Earlier this month, we posted about the City of Pittsburgh’s Bike Rack Program. Well, if you wish to have a bike rack installed in front of your business, the City and Bike Pittsburgh have created an online request form. It should take you about as much time to fill out as it did to read this post.
Since you’ll save so much time by using that form, why don’t you take a minute to leave us a comment letting us know that you did?
Jeffrey R. Howell (Governor, Pangloss, and Voltaire), Taavon Gamble (Maximillian), and Erica Olden (ensemble)
Quantum Theatre, a company that doesn’t believe in the use of traditional performing spaces, is coming to Bloomfield with its latest production, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. For this production, Quantum Theatre decided to make use of the old Don Allen Auto City Chevrolet building for its unique ability to connect with the audience, and also to add its own level of interpretation. Candide is a play about the best of all possible worlds, and by having it in this abandoned car company, Quantum Theatre adds a new layer of irony. With the failing car industry and the economy, an empty garage is the perfect location for a play that looks at the disillusionment of an optimist.
A big aspect of Quantum Theatre and its productions is the company’s goal to bring unique experiences to people who don’t usually get them. “We like to bring something you don’t usually see to people, and show that these things can happen where you live,” said Karla Boos, the artistic director of Quantum Theatre. “We made a small chamber for this production to really connect with the audiences. It’s not often that you get a chance to hear voices this big in a space this size.”
Laurie Klatscher (the Old Lady) and Nicole Ann Kaplan (Cunegonde)
By having it in the old Chevrolet building, the company ensures that patrons of the show will definitely be getting a unique experience. The stage was built in-the-round, and gives the audience 360 degrees of action. In the center of the stage is where the orchestra sits and allows for interaction that isn’t usually available to shows, and the play’s music follows with this idea of connecting with the audience. “A couple of the pieces are well known, especially the songs ‘Easily Assimilated’ and the finale,” said Andres Cladera, the musical director for the play.
For show times and tickets, look under the 2009–2010 season on the Quantum Theatre website.
Because Quantum Theatre is always looking to perform in unique spaces, they feel it is important to promote the neighborhoods where they perform. “We usually think about the property first and what we want the space to be, then we look at the neighborhood,” said Boos. Quantum’s productions usually bring in between 2,000 and 5,000 patrons to the area over a show’s run. For this production of Candide, the theater can hold over 250 people each night, and therefore offers a unique opportunity for businesses in the area.
“We try and encourage people to stay in the neighborhood before and after the show,” said René Conrad, Quantum’s managing director. “We offer discounted tickets, flyers, and parties for local businesses to try and get them involved in the promotion of our productions. We also work with businesses to offer discounts to our patrons to try and promote business in the neighborhood.”
Promotional materials for Quantum Theatre’s Candide are available from the BDC.
If you would like to promote your business to theatre patrons, you can call the Bloomfield Development Corporation at 412-681-8800. We have posters, flyers and wallet cards that we can give you, and we will put you in touch with René Conrad to discuss some of the promotional options available.
I was attending a wedding in Las Vegas earlier in the month and was reading the Las Vegas Sun that was delivered to the hotel on Sunday. There was an article about the challenges Las Vegas is facing with their main industry, tourism, declining. Imagine my surprise when the article referenced Pittsburgh as the example they wanted to follow:
How do we avoid becoming Detroit or Cleveland or Buffalo — once prosperous cities now deeply scarred by decay?
More pointedly, what can we learn from their failures? Also, what can Las Vegas learn from those Rust Belt cities that have transformed themselves and are now thriving — cities such as Boston and surprising gems like Pittsburgh?
The article goes on to say how Pittsburgh was able to turn many of the old steel sites into commercial developments after their main industry, steel, declined. It’s a very informative article and gives some interesting opinions on our wonderful city.
Urban Hike‘s scavenger hunt in Bloomfield on Saturday will include some clues that highlight local businesses. This is a photo scavenger hunt, so if you’re a business owner, you may notice participants taking photos of the outside of your business. However, teams will be told to ask permission if they wish to photograph inside a business.
Looking for some adventure this fall? Well you’re in luck: Urban Hike is having a scavenger hunt in Bloomfield on Saturday, October 24. All you need to participate is a digital camera and a connecting cable, so you can download your pictures onto a computer at the end to tally up your score.
Pittsburgh Urban Hike – North Oakland, Upper Hill/Sugar Top, Polish Hill – July 15, 2006
Urban Hike will provide you with a map and the clues when you get to the event, and participants will have two hours to try and find as many objects as they can. Teams can be made up of a maximum of five people, and you can register by email or you can show up to the hunt and be placed on a team. The hunt will start at 1:00 PM at Friendship Park near the intersection of Friendship and Mathilda.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
1–3 PM
Friendship Park
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Susan Constanse likes having open studios, because it gives her a chance to show off her latest work. Two years ago, she coordinated the Creative Tour in Bloomfield, an open studio event showcasing more than a dozen artists and eight galleries as part of the sixth annual Little Italy Days Festival.
This Sunday, she will be showing off her work at her studio near the Bloomfield Bridge, along with the work of local artists Christine Bethea, Michelle Gregio and Laurenty Josep. The studio is only open once a year or by appointment, so don’t miss this opportunity. Details are below.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
12–6 PM
4073 Liberty Avenue
Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Three Rivers
The City of Pittsburgh will be launching their Bike Rack Program in a few weeks, and will begin installation of new bike racks in their main corridors and business districts as part of the mayor’s Taking Care of Business Districts Program. If your business is interested in having a bike rack installed, contact Karla by email or at 412-681-8800.
Read more about the Three Rivers Bike Racks and City Council’s unanimous passing of a simplified bike rack ordinance at Bike Pittsburgh.
Meet Councilman Patrick Dowd (District 7) at Council to Go, his mobile district office. Councilman Dowd and his staff will be available to hear your concerns, provide news on issues in Council, and help you access city services. October’s sessions will be held on Friday, Oct. 16, from 7:30 to 9 AM at Perk Me Up at 4407 Butler Street in Lawrenceville, and Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Morning Glory Coffeehouse at 1806 Chislett Street in Morningside.
For a full schedule as well as more information about Council to Go and Councilman Dowd, visit the District 7 website or call 412-255-2140.
Don’t forget that the 24th Annual Columbus Day Parade will be happening tomorrow, Saturday, October 10, 2009. The parade, starting at 11, will follow Liberty Avenue from Baum Boulevard to the Bloomfield Bridge.
Columbus Day Parade 2008
According to an article in today’s Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, this year’s parade committee has decided to make music as its theme and has asked the participating organizations to include music in some way. Some of the Italian-American organizations that will be represented are the Sons and Daughters of America, the Spigno Saturina Society, Sons of Italy and the Sons of Columbus.
Along with the increased musical presence this parade will feature a giant “pupa” doll, an 8-foot puppet dressed in traditional Italian clothes, an authentic gondola, and a decorated donkey cart. The parade will also be paying homage to the three fallen police officers, Eric G. Kelly, Stephen J. Mayhle, and Paul Sciullo, instead of having a grand marshal for the event.
Streets along the parade route will be closed by 9:30 this year, so be sure to get your spot early.
West Penn Allegheny Health System is partnering with Gateway Health Plan and the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council to sponsor an informational event on health care. Find out what you need to know before you visit the doctor at this free event on Monday, October 19 at Vintage on North Highland Avenue.
Details are below, and to reserve your space, please contact Carol Kelley at Gateway Health Plan by October 12.
To help promote the event, download a printable PDF flyer.
