Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Positively Pittsburgh Live News 11-19-12


Positively Pittsburgh Live! News
11-19-12

Disney’s THE LION KING Triumphantly RETURNS TO Pittsburgh in 2013
The Lion King
By popular demand, Disney’s THE LION KING will return to Pittsburgh for an exclusive 4-week engagement at the Benedum Center. Performances begin Tuesday, September 3, 2013 and play through Sunday, September 29, 2013.  Opening night is set for Friday, September 6, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.  

Single tickets for THE LION KING will go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 6, 2013.  THE LION KING’s sold-out six-week Pittsburgh premiere engagement in 2004 at the Benedum Center was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2008.  Disney’s THE LION KING is part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Broadway Across America and Pittsburgh Symphony. Read the entire release here

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SembÈne: The Film & Arts Festival
(Free African Cuisine and Meet Great People!!! Bring a friend!!!)
Sembène: The Film & Arts Festival is proud to announce its fourth season of award-winning films from Senegal, South Africa, USA and Chad. The Festival has expanded its programming and offers a diverse selection of stunning, award-winning controversial films from a variety of genres. Many of the films have never been shown on the big screen in Pittsburgh.
Friday, November 30th - Ousmane Sembène's closes the the festival with his last film, MOOLAAD.


Like Us on Facebook for updates on future films and evens
Click Here :
https://www.facebook.com/sembenefilmfestival




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Pandora's Unforgettable Moments Presents Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
by Chip Davis
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday celebration for over 25 years.  Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.  The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.  Don’t miss this ultimate holiday tradition from the #1 Christmas music artist in history!


Manheim Steamroller
Created and founded by Chip Davis, Mannheim Steamroller is embarking on their 27th tour this Christmas season.   Business Week says,Mannheim Steamroller Rules Christmas! It’s the top selling act ever in the holiday music category.” And the Dallas Morning News:   "Mannheim Steamroller is the most popular Christmas act of all times…..a lush version of "Deck The Halls" is one of the act's most popular songs." Mannheim Steamroller’s music is best described as 18th Century classical rock with a musical fusion of acoustic, analog, digital and electronic sounds. Read the entire release here

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“Know the Show Before You Go”
Renowned theater critic will help audience know the show before the performance.
 
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces new pre-show talk “Know the Show Before You Go” will be presented on select show performance nights* for the 2012-2013 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series.  ‘Know the Show’ will be hosted by Chris Rawson, senior theater critic for KDKA-TV and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

Mr. Rawson will discuss various subjects such as: How do you prepare to see a Broadway musical? What sort of information (and attitude) is useful, and what might get in the way? What might help you enjoy the shows being presented in the 2012-2013 PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series? How do you know you've had a good time? Read the entire release here


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Solar Mamas
Thursday, November 29th at 5:30 pm, WQED Studios (4802 Fifth Avenue, Pgh, 15213)
by Jehane Noujaim

New innovations and opportunities to empower women, and their communities by extension, occur in some of the most unique ways.  Big ideas and dreams can become reality, but not without the perseverance to beat the odds. How can a young, barely literate woman become a force for technological change in her community? Are women better at getting out of poverty than men? These questions are at the heart of Solar Mamas, which follows the path of a young Bedouin woman and the obstacles she encounters in her effort to bring the benefits of solar energy home. 

Rafea Ehnad is a 32-year-old mother of four who is among 27 women selected to learn how to wire and install solar panels as part of the Barefoot College in Tilonia, India. The group includes women from all around the world who develop a close camaraderie despite their differences in language and culture. The story follows their struggles, successes, and ongoing obstacles as they work to provide bright futures through solar energy for their local communities.   

To register for this FREE event, please click HERE

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Celebrate Holiday Traditions with The Nutcracker
Onstage Dec. 7-30, at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings the  magic of The Nutcrackerhome for the holidays with a Pittsburgh-inspired production featuring more than 210 costumes, 190 performers and turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh set design.

Recognized as one of the most popular ballets of all time, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic based on the German tale written by E.T.A. Hoffmann. PBT has performed The Nutcracker since the company’s founding in 1969. Beginning in 2002, PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr created an entirely new production with an enhanced storyline, new choreography and a unique Pittsburgh theme.
Read the entire release here
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Les Miserables
January 15-27 at the Benedum Center
Les Miserables
Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. 

This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes. The New York Times calls this LES MISÉRABLES “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish.” The London Times hails the new show “a five star hit, astonishingly powerful.”

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Rick Sebak Celebrates 25 Years
Producer / Writer / Narrator

Rick Sebak makes unusual television programs.

Rick is producer and host of a magazine-style program called IT’S PITTSBURGH & A LOT OF OTHER STUFF, seen regularly on WQED and on-line at wqed.org. His work in public television goes back to the mid 1970s when he started working on a daily
children’s show in South Carolina. Since then, he has created a number of very popular and beloved non-fiction programs for public television locally as well as nationally.

His slightly wacky documentaries now celebrate various aspects of modern American life and the unexpected charms of Pittsburgh. Audiences have learned to recognize his friendly narrative style and the unusual topics that he obviously loves. 
Read the entire release here

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Children’s Holiday Programming on WQED-TV
Visit their website for the list

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Roving Pittsburgher Report

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant, Mt. Washington, 1 Boggs Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15211
This is a family run restaurant, founded by Joe and Carmela Giarameta, both immigrants from Sicily. They still run the restaurant today, along with their children, Jolena, Giovanna and Gabriella.

What a dining experience! Along with the traditional Italian cuisines and many pasta dishes there are always amazing specials. This was my belated birthday celebration, so we went all out with the vegetable fritti platter of friend zucchini, cauliflower, mushrooms and mozzarella sticks. My dining partner had Fresh jumbo sea scallops pan seared and finished in the oven over porchini mushroom polenta. I had Veal Milenese topped with Wayngu Beef and Truffle Stuffed Ravioli and an amazing tomato mushroom white wine sauce. Of course we had to have Jolena and Carmella’s freshly made wedding soup and the dessert, swell! 

This is a feast all itself We shared Dolce Amore which is a delectable chocolate sponge cake topped with a chocolate mousse, a special cream sauce and triple berry blend. All of it just melts in your mouth as the calories do not melt off your waistline.


Good People Review
by Helene Vidovich and Amy Caligaro

Life in a lace curtain world?
. . .like a cornucopia, leaving one with much to choose and digest.

"Good People" by David Lindsay-Abaire and aptly staged by Jeff Cowie, captures life's little moments and situations and leaves one with much fodder for future discussion. Kelly McAndrew, who portrayed Margaret, was exceptional. The performance evokes a variety of iconic experiences--anger, love, fear, deceit, laughter, social taboos and life's dichotomies.
Read the full review here.
 



War Horse Review
by Joanne Quinn-SmithWhat a multimedia event. This was just not a play but a rendering of musical interludes, hovering screen video scenes and amazing puppetry. Yes it was a puppet show for adults. As I looked around the room it was amazing to me how few children there were and that’s because the show was targeted for adults. 

Albert and Joey, War Horse
The poignant Tony Award winning play displays the ravages and unfairness of war while still allowing the theater audience a chance to revel in childhood fantasies, the memory of grandpa’s bedtime stories and the thrill of near real life adventure.

Joey, the protagonist stallion of "War Horse," is believable with every toss of his tale and shake of his head. For the length of the play I was transfixed by the beguiling eyes of a puppet and the very real and regal galloping steed. Read the full review here







6th Annual Bhangra in the Burgh
Sponsored by the Department of Student Affairs at the Carnegie Mellon University and benefiting Variety Children’s Charity, the show was held on November 17 in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Oakland and was packed by Bhangra fans and aficionados

The colorful costumes and athletic dance kept the audience with their arms in the air or clapping or tapping their feet. PPL Mag Videographer danced with a group out of the University of Pittsburgh, First Class Banghra and opened up the show. We had no idea how any of the other teams would follow them for energy, precision or style. 

For those of you who are not familiar with Bhangra, it is an energetic folk dance usually performed in the Autumn as Harvest Festival celebration. It is native to the Northwest India and East Pakistan area. But the Bhangra that has taken over the interest of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada is much transformed fusing elements of hip hop, and reggae with the Punjabi music. This popular form of dance has not  become competitive with more than 30 Bhangra competitions and more than 65 collegiate Bhangra teams.  

This year the teams competing were Toronto All Star Girls, GM Bhangra, Cornell Bhangra, UNC Bhangra Elite,First Class Banghra, CAL Bhangra and Virginia Tech Bhangra. So far in its past five years the entirely run student event has raised over $50,000.00 for charity.

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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.


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