Thursday, July 19, 2012

Building Bridges for Business Decides Hugs Are Important, Too! Sponsors Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day





P.O. Box 1155  Pittsburgh, PA. 15230
Phone:  (412) 444-5197              Email:  info@pplmag.com



For Additional Info:   Joanne Quinn-Smith                            Al Levine
412- 444-5197                                    412-973-9611
jqsdreamweaver@aol.com                  al@hugathonpittsburgh.com

To schedule interviews contact:  Hank Walshak   412-831-3023


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Building Bridges for Business Decides Hugs Are Important, Too!
Sponsors Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day

PITTSBURGH, PA, July, 2012 – Building Bridges for Business has joined the growing list of sponsors of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day.   The announcement was made today by Joanne Quinn-Smith, AKA Techno Granny, Creative Energy Officer, Dreamweaver Marketing Associates; Publisher, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com; and Founder of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day

“We wanted to sponsor Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh Day, because making Pittsburgh better known in the Tri-State area and the United States benefits everyone here, from our residents to our businesses and charities,” said Linda Handley, Founder of Building Bridges for Business.

Quinn-Smith warmly welcomed Handley’s sponsorship. “Our thanks go out to Linda for her sponsorship of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh,” she said. “Building Bridges for Business and Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh are both about furthering a positive image for Pittsburgh. So it just makes sense.” 

Sponsors for Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh plug into 1 million accumulated listeners of the PositivelyPittsburghLive ™ Radio Network, growing at 11.6 percent per month. This network scores 220,000 hits per month and 62,000 page views.

Hug-a-Thon sponsorships are available from $50 to $50,000. To fund a sponsorship, individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to call Al Levine, Community Relations & Development Director of Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh at 412-973-9611.


Building Bridges for Business provides the resources, events and education to help you, the entrepreneur.  Its arsenal consists of workshops aimed at your needs, partnerships with organizations around the city and county and events, both live and virtual, to answer your most pressing questions.
The first, annual Hug-a-Thon Pittsburgh™ Day brings local, regional, and national exposure and recognition for the City of Pittsburgh and to four, non-profit organizations—Cancer Caring Center, Sickle Cell Society, Inc., Pittsburgh Passion’s Passion for Life Foundation, and Operation Troop Appreciation.   

A number of activities during 2012 will culminate in a major event on September 6, 2012.    The places to get hugs are tentatively scheduled at the City County Building, Market Square, Katz Plaza, and underneath Macy’s Clock from 2:30 to 5:00 PM.    An evening gala will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites, Pittsburgh Downtown.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 7-16-12



Second Fundraiser to Support Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh Day, Night at the Races 
August 1, 2012 - 6:30 pm
Come to Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh's ™ Night at the Races. We will watch LIVE horse racing at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Upper Level Adios Rooms. Click here for details. 

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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Groove with the Heat and JazzLive!
For the ninth consecutive year, “JazzLive” presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, brings the community together with jazz music every Tuesday at 5 pm, from June 6 through September 11, 2012.The JazzLive series sponsor is BNY Mellon.  Read the entire release here. 

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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Summer Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District takes place on Friday, July 13, 2012, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.  The Gallery Crawl is an urban showcase featuring a wide variety of thought provoking art exhibitions, live bands, DJs, dance, theater, and more.  Everything from the traditional to the avant garde is on display for art lovers of all ages. Read the entire release here. 

AFTER THE CRAWL …Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh 2012
presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Friday, July 13, 2012, 9:00 p.m. to Midnight
119 Sixth Street, downtown Pittsburgh
Tickets:  $40-$125
Come by plane, train or automobile to the bash of the summer complete with food, drinks, live bands and dancing. Read the entire release here.



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Pittsburgh CLO and PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh presents THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Full casting has been announced for the upcoming national tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, which will make its Pennsylvania premiere in Pittsburgh, Tuesday,  July 31 – Sunday, August 12, 2012, at the Benedum Center as part of the Pittsburgh CLO summer season and PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh 2011-12 series. 
Read the entire release here. 


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BikePGH: 10 years of building a safer, friendlier, and more active Pittsburgh
BikePGH is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and they have a lot to be proud of. The number of people commuting to work on bikes has increased by 270%, the number and length of bike lanes and trails in the City has expanded dramatically, and our streets are safer for bikers, pedestrians, and drivers.  BikePGH's work isn't just about bikes, it's about making the streets safer for everyone.

To read more about the important work that they do or to become a member, visit BikePGH. Click here to read City Council's proclamation celebrating 10 years of BikePGH.

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Anton Chekhov Celebration at the PICTPICT opens its festival celebrating the works of Anton Chekhov with a fresh, "American" translation of Three Sisters by Paul Schmidt. Schmidt is known for his lively translations of Chekhov's work, revealing Chekhov's abundant humor while bringing a modern, particularly American relevance to the play. Three Sisters features Nike Doukas as Ólga, Allison McLemore as Másha, Vera Varlamov as Irina, Christian Conn as Andrèi Prózorov, and David Whalen as Vershinin.  Join us as we observe the lives and secret desires of sisters Masha, Olga, and Irina as they each try to find happiness away from the excitement of Moscow - and within a household less and less in their control. For more information, click here. 
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pITTSBURGH sYMPHONY oRCHESTRA PERFORMS ‘legend of zelda’ at heinz hall 

Concerts Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28

Irish conductor Eímear Noone and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) bring one of the most popular video game series to life in a special concert, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess. Read the entire release here. 




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Pittsburgh Fashion Week Newsletter
Please join us during the largest runway workshop in Pittsburgh. Show current/official media credentials during registration and interview models and designers attending the workshop.
iModel System Presents: "Runway BootCAMP 101" 
This Will Be The LARGEST Runway Workshop in Pittsburgh

The iModel System Runway Workshop with renowned model Miyoshi Anderson
Read the entire release here.

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Pennsylvania Passes Landmark Gender Equality Legislation 
with Support from Women and Girls Foundation 

and Women’s Law Project
City Council Declares Equity in Athletics Day

Forty years after the enactment of Title IX, Pennsylvania passed its own milestone legislation with the signing of HB 1901 The Equity in Interscholastic Athletics Disclosure Bill (sponsored by Senator Mary Jo White) on June 30, 2012. 

On July 17, 2012, City Council will present Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Women’s Law Project with a resolution honoring their work on the passage of the bill and declaring the day Equity in Athletics Day in the City of Pittsburgh. A press conference will be held at 9:45 a.m. on the 5th floor of City-County Building outside of Council Chambers. 

“The Women and Girls Foundation was honored to partner with the Women’s Law Project to advocate for the passage of this bill that will advance gender equality by holding schools publicly accountable for the adherence to Title IX,” says Heather Arnet, chief executive officer, Women and Girls Foundation. “Hundreds of our teen girls also were involved in the multi-year advocacy effort to help make this bill a law.”

The bill requires all public high schools, middle schools and junior high schools in Pennsylvania to report annually the number of athletic opportunities they provide to girls and boys, broken down further by race/ethnicity, as well as other data that may reflect the quality of the athletic programming offered. Pennsylvania will join Kentucky, Georgia and New Mexico in requiring secondary schools to disclose basic information that will help inform students, parents and community members of whether their schools may be in violation of Title IX.
 
Participants at the July 17th press conference include Heather Arnet, Sue Frietsche, Women’s Law Project; Senator Mary Jo White (PA R-21) lead sponsor of the HB 1901; Mary Ann Eisenreich, Pittsburgh Office of the Governor; City Councilwomen Natalia Rudiak, Teresa Smith and Darlene Harris. Members of Women and Girls Foundation’s GirlGov Program will join the participant
s.

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Pittsburgh Passion Announcing Charity Opportunity to Help Promote Women’s Sports and also Raise Money for Charitable Organizations
I would like to offer you a very special opportunity to support women's sports and to have a fun filled day at Heinz field watching the Women's Professional National Championship! You also are entered  into a chance to have dinner with Franco Harris, tickets to the Steelers game/w/parking pass and 3 nights/4 days in Orlando and choice of tickets to various entertainment parks in FL all just for your $20 ticket purchase!  

Each $20/ticket gets you into Heinz field on Aug 4th! Immaculate tailgate challenge at 1:00, Women's National Championship game at 4:00, followed at 7 PM by the NFL Hall of Fame inductions on the Jumbotron at Heinz field.  Each ticket also enters you into a drawing for the prize stated in paragraph 1.

This is a breaking barriers weekend for women's sports! We are celebrating 40 years of Title IV with a wonderful video and special guests of last 40 years. Also celebrating 40 year anniversary of Franco's immaculate reception!  We need and so appreciate your support!

Even better, when you buy 100 tickets, we would get them to you for $1,000. This could be a nice tax write off if you donate them to your favorite charity or tickets for kids. This is a 50% savings on the tickets!

If you would like to purchase these as a fundraising opportunity for any group, so that the group could keep 50%, please let me know. I will get you tickets.

Thank you for considering ticket purchase of any number.  Please write or call and I will get you your tickets. pittsburghpassion@gmail.com   724-452-9395. Both Franco and myself very much appreciate your support of any amount!

Peace and Health! - Franco and Teresa

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"Jessica Lee's Entrepreneurial Thursdays"
Musical Networking Happy Hour, EVERY THURSDAY!!! Cover Charge: Only $5.00
Vocalist Jessica Lee & Friends, Little E's Jazz & Blues Club,
949 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 2nd Floor above Mahoney's Restaurant
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Jessica Lee
Pre-show networking session at 5:30 pm. Informal matchmaking for job seekers, employers & new entrepreneurs! Live music starts at 6:00 pm

July 19, 2012: "Spies Like Us"

Featuring interviews with:

Co-host Bob Lafon, Veteran Entrepreneur - Partner - Smart Phone Solutions LLC (www.spbizsolutions.com

Bruce Conley, The Computer Coach (http://TheComputerCoach.us)

Robert Kresson, Founder and CEO - Empire Investigations, LLC (www.empireinv.com)

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Roving Pittsburgher Report 

Sonny and Jo’s
Sonny and Jo’s meeting with Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh™ four charities.  It’s always a pleasure to visit Sonny and Jo’s on Banksville Road and I would add that they are very accommodating during the day for small meetings. We had pizza and wings and discussed plans for our upcoming events on August 1, Command Performance Night at the Races at Meadows Racetrack and Casino in the Upper Level Suites and Biggest Group Hug and Granny Hugger Reception in Schenley Park Plaza on August 11. And, the Actual Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh Day and Gala on September 6, 2012.” 
Our four charities that we are working with are Cancer Caring Society, Sickle Cell Society, Pittsburgh Passion’s Passion for Life, and Operation Troop Appreciation.

Tai Foon, Robinson
We had chicken and green beans and sautéed mango with shrimp, great summer fair and the price is right, no entrees over $8.99. Bill with three appetizers was under $40.00, and that included the corkage fee for bringing in a bottle of wine from the Wilcox Winery next door.  The winery is convenient and they have a delightful selection that you might not find elsewhere including summer fruity wines.  Tai Foon has no liquor license so it is BYOB
.

Magic Mike Movie
Ladies for a feast for your eyes and a turnabout of the objectification of men for a change, don’t miss this one.  It’s a first hand glimpse behind the scenes of a male dance club. You might be surprised at the dynamics and how a good looking man reacts to being treated only as an object of gratification rather than being appreciated for his fine mind and sensitive soul.  Fun, but definitely not PG. 
Matthew McConaughey played a great character as the club owner and pardon us for being jaded - JRF and I are convinced that every man in the movie was living out a personal fantasy of being objectified.


Giant Eagle Market District in Robinson, Third Annual Best Burger Contest: Big Burger Bash, July 9th
Judged by: Tony Mollica, Market District Store Leader; Penny Folino from Penny's Plates TV; Burgatory; Larry Richert from KDKA


Market District LogoThe hardest thing about attending this event was watching the judges try all the delicious burgers. Techno Granny personally met and did a video interview, (to appear later on PPL Mag), with the winner of the Best Veggie Burger. Later, I had to run by the food court and get some of Market District's wonderful pulled pork, mashed potatoes and grilled veggies. The burger watching definitely made me hungry. 

31st Annual Greater Works Holy Spirit Seminar, Greater Works Outreach, Murrysville
Apostle Jane Hammond
Bishop Joseph Galrington from Covington Church
Pastor Mark Brown from Atlanta


These are the speakers that Techno Granny personally heard. I only attended two days of spirit filled, motivational speaking with great praise music and good gospel message but I wish I could have attended the entire week.

Thunderbird Café, Black_Mahal
THE GODFATHER OF DHOL
Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti is an American Music Icon and the most famous dhol drum and Punjabi vocalist in the world. Known as the ‘Godfather of the Dhol’, Bhatti has collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas, The Doors and many other major artists.
Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti
Over the past 43 years, Bhatti has performed for nearly every U.S. President since Gerald Ford as well has being honored at the opening of the Smithsonian Sikh Gallery in 2005. After picking up the dhol drum instrument as a teenager, he quickly won the hearts of India by the way he played and was invited by the Government of India to serve as cultural music liaison to the country via worldwide music tours to 25 countries.
First Class Banghra featuring PPL Mag Videographer Siddharth Pandit opened up with Punjabi/American Banghra and finised their set to a standing ovation. Then to the delight of everyone and especially those of us who had not heard Black Mahal before the audience rocked out with the group so much that I was concerned about the integrity of the upper loft at the Thunderbird Café as there were about 70 of us up there and another 60 crowded onto the stairs and who knows how many on the dance floor and that does not count those relegated to the first floor bar. I would say the concert was a rousing success.  We especially like the group and Ustad’s rendition of “Save the Flavor in Your Mustache.” 
Listen to that song here. 

Sometimes Roving Pittsburgher Stays at Home
Phong May House, 2351 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh, PA15205
One meal is enough for two or seconds the next day for one. $7.99 gets you soup, egg roll, fried rice, main course. My favorite this week: white meat cashew chicken with snow peas. $1.00 delivery fee, no eat in. Hours are 11am to 9:30 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 3 pm to 9:30 pm.

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This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.


Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.

PPL Turning Page


Positively Pittsburgh Live!
Turning Page 
If you've missed some of the audios, videos or articles on Positively Pittsburgh Live Magazine over the past few weeks, you don't have to worry.  You can download everything right here...

**Download the version in PDF form, as shown below, and save to your desktop to browse in your free time.**
**Or, read the live, turning page version, as shown below, and experience the virtual magazine effect, as you flip pages and actually hear them turning.**
This week, you can find all three of July's weekly magazines
so far here:
In both versions, when you click the link for the multimedia, you can download and listen to the audio shows, or watch the videos.

June 25 - July 1 - PDF / TURNING PAGE
Highlights: 7 Tips On How To Run A Social Media Contest, Debut of Roving Pittsburgher Report Blog, Hug-A-Thon Pittsburgh Proclamation 
July 2 - July 8 - PDF / TURNING PAGE
Highlights: Six Ways To Improve Your Memory, Managing Your Business Online, 
Addams Family Musical Comes to Pittsburgh
July 9 - July 15 - PDF / TURNING PAGE
Highlights: Info on DNS Changer Malware, Increase Sales By Managing Your Time,
Legend of Zelda at the PSO
 *********************************************************************************************************
If you’d like to have an article, audio show, or video shared with the rest of Pittsburgh, click here to contact me.
Have a positive and successful week!
Joanne Quinn-Smith
412-444-5197
2009 National SBA Journalist of the Year
AKA TechnoGranny, Talkcast Host
Publisher, PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com
2010 Stevie Award Finalist for Best Media Website or Blog
Creative Energy Officer, Dreamweaver Marketing Associates, Full Service Marketing Company Specializing in Web 2.0 Branding.

Take advantage of the PositivelyPittsburgh Alliance:
Post your Positive Events and Use Discussion Forum
Get Your Own Syndicated Pittsburgh Internet Radio or TV Channel at:

http://positivelypittsburghlivemagazine.com http://pplmag.com
LinkedIn:  http://joannequinnsmith.com
twitter:  https://twitter.com/technogrannysho
TechnoGrannyTalks:  http://technogrannyshow.com

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Positively Pittsburgh Live! Pittsburgh Area Entertainers 7-16-12


Positively Pittsburgh Live!
Pittsburgh Area Entertainers
7-16-12
Listen to the show here.


Pittsburgh has a rich cultural heritage of entertainers that have gone on to national prominence. So once again we will feature some Pittsburgh entertainers and an entertainment procurer so that when you need entertainers you can find one. 

Guests:
Sue Moore, Member, The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus
J.G. Boccella, Musician, advocate, and speaker
Terina Jett Hicks, Entrepreneur/Emcee/Radio Co-Host/Evangelist, founder of Talent Pittsburgh

                                                                                     ***

Sue Pellant Moore
The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus
Sue sings with the chorus and chairs the 2012 Show Committee. Their upcoming show is called Road Trip USA: A Celebration of American Music & Dance and will be held at the Ambridge Area High School auditorium on Saturday, October 13 at 3 pm.

The Sounds of Pittsburgh chorus is an award-winning women’s a cappella chorus from the Greater Pittsburgh area. They are a non-profit community chorus affiliated with Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop four-part harmony. While the chorus offers educational opportunities to its members, they also serve the community through shows and other events throughout the Pittsburgh area.

They have open rehearsals every Monday night at the Coraopolis United Methodist Church at 7 pm. If you are a woman who sings, they will voice place you and you can sing on the risers with them as their guest that night.

You can also see them perform at various Pittsburgh events. They were recently at Kennywood Park and will be singing the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates in September. The chorus also provides small groups to perform for community events, as well.

The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus is one of 600 Sweet Adelines choruses that compete every year in the Spring. They came in 1st Place Midsize Chorus this year for their region – which includes western Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, southern Michigan and western Indiana. They provide members with many educational opportunities – voice instruction, coaching and weekend retreats.

For more information, please visit http://www.soundsofpgh.org

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J.G. Boccella

J.G. Boccella is a musician, advocate and speaker with over ten years of experience at the nexus of arts, education, and advocacy. Founder of Modo Mio Music, he has created a series of programs that use music as a catalyst for dialogue on race in America. Boccella holds a bachelor's degree, in Visual Art, from Brown University and a master's degree, in Arts in Education, from Harvard.
 
Musically, Boccella is an Old-School-Hip-Hop-Rock & Roll-Gospel-Music-loving-Bob-Marley-Fanatic. He is a recording artist, producer and songwriter, and performs live with the Modo Mio Band.
He was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and of course, is a huge Steelers fan.

His mission is to bring people together through music and the arts. He writes songs about love, life, and social change. He will be giving a race relations talk called “The Conversation We COULD Be Having” at Winchester Thurston School, in September.

For more information, please visit  www.jgboccella.virb.com or to contact for bookings, call (412) 780-6636.

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Terina Jett Hicks

Terina Jett Hicks was born and raised in the church and having that foundation it was only natural that she would be in ministry. Terina was ordained as an Elder at the age of 37 under the leadership of Reverend Louis Otey, who is the Senior Pastor of New Covenant Christian Fellowship located in Swissvale, PA.

Terina has served as the Praise and Worship leader at a number of churches and knows that her purpose and calling is that of an Evangelist and she has been able to carry out that ministry through her work with Soul Pitt Media. She joined Soul Pitt Media in 2008 as the Spiritual Coordinator, where she interviews First Ladies from a variety of churches in the Tri-State area, and attends many of the Christian concerts and events.

In addition, to being one of the contributing writers for the Soul Pitt Quarterly, she is also the co-host of the weekly radio show, Soul Pitt X-Tra with Donna Baxter, which airs over the Internet on the Soul Pitt site, and has appeared in a couple of TV commercials for Soul Pitt Media, which airs on Fox 53. She has also served as the co-host, host and guest speaker for several events.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Technology and Professional Communication from Duquesne University.  Additionally, she will complete her Masters in Public Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship Management Consulting at Carnegie Mellon University in Fall 2012.

She loves the Lord with all her heart and lives her life to please Jesus and Him only.  Terina is married to a wonderful man, Joseph L. Hicks, and has been blessed with two spectacular sons, Eric who is a Student Athlete at West Liberty University in West Virginia, and Robert who is a student in the Woodland Hills School District.

She enjoys spending time with her family, singing, working on her manuscript, and shopping. Terina’s motto:  “No vision, no ambition; endless visions, infinite potential.”

Talent Pittsburgh was actually created in November 2011, however, I did not launch the company until January 2012.  The purpose of this company is to display or showcase undiscovered talent in the Tri-State area. 


As you know, we have a ton of talented individuals in this region, however, there isn't one place where all of this great talent is housed until now.


Talent Pittsburgh is an online promotional talent agency, and it doesn't matter if you are a singer, dancer, composer, spoken word artist, emcee, lecturer, contractor, rapper, model, author, management company, etc. This is what makes my company stand apart from your standard modeling agencies, or acting agencies.


Talent Pittsburgh is a membership site.  An annual membership of only $50 dollars will get artists of every genre the needed exposure. Additionally, as with any membership site. there are benefits. I have partnered with Donna Baxter, who is the CEO of Soul Pitt Media, to provide benefits for the members of Talent Pittsburgh such as, a write up in the Soul Pitt Quarterly Magazine, A Soul Blast on the Soul Pitt Internet site, a website built by myself or Donna Baxter, and most importantly the opportunity to open for a national artist(s) who comes to Pittsburgh. Recently one of the artists from Talent Pittsburgh, Cayenne, had the opportunity to open for a national gospel group, The Nevels Sisters. Cayenne was able to provide them with a CD, as well as participate in photo opps.


For more information on Talent Pittsburgh, please visit www.talentpgh.com or email them at info@talentpgh.com.


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This was reported as a reproduction of PositvelyPittsburghLive news done by Joanne Quinn-Smith. (c) Joanne Quinn-Smith and PositivelyPittsburghLive(TM) 2012 All rights reserved.


Tara Darazio is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, an independent copywriter, blogger, article writer, and social media strategist. If you are in need of writing assistance, or need help with your social media efforts connect with Tara on LinkedIn here.