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OCTOBER 2008
What a time to celebrate! Riding on the momentum of Celebration Saturday (September 27) in six trail towns along the Great Allegheny Passage trail, Saturday October 4 was an exceptional, history-making kick-off to our region's two-month birthday party with Pittsburgh Celebrates 250, presented by the Colcom Foundation.
Thanks to the many organizations who made October 4 possible, and thanks to all of YOU who turned out for the action-packed festivities! Fun for the whole family included the Port of Pittsburgh Commission Three Rivers 250th Flotilla Cruise; the community trail ride and closing ceremonies for the PNC Legacy Trail Ride from Washington, DC; the kick-off of the Imagine Ending Hunger food drive; concerts by Pittsburgh Born and Bred artists; and, of course, the Imagine Pittsburgh Fireworks – the largest fireworks show our region has ever seen, produced by our own Zambelli Internationale.
Check out these photos from the PNC Legacy Trail Ride and the Imagine Pittsburgh Fireworks.
I'd also like to thank our Community Connections partners over the weekend who presented Washington's Encampment in Boyce Park the Candlelight House Tour in Lawrenceville and Ligonier 250 celebrating that community's anniversary with Fort Ligonier Days.
It's hard to believe, but fall 250 is just getting started. Below, find out about the amazing exhibitions, performances and events that are planned. Initiatives like the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts and the Pittsburgh 250 Festival of Lights are painting a vivid picture of Pittsburgh to the world as a hip center of cutting-edge arts and culture offering a one-of-a-kind quality of life. I'm so very proud to call our region home.
James E. Rohr
Chair, Pittsburgh 250th Anniversary Commission
In this issue:
Pittsburgh 250 Festival of Lights, October 10 - November 20, Evenings 7 p.m. - midnight
Pittsburgh 250 Festival of Lights will be the largest light festival of its kind in the United States. It will transform building facades in Downtown and Oakland into large-scale works of art in addition to more than 15 places of worship throughout Pittsburgh. Buildings include Katz Plaza and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown, and the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. The festival will include free music events at Katz and Schenley Plazas. All light projections — created by French, German and local artists through state-of-the-art technology — and related events are free to the public. For a complete list of light projections, music events, tours and walking maps visit the Web site or call 412.325.2785.
The Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, October 10-25
The Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts (PIFOF) is a city-wide, 16-day performing and visual arts festival featuring exclusive United States premieres by highly-acclaimed international artists and contemporary performing arts companies. Spanning October 10-25, Festival events will be presented in association with other Pittsburgh cultural organizations and will offer intimate experiences for audiences at various traditional and non-traditional performance venues within the downtown Cultural District and throughout the city. Tickets range from $20-$25 per performance, with special packages available. Plus, find out how the PIFOF is "Putting Pittsburgh on the Cultural Map."
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Pittsburgh 250, October 17 & 19
Enjoy the world premiere of "The Good Life," a new symphonic work for orchestra, chorus and soloist featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, vocalists and poet-librettists with Leonard Slatkin conducting. Pittsburgh 250 supporters qualify for a special package price for the world premiere on the October 17 and a birthday cake reception to follow.
"Imagine Ending Hunger" Food Drive
While you're Imagining what you can do in Pittsburgh, Imagine Ending Hunger! Having kicked off with great success on October 4 in Point State Park, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is asking southwestern Pennsylvanians across 14 counties to "Imagine Ending Hunger" by donating non-perishable foods throughout the fall (through November 30). All collections at a variety of food drives in the next two months will be counted toward the grand total. Donate today or purchase a memorial PNC Legacy Trail Ride t-shirt, from which all proceeds benefit the Food Bank.
JOIN US: The Allegheny Conference Annual Meeting, November 6
You're invited to the Carnegie Music Hall on November 6 to hear about the accomplishments of the Allegheny Conference and its Affiliates throughout 2008, including the regional effort that is Pittsburgh 250! Join us to find out about our successes as a region, the challenges in our future and our plan to meet them.
Learn more
SAVE THE DATE: Homecoming Weekend 2008, November 27-30
Welcoming expatriates home for Thanksgiving is always special, but it's never been like this! For Pittsburgh 250's grand finale weekend, Pittsburghers everywhere are invited to come home this Thanksgiving weekend for a special red-carpet screening of the film My Tale of Two Cities – a "comeback" movie starring the city of Pittsburgh. Join us on November 28 at The Byham Theater in Downtown Pittsburgh. After the film, attend the Pittsburgh Homecoming Party (9 p.m. at Fifth Avenue Place) to celebrate coming home with traditional Pittsburgh cuisine and music. The evening benefits Steeltown Entertainment Project's "Youth & Media Initiative" in partnership with the Holy Family Institute. There are also numerous other Homecoming Weekend activities to join. |
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October 16
Tech 50 Awards 2008 - presented by the Pittsburgh Technology Council
October 18
Good Taste! Pittsburgh
October 18
August Wilson Center for African American Culture -
Free Collecting Fairs
October 18
Lupus Loop 5K Run/Walk/Skate
October 18-19
PodCamp Pittsburgh 3: Free Social Media UnConference
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