Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2015;
How will you welcome
the New Year?
By Megan Grabowski
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| Beauty Slap |
As a Pittsburgher, newly transplanted or a longtime
resident, you ought to consider purchasing a button for the 21
st
annual Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2015.
Many plans and preparations are well under way to make this year’s event
a spectacular success. Today I was granted a sneak peek into several of the
scheduled happenings. In anticipation of 40,000 visitors to the region’s largest
single day celebration,
Pittsburgh Cultural
Trust and 500 volunteers have organized 150 events in hope of producing the
grandest First Night to date. So, while New
Yorkers gaze up at the dropping ball, in Pittsburgh we will gape in awe as our ball
rises, 150 feet above Penn Avenue, representative of our city on the rise! A truly family friendly event, alcohol free
and a significant launch pad for many local artists, people of all ages will
enjoy the myriad of visual arts, dance, theater, magic, comedy and music
offered on New Year’s Eve throughout Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
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| Join First Night Attendees of all Ages |
This year, ringing in 2015 at Highmark First Night
Pittsburgh can be done at 50 various venues, including two new spaces,
Trinity Cathedral and
First Presbyterian Church as well as numerous
sites in the Cultural District such as
Wood
Street Galleries,
SPACE,
709 Gallery
and the
O’Reilly Theater. Concerned about bringing the family outdoors
in the cold? This year 90% of the activities
are planned for indoor areas offering visitors a much needed break from the
late December weather. If an alcohol free New Year’s Eve celebration
doesn’t sound like your speed, take heed, Janis Burley Wilson, Vice President
of Education and Community Engagement for Pittsburgh Cultural Trust reassures
attendees, “I view Highmark First Night Pittsburgh as one of the most important
evenings of the year…the Trust welcomes and entertains visitors of all ages,
for a joyous celebration of the arts…”
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| First Night Fireworks at Midnight |
Intrigued yet?
Perhaps you are wondering how to plan a single evening itinerary that
includes 150 activity options spanning 14 city blocks? Guests with youngsters can begin the night
with a bang; children’s fireworks display on the
Dollar
Bank Stage with funky musical accompaniment provided by
Beauty Slap. Then head on over to the
First
National Bank Tent to participate in hands- on activities with
organizations like
Carnegie
Science Center,
CitiParks
and beloved mascots Steely McBeam and Pirate Parrot. At 8pm, march over to Penn Avenue for the
magnificent sights and sounds of the FedEx Ground Parade. With a theme titled “Imagination Delivered”,
Grand Marshal Rick Sebak will lead a procession of towering puppets, marching
bands and bicycles. If you’re planning
on bringing older children, you won’t want to miss the fifth annual Sing
Off. Following the premise of
televisions The Voice, a selection of Pittsburgh’s own promising local talent
defend their vocal aptitudes. In honor
of the upcoming
Motown
the Musical tour, celebrity judge Smokey Robinson, will help award one
stunning student singer a $500.00 cash prize.
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| Swon Brothers from "The Voice" |
Venturing into town without kids in tow? An endless evening of laughter, mystique, art
and dance wait. Stop by
Pierce
Studio on Liberty Avenue, location of the Trust Arts Education Center for a
smooth jazz lounge with chill jams by the
Dwayne
Dolphin Trio. Visitors can take
advantage of all of the Trust galleries, operating with extended hours, and create
a personalized gallery crawl. Prefer to
keep warm and toasty indoors? Check out
the improvisation team at
Arcade
Comedy Theater. If something more traditional
appeals to you, enjoy the
River City
Brass Band on the Benedum stage as well as opportunities to view theater
performances, magicians and dance. Of
course, the evening wouldn’t be complete, without an extraordinary
Zambelli Fireworks display at
midnight, along with a rockin’ show by country chart toppers from "The Voice,"
The Swon Brothers on the
Highmark
Stage.
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| Pirate Parrot |
of performances by rising
stars, displays of visually stunning art, curiously crafted choreography, witty
and intelligently written dialogue on stage.
Organizers recognize the commitment and investment of local talents; therefore,
you too are encouraged to get involved.
Does this sound like fun?
Beginning next weekend, help prepare puppetry for the FedEx Ground
Parade with guidance from artist/ instructor and Fed-Ex Ground Parade Creative
Director,
Admission to all of the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2015
events will require a button. The full
access button can be purchased from now until December 31
st for $8.00
at participating Giant Eagle locations. A button can also be purchased for $10.00 at
the event. Additionally, buy online at
www.TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.
Children 5 and under are admitted free.
Please be aware some indoor activities will require a voucher for
admittance. This ensures the safety of
all people on New Year’s Eve by not allowing venues to fill beyond their intended
capacity. Vouchers can be reserved via
phone, 412- 456- 6666 or at
The
Box Office at Theater Square located at 655 Penn Avenue. A listing of events requiring a voucher can
be obtained from
www.TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.
One last tip for making New Year’s 2015
memorable, the First Night Friends, VIP package allows guests to access
priority seating, secure vouchers and acquire parking! This is too good an opportunity to pass up,
so call 412-471-6086 today to become a First Night Friend. From Belly Dancers and Roving Street Performers to County Artists and Fireworks, this is truly a family night with fun for everyone including mom and dad.
Reviewed by Megan Grabowski
Positively Pittsburgh Good News Reviewer, Professional writer, Social-Media Junkie, Community Fundraiser and Pittsburgh Enthusiast.
