ebullient guide – Artistic Director Peter Kasule ushers us into the patchwork of ancient kingdoms and ethnic groups that constitutes modern Uganda, combining traditional rhythms with new forms into numbers so dynamic they are transformative.” – Newsday. As Master of Ceremonies for Spirit of Uganda performances, Peter Kasule researches, creates, arranges and directs all repertory.

Impassioned ambassadors for Uganda’s 2.4 million orphans, the young performers of Spirit of Uganda exhibit the resilience and promise of Africa’s next generation, as they promote awareness of Uganda’s dual crises of AIDS and civil war, and raise funds to support themselves and others displaced in their homeland. At home and abroad, these artists of the highest caliber are joyous, thriving examples of what is possible when potential is realized. “The artists are not just entertaining audiences, they are reaching out from an unbearable place of loss, drawing from their inner reserves the multifaceted rhythms that bear at the heart of Ugandan culture.” – Chicago Tribune.

Spirit of Uganda is a professional training and touring program produced by Empower African Children, a non-profit organization inspired by success stories from more than 15 years of work with Africa's vulnerable children. Launched in 2006 by child advocate Alexis Hefley, whose work with Ugandan children has earned her international acclaim, Empower African Children's programs provide a fresh new approach that unlocks the potential of this generation through an innovative education. Its holistic approach to education provides tools for success in life, creating confident, skillful, visionary leaders.

Tickets ($25-$35) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

Portrayal and Perception: African American Men and Boys

2012-02-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN & BOYS SPECIALS EXPLORE PORTRAYAL & PERCEPTION

Portrayal & Perception: African American Men & Boys Premieres Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 14, 2012

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN & BOYS SPECIALS EXPLORE PORTRAYAL & PERCEPTION

Portrayal & Perception: African American Men & Boys

Premieres Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV

PITTSBURGH—In the new series Portrayal & Perception: African American Men & Boys viewers will discover local individuals and organizations who are challenging common portrayals and perceptions of them and their culture.

Chris Moore

To set-up the context for this important series WQED’s weekly multi-cultural program Horizons (which airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV) will hold a dynamic conversation on the February 21 episode about why re-shaping the portrayal and perception of African American males is important to all facets of our society. Joining Emmy®-Award winning producer and host Chris Moore will be for this discussion will be:

• Dr. Larry E. Davis, Dean of the Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh and Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems;

• Desmond King, Andrew Mellon Professor of American Government at Nuffield College, Oxford University;

• Dr. Marcia M. Sturdivant, Deputy Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF.)

Minette Seate

Known for teaching the craft and culture of African American musical forms to area youth for almost thirty years, The Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) has a lasting impact on the students it serves. On Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV the premiere episode of Portrayal & Perception: African American Men & Boys comes from Emmy®-Award winning producer Minette Seate. In this special, Seate explores the AAMI and its Boys Choir, where they continue a legacy of mentorship to children in our area. The AAMI goes beyond choir rehearsal to foster a culture of pride and responsibility to one’s community.

On Monday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV, Emmy®-Award winning producer Michael Bartley takes a look at local African American entrepreneurs. In this episode Bartley takes viewers to several local and unique businesses where hard-work, vision and service are the crux of these operations. Often overlooked by commercial media, these individuals are experiencing financial success and finding ways to inspire future business leaders.

The third of these special episodes airs on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV from Moore who talks with African American males who are fed up with the portraits of them drawn by mainstream media. They believe that in order to combat these negative images it is their responsibility to define who they are instead of leaving it to someone else. Through One Hood Media Jasiri X and Paradise "The Arkitech" Gray are teaching young people how to control the image of young black males by using the mediums at their disposal. Moore explains to viewers how the New Media Academy of One Hood Media is helping the students use their own stories to prepare for the future.

A fourth episode and town hall meeting are also planned as part of the series and will air in October 2012.

Funding for Portrayal & Perception: African American Men & Boys was provided by a grant from The Heinz Endowments, which supports efforts to make southwestern Pennsylvania a premier place to live and work, a center for learning and educational excellence, and region that embraces diversity and inclusion.

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

Shakespeare on Politics at February's Bring Your Own Bard

2012-02-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

Four rivals battle to lead the rebellion while the current ruler waits in the wings, gathering his forces. The current political campaign or a Shakespearean play? You decide when Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks' BYOB ("Bring Your Own Bard") highlights "Shakespeare on Politics" on Monday, February 27 at 7:30 pm at The Te Cafe in Squirrel Hill. "Shakespeare on Politics" is an evening of favorite scenes and monologues from Shakespeare's greatest plays to his obscure ones! From King Henry V to King John, Shakespeare had a lot to say about politics and government. But would he have been an Inssurectionist or a Party loyalist?

PSIP’s Bring Your Own Bard is an informal scene night in which professional actors and non-actors alike take a crack at their favorite Shakespeare pieces. Readers and audience members are encouraged to bring along their favorite Shakespeare monologue, scene, sonnet or song ready to read, or just come to listen and enjoy. Extra readings will be on hand in case last minute inspiration strikes. A tax-deductible donation is suggested at the door.

Doors open at 7:15 PM, readings begin at 7:30 PM. Anyone interested in reading should contact BYOB@pittsburghshakespeare.com, or visit us on Facebook at Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks.

BYOB will continue through the spring with a different theme each month.

THE TE CAFE
http://www.te-cafe.com/
2000 Murray Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-8888

Acclaimed La Cage Aux Folles At the Benedum

2012-02-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh presents LA CAGE AUX FOLLES starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber

March 13-18, 2012, Benedum Center

WINNER! 3 TONY AWARDS!

WINNER! 3 DRAMA DESK AWARDS!

WINNER! 4 OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS!

WINNER! DRAMA LEAGUE AWARD!

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh present the critically-acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber at the Benedum Center, March 13-18, 2012.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES recently made Tony Awards history as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production. The classic musical comedy by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein originally won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical. A Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. The new, freshly reconceived LA CAGE won three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES performance dates and times, at the Benedum Center, are Tuesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, March 14, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 16, 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 17, 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sunday March 18, 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets ($20-$71) are on sale for all performances at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by phone at (412) 456-6666 or online at www.TrustArts.org. For group ticket sales (10 or more), please call (412) 471-6930. PNC Broadway Across America - Pittsburgh series is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES tells the story of Georges (George Hamilton), the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin (Christopher Sieber), who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges’ son brings his fiancée’s conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together... stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves!

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, David Babani and Fran and Barry Weissler in association with NETworks Presentations.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES features music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play by Jean Poiret.

The creative team includes director Terry Johnson, who won a 2010 Tony Award for his LA CAGE direction, choreographer Lynne Page, set designer Tim Shortall, costume designer Matthew Wright, lighting designer Nick Richings, sound designer Jonathan Deans and orchestrator/musical supervisor Todd Ellison.

The new production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES played from November 23, 2007, to March 8, 2008, at the Menier Chocolate Factory, earning across-the-board raves and moving to the West End’s Playhouse Theatre on October 30, 2008, where it was nominated for seven 2009 Olivier Awards, winning for Best Musical Revival and Best Actor in a Musical for Douglas Hodge, and won the 2009 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a production not to be missed, and reviewers agree. The Associated Press raves it is “Riotously funny! LA CAGE could not be more timely or enjoyable.” Variety called it “Funny, heartwarming and terrific!” Time Out New York sums it up: “Five Stars (out of five)! The Musical Revival of the Year! A Sensation!”

The Beach Boys on Historic 50th Anniversary Tour

2012-02-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: February 15, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
412-471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents one night only with THE BEACH BOYS on Historic 50th Anniversary Tour Friday, May 11, 2012, Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks

To Tour Together For The First Time In More Than Two Decades

Tickets on Sale Monday, February 27, 2012, at 9 a.m.

Pittsburgh, PA (Wednesday, February 15, 2012): The Beach Boys, one of the world’s most legendary and influential bands, have reunited for a global 50th Anniversary Tour. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks will tour together for the first time in more than two decades. The 40+ city tour, which will begin in April, will feature a headlining date at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27 and a performance at The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 10. A second show at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, already has been added for May 13 due to overwhelming demand. The previously announced May 12 performance at the Mohegan Sun Arena sold out in one day.

The band, which performed together at the 2012 GRAMMY Awards, also will release a new studio album and commemorative 50th Anniversary catalog with Capitol/EMI.

On Friday, May 11, 2012, at 8 p.m. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will present the Beach Boys at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in the Cultural District for one night only.

Tickets ($80.25, $100.25 and $153.25) will go on sale Monday, February 27, 2012, at 9 a.m. through The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s website trustarts.org, phone room 412-456-4800, and Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue). Up to the minute tour date and ticketing information can be found at thebeachboys.com.

The Beach Boys have recorded new songs for the as-yet-untitled album to be released in 2012. It will be the first to feature all of the band’s surviving original members in decades and is being produced by Brian Wilson and executive produced by Mike Love.

The Beach Boys and Capitol/EMI also have teamed up for a 50th Anniversary campaign spotlighting the band’s entire catalog, with several new commemorative releases planned for 2012, including a new hits collection and a career-spanning box set.

For five decades, America’s first pop band to reach the 50-year milestone has recorded and performed the music that has become the world’s favorite soundtrack to summer. The Beach Boys continue to hold Billboard / Nielsen SoundScan’s record as the top-selling American band for albums and singles, and they also are the American group with the most Billboard Top 40 chart hits with 36. Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys is fast approaching triple-Platinum sales status, and The SMiLE Sessions, released to worldwide critical acclaim in November, has been heralded as 2011’s #1 Reissue of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, The Beach Boys are an American institution that is iconic around the world.

A Streetcar Named Desire Ballet at the Benedum

2012-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Aimee Waeltz
awaeltz@pittsburghballet.org
412-454-9129

Meghan McNamara
mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org
412-454-9117

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Presents A Streetcar Named Desire

Photo by Duane Rieder; Dancers Eva Trapp and Robert Moore

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents A Streetcar Named Desire, a ballet by John Neumeier, March 9-11, 2012 at the Benedum Center. Making its Pittsburgh Premiere, and only the second time being performed in the United States, is the raw emotion of Tennessee Williams’ American classic A Streetcar Named Desire. A jarring portrayal of clashing cultures, the ballet takes audiences inside the tormented mind of aging southern belle Blanch Du Bois. Alternating between past and present, the production echoes her unraveling sense of reality. Neumeier’s searing choreography unites classical ballet and physical dance theater to evoke a powerful experience for ballet goers.

Photo by Duane Rieder; Dancers Eva Trapp and Robert Moore

Streetcar, originally created for Stuttgart Ballet, with Richard Cragun and Marcia Haydee in the roles of Stanley Kowalski and Blanch DuBois, has dominated stages in Europe since its premiere in 1983. This is the first time the ballet is being performed by and set on an American company.

Nickelodeon's The Fresh Beat Band Perform Live Concert at Byham

2012-02-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: February 17, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

Electronic artwork is available upon request.

Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band Live in Concert during first-ever nationwide tour

Saturday, March 17, at 3:00 & 6:00 p.m., at the Byham Theater

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon's popular preschool music group and stars of the hit TV series of the same name, for two shows only on Saturday, March 17, at 3:00 & 6:00 p.m. at the Byham Theater in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. This concert is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band began its 15-week, first-ever nationwide concert tour in February, 2012, and will perform in 50 cities around the country. The tour features Kiki (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer), Shout (Thomas Hobson), Marina (Tara Perry), and Twist (Jon Beavers) performing The Fresh Beat Band hits from seasons one, two and three of the live-action music series that teaches preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song and instrumental music. “We are so excited to get out on the road, meet our amazing fans and perform our songs,” said The Fresh Beat Band. “The concert has something for everyone to enjoy, and we can't wait to see the families singing and dancing along.”

Tickets ($33.50-$43.50) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase group tickets, please call group sales (412) 471-6930. A limited number of seats are still available. VIP packages and wheelchair seating are sold out.

The Fresh Beat Band debuted in 2009 on Nickelodeon and has amassed an amazing core fan base. The Fresh Beat Band centers on four best friends – Kiki, Shout, Marina and Twist – who love to sing and dance. Kids are introduced to the fundamentals of music, such as melody, rhythm, tempo and performance styles. In each episode, preschoolers sing and dance along as they help The Fresh Beat Band solve everyday challenges. Viewers also learn the importance of friendship, working together in a positive way and respecting each other’s differences. The series has featured music superstar Ne-Yo with additional celebrity guests appearing in season three.

In 2011, The Fresh Beat Band performed live on The View and on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., at Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play. On November 24 and 25, 2011, the band participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, teamed up with Jason Mraz at Carnegie Hall, and was invited to ring the opening bell at the NYSE. On Fridays in December, 2011, Nick Jr. television featured a new episode of the band in anticipation of its tour and CD release in 2012.

The band’s new music video and single “Just Like A Rock Star,” debuted on Nickelodeon and iTunes in November, 2011. The song is featured in The Fresh Beat Band’s first-ever soundtrack, which spans all three seasons of the TV series and was released in January, 2012. Both the soundtrack and the tour showcase The Fresh Beat Band’s catchy preschool-friendly tracks from “Here We Go” to “Stomp the House.” The Fresh Beat Band’s recently released singles “Here We Go” and “A Friend Like You” have been mainstays at the top of the iTunes children's music chart since their debut.

For more Fresh Beat activities and fun go to their new website: http://www.freshbeatbandlive.com, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/freshbeatbandlive or http://www.nickjr.com/the-fresh-beat-band.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.

City Council Engaged in Group Hug on Valentine's Day 2-14-2012

2012-02-15T03:45:00.000-08:00

Media Alert
PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com™
Publisher, Editor: Joanne Quinn-Smith
412-444-5197
info@pplmag.com
http://pplmag.com

Most “Liveable” City Out to Prove It’s the Most Loveable!

“Group Hug” with Council Members and Proclamation City Council Building on February 14, 2012

Pittsburgh, the World’s Most Huggable City

The City of Pittsburgh has been voted the most liveable city, the top ten Best in the World for tourism among many awards and now PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagzine.com and Pittsburgh City Council have teamed up to prove that Pittsburgh is the Most Loveable, Most Huggable City! Using the model of the international phenomenon of the “Free Hug Campaign” PPLMag.com plans to create a spectacular event on September 6, 2012 with preview events leading up to it. The goal is to create an event that brings attention and prominence to “Pittsburgh’s best asset, the friendliness of its citizens.”

What’s Happening When and Where!

February 14^th Proclamation declaring September 6^th as Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh Day. There will also be a group hug with City Council Members.
Hug Ambassador Events are open auditions to be huggers at the Hug-A-Thon Events of September 6^th.
- Hug Ambassador Auditions will be held in the City Council Districts of Darlene Harris, William Peduto, and Theresa Smith.
- Hug Auditions scheduled during the months of March, May, July and August
- Hug Ambassador Categories will include, but aren’t limited to:

Best Granny Hugger, Best EMS Hugger, Best Sports Hugger, Best Entertainment and Media Hugger

o The Hug Ambassador Event Winners will be determined by Facebook contributions and donations raised at the event for four area charities.

Hug Auditions are scheduled during the months of March, May, July and August. These will be preview events to the September 6, Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh™

September 6, 2012 Outdoor Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh Event and Gala

The outdoor event will be held in five locations in downtown Pittsburgh. These Hug locations are the City County Building, Market Square, Katz Plaza, underneath Macy’s Clock, and the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown. Times to get a “free” hug and make your optional donations: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM at these locations
There will be signage and entertainment to draw attention to the Huggers.
The hugs will be free. Donations will be accepted and the donations will benefit four local charities.
The Presenting Sponsor is Wyndham Grand Downtown and the first official Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh Gala will be held in the Wyndham Grand Ballroom.
Celebrity Hug Stations will be set up around the room. Celebrities will include local sports figures, media personalities, and entertainers.
Local musical and variety entertainment has been engaged for both the lobby of the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown and the ballroom from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

"I am proud to be a part of this great campaign and to show how much Pittsburgh cares about its local charities. Pittsburgh is hands-down the World's Most Lovable City!" Bill Peduto

Pittsburgh, the World’s Most Huggable City

For additional information contact Joanne Quinn-Smith, Publisher, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com
412-444-5197

About PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com™ (PPL Mag™)

PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com™ is Pittsburgh’s First Internet Radio and TV network established in 2007. It is an online community magazine to disseminate the Positive News for Positive Pittsburghers. PPLMag™ is also an internet Pittsburgh radio and TV network with dedicated syndicated channels and online radio and TV capabilities. The internet radio network for PPLMag™ shows have reached over 920,000 accumulated Internet archived and live listeners.

(c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com 2012. All Rights Reserved.

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This email was sent to joanne@positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com by Positively Pittsburgh Live Magazine .

Join Susan Solovic for a Small Biz Twitterchat

2012-02-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

NEWS RELEASE

February 14, 2012

Contact Information:

Linda Handley, Founder
Phone: 412.475.9010
E-mail:info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.com
Mail: 342 South Highland Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Susan Solovic, award-winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney is our FEATURED GUEST AT February #SMALLBIZPGH TWITTERCHAT

PITTSBURGH, PA – Award winning entrepreneur and author, Susan Solovic will answer questions via Twitter on March 13, 2012 between 7 pm and 8 pm in Pittsburgh's first small business Twitterchat presented by Building Bridges for Business (bridges4biz).

The virtual event, which is aimed at providing valuable, free resources for small business owners will feature Solovic, who will answer a set of questions from Building Bridges for Business and other questions posed by entrepreneurs from the region and can be followed live using hashtag #smallbizpgh on either twebevent.com or tweetchat.com.

The Twitterchat will be presented by Building Bridges for Business, as well as its partners, including Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Duquesne University Small Business Development Center and the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University.

For more on the event, visit Building Bridges for Business' homepage at www.buildingbridgesforbusiness.org, follow Building Bridges for Business (@bridges4biz) on Twitter or contact Building Bridges for Business by e-mailing info@buildingbridgesforbusiness.org. Since its inception in November 2010, the organization has hosted three sold out events, featuring prominent keynote speakers, such as Dr. Winslow Sargeant, who is President Obama's main adviser from the Small Business Administration. In addition to live events, Building Bridges for Business launched Pittsburgh's first-ever small business Twitterchat.

A woman of many talents, Susan Wilson Solovic is an award-winning entrepreneur, a CEO, a journalist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com and USA Today bestselling author, multi-media personality, and attorney. But behind every achievement, Solovic embodies ideas that make her universally—and intimately—relatable to all entrepreneurs: hard work, fortitude, and persistence. In a world of quick and questionable viral fame, Solovic is a rare commodity: she is what she preaches.

Raised in rural Missouri by entrepreneurial parents, Solovic learned early the meaning and value of becoming one’s own boss. At the age of 15, when most adolescents are preoccupied with growing up, Solovic had already started her own business giving baton-twirling lessons. She would go on to be the first in her family to graduate from law school—made possible by working full time. But later on, feeling that law was not her ultimate calling, Solovic tapped into her entrepreneurial spirit by building a company from the ground up. As CEO and co-founder of ItsYourBiz.com (formerly SBTV.com), Solovic led the company from a concept to a multi-million dollar, award-winning enterprise. In 2006, Solovic accepted the Stevie Award on behalf of ItsYourBiz.com for the Most Innovative Company under 100 employees; that same year, ItsYourBiz.com was voted the Best Investment Opportunity presenting to a Venture Forum event in the Silicon Valley.

Solovic is also a sought-after keynote speaker, as well as a small-business contributor for ABC News. She regular guest expert for Fox Business and Fox News, and she can be seen frequently on MSNBC, WABC, WCBS, CNN, CNBC and many other stations across the country. In 2011, Solovic launched a nationally syndicated radio show, It’s Your Biz with Susan Solovic, during which she invites leading entrepreneurial experts from across the country to share their unique perspectives on the world of small business. In conjunction with PBS, she created a feature program called Reinvent Yourself Now: Become Self-Reliant in an Unpredictable World. In addition to television and radio appearances, Solovic is a featured blogger on numerous sites, including Constant Contact, WSJ.com, U.S. Small Business Administration, and Fast Company. Recognized by major brands as the foremost small business expert, Susan can be seen currently on the AT&T small business website.

Solovic has written four bestselling books: It’s Your Biz; The Girls’ Guide to Power and Success; Reinvent Your Career: Attain the Success You Desire and Deserve; and The Girls’ Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business. A fervent activist for women entrepreneurs, Solovic services on the Board of Directors for IEEW (Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women). Previously, she served as Vice President of the Board of Directors of WIPP, Women Impacting Public Policy and Chair of the organization’s Executive Advisory Board as well as the National Advisory Board for the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). In 2009, Solovic received the Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship Leader of Distinction Award, and in 2008 she was the first recipient of AT&T’s Innovator of the Year Award for being a pioneer in a new industry.

Solovic is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Saint Louis University and also currently serves on the school’s advisory board for the John Cook School of Business Entrepreneurial Studies. Saint Louis University is one of the top-rated entrepreneurial schools in the United States.

Previously, Solovic served on the National Women’s Business Council, which counsels the President, Congress, and the SBA on issues affecting women business owners. She is also a past member of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University. And somehow she still finds time for hobbies: Solovic is an avid cook and pianist, and believes in living a healthy lifestyle. She has a passion for meeting and learning about new people and making a positive impact on their lives. Having reinvented herself time and time again--while still holding on to core principles--she is an archetype of the entrepreneurial spirit, which affords her a unique vantage point from which to share information and insight with business owners around the world.
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Woodville Plantation Hosts Military Miniatures Day

2012-02-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

February 9, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rob Windhorst
412-221-0348
rwindhorst19@comcast.net

QUICK FACTS:

Event: Military Miniatures Day

Date: Sunday, February 19, 2012

Time: Noon to 5 pm

Place: Woodville Plantation, 1375 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017

Cost: $5 for Adults, $3 for Children Age 6-12, Free for Children Under Age 6

WOODVILLE PLANTATION HOSTS MILITARY MINIATURES DAY

BRIDGEVILLE, PA (February 9, 2012) - Step back in time at Woodville Plantation as this this living history museum presents a special event featuring military miniatures. On Sunday, February 19, 2012, military history enthusiasts are invited to see a display of military miniatures, hand-painted toy soldiers and war-gaming dioramas featuring the 18th and 19th century armies of North America and Europe. Visitors can also talk with 18th century military re-enactors throughout the day as they drill (weather permitting). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children age 6-12 and free for children under age 6. Admission includes exhibit and house tour. Hours are from noon to 5 pm.

Woodville Plantation, the home of John and Presley Neville, is Western Pennsylvania's link to the late 18th century. Built in 1775, this living history museum interprets life during the period of 1780-1820, the Era of the New Republic. Guided tours of the house are available every Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.

Just 7 miles and 15 minutes south of Pittsburgh, Woodville is conveniently located 1/4 mile north of Interstate 1-79 Exit 55 (Kirwin Heights Exit) on Route 50, near the intersection of Thoms Run Road in Collier Township. For further directions or for more information, please visit Woodville's website at http://www.woodvilleplantation.org or call 412-221-0348.
-END-

Max and Ruby: Bunny Party at The Byham

2012-02-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: February 10, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

Electronic artwork is available upon request.

Max & Ruby: Bunny Party

Friday, March 9, and Saturday, March 10, 2012, Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Max & Ruby: Bunny Party on Friday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 10, at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m., at the Byham Theater. This performance is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. Produced by Koba Entertainment, this live children’s musical is an adaptation from the book by internationally-acclaimed children’s author and illustrator, Rosemary Wells. The popular children’s book also was made into a television series that has been seen around the globe.

Featuring colorful stage sets and costumes, and original songs, Max & Ruby: Bunny Party was conceived and directed by Patti Caplette, artistic director for Koba, along with a dynamic creative team of artists including Juno Award-winner Norman Foote (music and lyrics), Beth Kates (scenic design), Shaun Kettner and Peter Harrison (puppets), Annie Armit and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet wardrobe (costume design), and Kristen Sawatsky and Laura Kolisnyk (associate choreographers).

Tickets are $21.25 - $29.25 and may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square
(655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

In the live stage production of Max & Ruby: Bunny Party, a surprise party is being planned for someone special, and bunny siblings Max and Ruby have a-million-and-one things to do before the big event. Join in the fun as they embark on a musical bus ride to the East Bunnyhop General Store, where they decide on what to buy for the Super Duper Special Birthday Guest. Back at home, Louise arrives with her beauty kit and everyone gets a makeover – even Max! When everything is all set for the party, Ruby discovers some uninvited guests including an engaging Robot, a giant Spider, and an adorable Slug. Celebrate the universal nature of sibling relationships with Max & Ruby: Bunny Party!

Since 2004, Koba Entertainment, co-founded by Gilles Paquin, executive producer of Paquin Entertainment, and Patti Caplette, artistic director of Koba, has produced creative musical theatre based on literary and television characters for children and families: Toopy and Binoo and the Marshmallow Moon, The Backyardigans, Sea Deep in Adventure, and more. Koba’s productions have toured throughout America and around the world. In 2011, with the addition of a contemporary theatrical division, the scope of Koba has expanded from comedy to musical to grand theatrical presentations.

Patti Caplette has graced the world stages with two of Canada's foremost ballet companies: Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, performing in Fernand Nault's renowned rock-opera ballet Tommy; Peter Wright's Giselle; Agnes De Milne's Fall River Legend; and Van Danzig's Romeo & Juliet. She is an award winning creator; directing, writing and choreographing in the entertainment fields of dance, musical theatre, film cabaret and special events.

Since 1985, Gilles Paquin, founder of Paquin Entertainment Group, has managed a diversified entertainment enterprise with four distinct divisions: Artist Management, Agency, Special Events and Film & Television. Gilles has worked with many notable entertainers, such as Alabama, David Bowie, Jim Carey, Christopher Plummer, Bill Cosby, and B.B. King.

World Premiere of Detroit Dealers Features Wunderbaum

2012-02-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
February 13, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

Electronic images are available upon request.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Wunderbaum in the world premiere of Detroit Dealers

February 23-25, 2012, 8:00 p.m., Trust Arts Education Center

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents—with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Fund for the Performing Arts, the Carol R. Brown Performance Fund, Joan Humphrey, an Anonymous Donor, Gemeente Rotterdam – dienst Kunst en Cultuur, Fonds Podiumkunsten, and Norma Fonds—Wunderbaum’s world premiere of Detroit Dealers February 23-25, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. at the Trust Arts Education Center. This premiere is part of the Pittsburgh-based Distinctively Dutch Festival.* Detroit Dealers features Wunderbaum theater-makers Walter Bart and Maartje Remmers, as well as a special appearance by Rosemarie Wilson.

Walter Bart opens Detroit Dealers with the story of his grandfather, Arie Bart. Set in the 1950s Dutch town of Hilversum where Arie owns a car dealership, the story follows him on a business trip to the mother company General Motors in Detroit. There he becomes romantically involved with an American soul singer. In a cross-over of dramatized documentary, theatre, and music, Arie Bart’s remarkable life is juxtaposed with the romance of the American Dream and the transience of the car as a sex symbol.

Wunderbaum is a Dutch-Flemish group of actors who create drama using location-based themes and an exploration of sub-cultures in society. Previously they have delved into the roles of a family on social security (Eindhoven de gekste, 2003), would-be religious fanatics (Kamp Jezus, 2008), romantics with a great urge for self-sacrifice (Magna plaza, 2006), and British football supporters on a booze-up holiday in Odessa (Beertourist, 2008). Most common of the Wunderbaum repertoire is the tension between ideologies and the difficult transition thereof to the actual daily reality. Critically acclaimed, Wunderbaum has received the Proscenium prize (2010) and the Mary Dresselhuys prize (2007) for its work. Additionally, they have been selected for the annual Dutch/Flemish Theatre festival for Natives II (2011), Rail Gourmet (2010), Tien Geboden (2009), and Kamp Jezus (2008).

Credits and Biographies for Detroit Dealers

Credits

Actors, Makers Walter Bart, Maartje Remmers (Wunderbaum) With Rosemarie Wilson; Music Bo Koek; Musicians Jens Bouttery, Andrew Claes; Film, Set Design Gerbrand Burger; Light Design, Technician Manuel Boutreur; Sound Technician Danny Hoogveld; Costume Advise Lotte Goos; Cameraman Film Tibor Dingelstad; Production Wunderbaum; Co-production Rotterdamse Schouwburg, NTGent, Holland Festival, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust – as part of its 2012 Distinctively Dutch Festival.

With the support of Gemeente Rotterdam – dienst Kunst en Cultuur, Fonds Podiumkunsten, Norma Fonds, Stichting DOEN

Special thanks to: Mimi Bart, Charyse Bailey, Cory Cope, Bob Fitzgerald, Heijmans NV, Elsbeth Kasteel, Rachel Lutz, Bobby Moore, Cameron Moore, Markita Moore, Omari Moore, Andrew Newton, Jennifer Owen, Doc Richey, Lydia Widing, Jean Wilson and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust team.

Detroit Dealers is supported by the Performing Arts Fund NL.

Biographies

Wunderbaum – actors / makers

Based in Rotterdam, Wunderbaum is a Dutch-Flemish group of five 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. Wunderbaum tours internationally on a regular basis, also in the U.S. In 2010, they created the performance Looking for Paul in REDCAT in Los Angeles. This spring, the music theatre performance Songs at the end of the World will be touring to Los Angeles (REDCAT) and Austin, Texas (Fusebox Festival).

Detroit Dealers actors Walter Bart and Maartje Remmers are members of Wunderbaum. Apart from their work with Wunderbaum – for more than 10 years now – they have been involved in other projects in theatre, as well as in film and television.

For the performance Detroit Dealers, Wunderbaum invited several guests, including Detroit-based Rosemarie Wilson.

Rosemarie Wilson

Rosemarie Wilson, also known as One Single Rose, is a Detroit native who has become an award-winning poet, writer, advice columnist, singer, actress, and advocate for integrity and fidelity. For the past 20 years, Wilson has been employed at top law firms in Michigan and she freelances in her spare time. She is the proud parent of a miniature dachshund, Remy Black. In November 2010, she was named “Poet of the Month” in From a Writer’s Point of View magazine. She also is listed in the fourth edition of Who’s Who in Black Detroit. Also in 2010, she was named Poetry Author of the Year and New & Upcoming Poet of the Year at the 1st Annual National Poetry Awards ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina. (www.onesinglerose.com/about-the-author.php)

Gerbrand Burger - set design and film

Gerbrand Burger is an artist based in Amsterdam, initiator of WAAR (www.waarprojects.org), and is owner of Gerbrand Burger Studio. Central themes in his work are mutual perception of cultures, notions of place and location, migration and identity. These themes are explored in various media such as film, photography, drawing, installation and objects. Gerbrand Burger studied fine arts at Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam and Cooper Union in New York, and took part in the studio program of De Ateliers and several artist residencies around the world. Gerbrand Burger Studio integrates the development and production of artistic projects with a wide range of services for galleries, museums, collectors, artists and art institutions.

Bo Koek - music

After graduating cum laude from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, Bo played in several bands including Track and Kopna Kopna. With the last he worked together with Tom Pintens (Zita Swoon) and Wunderbaum (Lost Chord Radio) and released the album Like You (2004). Together with Rik Elstgeest and John van Oostrum, he founded music theatre group Touki Delphine, under the wings of Veenfabriek. Bo wrote Six Parts for an Imaginary Movie for Veenfabriek’s Sirene Orchestra and film music (including for the movie Geboren en Getogen that won the Grand Prix at the Very Short Film Festival in Paris). Besides that, he worked and performed with Mocky, We'll Make It Right, Gerry Arling and Wunderbaum.

Jens Bouttery - musician

Jens Bouttery started off a musical and theatrical career in academies at the Belgian seaside. He finished his Masters Degree in jazz drums with greatest distinction at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. In the meantime, Jens played and composed for theatre productions such as Kamp Jezus and Rail Gourmet by theatre collective Wunderbaum, Hete Tenen with his sister actress Lise Bouttery, and Concerto by performance artist Ivo Dimchev. Jens created soundtracks for short-films such as Gerrits Kerstige Katharsis by Daan Milius and the multiple award-winning Misschien Later by Moon Blaisse. His current bands and projects are Winchovski, Tsu Tsu Trio, Les Chroniques de l’Inutile, as well as dance performance Alpha Boys by Club Guy & Roni, Caligula by Mokhallad Rhasem, and Detroit Dealers by Wunderbaum. With Franka’s Poolparty, Jens won the title for best solo player at the Brussels Jazz Marathon XLJazz Contest 2011. In 2011, Jens also won the Toots Thielemans Jazz Award for his latest audiovisual project, The Dubtapes, a collaboration with Daan Milius and played by the Jens Maurits Orchestra.

Andrew Claes - musician

Andrew Claes is an Antwerp (Belgium)-based musician focusing on mainly saxophones, EWI, digital percussion and modular software. His main groups are BRZZVLL, STUFF and his solo/visual performance Internal Sun. Exploring various musical styles and media, Andrew performed in many jazz clubs and festivals worldwide and made appearances on national television and radio stations. He recorded and co-produced several tracks and records with his bands, has projects ranging from techno to free jazz, and occasionally works for theatre and film productions.

Individual tickets ($30) can be purchased online at www.trustarts.org/dutchfestival, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be purchased by calling (412) 471-6930.

A CONVERSATION WITH WUNDERBAUM

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in partnership with Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

Thursday, February 16, 8 p.m., Trust Arts Education Center

Join director Walter Bart and members of Wunderbaum in a creative conversation about the collaborative and interdisciplinary process of theater making and performance.

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 theatre forms combined with new interests in humankind or social themes. Through the examination of literature, documentary, people and place, the group explores the friction between group interests or individual interests, interests that might be public or strictly personal. Call 412-394-3353 to register for this free event.

* The Distinctively Dutch Festival is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, in collaboration with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. From February through May, 2012, throughout downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, the Festival will feature a range of contemporary work that is reflective of today’s Dutch culture, including dance, jazz, visual art, film, theater, children’s theater and literature. The Festival is part of the Cultural Trust’s mission to present a wide variety of art forms, as well as companies and artists who represent our world’s rich cultural heritages. The Cultural Trust seeks to present artists of the highest quality and caliber in each discipline, particularly artists who would not normally have an opportunity to be seen in Pittsburgh or the United States. For more information, visit www.trustarts.org/dutchfestival.

Pittsburgh Opera Announces 2012-2013 Season of Classics

2012-02-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

February 12, 2012

Contact:
Debra L. Bell, Director of Marketing and Communications
Office: (412) 281-0912 ext 214
E-mail: dbell@pittsburghopera.org

Pittsburgh Opera Announces 2012-2013 Season of Classics

Three new productions among Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, Il matrimonio segreto, Madama Butterfly, and La cenerentola

Pittsburgh, PA… Pittsburgh Opera announces a season of classics in 2012-‘13, featuring three new productions. The season opens Saturday, October 6, 2012 with Verdi’s Rigoletto, featuring Mark Delavan (Falstaff, 2009) in the title role, along with Lyubov Petrova (Ariadne auf Naxos, 2006) as Gilda, in a production from Utah Opera. The fall schedule continues with a new production of Mozart’s late masterpiece, Don Giovanni, opening November 3. Starring Michael Todd Simpson (The Marriage of Figaro, 2010) as the amoral scoundrel, the ensemble cast includes Hao Jiang Tian as the Commendatore, Sari Gruber as Zerlina, former Resident Artists Sean Panikkar and Jennifer Holloway as Don Ottavio and Donna Elvira, respectively, and Erin Wall as Donna Anna.

The Resident Artists of Pittsburgh Opera will star in the Company’s annual production at CAPA Theater: Cimarosa’s charming comedy Il matrimonio segreto (The Secret Marriage), opening January 26, 2013, also a new production by Pittsburgh Opera. In another new production from Boston Lyric Opera, a Puccini favorite arrives “as the robins make their nests”: Madama Butterfly, opening March 16, 2013 with Maria Luigia Borsi and Bryan Hymel in their Pittsburgh Opera debuts as Cio-Cio San and Pinkerton, Dwayne Croft (Eugene Onegin, 2009) as Sharpless, and Mika Shigematsu as Suzuki, also in a company debut. Opening April 27, 2013, Rossini’s La cenerentola (Cinderella), that fairy tale with a message of forgiveness, brings back former Resident Artist Arthur Espiritu (Pagliacci, 2006) as Prince Ramiro in a colorful Minnesota Opera production. Pittsburgh Opera Music Director Antony Walker conducts three of the season’s operas: Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, and La cenerentola. Jean-Luc Tingaud (Dialogues of the Carmelites, 2011) returns to conduct Madama Butterfly.

SPECIAL EVENTS

No Pittsburgh Opera season would be complete without the Company’s signature gala events: Diamond Horseshoe Ball and Maecenas. The 58th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball kicks off the 2012-‘13 season September 22, 2012 at Omni William Penn Hotel; Maecenas XXIV will carry on the tradition of Pittsburgh Top Ten parties on May 11, 2013, closing the season with panache at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. After three unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebrations in 2009, 2010, and 2011, Pittsburgh Opera will again present the Auld Lang Syne New Year’s Eve Gala on December 31, 2012. In late February 2013, the annual Cabaret returns in not one, but four performances, featuring the Resident Artists in a free-wheeling, funny, and sometimes naughty revue that always holds delightful surprises.

FREE EVENTS

Pittsburgh Opera strives to bring opera to all members of the community and is pleased to continue offering free events in the 2012-‘13 season. The Company will introduce its Resident Artists to the community in Rising Stars, September 29, 2012 in the George R. White Opera Studio of Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue). Brown Bag concerts will continue monthly from October 2012 to April 2013; the insightful Opera Up Close returns five times per season on selected Sundays prior to each production’s opening. The community is also invited to Art Song Recitals in the 2012-‘13 season, starring the Resident Artists; these free recitals are generously hosted by the Pittsburgh Opera Guilds. Also, the Company continues Meet the Artists with Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn, immediately following each Tuesday opera performance at the Benedum and at CAPA Theater. Pittsburgh Opera also collaborates for a third season with Point Park University for the Pittsburgh Opera Film Series, held on Thursday evenings in the George R. White Theatre on the Point Park campus Downtown. Guests enjoy films inspired by the season’s operas and a reception hosted by Point Park University’s student film club, the John P. Harris Society.

OPERA BROADCASTS/PREVIEWS

Pittsburgh Opera partners with Classical WQED FM 89.3 to broadcast its opera performances on the airwaves and via the station’s website. Beginning September 8, 2012 with La traviata, WQED FM 89.3 will broadcast the 2011-12 operas at 1:30 PM on consecutive Saturdays, through October 6. WQED also produces half-hour previews of each upcoming opera; check the Pittsburgh Opera website for specific dates.

TICKETS/SUBSCRIPTIONS

As part of Pittsburgh Opera’s continued efforts to make opera accessible to all members of the community, single tickets for the 2012-‘13 season will again start at just $10, with subscriptions starting at just $43 for four operas. New subscription sales begin April 20, 2012 and single ticket sales begin August 27, 2012. To purchase a subscription or for additional information, call (412) 456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.

Rigoletto
by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, after Victor Hugo’s play Le roi s’amuse
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage

Four performances at the Benedum Center

Performances

Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 8:00 PM Friday, October 12, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 7:00 PM Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Overview of Rigoletto

Verdi was in an ideal position to choose his own projects in 1850 when La Fenice commissioned a work from him. His selection of Victor Hugo’s Le roi s’amuse riled the authorities, though, who took offense at the characterization of King Francis I, a Restoration-era monarch. After changing the royal character from a king to a duke with no living descendants, Verdi and Piave renamed the opera (previously The Malediction), and the jester’s name changed from Triboulet to Rigoletto. The opera was a resounding success from its premiere, with “La donna e mobile” being sung and whistled in the streets: an instant classic.

Pittsburgh Opera is pleased to bring back Mark Delavan in the title role, who appeared as Falstaff in 2009, and also sings Scarpia in Tosca (March 2012). Lyubov Petrova (Ariadne auf Naxos, 2006) returns as Gilda; her most recent appearance here was as Lucia di Lammermoor (2010), stepping in for an ailing Laura Claycomb. The production, currently on stage at Utah Opera, is traditional. Music Director Antony Walker conducts.

Cast and Artistic Team: Rigoletto

Rigoletto Mark Delavan
Gilda Lyubov Petrova
Duke of Mantua TBA
Sparafucile Raymond Aceto +
Count Monterone Joseph Barron *
Maddalena Samantha Korbey *
Giovanna Nicole Rodin *
Matteo Borsa Juan José de León *
Marullo Kyle Oliver *

Conductor Antony Walker
Stage Director TBA
Set Designer John Michael Deegan and Sarah J. Conly
Costume Designer Susan Memmott Allred
Asst. Conductor Glenn Lewis
Chorus Master Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist James Lesniak
Hair & Makeup Designer James Geier
Sets and costumes from Utah Opera

+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni

Il dissoluto punito, ossia il Don Giovanni
(The Rake Punished, or Don Giovanni)
By Wolfgang Mozart

Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage

Four performances at the Benedum Center
Performances

Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 8:00 PM Friday, November 9, 2012 at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 7:00 PM Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Overview of Don Giovanni

Blending comedy, drama, and the supernatural, with a moral lesson at the end, Don Giovanni was nonetheless entered into Mozart’s catalog as opera buffa, and was a hit from its premiere in Prague in 1787. A popular classic, it was unabashedly admired by the likes of Kirkegaard, who wrote an essay about it, E.T.A. Hoffmann, who wrote a short story based on the opera, and Flaubert, who called it “one of the three finest things God ever made” (along with Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and the sea). Tchaikovsky’s Mozartiana and Chopin’s Variations on “Là ci darem la mano” are also homages.

Pittsburgh Opera welcomes back Michael Todd Simpson (The Marriage of Figaro, 2010) in the title role, along with Hao Jiang Tian (Turandot, 2011) and former Resident Artists Sean Panikkar (The Pearl Fishers, 2011) as Don Ottavio and Jennifer Holloway (Romeo & Juliet, 2006) as Donna Elvira. Sari Gruber (The Marriage of Figaro, 2010) joins the cast as Zerlina, while Erin Wall makes a company debut. In this new production, Justin Way debuts as Stage Director. Music Director Antony Walker conducts.

Cast and Artistic Team: Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni Michael Todd Simpson
Leporello TBA
Commendatore Hao Jiang Tian
Donna Anna Erin Wall +
Don Ottavio Sean Panikkar **
Donna Elvira Jennifer Holloway **
Zerlina Sari Gruber
Masetto Joseph Barron *

Conductor Antony Walker
Stage Director Justin Way +
Set Designer TBA
Costume Designer TBA
Lighting Designer Cindy Limauro
Asst. Conductor Glenn Lewis
Chorus Master Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist James Lesniak
Hair & Makeup Designer James Geier

New production by Pittsburgh Opera
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni

Il matrimonio segreto (The Secret Marriage)
By Domenico Cimarosa

Libretto by Giovanni Bertati, based on the play The Clandestine Marriage
by George Colman the Elder and David Garrick

Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage

Four performances at CAPA Theater, 111 Ninth Street, Downtown
Performances

Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 8:00 PM Friday, February 1, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 7:00 PM Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Overview of Il matrimonio segreto

In 1792 Vienna, the first performance of Cimarosa’s appealing comedy Il matrimonio segreto was followed immediately by supper for the company and an encore of the entire opera, as Emperor Leopold II was so enamored by the work: an utterly charming classic.

In this new production, Pittsburgh Opera once again features its Resident Artists in major roles: Meredith Lustig is the secret bride Carolina; Samantha Korbey will appear as the lovestruck aunt Fidalma, Juan José de León portrays the young clerk Paolino, and Kyle Oliver takes the role of Count Robinson. The sets and costumes for this new production will be designed by Carnegie Mellon University students; Resident Artist Stephanie Havey directs.

Cast and Artistic Team: Il matrimonio segreto

Carolina Meredith Lustig *
Elisetta TBA
Fidalma Samantha Korbey *
Paolino Juan José de León *
Count Robinson Kyle Oliver *
Geronimo TBA

Conductor TBA
Stage Director Stephanie Havey *
Set Designer TBA
Costume Designer TBA
Hair and Makeup Designer James Geier

New production by Pittsburgh Opera
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni

Madama Butterfly
by Giacomo Puccini

Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage

Four performances at the Benedum Center
Performances

Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 8:00 PM Friday, March 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:00 PM Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Overview of Madama Butterfly

American John Luther Long wrote a short story in 1898 that had a long life: David Belasco’s play (based on Long’s story) caught the attention of Puccini and he turned it into the 1904 opera; there are myriad films based on Puccini’s opera, 21st-century pop songs based on the famous aria “Un bel di”, and a ballet based on the opera, to name a few. The unassuming “Tragedia Giapponese” produced a versatile classic.

Maria Luigia Borsi, Mika Shigematsu, and Bryan Hymel make company debuts as Cio-Cio San, Suzuki and Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, respectively; Dwayne Croft (Eugene Onegin, 2009) returns as Sharpless, and Joseph Gaines (Turandot, 2011) returns as Goro.

Jean-Luc Tingaud (Dialogues of the Carmelites, 2011) returns to conduct.

Cast and Artistic Team: Madama Butterfly

Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly) Maria Luigia Borsi +
Suzuki Mika Shigematsu +
B. F. Pinkerton Bryan Hymel +
Sharpless Dwayne Croft
Goro Joseph Gaines
Prince Yamadori Kyle Oliver *
Kate Pinkerton Nicole Rodin *

Conductor Jean-Luc Tingaud
Stage Director TBA
Set Designer John Conklin
Costume Designer TBA
Asst. Conductor Glenn Lewis
Chorus Master Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist James Lesniak
Hair & Makeup Designer James Geier

New production by Boston Lyric Opera
+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni

La cenerentola ossia La bontà in trionfo (Cinderella, or Goodness Triumphant)
By Gioachino Rossini

Libretto by Jacopo Ferretti, based on the fairy tale Cinderella
Sung in Italian with English texts projected above the stage

Four performances at the Benedum Center
Performances

Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 8:00 PM Friday, May 3, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 7:00 PM Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Overview of La cenerentola

Premiering in 1817, a year after The Barber of Seville and when Rossini was just 25 years old, La cenerentola was nearly as popular as Barber, until writing for the coloratura contralto voice went out of fashion. Rossini’s music experienced a resurgence in the 1960s, though, and the work has enjoyed more frequent performances and recordings. Because there were so few special effects available at the time, Rossini’s version of the Cinderella story has no magical elements, but this tale of true love and forgiveness makes it an enduring classic.

Vivica Genaux (The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2009) makes a much-anticipated return as Angelina; she reunites with her Italian Girl co-star Paolo Pecchioli (The Marriage of Figaro, 2010), as he also returns to sing the role of Don Magnifico. Former Resident Artist Arthur Espiritu (Pagliacci, 2006) will appear as the charming prince Ramiro, and Daniel Mobbs (Turandot, 2001) returns as Dandini. Kristine McIntyre (The Marriage of Figaro, 2010) returns as stage director. Music Director Antony Walker conducts.

Cast and Artistic Team: La cenerentola

Angelina (Cinderella) Vivica Genaux
Prince Ramiro Arthur Espiritu **
Dandini Daniel Mobbs
Don Magnifico Paolo Pecchioli
Alidoro Joseph Barron *
Clorinda Meredith Lustig *
Tisbe Samantha Korbey *

Conductor Antony Walker
Director Kristine McIntyre
Set Designer Erhard Rom
Costume Designer James Schuette
Asst. Conductor Glenn Lewis
Chorus Master Mark Trawka
Associate Coach/Pianist James Lesniak
Hair & Makeup Designer James Geier
Sets and costumes from Minnesota Opera

+ Pittsburgh Opera debut
* Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
** Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni

Tickets and Group Discounts

Pittsburgh Opera strives to make opera intellectually and financially accessible to a diverse audience and this season is proud to continue offering single tickets starting at just $10. In addition to single tickets, the Opera has a wide range of season subscription options, starting at just $43 for four mainstage operas.

Subscribers enjoy the benefits of:

¡ The best seats at the best prices
¡ Easy, FREE ticket exchanges
¡ Reserved parking at Theater Square Garage: $8 for each performance
¡ 15% discount on additional single tickets to mainstage operas
¡ 25% subscriber discount on the Resident Artist opera
¡ Priority invitations to the 2012-13 film series
¡ Money-Back Guarantee: – if subscribers are not satisfied with their first opera,
Pittsburgh Opera will refund the balance of the subscription

For tickets, call (412) 456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.

Pittsburgh Opera is committed to making opera accessible to all groups in the Pittsburgh area by providing great discounts and special services to group ticketholders. Unlike the large numbers required by many other organizations, a group at Pittsburgh Opera can be as few as 6 people! For more information about group ticket services and discounts, contact Randy Adams at (412) 281-0912 ext. 213 or groups@pittsburghopera.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The 58th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball
Saturday, September 22, 2012, 6:30 PM
Omni William Penn Hotel

Pittsburgh Opera special events have developed a reputation for elegance and excitement in the Company’s history. The annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball is its signature season kickoff event, where guests enjoy an evening of dinner, dancing, special entertainment, and cocktails. Each year, one lucky guest is selected at random to receive a diamond-encrusted pendant in the shape of a horseshoe. The 58th annual Diamond Horseshoe Ball will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the Omni William Penn Hotel. Call Samuel Badger at (412) 281-0912, ext. 225 for more information about Diamond Horseshoe Ball.

Rising Stars
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:00 PM
George Rowland White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)

Pittsburgh Opera hosts its annual Rising Stars on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the Opera’s Strip District headquarters. Rising Stars is the community’s first opportunity to meet the incoming Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artists, using the opera audition process to introduce the singers. This performance is free and open to the public. At Rising Stars, each Resident Artist first performs a selection of his or her own choosing, followed with one chosen by General Director Christopher Hahn and Music Director Antony Walker. A final aria to conclude the concert is selected by audience members via texting technology. Specific details about the event will be released at a later date. Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912 for more information about the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Program.

Auld Lang Syne IV – New Year’s Eve Celebration
Monday, December 31, 2012, 6:00 PM
Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland (4400 Forbes Avenue)

Pittsburgh Opera continues its newest tradition, Auld Lang Syne, in the 2012-‘13 season.

Building on the success of the inaugural Auld Lang Syne in 2009, this season’s festivities are sure to ring in the New Year in style. The fourth annual Auld Lang Syne will be held on Monday, December 31, 2012. Specific details will be released at a later date.

Cabaret
February 22, 23, 24, 26, 2013
George Rowland White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)

Showcasing the talents of the Resident Artists, the annual Pittsburgh Opera Cabaret continues to delight with a free-wheeling revue of favorites from Broadway and musical theater, plus novelty tunes, in the intimate George Rowland White Opera Studio in Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip.

Cabaret will be offered on subscription series in 2012-‘13, with shows Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23 at 8:00 PM; Sunday, February 24 at 2:00 PM; and Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 PM. More specific details about the event will be released at a later date. Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912 for more information about the Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist Program.

Maecenas Gala – Maecenas XXIX
Saturday, May 11, 2013, 6:00 PM
Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)

Consistently hailed as one of Pittsburgh “Top Ten” parties, Pittsburgh Opera's Maecenas is the social event not to be missed! Named for Gaius Cilnius Maecenas, the wealthy Roman statesman whose name has become a byword for patrons of the arts, the Maecenas Gala has developed a reputation for a spectacular environment and great entertainment. Maecenas XXVIII will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. Specific details about the event will be released at a later date. Call Samuel Badger at (412) 281-0912, ext. 225 for more information about Maecenas Gala.

Art Song Recitals
George Rowland White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)

In the 2012-‘13 season, Pittsburgh Opera continues to present Art Song Recitals free and open to the public. Each recital offers one-hour performances of art song literature from a variety of composers and styles, featuring Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists. Art Song recital dates, programs, and performers for 2012-‘13 will be released at a later date. Call (412) 281-0912 for more information about the Art Song Recitals.

Brown Bag Concerts
Selected Saturdays, October 2012 - April 2013, 12:00 PM
George Rowland White Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)

Pittsburgh Opera is proud to continue its popular and free Brown Bag Concerts. Attracting 200+ each month, these performances feature the Resident Artists of Pittsburgh Opera as well as the Opera’s artistic collaborators. Beginning at 12:00 PM on selected Saturdays of each month, October 2012 – April 2013, these one-hour performances are free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring a lunch and enjoy a concert of some of opera’s most popular arias as well as a mix of Broadway, musical theater and other selections. In the George Rowland White Opera Studio at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue), these concerts are a wonderful opportunity for an informal introduction to opera.

Brown Bag Performance Dates 2012-‘13
October 13, 2012 February 9, 2013
November 10, 2012 March 2, 2013
December 8, 2012 April 20, 2013
January 12, 2013

Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912 for more information about the Brown Bag Concerts.

Additional Events

Pittsburgh Opera 2011-2012 Season Performances on WQED-FM 89.3

Pittsburgh Opera, in collaboration with Classical WQED-FM 89.3, will broadcast the 2011-2012 season productions, giving listeners an opportunity to enjoy the operas all over again. For more information, call (412) 281-0912.

Pittsburgh Opera 2011-‘12 Opera Broadcast Dates 2012-‘13

La traviata – September 8, 2012 Tosca – September 29, 2012
The Pearl Fishers – September 15, 2012 The Abduction from the Seraglio –
Hansel & Gretel – September 22, 2012 October 6, 2012

Pittsburgh Opera Previews on WQED-FM 89.3

Hosted by WQED’s Stephen Baum, these previews are heard twice before each production opens, giving listeners an in-depth introduction to the singers, music and production of each of the season’s operas. Specific dates and details for each preview will be released at a later date. For more information, call (412) 281-0912.

Opera Up Close

Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue)
Selected Sundays, 2:00 PM

Pittsburgh Opera is proud to host another season of its popular and free Opera Up Close presentations. These entertaining and insightful programs are offered five times per season in Pittsburgh Opera’s headquarters (2425 Liberty Avenue) in the Strip District. Each Opera Up Close begins with an in-depth musical analysis of the opera with Maestro Antony Walker or a guest conductor, followed by a lively panel discussion.

Opera Up Close Dates 2012-‘13
Rigoletto – September 23, 2012 Madama Butterfly – March 3, 2013
Don Giovanni – October 21, 2012 La cenerentola – April 14, 2013
Il matrimonio segreto – January 13, 2013

Opera Up Close is free and open to the public. Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912 for more information about Opera Up Close.

Pre-Opera Talks

Ticketholders are invited to attend a Pre-Opera Talk one hour before each performance’s curtain in the Main Floor/Orchestra section of the Benedum Center. Learn about the composer, the story and some juicy details about the opera! These talks are free to all ticketholders. Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912 for more information about Pre-Opera Talks.

Meet the Artists

Ticketholders for each Tuesday opera performance are invited to join General Director Christopher Hahn immediately following the performance to enjoy light refreshments and repartee, as Mr. Hahn interviews the stars of the production. This event is free to all Tuesday opera ticketholders, and is held in the Lower Lobby for Benedum performances and in the Black Box for CAPA performances.

Rigoletto – Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Don Giovanni – Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Il matrimonio segreto – Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at CAPA Theater
Madama Butterfly – Tuesday, March 19, 2013
La cenerentola – Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Visit www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912 for more information about Meet the Artists.

Pittsburgh Opera/Point Park University Film Series
George R. White Theatre/University Center, 414 Wood Street

A popular event in 2011-‘12, the Pittsburgh Opera Film Series returns, hosted in collaboration with Point Park University and the John P. Harris Society. Guests enjoy films inspired by the season’s operas and get to know other opera lovers with an interest in film. The 2012-‘13 series includes the recently-restored Yiddish film “The Jester” as a companion to Rigoletto, and the fantastical “Donkey Skin (Peau d’Ane)” to go along with La cenerentola, among others. Specific dates and details for each film screening will be released at a later date. Call (412) 281-0912 for more information about the Pittsburgh Opera/Point Park University Film Series.

Pittsburgh Opera’s 2011-2012 season continues a 73-year tradition of excellence in opera. As part of the Company’s continued efforts to make opera accessible to all members of the community, single tickets for the 2011-2012 season again start at $10.

2011-2012 Season

La traviata October 15, 18, 21, 23, 2011
The Pearl Fishers November 12, 15, 18, 20, 2011
Hansel & Gretel January 28, 31; February 3, 5, 2012
Tosca March 24, 27, 30; April 1, 2012
The Abduction from the Seraglio April 28; May 1, 4, 6, 2012

For ticket information visit our website www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912

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Caravan: Paintings by Melissa Kuntz

2012-02-13T10:25:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: February 12, 2012

Caravan: Paintings by Melissa Kuntz

March 2, 2012 – April 13, 2012 - 709 Penn Gallery

Since 2004, Melissa Kuntz has been painting and exhibiting representational works based on photographs she has taken of locations of leisure and artifice, including South Beach, Las Vegas, Coney Island, Cozumel, the New Jersey shore, Conneaut Lake, and Niagara Falls, to name a few. Her images have captured a particular aesthetic in the signage and architecture of these well-known vacation spots. Drawn to the tawdry, gaudy, cheapness associated with the decadent lifestyles that allow for vacation time, Kuntz’s new paintings presented in Caravan are an extension of this aesthetic.

“I find the ‘vacation’ home—motor homes, travel trailers and caravans—appealing for the same reasons I am attracted to the other architecture and signage of ‘leisure,’ says Kuntz. “Quirky difference in the graphics, style and design suggest endless possible permutations. I travel 75 miles each way, through the countryside to work, and am struck by the numbers of motor homes and travel trailers that are abandoned, discarded and unused littering the landscape. I particularly enjoy the way the trailers are often adorned in a way that seems uninhibited—it is like there exists a freedom to explore tacky, cheapness that is bizarrely alluring in the land of “vacation” but not in everyday life. The sense of hopefulness that existed when the trailers were acquired—dreams of uninhibited, unending travel and exploration—are halted by the realities of finances and time. And the beautiful, often decaying trailer is a metaphor for the small, however unrealistic, hopes that remain of one day embarking on a great adventure.”

About Melissa Kuntz

Melissa Kuntz holds an MFA and an MA from SUNY Purchase and a BFA from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Kuntz has written reviews for Art in America and the Pittsburgh City Paper while also maintaining a studio practice. She is currently Associate Professor and Art Department Chair at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Recent collections include the Senvest Art Collection (Montréal) and Fidelity Corporate Art Collection. She is represented, in Canada, by Gallery Page and Strange in Halifax, NS. Works can be seen online at www.melissakuntz1.com

GALLERY DETAILS

709 Penn Gallery is located on 709 Penn Ave. / Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District

Hours: Wed. & Thurs. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun.11 a.m.–5 p.m.

709 Penn Gallery is a Project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Education & Community Engagement department.

EXHIBIT DETAILS

March 2 – April 13, 2012

Artist reception: March 2, 2012 6:00-8:00 p.m.
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ANATOMICA Features Andre Gingras in US Premiere

2012-02-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
February 13, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

Dance Works Rotterdam / André Gingras in the U.S. premiere of ANATOMICA

Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Pittsburgh Dance Council proudly presents Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras in the U.S. premiere of ANATOMICA on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the Byham Theater, at 8:00 p.m. This performance is also part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Distinctively Dutch Festival.*

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

The company, which was formally known as Werkcentrum Dans, was founded in 1975 by Käthy Gosschalk. However, when André Gingras became the new artistic director in 2010, he changed the name to Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras. The company stands as one of the oldest dance companies in the Netherlands, and for that reason, has played an important role in the evolution of dance as a beneficial component of contemporary culture. Many distinguished Dutch dance artists started their career with Dance Works Rotterdam.

André Gingras was born in Canada and studied theater, dance and English literature in Toronto, Montréal and New York City. He became the artistic director of Dance Works Rotterdam in March 2010. Prior to Dance Works Rotterdam, Gingras worked extensively in dance and theater and became well known internationally. Gingras’ exploration of movement arises from his studies of physical activities such as martial arts and free running. His choreography displays an energetic and raw dance form that combines visual and digital arts and immerses the audience in a creative dialogue based on contemporary issues.

In the ANATOMICA series, André Gingras was inspired by the allure, risk and consequences of the human body on display. Anatomica#3 is his first work in what will ultimately be a triptych. In Anatomica#3, which premiered on February 23, 2007, at the Theatre Royal Brighton, Gingras examines the manifestation and creativity of the astounding human body. He also investigates the objectification and virtuosity of the body. In his newest work for this series, Anatomica#1, Gingras exercises a contemporary dance language integrated with free running, while all paired with his trademark intense partnering. His objective in Anatomica#1 is to answer the question: Why is there a drive towards display? “ANATOMICA is a spectacle to watch and an absolute must-see" (Cultuurbewust.nl). “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).

Freud's Last Session at the O'Reilly

2012-02-13T06:03:00.000-08:00

Contact:
Margie Romero, Communications Manager at Pittsburgh Public Theater
412.316.8200 ext. 707
mromero@ppt.org

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents

Freud’s Last Session

On the eve of war, a battle of faith ignites between Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis in Mark St. Germain’s award-winning new play.

PITTSBURGH (February 10, 2012) Pittsburgh Public Theater is proud to present the Pittsburgh premiere of Freud’s Last Session, Mark St. Germain’s new play about an imagined meeting between outspoken atheist Sigmund Freud (David Wohl) and Christian writer C.S. Lewis (Jonathan Crombie). Freud’s Last Session won the 2011 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play. Directed by Mary B. Robinson, it runs March 1 – April 1, 2012 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 ppt.org.

The play is set on September 3, 1939 in the study of Freud’s London home, where the legendary psychoanalyst is meeting with C.S. Lewis, a young Oxford professor and writer. As they listen to radio bulletins about England going to war, religious views become the main theme of their conversation. Once a skeptic, Lewis now has a profound faith in God, while Freud thinks anyone who believes is suffering from obsessional neurosis. Sometimes shocking, often very funny, always thought-provoking, discussion topics include free will, science, myths, joy, pain, the New Testament, family, and of course, sex. This riveting play delves deeply into the minds, and more surprisingly the hearts, of two rare and brilliant men.

Freud’s Last Session was suggested by The Question of God, a book by Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr. The design team for Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production is Allen Moyer (Scenic & Costumes), Phil Monat (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Fred Noel is the Production Stage Manager, Adrienne Wells is the Assistant Stage Manager, and casting is by McCorkle Casting, LTD.

About the Playwright

In addition to Freud’s Last Session, Mark St. Germain’s plays include Dr. Ruth, which will premiere this summer at the Barrington Stage Company; Best of Enemies, to be produced in New York next season; The Fabulous Lipitones, a musical comedy co-written with John Markus which will premiere at the Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta in 2013; Camping With Henry and Tom (Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle Awards), Ears On a Beatle, The God Committee, and Out of Gas On Lover’s Leap. With composer Randy Courts Mark he wrote the musicals The Gifts of the Magi, Jack’s Holiday, and Johnny Pye. He also wrote the Tammy Wynette musical Stand By Your Man for the Ryman Theater in Nashville. Television work includes writer and creative consultant for “The Cosby Show”.

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents

What: Freud’s Last Session

When: March 1 – April 1, 2012

Performance Schedule

Tues. through Sat. at 8 pm (except Tues., March 27 when the show is at 7 pm).

Sat. at 2 pm (except March 3 & 10).

There will be an additional 2 pm matinee on Thurs., March 29.

Sun. at 2 & 7 pm (except Sun. April 1 when the final show is at 2 pm)

Press Night is Thursday, March 8.

Opening Night is Friday, March 9.

Ticket Prices

$22 to $55.

$15.75 for students and age 26 and younger with valid ID.

For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org

Desmond King to Present Roscoe Robinson Memorial Lecture

2012-02-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Desmond King to Present Roscoe Robinson Memorial Lecture

Three years ago, GSPIA established the General Roscoe Robinson, Jr. Memorial Lecture Series on Diversity and Public Service to honor one of our most distinguished alumni. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point as well as GSPIA, Roscoe Robinson achieved the distinction of being the first African American to be promoted to the rank of four-star General in the United States Army.

The 2012 Robinson Lecture will be presented at 6 p.m., Feb. 16 by Desmond King, Andrew Mellon Professor of American Government at Nuffield College, Oxford University. King is the co-author (with Rogers M. Smith at the University of Pennsylvania) of a new book entitled Still a House Divided; Race and Politics in Obama’s America and the author of Separate and Unequal: African Americans and the U.S. Federal Government. The February 16 lecture will focus on “Race and Politics in Obama’s America.” On February 17 King will also give a special seminar focused on his Separate and Unequal book, explaining how the federal government adopted and enforced Jim Crow policies from the presidency of Woodrow Wilson until the 1960s.

Still a House Divided:
Race and Politics in Obama's America
Desmond S. King & Rogers M. Smith

"Still a House Divided deftly lays to rest the idea of postracialism in American politics and, through the concept of rival racial-policy coalitions, reveals the modern potency of the dispute between color-blind and race-conscious camps. King and Smith make a compelling case that competing visions over the role of race continue to define the core of American political life, and their bold and meticulously researched book offers new and much-needed leverage on a frustratingly durable problem."--Lawrence D. Bobo, Harvard University

"The book's impressive and persuasive argument ranges broadly across many arenas too often discussed separately. The authors show that the United States has experienced three periods of distinct racial alliances, and that we are in the third period, still in a racially structured polity. They indicate that if the stakes in many policy disputes were clearer, the United States could move closer to racial justice and equality through better policy choices."--Jennifer Hochschild, Harvard University

Separate and Unequal
African Americans and the US Federal Government
Oxford University Press

"Separate and Unequal illustrates with great detail and clarity the multiple ways in which the federal government proved to be a significant participant in the continued oppression of Black Americans and an active promoter of white supremacy throughout the 20th century. This book significantly advances our understanding of the state, necessitating that we pay attention to the different entities, goals, and consequences of state power. For students interested in race and the state this is a book you must read."--Cathy J. Cohen, University of Chicago

"This is a pioneering book on race and the federal bureaucracy... King's book ploughs new ground, [and] is a bold work. The factual data that the book unearths tell a startling, compelling, and debilitating story."--Journal of American History

"Drawing on a wealth of archival sources, King shows how the Federal government systematically segregated African Americans in its own operations. The book provides important and original perspectives on the prevalence of racial discrimination within the Federal government from the Progressive Era until the 1960's. In so doing, it causes us to rethink conventional views of the Federal government as a neutral arbiter in race relations."--Margaret Weir, Brookings Institution

Roscoe Robinson, Jr. Memorial Lecture
6 - 8 p.m.
Thursday, February 16
University Club, Ballroom A

Dr. Maya Angelou Receives Dignity and Respect Champion Award

2012-02-09T12:34:00.000-08:00

Dr. Maya Angelou Receives Inaugural Dignity and Respect Champion Award

Recognized for Her Lifelong Commitment to Making the World a Better Place for All to Live

Dr. Maya Angelou -- celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist -- is the 2011 Dignity & Respect Champion. The honor was awarded by Candi Castleberry-Singleton, founder and chair of the Dignity & Respect Campaign, a not-for-profit initiative that promotes inclusion by treating people with dignity and respect.

"Maya Angelou has demonstrated unshakable faith and a commitment to the values of family, community, and culture throughout her life. Whether as a cable car conductor, a waitress and cook, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey company, an editor of an English Language paper in Egypt, a coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a Pulitzer Prize nominee, or a Presidential Medal of Arts winner, Dr. Angelou values all members of the human family," said Ms. Castleberry-Singleton. "She exemplifies the characteristics of a Dignity & Respect Champion."

Ms. Castleberry-Singleton presented the Dignity & Respect Champion award to Dr. Angelou at her home in North Carolina. During their time together, Dr. Angelou reflected on four themes:

•The meaning of dignity and respect -- "When we have dignity and respect we join the communities of human beings and they join us. We are one. Human beings are more alike than we are unalike."

•Living with dignity and respect -- "If you're not respected you can't relax. So if you can't relax, you can't learn. And if you can't learn you don't know anything. You not only don't know who anyone else is, you can't know who you are."

•The human condition -- "You must speak up! Speak up for your soul's sake. For your spirit's sake."

•Courage -- "Courage is the most important of all virtues because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can be anything erratically. You can be kind, fair, true, generous, just, merciful, all of those things every now and again. But to be that thing consistently, you have to have courage."

Videos of Dr. Angelou's comments to Ms. Castleberry-Singleton are available at http://www.dignityandrespect.org.

The Dignity & Respect Champion designation is a program of the Dignity & Respect Campaign, a national, grassroots initiative created in 2009 to encourage and promote the message of inclusion, beginning with the core belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect. This awareness and advocacy effort promotes positive behavioral change in individuals, communities, schools, and organizations. The Campaign extended from an internal effort at UPMC, a Pittsburgh-based organization, to a community-wide initiative in 2009; it broadened beyond the greater Pittsburgh area in Fall 2011 with the celebration of October as Dignity & Respect Month.

Bill Strickland Named 2012 Pursuer of Peace Award Recipient

2012-02-09T12:28:00.000-08:00

Pursuer of Peace-The members of Rodef Shalom Congregation honors William E. Strickland, Jr. as the 2012 Pursuer of Peace Award recipient.

The Pursuer of Peace award, established in 2010, honors the significant commitment and sustained contributions of an individual or organization to the pursuit of peace by fostering interfaith understanding, the encouragement of humanitarianism, and the promotion of a social justice agenda. Its name is derived from the translation of Rodef Shalom from the Hebrew.

Pursuer of Peace 2012

The members of Rodef Shalom Congregation are honored to recognize William E. Strickland, Jr. as the 2012 Pursuer of Peace Award recipient. This prestigious award will be presented on Sunday evening, June 10, 2012 in the congregation's historic sanctuary.

Rodef Shalom Congregation’s Pursuer of Peace Award was established in 2010 to recognize the significant commitment and sustained contributions of an individual or organization to the pursuit of peace by fostering interfaith understanding, the encouragement of humanitarianism, and the promotion of a social justice agenda, and was bestowed in its inaugural year to the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, DD.

We are thrilled that Bill Strickland will receive the 2012 Pursuer of Peace Award. As President and CEO of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation (MBC) and its affiliates, Bill Strickland builds partnerships to help youth and adults who are disadvantaged build a better futurefor themselves.

Inspired by the MBC model and its fruitful replication across the United States, in 2007 Bill Strickland began to work with individuals and organizations in the local Jewish community to study the feasibility of creating a new center for arts and technology in the Galilee region of Israel. The Northern Israel Center for Arts and Technology (NICAT) is envisioned to promote economic development in the region as well as cooperation among all of the citizens of Northern Israel, Jewish and Arab alike.

Proceeds from the event will enable Rodef Shalom Congregation to continue to be a leading advocate for inter-religious dialogue and partnered efforts in the religious and civic communities and to address the universal ideal of helping individuals to reach their full potential. At the request of Bill Strickland, monies distributed to Manchester Bidwell Corporation in recognition of the Pursuer of Peace Award will be earmarked for The Northern Israel Center for Arts and Technology (NICAT).

Because of Bill Strickland’s significant achievements and his continuing commitment to bringing hope to all communities that he reaches, he embodies the best qualities of a true Rodef Shalom-a true Pursuer of Peace. For this reason, he will receive this award and deliver an address from Rodef Shalom’s historic pulpit on the topic of The Pursuit of Peace. This address will be published by the Congregation and shared widely throughout the community.

Nancy and Bill Rackoff are serving as Co-Chairs for this memorable event.

Source: http://rodefshalom.org/about-rodef-shalom/initiatives/pursuer-peace

Chester Engineer's CEO Agbede Named Entrepreneur of the Year

2012-02-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Robert O. Agbede President and CEO of Chester Engineers Selected as 2012 NSBE Golden Torch Award honoree for Entrepreneur of the Year

The National Society of Black Engineers is pleased to announce that they have selected Robert O. Agbede, President and CEO of Chester Engineers as their 2012 NSBE Golden Torch Award honoree for Entreprenuer of the Year. Mr. Agbede, was nominated and selected because of the significant impact he has made on the community and his contributions to the African American Community. Mr. Agbede will be honored and saluted at the “15th Annual Golden Torch Awards (GTA)” to be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The National Society of Black Engineers is the premier organization serving African Americans in engineering and technology. As a technical community service association, NSBE is the link between the African American community and the world of technology.

NSBE supports and promotes the aspirations of professionals, students and pre-college students. The mission the founders set forth in 1975, “To increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community, “ has blossomed into an organization with chapters worldwide.

The Annual Golden Torch Awards link the accomplishments of distinguished African- American engineers and technical professionals with college bound dreams of pre-college students. Since its inception GTA has served as a night to honor the best and the brightest in technology.

Robert O. Agbede is President and CEO of Chester Engineers, a leading water/waste water, facility design build, scientific research and management company. Chester, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has offices throughout the country as well as international affiliates. Mr. Agbede acquired the firm, that turned 100 last year, in 2003, making it part of the ATS Group, the company he founded in 1987. Chester Engineers is the largest African-American-owned environmental and engineering design firm in the United States and the largest Water and Wastewater treatment plant design and management firm in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

A recognized expert in the field of environmental engineering, Mr. Agbede is a University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering graduate with Bachelors and Masters Degrees and a holder of several U.S. patents. In 2000, he was inducted into the school's Engineering Hall of Fame, joining other prominent graduates who have made significant contributions to American industry. Mr. Agbede is the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award of the University of Pittsburgh.

The 38th Annual Convention is NSBE's premiere event encompassing members from around the world. The convention will be in Pittsburgh, PA from March 28 - April 1, 2012. During the convention, there will be various programs and workshops in place to benefit grade school, collegiate, graduate, technical professional, and international NSBE members. The convention will showcase NSBE culture, membership achievements, local and national talent, and black-owned businesses in the Pittsburgh area.

Register for Convention

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates 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

Jake and Elwood Blues in the Official Blues Brothers Revue

2012-02-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
February 8, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

The Official Blues Brothers Revue

Thursday, March 8, 2012, at 8:00 PM, Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Based on the popular characters from Saturday Night Live and the later motion picture, The Official Blues Brothers Revue will be at the Byham Theater on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at 8:00 PM. The performance is a part of the Cohen and Grigsby Trust Presents series presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

The revue stars Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty as Jake and Elwood Blues, characters created by the legendary comedic actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. From their first performances as these characters in the award-winning Las Vegas “Legends in Concert” show, the two have appeared across America as highly successful and acclaimed Blues Brothers impersonators.

Soon after their debut in “Legends in Concert,” Catania and Lafferty starred in the A&E docudrama Lost in Las Vegas, largely based on their experiences in the roles. This caught the attention of Belushi’s widow, Judy Belushi Pisano, and her second husband, Victor Pisano. They extended Catania and Lafferty an invitation to audition for the stage musical The Official Blues Brothers Revival. Belushi Pisano expressed her appreciation for the talents of the duo, saying “some looked the part, but nobody had the whole package until [Catania and Lafferty] arrived.”

The revue was written and produced by Victor Pisano and sanctioned by both Dan Aykroyd and the Belushi estate. It ran successfully at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts in the spring and summer of 2004, combining the comedy and hits of the original movie with an homage to Chicago’s history of blues, gospel and soul music. “Totally awesome, rollicking fun and a whole lot of soul.” - Chicago Skyline Paper

Catania, Lafferty, and “The Intercontinental Rhythm and Blues Revue Band” strike the right balance of humor, music and mayhem that has kept audiences captivated worldwide for decades. “Infectious and unbridled energy… blows the roof off.” - Jeff Johnson, Chicago Sun Times

Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty have performed as the Blues Brothers in a number of private venues across North America. Catania also works as a television and commercial actor who has appeared on Bravo’s mini-series Mob Stories. Lafferty is an accomplished singer-songwriter, who has released three CDs of his own material, in addition to contributing to the soundtrack for Lost in Las Vegas.

With the success of the review, Belushi Pisano has revealed that a TV show based on the Blues Brothers is in the works, with plans for Catania and Lafferty to continue their roles as Jake and Elwood Blues.

Tickets ($20.00-$40.00) for the March 8, 2012, performance of The Official Blues Brothers Revue at the Byham Theater may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

Posted on Behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates 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

Antiques Roadshow Pittsburgh Episodes Premiere

2012-02-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW PITTSBURGH EPISODES PREMIERE ON WQED-TV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 7, 2012

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW PITTSBURGH EPISODES PREMIERE ON WQED-TV

PITTSBURGH—ANTIQUES ROADSHOW premieres the first of three Pittsburgh episodes taped last summer at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Monday, February 13 at 8 p.m. on WQED-TV. Subsequent episodes will air on February 20 and 27 at 8 p.m.

In advance of the exciting premiere, QED Morning Show host Jim Cunningham of Classical WQED-FM 89.3 (LIVE stream available here) will interview ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Executive Producer Marsha Bemko between 6-10 a.m. on February 13.

Later that evening, Emmy®-Award winning WQED producer Pierina Morelli takes viewers “behind-the-scenes” of this PBS icon series with the half-hour documentary episode of Experience: Antiques Roadshow Comes to Town! Pittsburgh with a look at how producers set up for the big event, a segment on people who had items appraised, and interviews with host Mark Walberg, appraisers and Executive Producer Bemko.

The Pittsburgh episodes of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW include several “firsts” for the program. In the show’s history it is the first time a centenarian guest was recorded and that web exclusive video appraisals are available, including this extraordinary moment.

The sixteenth season of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW kicked-off on January 2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma (where the show had its most valuable find ever!) and Eugene, Oregon for the past three weeks. After the Pittsburgh episodes air, the season will finish up with:

• El Paso, Texas on March 26, April 2, 9

• Atlanta, Georgia on April 16, 23, 30

• Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 7, 14, 21

Special edition episodes called “Junk in the Trunk, “Cats & Dogs,” and”Greatest Gifts” will also air this season but have yet to be scheduled.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW can be seen regularly on Mondays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 6 p.m. on WQED-TV.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is produced for PBS by WGBH Boston. Executive producer is Marsha Bemko.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Subaru. Additional funding is provided by public television viewers.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW is closed-captioned for viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing by The Caption Center at WGBH Boston.

For more information about ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, visit pbs.org/antiques. Press materials, including video previews and downloadable photos, are available at www.pbs.org/pressroom.

Press contacts:
Judy Matthews
WGBH Boston
617-300-5343
judy_matthews@wgbh.org

John Eliot Jordan
WGBH Boston
617-300-5346
john_eliot_jordan@wgbh.org

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

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

WQED Celebrates Black History Month with TV and Radio Programs

2012-02-06T06:15:00.000-08:00

WQED RECOGNIZES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH FEBRUARY'S PROGRAMMING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 31, 2012

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghaziman@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

WQED RECOGNIZES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH FEBRUARY’S

PROGRAMMING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO

PITTSBURGH – WQED commemorates Black History Month with programs centered on the cultural struggles and accomplishments of African Americans not only in Pittsburgh, but throughout America. Classical WQED-FM 89.3 will acknowledge the importance of Black History Month by playing the music of various African American artists throughout the month of February.

Funding for Black History Month television and radio programming was made possible by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Niagara Bank, and the City of Pittsburgh.

February 1st – February 4th

• Thursday, February 2nd

Newspaper of Record: The Pittsburgh Courier 1907-1965 – (Airs: 8 p.m.) – With fourteen national editions and a peak circulation of over three hundred thousand, the Pittsburgh Courier was the leading Black newspaper of the last century. With accounts from Courier reporters and employees, this documentary reveals the role of the Pittsburgh Courier in reporting and shaping African American history.

Independent Lens “Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock” – (Airs: 10:30 p.m.) – This documentary tells the story of Daisy Bates, a black woman who was a feminist before the term was invented. Her public support of nine black students to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, culminated in a constitutional crisis – pitting a president against a governor and a community against itself.

February 5th – February 11th

• Sunday, February 5th

Wylie Avenue Days* – (Airs: 3 p.m.) – This documentary captures Pittsburgh’s Hill District during its prime, which lasted from the 1930s through the 1950s. Wylie Avenue, located in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, was unique as it was the only street in America which began at a church and ended at a jail, but it was the spirit of this vibrant neighborhood that was the reason it was considered the heart of black life in Pittsburgh. A WQED production.

Barbershops: PA Stylin’* – (Airs: 4 p.m.) – Politics, romance, race relations, and hair care are the topics of discussion in “Barbershops: PA Stylin’.” Host Chris Moore visits several distinctly different yet similar African American barbershops that share a time-honored tradition practiced by barbers and patrons everywhere. A joyous mix of new ideas and fond nostalgia, “Barbershops: PA Stylin’” is the real-life story of one of the longest and liveliest traditions in the black community. A WQED production.

Torchbearers* – (Airs: 5 p.m.) – A documentary on Pittsburgh’s civil rights pioneers. “Torchbearers” uses interviews, photos and archival footage to tell the story of Pittsburgh’s struggles during the so-called “golden era” of civil rights. “Torchbearers” spans events from the 1950s through the 70s, and features many of the men and women who risked everything for their beliefs. A WQED production.

Secrets of the Dead “Slave Ship Mutiny” – (Airs: 8 p.m.) – During the summer of 1766, the Dutch Crew of the Meermin, filled to capacity with human cargo, set sail from Madagascar en route to the Dutch colony of Cape Town, South Africa, but it never made it. Along this journey the Meermin experienced an overpowering mutiny from the slaves and cunning acts of deception from crew members determined to reach Cape Town. This program tracks the efforts of archaeologists, historians and slave descendents to discover the full story of this dramatic historical event.

• Monday, February 6th

Underground Railroad: The William Still Story – (Airs: 10 p.m.) – “Underground Railroad: The William Still Story” profiles William Still, one of the most important yet unheralded individuals of the Underground Railroad. The film details accounts of black abolitionists, who had everything at stake as they helped fugitives follow the North Star to Canada.

• Tuesday, February 7th

Freedom Riders: American Experience – (Airs: 8 p.m.) – They called themselves the Freedom Riders, the integrated group of college students who risked everything and bought a ticket on a Greyhound bus headed into the Deep South. For this inspirational documentary, veteran filmmaker Stanley Nelson gained impressive access to many influential figures on both sides of the civil rights issue as he showcases the astonishing testament to those students that managed to bring the president and the entire American public face to face with the challenge of correcting civil-rights inequities that plagued the nation.

• Thursday, February 9th

Independent Lens “The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” – (Airs: 10:30 p.m.) – Utilizing an innovative format that riffs on the popular 1970s mixtape format, the film is a cinematic and musical journey into the black communities of America. Filmmaker Goran Hugo Olsson brings newly discovered footage to light and introduces it to a new generation across the world in an examination of the Black Power movement from 1967 to 1975.

February 12th – February 18th

• Sunday, February 12th

Safe Harbor – (Airs: 3 p.m.) – “Safe Harbor” is an incredible story of strength and determination, told through the eyes of the slaves and the people who defied race and gender in one if the greatest survival stories of all time. “Safe Harbor” follows the Underground Railroad through a little-known passage to freedom in the northernmost corner of Pennsylvania. Character voices, reenactments, documents and diaries create a vivid account of Pennsylvania in the years leading up to the Civil War.

Gullah – (Airs: 4 p.m.) – “Gullah” is a documentary about the culture preserved by the descendents of the original slaves who have never left St. Helena Island, South Carolina where their ancestors endured their servitude.

A Harpist’s Legacy: Ann Hobson Pilot and the Sound of Change – (Airs: 4:30 p.m.) – This compelling documentary follows Ann Hobson Pilot’s trailblazing journey as the first black female principle player in a major symphony orchestra and also as an international soloist, teacher, mentor and driving force behind music-education programs for undeserved minorities. “A Harpist’s Legacy” uses her professional journey to explore the increasing racial diversity and shift in attitudes toward musicians of color in the classical music world.

Colored Frames – (Airs: 5 p.m.) – “Colored Frames” reflects on the last 50 years in African-American art by exploring the influences, inspirations and experiences of black artists. Beginning at the height of the Civil Rights Era and leading up to the present, it provides a truthful, unflinching look at often-ignored artists and their progeny. “Colored Frames” also chronicles the black artist’s struggle for visibility and acceptance in mainstream art society as well as their experiences challenging assumptions about what constitutes “blackness,” even within their own community.

• Monday, February 13th

Slavery by Another Name – (Airs: 9 p.m.) – “Slavery by Another Name” challenges one of America’s most cherished assumptions: the belief that slavery in this country ended with Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. This documentary tells a harrowing story of how in the South, even as slavery came to an end, new forms of involuntary servitude, including convict leasing, debt slavery and peonage, took its place with shocking force – brutalizing and ultimately circumscribing the lives of hundreds of thousands of African Americans well into the 20th century.

I am a Man: From Memphis, A Lesson in Life – (Airs: 10:30 p.m.) – Memphis sanitation worker Mr. Nickleberry tells an uplifting life story of endurance and character – joined by the other men and women of the 1968 sanitation strike whose courageous stand helped change the world forever.

• Thursday, February 16th

Jim Crow Pennsylvania* – (Airs: 8 p.m.) – Joined by historical footage, period photographs and interviews, the documentary explores ‘Jim Crow,’ its effect and legacy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, whose southern border is the Mason-Dixon line that divided slave states from free states. A WQED production.

Independent Lens “More Than a Month” – (Airs: 10:30 p.m.) – Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African-American filmmaker, is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. Through this tongue-in-cheek journey, “More Than a Month” investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America.

February 19th – February 25th

• Thursday, February 23rd

Fly Boys: Western Pennsylvania’s Tuskegee Airmen* – (Airs: 8 p.m.) – This documentary tells the fascinating stories of more than 40 of the brave African-American soldiers who served their country as pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance staff, and support staff during World War II. A WQED production.

February 26th – February 29th

• Monday, February 27th

In Performance at the White House: Red, White And Blues – (Airs: 9 p.m.) – President and

Mrs. Obama host this all-star celebration of the blues -- the musical form that sprang from the Mississippi Delta, up Highway 61 to the West Side of Chicago, with deep roots in Africa and slavery and influences on modern American music from soul to rock and roll. Leading popular artists' performances trace that migratory root and pay homage to the great figures of the genre and the songs they made famous -- from Robert Johnson to Muddy Waters.

American Masters “Cab Calloway: Sketches” – (Airs: 10 p.m.) – An ambassador for his race, Cab Calloway was the first black musician to tour the segregationist South, as early as 1932. A singer, dancer and band leader, he was an exceptional figure in the history of jazz. He was at the top of his game during the jazz and swing eras of the ‘30s and ‘40s, but his career flagged until he was rediscovered in the 1980s with appearances in the film “Blues Brothers” and the show “Sesame Street,” which gave him a new cult hero following of sorts.

* – Indicates that program will also be featured in February’s programming schedule on WQED: The Neighborhood Channel

ADDITIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME PROGRAMS

ON WQED: THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHANNEL

K. Leroy Irvis: A Lion in Pennsylvania – This documentary, narrated by Julian Bond, follows the life of K. Leroy Irvis through his formative years, his struggles as an activist, his legendary political speeches and his commitment to achieve social justice for all Pennsylvanians. K. Leroy Irvis made history in 1977 when he became the first (and ultimately, longest-serving) African-American Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania. Before he retired in 1988, Irvis fought tirelessly for civil rights, health care, consumer protection, prison reform, improvements in housing and education, and government reform.

House: A Black Horizons Special – This documentary is an in-depth and loving look at Pittsburgh's Westinghouse High School. Since the 1930's, Westinghouse has produced an amazing array of writers, educators, musicians and athletes. At the center of the special is the 64-65 Westinghouse Bull Dogs football team, who were all city champions. The program focuses on those players and where they are today, as well as others who were part of the Westinghouse success story.

WQED PITTSBURGH has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.
###

Playing for Change: The Band at The Byham

2012-02-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
February 1, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

Playing for Change: The Band

Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 7:30 p.m., Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

As a part of its international multimedia project that works to find ways to use the power of music as a unifying force around the world, Playing For Change: The Band will be performing on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at the Byham Theater, at 7:30 PM. The concert is a part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series and presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Playing For Change was founded by Mark Johnson, an American music producer who assembled a team in a mobile recording studio and travelled with them around the world in the early 2000s searching for musical inspirations and ties between cultures. The project found new life in 2008 when the nonprofit Playing For Change Foundation established Timeless Media, a joint venture with the for-profit Concord Music Group, in order to support ongoing media projects. Their debut CD/DVD set Songs Around the World was released in 2009 and reached #10 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. The group released its second CD, Songs Around the World, Part 2 in 2011.

Songs Around the World was particularly inspired by a performance of “Stand By Me” by the late street performer Roger Ridley in Santa Monica, California. On the album’s familiar tracks, largely unknown street artists such as Ridley or New Orleans street performer “Grandpa” Elliott Small are featured alongside music artists like Bono. Songs Around the World, Part 2 continues the musical journey with global inspirations. “The journey of this album takes us from a village in Mali to the favelas (slums) of Brazil, from New Orleans to India, Jamaica to Japan. We stopped in 15 countries and recorded more than 150 musicians,” said Johnson. “[Playing For Change is] a great showcase for just what incredible, thoroughly accessible popular music is being made worldwide.” – Variety

Additionally, the project has formed a band drawn from the worldwide family network of musicians. The Playing For Change band lineup includes percussionist Mohammed Alidu (Northern Ghana), vocalist Clarence Bekker (Netherlands/Suriname), vocalist/harmonica Grandpa Elliott Small (New Orleans), vocalist/percussionist Mermans Kenkosenki (DRC Congo), guitarist Jason Tamba (Kinshasa, the capital of DRC Congo), and vocalist Titi Tsira (Gugulethu, African township in the Western Cape). “No one walked out at the end of the night on Saturday without a smile. In fact, it’s quite possible that no one has ever left a performance by the Playing for Change Band without sporting a huge, ear-to-ear grin.” – Greg Haymes, The Times Union

Tickets ($28.00-$38.00) for Playing for Change: The Band on February 29, 2012, at the Byham Theater may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

Armitage Gone! Dance in Three Theories Premieres at the Byham

2012-02-02T05:53:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
February 1, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

Electronic images are available upon request.

Pittsburgh Dance Council presents Armitage Gone! Dance in Three Theories

Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

PittsburghDance Council proudly presents Armitage Gone! Dance in the Pittsburgh premiere of Three Theories at the Byham Theater on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 8:00 p.m.

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

Armitage Gone! Dance was created in 2005 upon Karole Armitage’s return from her 15-year stay in Europe. The company endorses innovation and is dedicated to refining the boundaries and perceptions of contemporary dance. Extending on classical and modern styles from the Balanchine and Cunningham tradition, Armitage permeates experimental thinking into the geometric balance, speed, rhythm and beauty of dance steps. Armitage derives inspiration from sources such as Japanese aesthetics, pop culture and new media, physics, fashion, and from her dancers of distinct cultural and dance backgrounds. Armitage Gone! Dance is noted for its collaborations with creators in the visual arts, science, and music, including artists Jeff Koons and David Salle, as well as string-theory physicist Brian Greene.

Three Theories (2010) is an evening-length work, inspired by renowned physicist Brian Greene’s best-selling book, The Elegant Universe. The performance itself is enriched with scientific discoveries and divided into three distinct sections – each defined by its own dance structure and musical language. Three Theories is performed by Leonides Arpon, Kristina Bethel-Blunt, Megumi Eda, William Isaac, Luke Manley, Bennyroyce Royon, Abbey Roesner, Marlon Taylor-Wiles, Emily Wagner, Mei-hua Wang, and Masayo Yamaguchi.

The series choreography begins with a prelude inspired by the Big Bang Theory, set to an excerpt from Chatham’s Two Gongs. The first section, titled Relativity, derives from Einstein’s hypothesis that gravity is the warping of the space-time fabric. Armitage advances her analysis of bending and twisting the horizontal and vertical lines of classical ballet in this dance. Relativity is a soothing dance, echoing Einstein’s recognition of the universe as a place of central order.

The second section, Quantum, is charged by Quantum Mechanics’ explanation of the volatility of the universe on the particle, or micro, level. As a result, Armitage created four ambiguous, rapid, off-kilter duets, set to Chatham’s driving initial score for 100 massed guitars precisely tuned to produce micro-tones. The choreographic structure for this section is inspired by Quantum Mechanics’ inception of “sum-over-paths,” which derives from a single dance phrase that is manipulated in a variation of ways.

The last section, String, draws from the string theory, which presumes that the fundamental matter of the universe is essentially a microscopic vibrating string, in which its vibrations are caused by the volume of the folded, intricate geometry surrounding it. “Legs twang like twisted arrows; hips pivot; feet slap sporadically on the floor…Armitage’s choreography is constantly morphing and moving into another mood, another feel (Dance Europe).”

Artistic director Karole Armitage, also known as the “punk ballerina,” began her professional career in 1973 as a member of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, Switzerland. The company was devoted to the works of George Balanchine, which stems the majority of Armitage’s inspiration. In 1976, Armitage’s career blossomed with leading roles in Merce Cunningham’s landmark works. She stayed with Cunningham for five years, and since then – through her unique knowledge of the aesthetic values of Balanchine and Cunningham – Armitage has created her own place in the modern world of dance. In 1978, Armitage created her first piece, followed by her iconic Drastic-Classicism in 1981.

Karole Armitage has won several awards in various countries for her outstanding work, including the Grand Prix Roscigno Danza, Officier dans L’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Chevalier dans L’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and the Guggenheim Fellowship for Choreography. Her unique style has set her apart from others. “The ‘Armitage style’ is distinguished by its virtuosity and its urgency. She pushes the frontiers that traditionally separate dance, theater, music, and visual arts (Arte Magazine).”

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.

JERSEY BOYS Returns to the Pittsburgh Stage

2012-02-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
January 31, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
412-471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

Return Engagement Announced for Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-Winning Best Musical JERSEY BOYS

The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Playing Pittsburgh's Benedum Center, September 4-23, 2012

Pittsburgh, PA: Dates have been announced for the Pittsburgh return engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The musical will make its much-anticipated return to the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, September 4, through Sunday, September 23, 2012.

JERSEY BOYS is the winner of the 2006 Best Musical Tony Award®, the 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the 2010 Helpmann Award for Best Musical (Australia). The premiere engagement of JERSEY BOYS in Pittsburgh was an overwhelming success in 2009, seen by over 130,000 theatergoers. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hailed, “Audience-watching at JERSEY BOYS is almost as much fun as what's happening on stage -- almost. You see heads bobbing, lips moving and feet tapping unbidden as hit after Four Seasons hit bursts through the theater.” And Pittsburgh Tribune-Review noted, “JERSEY BOYS has a lot to love…[It’s] a musical with songs you know, love and want to hear again integrated into a story you don't know, but get caught up in.”JERSEY BOYS worldwide has been seen by approximately 13 million people (as of July 17, 2011).

Directed by two-time Tony®Award-winner Des McAnuff, JERSEY BOYS is written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

JERSEY BOYS is part of the PNC Broadway Across America – Pittsburgh series presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Catch a sneak peek of Jersey Boys! Log on to www.JerseyBoysTour.com/watch.

JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty.

JERSEY BOYS opened at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway to critical acclaim on November 6, 2005. The JERSEY BOYS First National Tour opened to rave reviews in San Francisco on December 1, 2006, played a record-breaking run in Los Angeles and is still breaking house records in cities across North America. There are six current productions of JERSEY BOYS worldwide: New York; London; Las Vegas; Auckland, New Zealand (begins April 2012); and two US National tours.

The JERSEY BOYS design and production team comprises Klara Zieglerova (Scenic Design), Jess Goldstein (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (winner of the 2006 Tony Award® for his Lighting Design of JERSEY BOYS), Steve Canyon Kennedy (Sound Design), Michael Clark (Projections Design), Charles LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Orich (Orchestrations) and Ron Melrose (Music Direction, Vocal Arrangements & Incidental Music).

JERSEY BOYS is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, with Latitude Link and Rick Steiner.

JERSEY BOYS will play in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Benedum Center, September 4-23, 2012. The performance schedule is Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for JERSEY BOYS begin at $29.00 and will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 7, 2012 at www.trustarts.org, the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue) and by calling 412-456-4800. Groups 10+ are available by calling 412-471-6930. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to chance without notice. For more information, please visit www.JerseyBoysTour.com or www.trustarts.org.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of JERSEY BOYS, produced by Bob Gaudio, was recently certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.The cast recording is now available on Rhino Records. JERSEY BOYS: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Broadway Books) is the official handbook to the smash Broadway hit. Seasons Greetings: A JERSEY BOYS Christmas, a new holiday CD featuring international cast members of JERSEY BOYS, produced by Bob Gaudio, is now available on Rhino Records.

For more information on JERSEY BOYS, go to www.JerseyBoysTour.com or www.trustarts.org.
# # #

For photos or interviews, please contact Veronica Corpuz, 412-471-6082 / corpuz@trustarts.org

Building Strategies for Sustainable Growth Topic of eMagnify Symposium

2012-01-31T07:04:00.000-08:00

"Building Strategies for Sustainable Growth"

A Women's Entrepreneurial Symposium

March 9, 2012

presented by

Seton Hill University's
E-Magnify Women's Business Center

Save the date for the 2012 E-Magnify women's entrepreneurial symposium, "Building Strategies for Sustainable Growth," which will be held at the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center in downtown Greensburg, PA, on Friday, March 9. This year's symposium will focus on growth strategies for small businesses and will include workshops and a keynote address on a variety of ways to increase your organization's revenue stream.

The Symposium Keynote Speaker will be Mary Cantando, president of The Woman's Advantage. She will deliver a keynote address entitled "Make This Your Best Year Ever...in Business!". As a nationally recognized speaker, author, columnist, and consultant, Mary engages audiences throughout the country with her insight and understanding regarding the power and potential of women business owners. Her presentations deliver powerful, cutting-edge information that provide immediate results for her audiences.

An entrepreneurial executive since 1989, Mary is a recognized authority on women's business initiatives. Having personally closed sales of up to $50M, Mary is a respected sales and marketing expert who serves as a trusted mentor and advisor, and has helped countless women entrepreneurs develop new, successful revenue streams for their enterprises.

Mary is a member of the National Speakers' Association and presents at regional, national, and international events focused on the recognition and development of women business owners. She also serves as a facilitator for the Women Presidents' Organization, sits on the advisory board of Enterprising Women magazine, and serves on the National Forum of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. In addition, she is tapped as a resource by media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fast Company.

Mary will speak about building strategies for sustainable growth at this year's E-Magnify women's entrepreneurial symposium. Growing a business is challenging whether you are just starting or are a seasoned entrepreneur. Developing key strategies to sustain your business is essential to long-term growth.

Full symposium details and registration will be available soon. Please mark your calendar for Friday, March 9, and get ready to grow your business!

About E-Magnify

Seton Hill University's E-Magnify® women's business center provides business counseling, training, and mentoring to help women start and grow their businesses. For more information about E-Magnify please visit www.e-magnify.com.

Tribute Show Brit Floyd Showcases Pink Floyd's Greatest Hits

2012-01-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:

January 26, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Presents BRIT FLOYD - The British Pink Floyd Greatest Hits World Tour 2012

Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., Benedum Center

BRIT FLOYD, the new PINK FLOYD tribute show, is coming to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. BRIT FLOYD was created by Chas Cole and Damian Darlington, the long-time producer and musical director of The Australian Pink Floyd Show. The British Pink Floyd Greatest Hits World Tour brings together all the best elements of a real Pink Floyd show: world-class musicians and world-class road crew, together with cutting-edge Floydian animation and new stage production. "Blindingly brilliant, jaw droppingly authentic...at last Pink Floyd have the tribute show they deserve!" (The News, Portsmouth) The tour will feature Damian Darlington, lead guitar and vocals; Ian Cattell, lead vocals and bass; Bobby Harrison, guitar; Carl Brunsdon, sax and percussion; Rob Stringer, keyboards; Arran Ahmun, drums; Ola Bienkowska, Emily Jollands and Jacquie Williams, vocals.

About the members of BRIT FLOYD:

In the beginning of 1994, Damian Darlington joined the Australian Pink Floyd Show and, during a period of almost 17 years, he went on to play close to 1,300 shows all over the world in theatres, hall and arenas. Ian Cattell spent six years with the Australian Pink Floyd show where he played bass and sung lead vocals in more than 500 performances in 32 countries around the world. Bobby Harrison has toured the USA and Canada extensively with the Australian Pink Floyd Show and has played guitar for the hit Queen show We Will Rock You in London’s West End, as well as in Zurich, Stuttgart, and Vienna, where he also performed with Brian May.

Carl Brunsdon began playing saxophone at age 11 and bass at age 23. For the Australian Pink Floyd Show, Brunsdon contributed his talents on sax, bass, percussion, guitar and keyboards.

At 6 years old, Rob Stringer began playing on a honkey-tonk piano in his parents’ utility room. That talent evolved into playing keyboards on two previous Australian Pink Floyd shows, and he has recently performed in a Beatles theatre show.

Arran Ahmun turned pro at 19 and shortly thereafter spent two years in London playing in West End shows. Throughout the 90s, he continued extensive touring and recording with artists such as Alison Moyet, Linda Lewis, The Proclaimers (including two No. 1 hits), Robbie Robertson, and the Jools Holland Big Band.

Ola Bienkowska's latest solo credits include two large-scale orchestral projects, one whose live recording went gold in April 2010, and her duet with Polish crooner Wojciech Gassowski for a rendition of “Dream A Little Dream Of Me.”

Emily Jolland's passion has been singing since she was a young girl, and she first toured as the lead in a National Opera production of Cinderella at age twelve. In 2003, she began working with the Australian Pink Floyd tribute band and has been a part of the project ever since.

Jacquie Williams has performed backing vocals for musicians such as Michael Buble, Martin Fry, Jason Donovan, Thelma Houston, and many others. In 2005, a song she wrote for U.S. Diva Kathy Brown called “Stronger on my Own” reached U.K. chart position number six.

Tickets are $32.25-$47.25 and may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

Pittsburgh Premiere of Distant Worlds

2012-01-30T12:45:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
January 30, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

The Pittsburgh premiere of Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY

Saturday, February 25, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., Benedum Center

Image from VII Concert

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents “Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY,” the international concert phenomenon featuring Nobuo Uematsu's stirring music from the award-winning role-playing video game FINAL FANTASY on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at the Benedum Center. “Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY” will be conducted by Grammy Award winner Arnie Roth and will feature the Distant Worlds Philharmonic Orchestra and the Benedum Center Orchestra, as well as guest vocalist Susan Calloway.

This concert is presented by Attila Glatz Concerts Productions in association with Columbia Artists Management, Inc. and appears as part of the Cohen and Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Tickets ($38.25 - $78.25) for the February 25, 2012, performance of “Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY” at the Benedum Center may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.

With more than 70 musicians on stage, “Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY” is a multi-media feast for the ears and the eyes. Composer Nobuo Uematsu's music, hailed by Time Magazine’s Christopher John Farley for “...imbuing FINAL FANTASY games with grandeur and depth, much the way John Williams’ score helped propel Star Wars into hyperspace,” is sweeping and richly atmospheric. Originally created to enhance the gaming experience of one of the best-selling video game franchises in history, the compositions have garnered legions of fans of their own.

“While originally composed to set the tone for the FINAL FANTASY games, Uematsu’s music is as emotionally compelling and sophisticated as the work of any composer working today,” said Music Director and Executive Producer Arnie Roth, who has held the baton for all FINAL FANTASY concerts in North America and Europe, including those featuring the San Francisco Symphony, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicagoland Pops Orchestra and Seattle Symphony, as well as the Tokyo Philharmonic. “The breadth of his work is astounding, encompassing traditional orchestral and operatic work to pop-inspired ballads. To witness the overwhelming reaction of audiences – and even veteran musicians – to this music is a genuine thrill.”

About the Concert and Tour

The “Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY” concert will include highlights from Uematsu's music for the FINAL FANTASY game franchise (produced by Square Enix and now in its 14th edition since the franchise’s debut in 1987, with more than 97 million units sold). Also being performed is new music from the recently released FINAL FANTASY XIII, by composer Masashi Hamauzu and new scores by Nobuo Uematsu from the newest release, FINAL FANTASY XIV. This live performance celebrates the music of Japanese video game composer Nobuo Uematsu and includes state-of -the-art HD video presentations filled with images direct from Square Enix and exclusive to the Distant Worlds concert production.

FINAL FANTASY VIII: “Eyes On Me” will receive its North American premiere performance in Pittsburgh featuring renowned vocalist Susan Calloway. It was released as a CD single in Japan and sold more than 400,000 copies, making it the highest-selling video game music disc ever released in that country at the time. “Eyes On Me” was the first song in video game history to win an award at the 14th Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards, where it won “Song of the Year (Western Music)” in 1999.

Susan Calloway is a singer well known to the FINAL FANTASY community as a featured soloist on the Distant Worlds concerts and recordings. Nobuo Uematsu personally requested Susan to sing the vocal theme of FINAL FANTASY XIV: “Answers.” She will be featured in FINAL FANTASY XII: “Kiss Me Good-bye” and FINAL FANTASY VIII: “Eyes On Me.”

After the success of the first live concert of this music in 2002, Uematsu’s music has been featured on several tours, including the first Distant Worlds worldwide tour 2007, which began in Stockholm, Sweden. Coinciding with the beginning of this tour, Roth and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra released the album Distant Worlds: music from Final Fantasy, which contains most of the songs performed at the concert. The album was praised as “one of life and energy” by Square Enix music online, who found the performance to be of superb quality.

Since the FINAL FANTASY concert’s debut in 2002 in Japan, the concerts have grown to become some of the most popular orchestral events in the world, frequently selling out in a matter of days.

About Composer Nobuo Uematsu

Nobuo Uematsu is universally recognized as one of the most celebrated video game composers in the field, having achieved global recognition for his music from the FINAL FANTASY franchise that has been performed by world-class orchestras around the globe. Seen as a major proponent and contributor for the increasing popularity and performance of video game music, his song “Eyes on Me,” the theme song from FINAL FANTASY VIII, sold a record number of copies and was the first video game song to win “Song of the Year (Western Music)” at the Japanese Gold Disc Awards in 1999. The music from the game series has grown to such notoriety that Nobuo Uematsu was named as one of the “Innovators” in Time Magazine’s “Time 100: the Next Wave Music” feature.

About Music Director Arnie Roth

Music Director Arnie Roth is a Grammy-winning artist known for his work with performers including Il Divo, Diana Ross, Jewel, The Irish Tenors, Charlotte Church, Peter Cetera, and Dennis DeYoung. Roth has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the BBC Symphony, the Czech National Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the Detroit Symphony, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic and the Sydney Symphony.

Roth is well known in the world of video game music for his work with Nobuo Uematsu and Square Enix as Music Director and Conductor of the “Dear Friends: music from FINAL FANTASY,” “More Friends: music from FINAL FANTASY,” “VOICES: music from FINAL FANTASY,” as well as his role as Music Director and Conductor of “PLAY! A Video Game Symphony.” He was the winner of the Best Score Award at the 2003 DVD Premier Awards for his score for the film BarbieTM as Rapunzel and was nominated for an Emmy in 2007 for his original song “Shine” from the movie BarbieTM in The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Roth has produced dozens of best-selling CDs. For more information, visit www.awrmusic.com.

About Presenter Attila Glatz Concert Productions

Attila Glatz Concert Productions arrived on the thriving North American concert scene in 1987 committed to maintaining both the quality and authenticity of popular musical presentations in Canada and the United States. The company’s signature event is the beloved New Year’s concert, “SALUTE TO VIENNATM,” patterned after Vienna’s original NEUJAHRSKONZERT and presented around New Year’s Day in many of North America’s major concert halls, from Lincoln Center in New York City to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. and from Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall to Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre and Montreal’s Place des Arts. For the past 17 years, this simultaneously-produced holiday series has delighted audiences wanting to usher in the New Year to the sounds of Johann Strauss, Jr. and his contemporaries. All concerts feature a 70-piece symphonic orchestra under the baton of renowned European conductors, stellar European singers and Viennese dancers. Each and every year, the producers introduce a fresh new program with different headline artists. For their continuous hard work, passion and dedication, the co-founders of Attila Glatz Concert Productions, Marion and Attila Glatz, were awarded one of Europe’s finest honors, the Austrian Government’s Decoration of Merit in Gold, for their authentic recreation of Vienna’s adored New Year’ s tradition. www.salutetovienna.com. Attila Glatz Concert Productions has also produced and presented numerous other sell-outs including: Bravissimo! Opera’s Greatest Hits (annual New Year’s Eve Concert in Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall); The Lord of the Rings Symphony; Daniel O’Donnell, the famous Irish crooner; Tango Buenos Aires, and more. http://www.glatzconcerts.com/.

Nominate An Exceptional Woman for Tribute to Women Leadership Award

2012-01-25T04:50:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Laura Harwin
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
412-255-1279

YWCA seeks nominations for 2012 Tribute to Women Leadership Awards

Nomination deadline is February 8

PITTSBURGH, PA (January 19, 2012): Do you know an exceptional woman who has made a difference for other women in our community? It’s time to nominate her for a 2012 Tribute to Women Leadership Award. The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is currently accepting nominations through Wednesday, February 8.

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh launched the Tribute to Women Leadership Awards in 1983 to affirm its mission to empower women and girls to reach their personal and professional goals. Since then, the YWCA has honored the accomplishments of more than 200 exceptional women, saluting them for helping to shape the direction of our region and improve the lives of others.

This year’s awards will highlight women in the following categories: Arts & Culture, Business & Industry, Civic & Community Service, Education, Entrepreneur, Health & Human Services, Professional Services, and Science & Technology. Besides these eight award categories, the YWCA has added a Young Leader award category this year to honor a young woman between 25 and 40 years of age who has demonstrated exceptional leadership early in her career. The addition of the Young Leader Award is consistent with the YWCA Board of Directors’ decision to create a Young Leaders Board last year. The nomination form for all categories is available online at www.ywcapgh.org.

The YWCA invites nominations from individuals, businesses, professional groups and community organizations. Selecting the winners is the responsibility of the YWCA’s 2012 Tribute to Women Event Committee, comprised of a diverse group of professionals representing the award categories.

Awards will be presented at the 30th annual Tribute to Women Leadership Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 16, at the Westin Hotel, 1000 Penn Avenue, downtown.

Proceeds from the event benefit the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s programs and services. For more information about Tribute to Women, call 412-255-1261 or email ttw@ywcapgh.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is a women’s membership movement committed to the elimination of racism and the economic empowerment of women and girls. To learn more about the YWCA’s programs and services, visit www.ywcapgh.org or call 412-391-5100.
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Uncommon at the August Wilson Center

2012-01-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

UNCOMMON, February 3-12, 2012 at the August Wilson Center

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Uncommon, on stage February 3-12 at the August Wilson Center, presents a new, world premiere work by Dwight Rhoden, Chromatic, as well as Brahm’s Quintet by Dennis Nahat and Maelstrom by Mark Morris. Audiences will be treated to an experience that will challenge any predetermined ideas regarding the relationship between classical composition and ballet. This is the first time Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings a part of its season to the August Wilson Center. Tickets to Uncommon can be purchased online at www.pbt.org, or by phone at (412) 456-6666.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre plans to announce it’s 2012-2013 Season at the performances of Uncommon.

QUOTE:

This world premiere ballet [Chromatic] set to Bach is an exciting venture. The new work will look at the dynamic and multi-dimensional nature of the music and movement from the Baroque period, and hopefully bring a 21st century spin to a visual presentation.—Dwight Rhoden

About Choreographer Dwight Rhoden

Mr. Rhoden is a founding Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, based in New York City. A former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, he has established a remarkably wide-ranging career. “One of the most sought-after choreographers of the day“ (New York Times), he has created more than 80 ballets for his own company, and his work has been featured in television productions from PBS’s Great Performances specials to the popular series, So You Think You Can Dance. Dance Magazine has praised his “new aesthetic in movement, stage, picture, and performance concepts reflecting a post-modern, techno-savvy worldview.”

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and The August Wilson Center

In 2011, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) and the August Wilson Center (AWC) will began a multiyear partnership that includes the Ballet’s premiere performances of Uncommon, in the Center’s 486-seat theatre, February 3-12, 2012. This partnership seeks to develop and provide world-class artistic content that will enrich the artistic substance of both institutions to the benefit of the Greater Pittsburgh community and beyond. The collaboration will include performances, education & cultivation and workshops & master classes.

Moving from the Byham Theater to the August Wilson Center will provide PBT patrons with a more intimate experience at the ballet.

Info from August Wilson Center:

About the August Wilson Center for African American Culture

Named for Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright and Hill District native August Wilson, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture engages regional and national audiences in its mission of preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating and shaping the art, culture and history of African Americans in Western Pennsylvania and people of African descent throughout the world.

Located in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, the multidisciplinary August Wilson Center is reflective of all aspects of African American culture. The Center’s striking, two-story, green building houses seven exhibition galleries, a 486-seat theater for performances in all disciplines, a cultivation center, a café and gift shop, and multipurpose spaces for community programs and events. The Center is among a select few African American cultural institutions presenting visual and performing arts, the humanities and educational programs in a state-of-the-art venue.

The August Wilson Center – At The Center Of It All!

More information is available on The Center’s website at AugustWilsonCenter.org and by calling 412.258.2700.
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Ocean Soul with National Geographic Photographer Brian Skerry at The Byham

2012-01-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date: January 19, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

National Geographic Live: “Ocean Soul” with Underwater Photographer Brian Skerry

Sunday, February 12, 2012, at 4:00 p.m, Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street

Voyage across the earth’s oceans with Brian Skerry, one of National Geographic’s most seasoned underwater photographers, and discover a vast, hidden world beneath the waves. Brian Skerry will present his photographic journey and lecture, Ocean Soul, at the Byham Theater on Sunday, February 12, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. followed by a Q&A session and book signing. This lecture is a part of the National Geographic Live! speakers series*, a part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series, and is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Tickets ($20-$40) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call group sales at (412) 471-6930.

Using his camera to communicate, Brian Skerry has spent three decades—and more than 10,000 hours underwater—telling the oceans’ stories. His images celebrate the mystery and beauty of the depths and offer portraits of creatures so detailed and intimate they sometimes appear to have been shot in a studio. Skerry dives eight months of the year, often in extreme conditions beneath Arctic ice or in predator-infested waters, and has even lived at the bottom of the sea to be close to his subjects.

Skerry’s National Geographic book, Ocean Soul, offers a powerful retrospective of Skerry’s photographs and showcases his ability to create images that blend strong aesthetic beauty with journalistic relevance. Skerry explains, “I fell in love with the sea as a child and I wanted to tell stories about all I saw underwater. I never cease to be amazed at the extraordinary encounters I have when I’m at sea.” Ocean Soul takes readers from the glacial waters of the North Atlantic, where harp seals face pressure from commercial hunting, to the balmy central Pacific, where Skerry’s camera caught evidence of damaged coral ecosystems actually rebuilding themselves.

When not in the field, Skerry is a passionate advocate for the oceans he loves to photograph. His riveting talks before audiences at TED, Harvard, The National Press Club, and London’s Royal Geographic Society reinforce his lifelong mission to build reverence for these exquisite landscapes and encourage protection of them for future generations of ocean lovers.

*National Geographic Live! speakers series, at the Byham Theater, also will feature Annie Griffiths: A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel, on Sunday, April 22, 2012, at 4:00 p.m.

Calling All Kids for PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest

2012-01-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

WQED PITTSBURGH IS CALLING ALL KIDS FOR ANNUAL WRITERS CONTEST

PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest encourages children to create original stories and illustrations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 18, 2012

CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

WQED PITTSBURGH IS CALLING ALL KIDS FOR ANNUAL WRITERS CONTEST

PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest encourages children to create original stories and illustrations

PITTSBURGH – WQED Pittsburgh is kicking off the new year with the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest for students in grades kindergarten through third, a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. 2012 marks the eighteenth year that WQED has offered the Contest to the region and the third year that EQT Corporation is sponsoring WQED’s contest in partnership with West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WV PBS.) Also partnering with WQED this year is Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU) which serves central Pennsylvania. A central website, writeonkids.org, provides information about the Contest and the local enrichment opportunities offered in each station area.

“By offering the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest to our region, we are encouraging early learners to explore their creativity while developing essential literacy skills,” said Jennifer Stancil, Executive Director of Educational Partnerships at WQED. “WQED’s commitment to literacy and to nurturing children’s creative expression is unwavering, and we are delighted to offer this Contest again locally in partnership with our sister stations, WV PBS and WPSU. Research shows that creative writing can enhance and improve a child’s literacy development, and through this Contest, we are helping prepare children for learning and success, in school and beyond.”

Beginning January 14, 2012, WQED, WV PBS, WPSU and other PBS stations throughout the country will work with schools, public libraries and other education organizations to implement the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest in their communities. To celebrate the beginning of the Contest and distribute related materials, WQED will host the openings of two new PBS KIDS Library Corners, the first in the region, at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie on January 26 and at the Homestead Library on February 2. These events, primarily for school groups, will also feature appearances by characters from the popular PBS KIDS programs, SUPER WHY! and The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! The Saturday Light Brigade, a key local partner in the 2012 Contest, will also install and debut two new Story Boxes that highlight winning stories from the 2011 Contest, read by the student authors themselves. A Story Box is a wall-mounted or tabletop box, the face of which contains pictures with “hot spots” that are pressed to hear audio tracks.

For more information on the PBS KIDS Writers Contest in West Virginia, Southwestern Pennsylvania, and Central Pennsylvania, including entry forms, rules, contest resources, and local event listings, go to www.writeonkids.org

In order to equip parents and teachers to best support their students’ contest entries, WQED will conduct three one-hour webinars on issues related to writing and illustration.

To register for:

• “Writing and Editing” January 25 at 3:30 p.m. with elementary school teacher Caley Svensson;

• “Ideation to Storyboarding” February 8 at 3:30 p.m. with local children’s author Michael Scotto;

• “Illustration” March 7 at 3:30 p.m. with Joe Wos, Executive Director of the Toonseum

go to www.writeonkids.org or click on the webinar titles above.

WQED, WV PBS and WPSU will select local winners and award prizes. Local winners will be entered into the national level of the Contest where a panel of judges will select the winners. National winners will be announced and prizes – including tablets, e-readers and MP3 players – will be awarded during summer 2012.

For the second year in a row, WQED has partnered with The Saturday Light Brigade to invite winners and honorable mentions from the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest to record their stories live in the Saturday Light Brigade radio studios at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh; these recordings will be made on April 28. Winning stories will be aired by The Saturday Light Brigade as part of their Youth Expression Showcase, archived on SLB's website, matched with individual author’s stories in the “Previous Winners” section of the Contest website, and included in new versions of The Saturday Light Brigade’s contest storyboxes.

This year’s winners’ celebration will be held in the historic Fred Rogers’ Studio at WQED in Oakland on May 12 and will feature performances of the winners’ stories that have been transformed into puppet plays.

About WQED Pittsburgh

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

About Penn State Public Broadcasting

Penn State Public Broadcasting serves central Pennsylvania with programming, educational services and community outreach. Its public media services produce, acquire and distribute programs that address local interests and reflect the diverse cultural, political, geographic and demographic characteristics of an audience within central Pennsylvania.

About West Virginia Public Broadcasting

West Virginia Public Broadcasting nurtures personal growth, promotes civic responsibility and inspires lifelong discovery through high-quality programming and services. West Virginia Public Radio, West Virginia PBS, wvpubcast.org and Ready To Learn® are all services of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Friends of West Virginia Public Broadcasting is a 501(c)3 organization responsible for receiving donated funds from individuals for annual membership to West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Friends serve as ambassadors in their communities on behalf of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

All of the licenses for West Virginia Public Broadcasting are held by the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, Kay Goodwin, Secretary.

About Saturday Light Brigade

SLB Radio Productions, Inc. (SLB) uses radio and audio to encourage, amplify, share and archive the ideas, stories, and feelings of children, youth and families. SLB believes in radio and audio because these technologies enable a sense of intimacy, engagement and self-directed imagination that is often lacking in other media, while also promoting opportunities for privacy (given that children need not be photographed), equal access (audio has fewer barriers for participation than other media), and sharpening of important life skills (i.e., speaking and listening, imagination, creative expression, and critical thinking, respect for others, confidence and cooperation, and technical curiosity).

About PBS KIDS GO!

PBS KIDS GO! offers early elementary children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online and community-based programs. For more information on specific PBS KIDS GO! content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, join our community online on Twitter and Facebook, or visit pbskidsgo.org.
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Carnegie Music Hall Hosts Pittsburgh Native Christopher O'Riley on NPR

2012-01-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

POPULAR NPR SHOW "FROM THE TOP" WITH PITTSBURGH'S OWN CHRISTOPHER O'RILEY TAPES BROADCAST AT CARNEGIE MUSIC HALL ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 AT 8 P.M.

For Immediate Release - January 17, 2012

Program Contact:

Eleanor Dowling
617-437-0707 x103
edowling@fromthetop.org

Christopher O'Riley

Popular NPR Show “From the Top” with Pittsburgh’s Own Christopher O’Riley tapes broadcast at Carnegie Music Hall on Tuesday, February 14 at 8 pm

From the Top, the preeminent showcase for young musicians heard weekly on Classical WQED-FM 89.3 comes to the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to tape a radio broadcast on Tuesday, February 14 at 8:00 pm. The popular NPR program, hosted by Pittsburgh’s own acclaimed pianist Christopher O'Riley, will feature the amazing performances and captivating personal stories of extraordinary young classical musicians from across the country. This episode is presented by the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University with local media sponsor Classical WQED-FM 89.3. To purchase tickets, visit www.showclix.com/event/FromtheTop or call 1-888-71-TICKETS. From the Top’s 2011-12 National Tour is sponsored by U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management.

The broadcast taping features local 17-year-old violist Daniel Orsen from Pittsburgh, performing the fourth movement from Sonata in F-minor by Johannes Brahms, accompanied by host Christopher O’Riley on the piano; and 14-year-old pianist and composer Aleksandr Voinov from Sewickley, Pennsylvania performing Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 by Frédéric Chopin.

Also on the broadcast: 17-year-old euphonium player Grant Jameson from Dublin, Ohio performing “Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms” by Simone Mantia, accompanied by Christopher O’Riley; 16-year-old violinist Kelly Talim from Buffalo Grove, Illinois performing Caprice No.6, "D'après l'Étude en forme de Valse", Op.52 by Camille Saint Saëns, accompanied by Christopher O’Riley. A final performer will be chosen in the coming weeks.

This episode will air nationally the week of March 5, 2012 and on Classical WQED-FM 89.3 Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 5 pm. From the Top is heard weekly on Classical WQED-FM 89.3, Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7 in Johnstown, and at wqed.org worldwide Saturdays at 5 pm.

About From the Top

What began as a radio experiment in 2000 quickly became one of the fastest growing and most popular weekly classical music programs on public radio. Broadcast on nearly 250 stations nationwide to an audience of more than 700,000 listeners each week, From the Top has been described by the Boston Globe as, "an entertaining, accessible and inspirational mix of outstanding musical performances, informal interviews, skits and games, the show is a celebration of extraordinary musicians who happen to be teenagers leading fairly normal lives."

Annually, From the Top's live tapings reach more than 20,000 live audience members of all ages across the United States. In conjunction with its national tour, through From the Top’s Center for the Development of Arts Leaders, the Boston-based non-profit offers leadership training to young artists and conducts classroom and community programs leveraging the power of its performers as role models for younger students. In addition, From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation award $10,000 scholarships to high achieving musicians with limited financial means. The program has invested more than $1.4 million in support for pre-college students since 2005. From the Top launched its Emmy Award winning PBS television series From the Top at Carnegie Hall in 2007.

From the Top's radio program is made possible through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and support from U.S. Trust. It is also supported through the generous contributions of individuals and institutions as well as public radio stations. From the Top is an independent non-profit organization headquartered in Boston. From the Top’s founding partners are New England Conservatory and WGBH. Learn more at www.fromthetop.org.

About WQED Pittsburgh

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

About Carnegie Mellon University School of Music

Founded in 1912 as one of the five schools of the College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Mellon’s School of Music educates outstanding, intellectually gifted musicians through excellence in performance, creativity, scholarship and pedagogy. The School of Music offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in instrumental and vocal performance, composition and keyboard performance as well as a Bachelor of Science in Music and Technology. A Master of Music degree is offered in performance, composition, conducting, collaborative piano and music education and a Master of Science in Music and Technology. Additionally, the School of Music offers a variety of highly acclaimed non-degree programs, such as the Artist Diploma (Performance, Composition, Conducting), Advanced Music Studies Certificate (Performance, Composition, Piano Pedagogy, Audio Recording and Production, and Piano Maintenance), Dalcroze Eurhythmics Certification, Orff Schulwerk Teacher Training and Music Education Certification. The School of Music presents more than 250 events annually, many of which are free and open to the public. More information can be found at music.cmu.edu. To learn more about Carnegie Mellon University, go to http://www.cmu.edu/about/cmufactsheet.pdf.
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Bat Population Near Extinction

2012-01-19T06:58:00.000-08:00

STATE BAT POPULATION NEAR EXTINCTION DUE TO FUNGUS SPREADING NATIONWIDE

Experience: The Race to Save Pennsylvania's Bats Premieres Monday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 18, 2012

CONTACT:

George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org

Maria Pisano
412-622-1459
mpisano@wqed.org

STATE BAT POPULATION NEAR EXTINCTION DUE TO FUNGUS SPREADING NATIONWIDE

Experience: The Race to Save Pennsylvania’s Bats

Premieres Monday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV

PITTSBURGH—More than a million bats in the northeastern United States have died from a fungus called White Nose Syndrome (WNS.) While bats might conjure fear, they provide an essential service to all humans by helping to control pests that pose threats to our agriculture, forestry and health. On Monday, January 23 WQED’s local documentary series Experience presents The Race to Save Pennsylvania’s Bats at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV.

With more than 98% of Pennsylvania’s cave bats gone, biologists are calling WNS the worst wildlife crisis in history. Emmy® Award winning producer Gina Catanzarite takes viewers inside local caves, mines and research labs to reveal how Pennsylvania has emerged as a national leader in the fight against WNS. Featured in the documentary are endangered mammal specialist Greg Turner and biologist Cal Butchkoski of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, along with renowned bat researcher Dr. DeeAnn Reeder of Bucknell University. The program also shows how Pennsylvania residents can help slow the spread of this disease in their own neighborhoods.

Experience programs may be viewed the day after their premiere broadcast online at wqed.org along with other local WQED productions including Horizons, It’s Pittsburgh...& A Lot Of Other Stuff, Pittsburgh 360° and 4802. Experience airs Mondays at 7:30 p.m. on WQED-TV and showcases locally produced half-hour documentaries. For more information regarding Experience go to: wqed.org/experience and “Like” on Facebook® at facebook.com/ExperienceOnWQED.

WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 128 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED Pittsburgh is one of the first broadcasters in the country to be fully high-definition (HD) in its studio and field production capabilities. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and The WQED Education Department.

Experience Dutch Culture with Three Month Distinctively Dutch Festival

2012-01-19T06:25:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:

January 18, 2012

Contact:

Veronica Corpuz

(412) 471-6082

corpuz@trustarts.org

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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Kingsley Jazz Explosion Honors Local Jazz Legends

2012-01-16T06:09:00.000-08:00

Kingsley Association Presents

The Kingsley Awards:

JAZZ EXPLOSION

at The Hillman Center for The Performing Arts

Shady Side Academy Senior School

423 Fox Chapel Road

15238

25 February 2012

Doors open at 6:00pm / Show starts at 7:00pm

Visit www.kingsleyassociation.org

Kingsley Jazz Explosion

Join the Kingsley Association on February 25th for the Kingsley Awards: Jazz Explosion.

Roger Humphries

Dr. Nelson Harrison

Tony Mowod

The evening’s tribute will pay homage to our local jazz legends, Roger Humphries, Dr. Nelson Harrison and Tony Mowod, as they are honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to the art of Jazz.

Doors open at 6:00pm with the show starting at 7:00pm.

at The Hillman Center for The Performing Arts

Shady Side Academy Senior School
423 Fox Chapel Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Featuring Music By Kenny Blake, Jay Willis, Lou Stellute, Tony Campbell and 4th and Ten, with Mark Strickland & DC Chandler

Reception

Meet and greet with the artists at the post-concert reception in The Black Box Theater at The Hillman Center. Delicious finger foods and light alcoholic beverages catered by Savoy Restaurant.

Tickets

$25 General Admission

$50 Reserved Seating

$75 VIP (Reception)

For tickets visit http://www.proarts.org/ or call 412.631.8939

Nominate Pittsburgh Fashionistas for the Fashion Hall of Fame 2012

2012-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

Pittsburgh Fashion Week

Nominations Sought For

Pittsburgh Fashion Hall of Fame 2012

Immediate Release
January 6, 2012

Pittsburgh Fashion Week - Fashion Hall of Fame Nominations

Pittsburgh Fashion Week is looking for the next six Fashion Hall of Fame Inductees

(PITTSBURGH) -- Nominations are being accepted for the third line of inductees into the Pittsburgh Fashion Hall of Fame at Pittsburgh Fashion Week this fall.

Are you considered a fashion icon or know someone who is? Pittsburgh Fashion Week (PFW) is looking for individuals who have impacted Pittsburgh through fashion, style and beauty.

The public is invited to nominate anyone with roots in Pittsburgh for the award. Nominations must include the name of the nominee, explanation of why the person is deserving, and contact information of the nominee. Nominations are due February 15 and may be submitted via email to halloffame@pittsburghfashionweek.com or by snail mail to Pittsburgh Fashion Week, P.O. Box 17947, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235-7947. Please keep submissions brief. Bullet points are preferred.

Nominees will be evaluated based on longevity and significance of contribution in the general areas of fashion or beauty and must have at least 10 years in the industry. They can be persons living in Pittsburgh, or persons born or raised in Pittsburgh and currently living elsewhere. Five to eight honorees may be culled from what are expected to be scores of nominees.

The purpose is to shine a spotlight on fashion icons from the city of Pittsburgh. We want to bring them to the forefront to honor them and continue to inform Pittsburghers that there are people here and from here who have done prominent things in the world of fashion. That is why we are honoring these iconic figures. Honorees will be announced in March and will be inducted at a luncheon at the Omni William Penn hotel, Downtown, on the last day of fashion week, September 30.

Aside from fashion weeks in major American cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, a number of smaller cities have debuted their own fashion weeks in recent years: Portland, Ore., Charlotte, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Phoenix to name a few. But none began as ambitiously as Pittsburgh Fashion Week in terms of length, and none have a hall of fame concept to honor local fashion luminaries.

The public can keep up with the latest developments of Pittsburgh Fashion Week at www.pittsburghfashionweek.com and through social media on the Friends of Pittsburgh Fashion Week page on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank You,

Miyoshi Anderson
Executive Director and Founder

Visit us at our home on the web: http://www.pittsburghfashionweek.com/

David Garrett Rocks the Benedum

2012-01-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today's date:
January 6, 2012

Contact:
Veronica Corpuz
(412) 471-6082
corpuz@trustarts.org

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

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents international virtuoso violinist David Garrett - Rock Symphonies II Tour

Sunday, January 29, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., Benedum Center

Internationally-acclaimed violinist David Garrett will return to Pittsburgh on Sunday, January 29, 2012, at 8:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center. This concert is part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Cohen and Grigsby Trust Presents series, and is a presentation of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

David Garrett’s current U.S. tour, Rock Symphonies II, coincides with and promotes his 2011 CD with same title. Along with his five-piece band, the tour will feature Garrett’s arrangements of rock anthems mixing a little classical with a lot of rock: Vivaldi vs. Vertigo (U2), Walk this Way (Aerosmith), Kashmir (Led Zeppelin), Master of Puppets (Metallica) and Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana) to name a few.

Tickets ($30.50-$43.50) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at www.trustarts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets, please call group sales (412) 471-6930.

David Garrett began playing violin at age four and was signed to the prestigious classical music label Deutsche Grammophon by age thirteen. 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 early in his musical career. Garrett has gained international stardom, with gold and platinum selling discs internationally, and chart-topping albums in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Far East and the U.S., plus a Top 20 U.K. hit.

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, (then) you can also inspire others.”

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 across the world. In addition to being the best-selling new classical artist of 2009, he also was 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 more than 40 subsequent weeks. In 2010, Garrett received the Echo Classic Award, “Bestseller of the year,” and in 2011 received the Echo Award for National Male Rock/Pop Artist category.