Governor and Mrs. Corbett Honored

For Immediate Release    
April 10, 2012

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

Pittsburgh Opera honors Governor and First Lady of Pennsylvania at Maecenas XXVIII, May 12
Maecenas Award to be presented to John and Nancy Traina

Pittsburgh, PA…Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett will receive a special joint Lifetime Achievement Award at Pittsburgh Opera’s annual end-of-season benefit gala, Maecenas XXVIII, on May 12, 2012 at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters. Separately and together, Governor Corbett and First Lady Corbett have crafted exceptional careers as public servants for the good of Western Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given infrequently: previous winners include Cardinal Donald Wuerl (2011) and Nadine E. Bognar (2009).

Governor Corbett will be honored for his early work as a teacher as well as his long-standing protection of the public interest as Pennsylvania Attorney General. Additionally, as Governor, he has recognized the economic, educational, and social value of the arts. Mrs. Corbett has been an accomplished producer and presenter of arts programs through the years, and, as First Lady, has championed greater participation in the arts in her role as Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. “We are particularly excited to honor Governor Corbett and First Lady Corbett at Maecenas 2012. Through their positions they are exceptional ambassadors for the rich cultural life of Pittsburgh,” said Christopher Hahn, General Director of Pittsburgh Opera.

Receiving the Maecenas Award for philanthropy at the May 12 Maecenas event will be John E. and Nancy Traina. Mr. Traina has served multiple terms on the Board, including two stints as Board President, and has provided invaluable leadership in a crucial period of transition for the Company. Mrs. Traina is currently President of the Pittsburgh Opera Association, having committed 14 years to the organization that, through the determined efforts of five intrepid women, established Pittsburgh Opera in 1939 and serves as an auxiliary fundraising arm in the present day.

The Maecenas benefit gala is one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent social events, consistently declared a “Top Ten” party by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Over the last 27 years, the gala has generated over 15 million dollars for Pittsburgh Opera’s mission-critical productions and education programs. Approximately 400 people from Pittsburgh’s business and professional community are expected to attend the 2012 Maecenas celebration.

Tickets to Maecenas XXVIII begin at $750 and are on sale now. Table sponsorships begin at $5000.  Pittsburgh Opera salutes Mr. and Mrs. William Firth Benter, UPMC, and UPMC Health Plan as the underwriting sponsors of Maecenas XXVIII. Mr. and Mrs. William Firth Benter are also the chairs for the event. For more information about Maecenas XXVIII, contact John Federico at 412-281-0912 x 228.

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
Tosca 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
Single tickets on sale now, starting at $10
Season subscriptions for as little as $43
For ticket information visit our website www.pittsburghopera.org or call (412) 281-0912
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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

Music on the Mon Concert Lineup for 2011

BARC Announces 2011 Music on the Mon Concert Lineup

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. - The Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) has finalized its summer concert series Music on the Mon.

The free events are held on the lawn at Nemacolin Castle, 136 Front St., Brownsville. This year's schedule features:

June 26 - The Jades

The Mon Valley's own four piece classic rock cover band

July 17 - The Dave Iglar Trio

Well-known in the region, The Dave Iglar trio boasts a versatile song list of original material and creative adaptations of blues and rock classics.

Aug. 7 - Jill West and the Blues Attack

Voted "Best Band in Pittsburgh" for more than 10 years, the group is known for its edgy blues rock accompanied by the dynamic vocals of Miss Jill West.

Aug. 21 - The Tiger Maple String Band

Hailing from northwestern Pa., the Tiger Maple String Band is dedicated to continuing traditional and original music inspired by Appalachian fiddle tunes, mountain ballads and coal-mining songs.

The Music on the Mon project is supported by the Fayette County Hotel Tax through the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through its regional arts funding partnership, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). State government funding for the arts depends upon an annual appropriation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Community Foundation of Fayette County.
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For additional information:
Dennis Cremonese, 724.785.9331

Music on the Mon Features Dave Iglar Band

For Immediate Release

August 18, 2010

Contact: Colleen Schmidt Phone: 724.785.9331


ACCWT Watershed Summer Associate Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org


2010 ‘Music on the Mon’ concert series featuring the Dave Iglar Band Acoustic Show


Summer is fading fast, but it’s not over yet! Before we say our farewells to those sweet summer nights, the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) would like to invite everyone to attend this summer’s final Music on the Mon concert. On Sunday, August 29th, the Dave Iglar Band will perform their acoustic show at the Nemacolin Castle stage in Brownsville from 6-8pm. This concert is free to the public and welcomes all fans to attend.



The Dave Iglar Band combines a perfect blend of blues, rock and jazz. While singer and songwriter Dave Iglar is entertaining the crowd with his lead guitar and captivating vocals, his talented band members Andrea Iglar (Saxophone/Vocals) and Mark DeMeno (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals) will chime in to create this must-see powerhouse trio.

Regardless of your musical preference, you won’t want to miss this astounding performance. This crew is sure to have any audience member up and out of their seat.

The Music on the Mon began seven years ago with a partnership between the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Nemacolin Castle and BARC. BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.

This concert series is supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through its regional arts funding partnership, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). State government funding for the arts depends upon an annual appropriation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Community Foundation of Fayette County.

For more information regarding this concert series, please contact the BARC office at 724-785-9331.

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Music on the Mon Series Featuring Jill West and Blues Attack

Fore Immediate Release
July 29, 2010

Contact: Colleen Schmidt Phone: 724.785.9331


ACCWT Watershed Summer Associate Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org


Jill West and Blues Attack are taking the stage at the 2010 ‘Music on the Mon’ concert series

The Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) has invited Jill West and Blues Attack to perform at this year’s Music on the Mon concert series. The performance will take place on August 8th at the Nemacolin Castle stage in Brownsville and will last from 6-8pm. This concert is free to the public and welcomes all fans to attend.

This Pittsburgh-based blues band is best known for their fierce and blood-pumping performances, which always seem to perfectly compliment their original style of hard-edged blues. Jill West, the lead singer of the group, is famous for her powerful vocals and fearless attitude. Her striking confidence radiates in each song she performs. West’s band mates of Blues Attack also have their own special approach for dazzling any crowd. With two talented guitarists who thrive in any limelight, a keyboard player with an impressive majestic ability and a dynamic drummer whose beats generate instant chills, Blues Attack provides the perfect balance of flair in order to please every audience.

Although the group has found themselves performing all over the tri-state area and have even opened for an array of musical artists across the nation, Jill West and Blues Attack seem to always make their way back home to areas in and around the big steel city.

The Music on the Mon began seven years ago with a partnership between the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Nemacolin Castle and BARC. BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.

This concert series is supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, through its regional arts funding partnership, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). State government funding for the arts depends upon an annual appropriation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Community Foundation of Fayette County.

For more information on these events contact the BARC Office at 724-785-9331

'Music on the Mon' presents Chris Higbee in their 2010 Concert Series

For Immediate Release
July 2, 2010

Contact: Colleen Schmidt Phone: 724.785.9331


ACCWT Watershed Summer Associate Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org





2010 ‘Music on the Mon’ proudly presents Chris Higbee Special Acoustic Performance



Chris Higbee, a fiddler and the founder of the American country music band Povertyneck Hillbillies (PNH) will be the first to take the stage at this year’s Music on the Mon concert series. Higbee’s acoustic performance will be held on July 11th at the Nemacolin Castle stage in Brownsville and will begin at 6pm. Open to all and free to attend, this is one summer event you won’t want to miss.



Born and raised in a country setting, Chris Higbee discovered his passion for country music at an early age. Playing the fiddle soon became a priority for Higbee, which later led to an exciting career in country music.



In 2000, Higbee partnered with some of his closest and most talented friends. This collaborative effort led to the creation of PNH. Named one of the top-selling independent country acts of 2005 by the Country Music Association, PNH has proven their exceptional talent and one-of-a-kind style. To compliment his previous success with PNH, Chris Higbee has continued to please his country fans with his charm, but with a new twist. Higbee is the founder of the new act the Chris Higbee Project. Consisting of some of Higbee’s friends, as well as some new uprising musicians, this fresh blend of talent brings a new meaning to country music and is sure to excite any audience.



The Music on the Mon began seven years ago with a partnership between the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Nemacolin Castle and the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC). BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.



This concert series is supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, and through its regional arts funding partnership with Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA). State government funding for the arts depends upon an annual appropriation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. PPA is administered in this region by the Community Foundation of Fayette County.

For more information on these events contact the BARC Office at 724-785-9331.

Pennsylvania Council on Arts Award to BARC

For immediate release: May 14, 2010


PRESS RELEASE

WHO: The Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) is the recipient of funding administered by Gateway to the Arts for a four month artist residency. Funds from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation will support the work of Pittsburgh artist Allyson Holtz, who will teach and guide a group of multi-generational community members in the design and creation of a public art project and the establishment of a permanent Cultural Committee.

BARC’s mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, youth advancement and the arts. The Cultural Committee consists of Brownsville residents between the ages of 14 and 90+ years of age.

WHAT: The grant was for an artist-in-residence. It allows an artist registered with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to devote 22 days of service to BARC and the community. The first phase of this grant will be the development of a mural depicting a significant historic attraction to the town and, a compilation of stories and photographs that reflect the history of the Brownsville area. The design and location of the mural will be selected by the Cultural Committee. The agreed upon design then will be taken to State Correctional Institution at Fayette where inmate artists will render the design on an exterior fabric material. The mural will be located at the site the committee selects. The committee will secure all necessary approvals and permits. Through guidance and education from the artist, a goal for this Committee is to initiate a permanent cultural organization to benefit the town through cultural events and projects.

WHEN: An initial meeting was held in March 23, 2010 and subsequent meetings are held weekly throughout the summer. A goal is to unveil the mural as part of community effort. Additional projects will be included in the homecoming week, August 1st through the 7th.

WHERE: Meetings are being held in the second floor of the Odd fellow building at 33 Market Street.

WHY: To beautify the community and encourage tourism. Future projects may occur through the development of a permanent Cultural group.

HOW: Fund raising efforts and grant seeking will assist the continuation of this committee. As part of the grant requirements, BARC is committed to provide the finances for transportation for the artist and all the materials used for the mural as well as any other projects to beautify the community. Donations will be well accepted.



For more information, contact:

Norma Ryan, BARC coordinator 724-323-4008

Project Administrator: Carol Wolfe, Program Manager, Gateway to the Arts, 412-362-6982 carolw@gatewaytothearts.org

Artist Allyson Holtz (bio attached) 412-719-7677