Pittsburgh Roars Cultural Initiative Celebrates the Region's Attractions with Special Events and Programming

Pittsburgh Roars Cultural Initiative Celebrates the Region's Attractions with Special Events and Programming

Launching Sunday, March 26, 2006 at the Carnegie Museums in Oakland

PITTSBURGH, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Steeler Nation may be resting up for next season, but that is no reason to stop celebrating in Pittsburgh and its surrounding region.

Pittsburghers are invited to make a lot of noise on March 26th at the official launch of Pittsburgh Roars -- a programming and marketing collaborative effort by more than 70 cultural, civic, and community partners with a goal to get people out and enjoy and appreciate the region as a vibrant place to live, work and visit. The kick-off celebration begins at 9:30 am on March 26th outside Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, 4400 Forbes Avenue, with a free Pittsburgh Roars festival. There will be music, marching, drumming and Mayor O'Connor and Chief Executive Dan Onorato will be on hand to welcome the crowd. There will also be plenty of free activities for children and the collection of giant (25-30 ft. high) inflatable Pittsburgh Roars public art objects will be on display. You'll be able to find the action right away -- just look for the giant Monogahela Monster.

The fun then continues inside with a special Roars showcase of partners and the opening of Fierce Friends: Artists and Animals, 1750-1900, a new exhibition opening at the Carnegie Museum of Art. All indoor Pittsburgh Roars activities are free with Museum admission on March 26th. A sampling of Pittsburgh Roars partners on March 26 at the Carnegie Museums include:

* Live animals and professional zookeepers from the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG
Aquarium and a live penguin from The National Aviary
* Special visit from the Pirate Parrot and a chance to throw a strike at
the Pirate Pitching Truck
* Scenes from Disney's The Jungle Book, performed by Pittsburgh Musical
Theater
* Rhythm and Blues musical performance by the Afro American Music
Institute
* Instrumentals and vocalizations based on sheet music found in Old
Economy Village's music archives
* Performance of Arriba! Arriba! The Roberto Clemente Story, A Gallery Of
Heroes Musical by Civic Light Opera and the Pittsburgh Pirates

"Pittsburgh Roars is about changing attitudes and motivating action. Pittsburgh Roars is giving people the information, the encouragement and the incentive to get out and explore more, and in turn generate a positive emotional and economic benefit for the region," said Marguerite Jarrett Marks, director of Pittsburgh Roars.

"Our region offers a plethora of entertainment, recreational, educational and cultural amenities that we sometimes take for granted," said Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato. "Pittsburgh Roars gives us the opportunity to showcase the assets that make Pittsburgh a truly great place to live, work and raise a family."

As part of an effort to get people involved and help Pittsburghers and visitors to the region identify Pittsburgh Roars events and programming, a series of ten giant inflatable public art objects designed by local artists and measuring 25 to 30 feet tall, will make appearances at various venues during the span of Pittsburgh Roars. The one-of-a-kind giant inflatable art project was a juried process commissioned by The Sprout Fund and all works depict individual artist interpretations of what makes Pittsburgh roar. The first appearance of an inflatable is "Like a Lionfish Out of Water," by artist Alison Zapata, in Market Square, Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24.

Co-Chairs of the Pittsburgh Roars steering committee are Suzy Broadhurst and Mike Watson. "There is so much to be proud about in Pittsburgh, and we're excited about the opportunity to 'roar' about our great city and region, and all that it has to offer residents and visitors alike," said Broadhurst.

A complete list of programming is available at http://www.pittsburghroars.com/. As a special incentive, Pittsburgh Roars key chains are available to "unlock" discounts and special opportunities at various partner venues. Roars key chains are available for $10 for adults, $5 for children at http://www.pittsburghroars.com/, and at the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. By using these key chains, people can realize hundred of dollars in savings throughout the run of Pittsburgh Roars at participating venues.

Pittsburgh Roars is a celebration saluting Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. More than 70 cultural, sports and entertainment venues, civic, community and economic development organizations, corporations, and foundations have joined forces to present an unrivaled schedule of unique public events, attractions and activities and a unified marketing campaign to support the Pittsburgh Roars initiative. A complete list of Pittsburgh Roars related programming and events is available at http://www.pittsburghroars.com/.

Source: Pittsburgh Roars

CONTACT: Paulette Duderstadt, +1-412-366-9471, or Marguerite Jarrett
Marks, +1-412-642-0642, both for Pittsburgh Roars

Web site: http://www.pittsburghroars.com/
http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/

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