Nicoletta Giacchino to Perform at First Night Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Media Contacts:

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Lauren Bracey
(412) 471-3591

Equitable Gas
Scott Waitlevertch
(412) 395-2314

FRANKLIN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENT WINS SING-OFF

Nicoletta Giacchino to perform at First Night Pittsburgh

As part of its staunch commitment to opening opportunities for young people in its service territory, Equitable Gas Company initiated a sing-off competition for musically talented students in the region. Created in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Equitable Gas Sing-Off is an exciting new component of the upcoming 2010 First Night Pittsburgh activities.

Similar to a number of talent shows currently popular on television, students from grades six through 12 affiliated with a middle or high school in Southwestern Pennsylvania were invited to submit an audition performance. Entries conveying the spirit of the New Year, celebration, resolution or hope on video were submitted via YouTube and were then open to online voting.

The voting was very competitive, with a near tie among the three finalist entries. Amidst this tough competition, Equitable Gas proudly announces Nicoletta Giacchino, a 17-year-old senior from Franklin Regional High School, is the winner of the 2010 Equitable Gas Sing-Off competition.

Says Ms. Giacchino, “I am very honored to be the Equitable Gas Sing-Off winner. I would like to thank Equitable Gas and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for providing such a wonderful opportunity and for keeping the arts alive in Pittsburgh.”

Ms. Giacchino has been working toward a professional music career all of her life. She made her first singing recordings at the age of 10 and has taken steps since then to become a first-rate well rounded performer. She also developed her stage presence by studying ballet, tap, jazz, theater, and gymnastics. Now, with help of mentor Walt Maddox, (Christina Aguilera’s mentor), Ms. Giacchino is developing her own style and finding her professional voice.

“Equitable Gas is pleased to once again sponsor First Night® Pittsburgh and support The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in its annual presentation of this premier holiday event,” said Bill Lucas, Executive Vice President of Equitable Gas. “We congratulate Nicoletta Giacchino, winner of the Equitable Gas Sing-Off, and all of the talented young people who participated in this new community initiative.”

Ms. Giacchino will perform live as the opening act for the 6:30 p.m. Equitable Gas Marquee Performance of Squonk Opera at the Byham Theater during First Night. A First Night® button and a free seating voucher are required to attend the performance.

First Night® buttons ($8 advance/$10 at the door) are available at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), online at firstnightpgh.org, by phone by calling 412-456-6666, and at participating Giant Eagle locations. Free seating vouchers are available at the Box Office at Theater Square or by calling 412-456-6666.

About First Night® Pittsburgh

First Night® is the largest one-day outreach event of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has led the way for the creation and ongoing development of Pittsburgh’s award-winning Cultural District. Utilizing the arts as a means for transforming a formerly blighted downtown, the Cultural Trust today welcomes over a million visitors annually to thousands of performances, gallery exhibitions and community events.

About Equitable Gas Company

Equitable Gas Company is a provider of safe and dependable natural gas service to approximately 275,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located mainly in the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Its customer base also includes more than 200 municipalities in nine other counties in western Pennsylvania, 12 counties in central and northern West Virginia, and nine counties in eastern Kentucky. Additional information about Equitable Gas can be obtained through its Web site at www.equitablegas.com.

First Night Road Closures Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 2010



Media Contact::
Lauren Bracey
(412) 471-3519

FIRST NIGHT® PITTSBURGH 2011

ROAD CLOSURES MEDIA ALERT

Friday, December 31, 2010

PITTSBURGH, PA: To have a safe and enjoyable environment for First Night® Pittsburgh 2011, the following road closures will take place at 10 am on Friday, December 31, 2010, unless otherwise noted:



Penn Avenue from Stanwix Street up until, but not including, Tenth Street.


Stanwix Street from Liberty Avenue to Penn Avenue (parking garage is still accessible from Ft Duquesne Blvd.).


Sixth Street will remain OPEN with the exception from 8:00pm-8:45pm for the First Night Parade. EQT parking garage and 6th/Penn Parking garage MUST be entered and exited via 6th Street ONLY. Garages not accessible from 4pm-1am.


Fifth Avenue Extension from Fifth Avenue Place to Fort Duquesne Boulevard for parking garage access only.


Seventh Street from Liberty Avenue to the entrance of Theatre Square Parking Garage for parking garage access only.


Eighth Street from Liberty Avenue (Tito Way) to the entrance to the 8th and Penn parking lots for parking lot access only.


Ninth Street from Liberty Avenue to the Ninth and Penn Garage for parking garage access only.


All alleys leading into the footprint from Penn Avenue, Liberty Avenue, 6-10th Streets.


Seventh Street Bridge (will be closed from 10am until 10pm).

The streets will re-open at 1am unless otherwise noted.

Please note the following:

Access to all Pittsburgh Parking Authority Garages and all parking garages noted above will be open and will not be impeded by the road closures, with exception of the 6th and Penn Parking Garage which will be closed after 3:00pm for the safety of all First Night and Cultural District patrons.

For information on Port Authority bus stops that may be affected by the road closures, please call the Port Authority Customer Service center at 412-442-2000 or the TTY number 412-231-7007, for the speech and hearing impaired, or visit PortAuthority.org

Visit firstnight.org for more information and a schedule of event or call 412-456-6666.
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Angelina Ballerina the Musical Premieres in Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:

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



Electronic images are available upon request.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater

presents

Vital Theatre Company

in the Pittsburgh premiere of

Angelina Ballerina the Musical

January 23-30, 2011,

Six performance locations throughout Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents award-winning Vital Theatre Company in the Pittsburgh premiere of Angelina Ballerina the Musical from January 23-30, 2011 at six performance locations throughout the area. Performance location include: City: Byham Theater, January 23 at 2:00 p.m & Student Matinee: January 24 at 10:15 a.m.; East: Gateway High School, January 26 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Pine-Richland High School, January 27 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Sewickley Academy, January 28 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Upper St. Clair High School, January 29 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Senior High School, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children's Theater.

Vital Theatre Company's live stage production, Angelina Ballerina the Musical, was created by Susan DiLallo (book and lyrics) and music by Ben Morss; and is based on the critically acclaimed story books created by Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig and the PBS Kids' television animated series Angelina Ballerina, The Next Steps. This family friendly live stage show will appeal to children ages 3-10. The stage musical tells the story of Angelina and her friends, Alice, Gracie, AZ, Viki, and their teacher Ms. Mimi who are all aflutter because a special guest is coming to visit Camembert Academy! Angelina and her friends will perform all types of dance, including hip-hop, modern dance, the Irish jig and of course, ballet, and they are excited to show off their skills to their famous visitor. Angelina is the most excited of all, but will she get the starring moment she hopes for? Through Angelina's adventures, children may share in her experiences and be inspired to set goals and reach for their dreams.

Vital Theatre Company is based in New York City and was founded in 1999 by Stephen Sunderlin (current Artistic Director), Michael Schloegl, Scott C. Embler, and Laura M. Stevens, with the goal of creating a safe home to nurture emerging theatre artists. The company's mission states, "If one adult is inspired, if one child's imagination is awakened, if one student is empowered, our theatre is important and vital." Creating original stage productions since it was founded, Vital Theatre Company is the recipient of two American Theatre Wing Awards for Continued Commitment to Excellence in Theatre, six-time winner: Off-Off Broadway Review's Award for Excellence, and New York Theatre Experience award: Theatre Company of the Year (2002). Vital teaching artists are involved in the Brooklyn community through the integration of theatre arts into the high school humanities curriculum in an effort to jumpstart academic progress. Vital was commissioned by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to create and produce America is my home: The Immigrant Journey to America that was presented on Ellis Island for seven months.

In addition to her work with Vital Theatre Company, Susan DiLallo, (book and lyrics-Angelina Ballerina the Musical) is the recipient of the Kleban Award, Jonathan Larson Award, Richard Rodgers Award, winner of the Global Search for New Musical Competition, Outer Critics Circle nominee and winner KIDDstuff New Play competition.

Ben Morss (music, Angelina Ballerina the Musical; music and lyrics-Cinderella�s Mice), has written music for various stage presentations, as well as musical arrangements for solo piano and bands: Cake and Wheatus. Ben has performed around the world with his band Chariots of Tuna and leads a nine-piece band called The Infinite Orchestra. Ben received a doctorate in music from the University of California-Davis.

Katharine Holebird, author of the original book series, Angelina Ballerina, with illustrations by Helen Craig, has been capturing the hearts of children for over 25 years. Her award-winning series helps children explore important issues such as friendship, rivalry, loyalty and dedication. Katharine is the recipient of the Kentucky Bluegrass Award (1985) for her first book, Angelina Ballerina, British Book Design and Production Award (1990) for Angelina's Birthday, and Child Study Association's Children's Book of the Year (1990) for Angelina's Christmas. Holebird's Angelina book series has also been honored with several Platinum Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Awards for Rose Fairy Princess in 2002, and Friends Forever and The Magic Of Dance in 2004. Holabird was honored in 2006 with an invitation to Queen Elizabeth's eightieth birthday party at Buckingham Palace. That same year, the entire series of Angelina books was reissued by Grosset and Dunlop in the United States. Also in 2006, The Angelina Ballerina Dance Academy debuted with special Angelina ballet classes across England. Angelina's Star Performance, an original ballet based on Angelina at the Palace, debuted in 2007 in London with the English National Ballet. Holabird has also written two theatrical pop-up books (2008, 2010). The Angelina books have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Individual tickets ($11 at the door; $9.50 in advance) can be ordered online at www.pgharts.org, by calling (412) 456-6666, or in person at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue. Group tickets can be ordered by calling (412) 471-6930.

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, opens the door for children to experience professional performing arts programming for children which inspires, challenges, educates, and stimulates respect for and an understanding of all cultures in an entertaining and enlightening way. Each year Pittsburgh International Children's Theater presents a Family Series and the Pittsburgh International Children's Festival, which is one of only four international children's theater festivals in the nation.

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 Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Presents, 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; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty, a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org
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