WQED and SLB Announce Funding for iQ Kids Radio

WQED and SLB ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR iQ KIDS RADIO

The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc. has selected iQ Kids Radio
 as its next three-year signature project.

PITTSBURGH - - iQ Kids Radio www.iQkidsradio.org is an innovative new model of engagement for children and families that meets the need for an all-education, trusted radio channel that caregivers can rely on. Developed as a collaboration between WQED and SLB Radio Productions (SLB) and set for launch in early 2013, iQ Kids Radio will be a noncommercial streaming radio that provides a safe, entertaining, and fun way to learn, listen, laugh and much more.

Seed funding for iQ Kids Radio is provided by The Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc., a founding partner.

Grounded in more than 75 years of combined experience in delivering high-quality public radio to our region and beyond, this new, innovative model leverages the assets of WQED, PBS, SLB, and the popular Saturday Light Brigade radio show to develop a streaming media platform for families with children ages birth to 12 as well as programming for teens and parents.

Children, families and caregivers can sign up now at www.iQkidsradio.org to receive information about the channel in advance of its 2013 premiere. The site includes a section where parents can submit suggestions about the type of content that may appeal to their children and includes more information about iQ Kids Radio.

The need for iQ Kids Radio

Multimedia and technology are changing daily. Youth ages 8-18 use media- television, music players, computers, and video games - for nearly eleven hours each day, and kids under age eight spend eight hours with multimedia each day. We know that media shapes children’s cultural beliefs and norms in powerful ways. While there are numerous media offerings “for children” across various media platforms, very few adopt high-quality educational standards.

The concept of iQ Kids Radio

iQ Kids Radio will blend age-appropriate content from multiple disciplines-language, science, music appreciation, geography, and more - into a 24/7 streaming audio format as well as offer individual programs for on-demand listening, podcast and national distribution. For example, shows may feature storytelling, language lessons, music from diverse genres and music listening tips, children's literature, food chemistry, and other subjects that strengthen academic achievement, sharpen core life skills, and engage children and adults together. Programming also will include youth-created music, storytelling, and news/commentary based on listener submissions and SLB’s work with more than 8,000 children annually.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh (JLP), a founding partner, has selected iQ Kids Radio as its three-year signature project. Through this award, the JLP will provide administrative and volunteer support to launch iQ Kids Radio as well as financial support totaling $45,000. JLP members will focus on two areas of iQ Kids Radio: business and opportunity planning and event planning. Additionally, JLP members will design and implement signature events that will be critical to the project’s growth. At the conclusion of its three-year partnership, iQ Kids Radio will be poised to be self-sufficient and prepared to expand its capacity as an innovative resource, created in Pittsburgh, to support families and children around the country.

For more information about iQ Kids Radio, please visit www.iQkidsradio.org.
Photographs are available for download from WQED’s pressroom at www.wqed.org/pressroom.

WQED Multimedia www.wqed.org

The people of WQED Multimedia produce, create and distribute quality content and services to engage, inform, educate, and entertain the public within their community and around the world. WQED was the nation’s first community-supported television station and went on the air on April 1, 1954.

The WQED Education Department has an illustrious history of service and innovation to local and national students, families, educators, and care providers. Today, WQED’s Education Department helps provide effective lifelong learning to the entire region. WQED’s new six-year strategy, iQ: smartmedia, launched in September of 2010 and has been aggressively aiming for its goal – to transform the way media is used for education – ever since.

With a lineup that attracts children from toddlers to teens, WQED is an essential part of every childhood. WQED commits 12 hours of every weekday schedule to high quality children's programming parents can count on. In addition, WQED offers connections to PBS KIDS, PBS Teachers and PBS Parents through its website, wqed.org. WQED has enriched the lives of children with their own productions as well as the educationally robust and entertaining lineup of PBS KIDS’s programming on subjects as diverse as global thinking, reading, and science. WQED was also the home of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, produced by Family Communications, Inc. (now the fred Rogers Company) for more than 40 years. More information is available at www.wqed.org/education.



SLB Radio Productions, Inc.

A non-profit with twelve employees, SLB began pursuing its mission in 1978 with The Saturday Light Brigade, a Saturday morning public radio program that blends acoustic music, live performances by youth and adults, participatory puzzles, on-air telephone calls, and interviews with other community-based nonprofits serving youth and families. Programming grew substantially between 1990 and 2000, as SLB built a strong and loyal audience, winning 10 local, state and national awards. In 2004, with support from the broadcast industry, foundations, corporations and individual donors, SLB opened a $250,000 broadcast studio and training complex in the expanded Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. SLB has since emerged as a hub of community and educational activity. Its work today focuses on (1) continued production of The Saturday Light Brigade radio program and its extension as a vehicle to promote youth voice and (2) school and in-studio workshops in which experienced radio broadcasters and sound engineers work with children to explore self-expression as well as the tools used to collect and process audio into a creative work. More information about SLB is available at www.slbradio.org and www.neighborhoodvoices.org.



Junior League of Pittsburgh, Inc.

The Junior League of Pittsburgh’s 400 women volunteers collectively contribute 10,000 volunteer hours annually in the Pittsburgh community. Over the past ten years, the League has donated in excess of $500,000 as either community donations or grants. The League educates and trains its members to provide effective volunteer service, to research challenging community needs, and to initiate pilot projects or expand services to meet those needs. It provides administrative, financial, and volunteer support for projects and facilitates the permanent sponsorship of programs by other community organizations. In October 2012 the Junior League of Pittsburgh will celebrate 90 years of service to the Pittsburgh community. Additional Junior League of Pittsburgh information is available at www.jlpgh.org.

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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

Dr. Seuss Turns 108, Let's Celebrate!

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

Max and Ruby: Bunny Party at The Byham

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.

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

Charlotte's Web Weaves a Tale of Bravery, Love and Friendship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Today's date:
December 12, 2011

Contact:
Diana Roth
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
(412) 471-8717
roth@trustarts.org

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

Charlotte’s Web, Pittsburgh premiere performed by Theatreworks USA, and presented by Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater

January 8-15, 2012
Six performance locations throughout Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA in the Pittsburgh premiere of the stage adaption of Charlotte’s Web from January 8-15, 2012 at six performance locations throughout the area. Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, January 8 at 2:00 p.m.  Student Matinee: January 9 at 10:15 a.m.; East: Gateway High School, January 11 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Our North location has changed to Carson Middle School, January 12 at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. ; West: Moon Area High School, January 13 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Upper St. Clair High School, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater.

Theatreworks USA’s live stage performance of Charlotte’s Web, by Joseph Robinette, has toured across the country since fall 1993, and is based upon the Newbery Medal-winning book by E. B. White. The stage performance follows White’s classic story of a pig named Wilbur who is saved from the slaughterhouse by a gifted little barn spider named Charlotte. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. A cast of six actors, directed by Rob Barron, portrays the familiar and loveable characters that include Fern, Homer, and Templeton the rat, with incidental music by Jeffrey Lunden. The scenic design by James D. Sandefur and costumes by Anne-Marie Wright also help to enhance this courageous tale of friendship. This 60-minute play is recommended for children ages 5 and up.

Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained, and instructed more than 68 million people in 49 states and Canada and is America's largest and most prolific professional not-for-profit theatre for young and family audiences. The company tours approximately 16 shows from its ever-growing repertoire of 110 plays and musicals, performing for about four million people annually. Under the direction of Barbara Pasternack (Artistic Director) and Ken Arthur (Managing Director), Theatreworks USA is the only children's theatre to receive both a Drama Desk and a Lucille Lortel Award, and they are known for an extensive multi-cultural guest artist roster, including storytellers, puppeteers, poets, and magicians.

Joseph Robinette is the author of 51 published plays and musicals, including The Fabulous Fable Factory, written with composer Thomas Tierney, and Charlotte's Web, two of the most widely produced children's plays in the United States. He has also dramatized the authorized stage versions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Paper Chase, and A Rose for Emily. In 2004, he received the American Association for Theatre and Education's best play award for his adaptation of Sarah, Plain and Tall, and in 2006, he was awarded the Children's Theatre Foundation of America Medallion "...for his body of dramatic works for children and young people in the United States and beyond." -Dramaticpublishing.com

Elwyn Brooks White, or E.B. White, is known both for his work in children’s classics and in modern American essays, largely through his contributions to The New Yorker magazine. White remained a contributing editor for The New Yorker magazine from the year 1927 until his death in 1985, and is still remembered for his long-lasting column, One Man’s Meat. White is also famous for a collection of poetry, The Fox of Peapack, and his editing of The Subtreasury of American Humor. In the world of children’s literature, White is known for such classics as Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Trumpet of the Swan.

Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.TrustArts.org/kids, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, downtown Pittsburgh. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930; for season subscription call (412) 456-1390.

Imagination Movers Live Concert "In a Big Warehouse"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

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

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents

the return of Emmy® Award Winning

Imagination Movers

in their live concert tour

“In a Big Warehouse”

Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00pm

Benedum Center

Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Imagination Movers’ “In a Big Warehouse” concert tour on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center. The tour will feature live music, and favorite songs and ideas to spark every child’s imagination by performers Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche, Scott “Smitty” Smith and new for this second national tour will be special appearances by Nina, Warehouse Mouse and other characters based on the television series.

The tour is produced by Buena Vista Concerts, a division of Disney Music Group. This presentation of Imagination Movers’ In a Big Warehouse is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Imagination Movers second live national tour “In a Big Warehouse” features many of their popular songs from the television series woven together by narrative themes. The high-energy live performance gets kids of all ages moving and shaking with upbeat and catchy songs, a trash can drum set and hilarious slapstick comedy routines. The Imagination Movers have been described as a musical fusion of the Beastie Boys, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Mr. Rogers from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. While their motivational and child-friendly music appeals to kids, their themes ranging from messy rooms to healthy snakes to sibling rivalry are situations that parents can relate to as much as their children.

About Imagination Movers

“Nothing beats the excitement of playing live rock n roll with the help of thousands of great fans,” says Rich Collins (aka Mover Rich). “We encourage our audience to be an essential part of the show by singing, clapping, shouting, dancing and generally letting the energy of a real rock concert lift their spirits. Everybody needs a nap after one of our gigs. Including the grownups – and especially us!”

Imagination Movers produced their first CD “Juice Box Heroes” in New Orleans in 2003. In 2008, Disney aired their show on the Disney Channel and since then the Imagination Movers’ popularity has grown worldwide in over 55 countries/territories and in 12 different languages. The show, popular with the preschool crowd, is a blend of narrative, skits and musical performances that all emphasize creative problem solving. The Movers and the kids all work together to solve “idea emergencies” in the Idea Warehouse, the home of infinite inspiration. “Reach high! Thing big! Work hard! Have fun!” The Movers’ CDs have earned more than 14 national awards, including Daytime Entertainment Emmy® and coveted honors from the Parent’s Choice Foundation. Their newest release “In a Big Warehouse,” the soundtrack for the second season of the television series, hit the charts this past fall, debuting at #2 on Billboard’s Top New Artist Albums chart and #3 on Billboard’s Children’s Chart.

Tickets ($27.25 - $39.25) are available at pgharts.org, (412) 456-6666 or the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. To Purchase 10 or more tickets please call (412) 471-6930. A limited number of Mini-Movers Packages ($128.25 per package) are available for the 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. performances. Mini-Movers Package includes: one premium seat within a select section of the Benedum Center, Orchestra Level; attendance, with parent/s, at a special Post-Show Party Room with an Imagination Movers Theme: The Think Tank and includes healthy snacks for all of the Little “Movers and their parent/s; Meet and greet photo opportunity with the Imagination Movers; A chance to participate in a Movers inspired "Jam Session: The Movers Music Party”; Signed Imagination Movers Poster (1 per ticket ordered); and Imagination Movers VIP Laminate.

About The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh’s 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh.

In addition to the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Children’s Festival, the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series Pittsburgh Dance Council, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events.

The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O’Reilly, and Harris Theaters; Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, a visual arts gallery at 812 Liberty Avenue; and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities.
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Veronica Corpuz (412) 471-6082; corpuz@pgharts.org