Join the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus for Christmas Carols

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: lady10er@verizon.net

HELLO LADIES OF ALL AGES.
Do you love Christmas?  Do you love Christmas Carols?  So does the Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus!  And we are inviting you to join us singing three familiar carols on our annual show Saturday, December 14th.  The show will be at the Rea Auditorium of Sewickley Academy.  In addition to performing with us you will be admitted free to enjoy our performance and the hilariously funny quartet, The Hot Air Buffoons.  Rehearsals for the performance will be Monday evenings from 7:00-7:45 at the Coraopolis United Methodist Church, 1205 Ridge Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.  For more information please contact Mary Ann at 412-279-6062 or masember@mac.com.

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

SPARKLEJOLLYTWINKLEJINGLEY ELF the Musical

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh
Shaunda Miles, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: 412-471-1578/Miles@TrustArts.org
Diana Roth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: 412-471-8717/Roth@TrustArts.org

ELF THE MUSICAL ANNOUNCES

ITS “SPARKLEJOLLYTWINKLEJINGLEY” 

NATIONAL TOUR CAST

Pittsburgh, PA – NETworks Presentations, LLC is pleased to announce casting for the Pittsburgh engagement of ELF THE MUSICAL.  The show will play November 26-December 1 at the Benedum Center.  Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 18.   ELF THE MUSICAL is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony.

Buddy

The cast will feature Matt Kopec (Buddy), Tyler Altomari (Michael), Jane Bruce (Emily), Jacqueline Grabois (Deb), Gordon Gray (Santa), Kate Hennies (Jovie), Kevin Rockower (Mr. Greenway), Matthew Alan Smith (Walter), and Clyde Voce (Store Manager).

Buddy and Jovie

The cast will also feature Austin Brannan, LilyAnn Carlson, Mara Gabrielle, Timothy Grady, Dan Higgins, Caitlin Leary, Ryan Patrick Lingle, Nick Lorenzini, Kyle McIntire, Elyse Niederee, Jacqueline Nuzzo, Lauren Palmeri, Christopher Timson, Amy Van Norstrand, and Tanner Wilson.

ELF Sparklejolly

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin(The Drowsy Chaperone). The production will feature direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

ABOUT THE SHOW
ELF is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their innerELF.

Christmastown

The New York Times says that ELF is “A SPLASHY, PEPPY, SUGAR-SPRINKLED HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT!” USA Todaycalls ELF “ENDEARINGLY GOOFY!” Variety proclaims, “ELF is happy enough for families, savvy enough for city kids and plenty smart for adults!”

Additional information about ELF is available at www.ElfTheMusicalOnTour.com.

TICKETS
The performance schedule is Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.  Tickets begin at $20 and will be available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, by visiting TrustArts.org, or by calling 412-456-4800.
 Pre-show lecture: Know The Show Before You Go, will take place on Tuesday, November 26, at 6:30pm, Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue (just around the corner from the Benedum Center) and is free and open to Broadway ticket holders.
To register: visit: http://www.trustarts.org/events/series/pnc-broadway-across-america/know-the-show-before-you-go


BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
A leading Broadway producer and the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America.  BAA operates in 40 cities, bringing first-class touring musicals and plays to audiences across the US and Canada in markets such as Costa Mesa, Fort Lauderdale, Tempe, Boston, Minneapolis and New Orleans.  As a producer, current and upcoming productions include Million Dollar Quartet, Pippin, Big Fish, Betrayal, Bullets Over Broadway, Little Miss Sunshine and Bull Durham. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District.  A major catalytic force in the city, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity.  Using the arts as an economic catalyst, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.
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Principal Biographies

MATT KOPEC (Buddy). National tour: Elf The Musical (Buddy, First Nat’l), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Msr. D’Arque), All Shook Up. Regional: Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), Joseph... (Butler/Levi), 42nd Street, The Full Monty(Dance Captain). Other favorites include Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy); Lady, Be Good (Bertie Bassett); Regent Seven Seas Cruises.  Matt is a proud alumnus of The Muse Machine in Dayton, OH, and holds a BFA in Acting, Musical Theatre from Wright State University.

TYLER ALTOMARI (Michael) is thrilled to be on his first tour! Favorite roles: Oliver (Oliver), Bye Bye Birdie (Randolph), Miracle on 34th St (Tommy Mara). Tyler would like to thank the production team for this opportunity.

JANE BRUCE (Emily) is thrilled to be making her touring debut with the cast of Elf! Previous roles include Jo March (Little Women), Meredith Parker (Bat Boy), and Judy Garland (Beyond the Rainbow). Proud University of Michigan graduate. www.janebrucemusic.com

JACQUELINE GRABOIS (Deb) was last seen in the national/international tours of Avenue Q (Kate Monster), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle) and Shout! The Mod Musical (Red Girl). Regional: Peter Pan at Northern Stage (Mrs.Darling).Voiceovers: Stage Star Productions (Spring Awakening, The Wizard of Oz, Urinetown). Nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Avenue Q.www.jacquelinegrabois.com

GORDON GRAY (Santa) is delighted to be reprising his role of Santa in Elf for his seventh tour with NETworks. Formerly a professor of Theatre at Barnard College, he has more recently been a “road warrior,” performing in numerous tours of Broadway musicals. Favorite roles include Max in The Sound of Music, Herr Schultz in Cabaret, Strauss in Titanic, and Pop Carnes in Oklahoma.  A frequent performer with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare festival, he is also coauthor and director with Isy Monk, of the one woman play and PBS teleplay “We Ain’t What We Was.”

KATE HENNIES (Jovie) spent last Christmas “falling in love with an Elf” and is thrilled to be back! BFA, Millikin University. Credits: Drowsy Chaperone (Janet), Biloxi Blues (Rowena), Shape of Things (Jenny). Many thanks to Sam, Connor, and the Elfteam.  www.katehennies.com

KEVIN ROCKOWER (Mr. Greenway). Recent opera roles include Marcello (La Bohème), Germont (La Traviata), and Robert (Iolanta). Kevin has performed at Symphony Space (32nd Bloomsday on Broadway), with Opera Slavica, Regina Opera Company, and with the Gateway Classical Music Society.

Producer Biography
NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS, LLC (Producer). Since 1995, NETworks has produced and managed over 55 touring productions in the US., U.K. and internationally. Current productions include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Billy Elliot the Musical, Blue Man Group National Tour, Elf The Musical, Flashdance the Musical, The New 25th Anniversary Production of Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Shrek The Musical and National Theatre of Great Britain’s production ofWar Horse. Future productions include Memphis the Musical, We Will Rock You, the musical by Queen and Ben Elton, and Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Photo Credit:  Joan Marcus

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

Brownsville Holiday Parade, Light-Up Night Usher in the Season

GREATER BROWNSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


For immediate release:

Nov. 14, 2011

Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce

Finalizes Plans for Holiday Parade, Light-Up

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – The Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce has plans in place for its annual Light-Up Night, a longstanding tradition of exemplary community involvement to usher in the holiday season.

The Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, a caravan of holiday-decorated emergency and personal vehicles following an eight-mile route through Brownsville, Hiller, West Brownsville and Brownsville Township. Line-up for the parade is 5 p.m. at Hiller Volunteer Fire Department, 937 First St.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to arrive at 7 p.m. at North Side Fire Department, 520 Market St. The chamber is preparing 150 treats to hand out to children at the fire hall, where high school students from the Brownsville Area School District will lead a sing-a-long of Christmas carols.

In the coming days, volunteer firemen from North and South Side departments will be hanging the borough's Christmas lights and checking them twice to make sure all bulbs are working for the Nov. 25 light-up festivities. The chamber-sponsored holiday event also draws volunteers from Brownsville Borough, Interact Club, Rotary Club, Scout troops, Hiller Ladies Auxiliary and Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp.

Several days before the parade, the chamber will distribute nearly 3,000 plastic jugs, filled with sand and candles, for the traditional luminaria – a catalyst for community-wide participation by residents and local organizations that add to the magic of Brownsville's light-up night by making it stretch for miles.

"It's not just one person doing it. It's really wonderful community participation," says Frank Ricco, president of the local chamber.
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To schedule an interview or photo:
Frank Ricco, 724-785-3600

*Editor's Note: Photo credit – Brianne Mitchell

WQED Holiday Season Programming Offers Treats for All

HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING FROM WQED OFFERS NEW AND TRADITIONAL CLASSICS



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 14, 2011

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

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


HOLIDAY SEASON PROGRAMMING

FROM WQED OFFERS NEW AND TRADITIONAL CLASSICS


PITTSBURGH—Each year WQED-TV and Classical WQED-FM 89.3 offer viewers and listeners a cornucopia of programming on television and radio to celebrate the season. The 2011 schedule offers everything from the L.A. Holiday Celebration 2011 with more than 1,000 performers to a new offering from Lidia Bastianich (Lidia Celebrates America “Holiday Tables & Traditions”) that looks at four different cultures’ observance of several holidays. Whether you’ll be leaving cookies for Santa Claus, lighting the Menorah or preparing for the New Year WQED has something for you and your family this holiday as you gather together.

WQED-TV HOLIDAY FAMILY PROGRAMMING

• Pittsburgh Thanksgiving Homecoming

Thursday, November 24

“Special” 4802 at 7:30 p.m.

My Tale of Two Cities: A Comeback Story at 8 p.m.

After playing in more than 25 cities across North America, including on Capitol Hill, My Tale of Two Cities will make its broadcast premiere on WQED-TV Thanksgiving Day just in time for those coming home for the holidays!

Preceding the film, a special guest panel including the stars of the movie, former U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Paul O’Neill, Steelers’ legend Franco and his son businessman Dok Harris, and filmmaker Carl Kurlander will discuss the city’s remarkable resurgence since the filming. This special edition of WQED’s 4802 program that will air at 7:30 p.m. will be co-hosted by the president of The Pittsburgh Foundation, Grant Oliphant, and WQED’s Michael Bartley.


• Live From Lincoln Center “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker”

Sunday, December 18 at 3 p.m.

A glowing one-ton Christmas tree, mischievous mice and crystalline waltzing snowflakes. Join the New York City Ballet for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker LIVE from Lincoln Center.


• Lidia Celebrates America “Holiday Tables & Traditions” (Four-part series)

Tuesday, December 20 at 8 p.m.

Join Lidia Bastianich as she visits with everyone from actors Mo Rocca and Stanley Tucci to a Chinese American family named Fong-Torres to discover four different holiday tables including an Italian-American Christmas Eve, a four-generation Mexican-American family Christmas get-together, a Chinese-American New Year celebration and a Jewish-American Passover.

• Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Featuring David Archuleta and Michael York

Tuesday, December 20 at 9 p.m.; Sunday, December 25 at Noon and 5 p.m.

Along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Orchestra at Temple Square and 107 dancers, Season Seven American Idol runner-up David Archuleta sings holiday favorites while Michael York reads the story of Christmas from the Book of Luke from Salt Lake City.

• Nature “Christmas in Yellowstone”

Wednesday, December 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 8 p.m.

From snowflake crystals, to elk and bison to Jackson Hole, join NATURE as they retrace the footsteps of the original men who first explored Yellowstone and see extraordinary scenes often missed in Hayden Valley for “a Christmas like no other.”

• Christmas at Belmont

Thursday, December 22 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 2 p.m.

This annual holiday season tradition features familiar carols, classical masterworks, world music and seasonal favorites from the 400 student voices and Belmont University School of Music faculty.

• The National Christmas Tree Lighting 2011

Thursday, December 22 at 9 p.m.

Joined by some of the biggest names in entertainment this program’s finale includes the lighting of the National Christmas Tree by President Barack Obama and his family.

• European Christmas Markets

Thursday, December 22 at 10:30 p.m.

Travel through Germany, France and Switzerland and visit cities and towns through the lively markets of Europe at Christmas time.

• L.A. Holiday Celebration 2011

Friday, December 23 at 9 p.m.

L.A. Holiday Celebration 2010 (50th Annual)

Sunday, December 25 at 4 p.m.

Attended annually by more than 7,000 people, this LIVE three-hour program features more than 1,000 performers and includes an array of ethnic and culturally diverse music and dance.

• Christmas at St. Olaf

Friday, December 23 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 25 at 1 p.m.

From St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, this is a celebration that features five of the college’s choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra with newly commissioned works from American composers Andre J. Thomas and David N. Childs.

• Home and Hearth: The Crane Candlelight Concert 2009

Sunday, December 25 at 3 p.m.

This Christmas concert with The Crane Chorus and Crane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rebecca Reames, Jeffrey Francom, Heather Eyerly, and Kenneth Andrews features more than 300 carolers and musicians performing traditional and seasonal hymns.

• Purdue Christmas Show

Sunday, December 25 at 6 p.m.

Now in its 77th year, the Purdue Christmas Show features members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, Purduettes, Purdue Bells, University Choir, Heart & Soul, All Campus & Community Chorale and the PMO Kids Choir from Elliott Hall of Music.

• Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh

Sunday, December 25 at 7 p.m.

Perry Como once sang that, “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” Join beloved producer Rick Sebak as he takes you on a journey through western Pennsylvania holiday traditions past and present. It’s Happy Holidays in Pittsburgh.


WQED-TV HOLIDAY CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING

• Curious George Holiday Spectacular

Wednesday, November 23

Curious George The Movie at 8 a.m.

Curious George Follow That Monkey at 9:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas II at 11 a.m.

• Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah

Monday, December 19 at 11 a.m.

• America’s Children’s Holiday Parade

Tuesday, December 20 at 11 a.m. and Noon

• Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah

Wednesday, December 21 at 9:30 a.m.

• Prima Princessa Presents “Sleeping Beauty”

Thursday, December 22 at 11 a.m.

• Prima Princessa Presents “The Nutcracker”

Thursday, December 22 at Noon

• Christmas Day Programming

Sunday, December 25

Barney & Friends “Gift of the Dinos/A Visit From Santa” at 6 a.m.

Caillou “Caillou’s Christmas” at 6:30 a.m.

WordWorld “The Christmas Star/A Present for Dog” at 7 a.m.

Clifford’s Puppy Days “Heroes and Friends/The Cookie Crumbles” at 7:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas at 8 a.m.

Super Why! “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 9 a.m.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That “Reindeer Games” at 9:30 a.m.

Dinosaur Train “Don’s Winter Wish/Festival of Lights” at 10 a.m.

Sid the Science Kid “Sid’s Holiday Adventure” at 10:30 a.m.

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas at 11 a.m.


CLASSICAL WQED-FM 89.3/WQEJ-FM 89.7 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING

• Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 24

Giving Thanks at 6 p.m.

Today your family shares common blessings and a bountiful meal. John Birge brings to the table music, stories and thoughtful reflections on the meaning of Thanksgiving.


A Simple Thanksgiving at 8 p.m.

Quiet, uninterrupted music – the perfect accompaniment to relaxing after dinner.


The Thanksgiving Visitor at 11 p.m.

Truman Capote reads his classic aloud. (A WQED-FM 89.3 holiday tradition and favorite!)


• Thanksgiving With Cantus

Friday, November 25 at 6 p.m.

Join Cantus, one of America’s most accomplished vocal ensembles for a special Thanksgiving program.


• A Thanksgiving Celebration with Garrison Keillor

Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m.

A broadcast of “Gratitude, Gravy and Garrison,” VocalEssence’s celebration of all things Thanksgiving. Keillor performs his signature monologue and contributes comic new lyrics to familiar songs and hymns.


• Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday Concert

Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m.


• River City Brass Holiday Concert

Thursday, December 8 at 8 p.m.


• Carnegie Mellon Holiday Concert

Friday, December 9 at 8 p.m.


• Handel’s Messiah

Sunday, December 18 at 8 p.m.


• A Taste of Chanukah

Monday, December 19 at 9 p.m.


• A Great Miracle Happened There

Thursday, December 22 at 9 p.m.


• Welcome Christmas

Saturday, December 24 at 9 a.m.


• Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

LIVE from Kings College in Cambridge, England

Saturday, December 24 at 10 a.m.


• Polish Christmas Cheer

Saturday, December 24th at 10 p.m.


• Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25


A Spanish Renaissance Christmas at 11 a.m.

An Elizabethan Christmas at Noon

St. Olaf Christmas Festival at 1 p.m.

Heinz Chapel Choir & CMU Holiday Concerts at 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Brass Holiday Show at 5 p.m.

Handel’s Messiah at 6 p.m.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m.

A Chanticleer Christmas at 10 p.m.

Echoes of Christmas at 11 p.m.


• Chanukah in Story and Song

Tuesday, December 27 at 9 p.m.


• Live from First Night

Saturday, December 31st at 8 p.m.


• New Year’s Day From Vienna

Sunday, January 1 at 11 a.m.


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.