Pittsburgh Special Events

     During most of June Pittsburgh celebrates the Three Rivers Arts Festival at Gateway Center, Station Square, Market Square and Point State Park: There are programs and productions of just about everything cultural the city has to offer, including art, dance, music, theater and mime. Also held in June is the Mellon Jazz Festival, featuring 10 days of entertainment from top jazz performers.
     The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta occurs the first full weekend in August. Also in August, Shadyside--The Art Festival on Walnut Street attracts artists, craftsmen, browsers and music aficionados. Fright Fest, held late September through October, is celebrated at Station Square. Nature's seasonal beauty is feted at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens with three floral celebrations, the spring, fall and holiday flower shows.

Performing Arts
     Reflecting its metamorphosis from an industrial behemoth to a corporate giant, the city's cultural scene is growing, becoming more varied, more vital and more progressive. This is perhaps most apparent in Pittsburgh's theater offerings.
     As active and excellent as ever, The Carnegie and the universities are no longer alone on the stage. The Pittsburgh Playhouse in Oakland is the site of a wide range of classical and contemporary productions. Contemporary American plays are presented by the City Theatre Company during its October through May season at the New City Theatre. The Pittsburgh Public Theatre is a professional Equity company offering classical and modern dramas, including a new play each year. Its home is in the downtown O'Reilly Theater, designed by noted architect Michael Graves. The lavish Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, formerly the Stanley Theatre, presents first-run Broadway shows.
     Dance of many kinds, from folk to modern, also is available. As they have for nearly 50 years, the Duquesne University Tamburitzans bring to vivid life the folk dances of Old Europe. The acclaimed Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performs at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts October through April.
     For orchestral music at its best, the Pittsburgh Symphony has few rivals. This orchestra packs opulent Heinz Hall September through May for its regular program series as well as for its Pops, Young Peoples' and Tiny Tots' series. A courtyard with wrought-iron benches, water sculptures and lunchtime performances by local musicians has been added to Heinz Hall. The Pittsburgh Opera and the Civic Light Opera perform at the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts and at the Byham Theater.
     Contemporary American music is the specialty of the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, which performs at the Hazlett Theater. Free chamber music concerts are held at The Frick Art Museum on Sundays, October through May. The Summer Concert in the Parks series provides a variety of free concerts, including bluegrass, folk and jazz in several of the city parks.
     The Mellon Arena, at Center and Bedford avenues, is a multipurpose auditorium that is used as a sports arena, theater, convention center and concert hall; phone (412) 642-1800.