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Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Media Contact:
Robin Elrod, Director of PR and Communications
elrod@trustarts.org | (412) 471-8716
 
Highmark First Night Pittsburgh Event Assets
Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2020 Programming Assets
 
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces
Highmark First Night PIttsburgh 2020 New Year's Eve Celebration Lineup
Tuesday, December 31, 2019, 6 p.m.–midnight
Cultural District | Downtown Pittsburgh
 
This morning, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced the complete programming lineup for Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2020. Starting at 6 p.m. on December 31, 2019, acclaimed local, national, and international artists will animate the Cultural District and ring in the New Year. Two Zambelli fireworks displays, the signature New Year’s Eve Parade and its famed giant puppets, the “Countdown to Midnight,” and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball complete the celebration.
 
As always, Highmark First Night Pittsburgh presents an arts-focused, family-friendly celebration of the New Year throughout the 14-block radius of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. The evening begins with the Dollar Bank Children’s Fireworks at 6 p.m. on the Dollar Bank Stage, and culminates in the Future of Pittsburgh Grand Finale, which begins at 11:58 p.m. Throughout the event’s six hours, guests can look forward to all types of art, including comedy, dance, music, magic, theater, visual art, and more, as well as hands-on activities for every age in indoor and outdoor venues. Ninety percent of all Highmark First Night Pittsburgh programming taking place inside theaters, galleries, and event spaces.
 
The Cultural Trust is happy to announce the continuation of its Trust Oasis public art space on Seventh Street, with a new piece premiering at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh. Prismatica is an enormous, interactive modern ice palace made up of giant prisms coming to Pittsburgh from the Quartier de Spectacles Partnership in Montreal. The prisms create a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors and light after sunset, sure to amaze revelers this New Year’s Eve. The piece will remain until March of 2020.
 
Other outdoor experiences include the ‘Take Flight’ New Year’s Eve Parade featuring Studio Capezzuti puppets, Fire and Ice Plaza at Penn Avenue and Ninth Street, Kidsplay at the Heinz Hall Courtyard, and the Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network sponsored Family Tent at Penn Avenue and Seventh Street.
 
Indoor program highlights include Arcade Comedy Theater, The Zuzu African Acrobats and musician Sierra Sellers at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, New Year’s Eve Comedy Showcase at the Byham Theater, Bookish in the ‘Burgh author talks, face painting, tarot card readings, and caricatures at Fifth Avenue Place, magicians Jon Tai and Robert Ramirez at Liberty Magic and the O’Reilly Theater, and in the Trust Arts Education Center, a special pilot of Game Time!, the Cultural Trust’s new live, large-scale game show premiering in April 2020.
 
Before the evening’s finale, The Shadowboxers will take the Highmark Stage at 10:45 p.m. to begin the countdown to midnight. This trio formed in 2007 at Emory university and their combination of vocals, keyboard, and guitar is rhythmically driven with layers of tempos and harmonies. They have played with the Indigo Girls and most recently, The Shadowboxers opened for Justin Timberlake on his Man in the Woods tour.
 
These listings are just a sample of more than 100 events and activities available during the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2020. Continue to check back at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH for the complete schedule of events, and to plan your Cultural District visit on New Year’s Eve.
 
Admission
Admission Buttons are $10 each (children five and under are FREE) and grant access to all attractions in the Cultural District on New Year’s Eve. The First Night Friend VIP experience ($40) is also available, and provides priority access to seating, parking, a private lounge sponsored by Citizens Bank, and more. Most importantly, the First Night Friend program ensures that Highmark First Night Pittsburgh continues for years to come.
 
Admission Buttons and First Night Friend VIP Packages are now available for sale at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH, in person at the Box Office at Theater Square (655 Penn Avenue), or by phone at (412) 456-6666.
 
Additionally, participating Giant Eagle store locations will have Admission Buttons available for sale at half price. This special discount is also available at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branches throughout Pittsburgh. When library members check out a book between now and December 25th, they will receive a special bookmark with discount and redemption details.
 
Some indoor performances require free reserved seating and are listed at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.
 
Sponsors, Community, and Media Partners
Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2020 sponsors as of December 3, 2019 include Presenting Sponsor Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Allegheny Health Network, FedEx Ground, Giant Eagle, Williams, Citizens Bank, PNC, and Dollar Bank. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2019 community supporters include The Buhl Foundation, The Fine Foundation, The Grable Foundation, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2019 media partners include WESA 90.5 FM, WYEP 91.3 FM, Pittsburgh City Paper, Pittsburgh Current, and KDKA-TV.
 
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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners.  Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District.  The District is one of the country’s largest land masses “curated” by a single nonprofit arts organization.  A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity.  Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh’s quality of life.  Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts. TrustArts.org | @CulturalTrust on Facebook · Instagram · Twitter
 
Highmark First Night Pittsburgh
Culminating with the city’s ‘Countdown to Midnight’ and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, this six-hour celebration sprawls downtown’s renowned 14-block Cultural District — inside theaters, galleries, and unique spaces, and along city streets on outdoor performance stages. Acclaimed national artists and Pittsburgh’s vibrant artist community ring in the New Year for revelers with live music, dance, theater, visual arts, comedy, magic, kids’ activities, and a signature parade, along with two Zambelli Fireworks displays at 6 p.m. and midnight. Admission Button prices remain among the most affordable in the nation, at $10 per person (kids five and under are FREE). TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH
 
 

Programming Categories

  • PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh
    • 2020-2021 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Season Announcement
    • SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, April 7-12, 2020, Heinz Hall
    • CATS, February 25-March 1, 2020, Benedum Center
    • Casting Revealed for the New National Tour of Miss Saigon
    • THE BAND'S VISIT National Tour Casting
    • THE ILLUSIONISTS - MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS comes to Heinz Hall, December 26 - 29, 2019
    • Casting Announced for A BRONX TALE, Broadway’s Hit New Musical
    • Broadway: Lifetime Broadway Balances America, Season 6 Premieres September 30, 2019
    • JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR National Tour Cast 2019-2020
    • MEAN GIRLS Announces Full Casting for the First National Tour
    • 2019-2020 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series Individual Show Onsale Dates Announced
    • MEAN GIRLS Announces the Trio of Actresses Launching the First National Tour As “The Plastics”
    • Casting Has Been Announced for Disney’s THE LION KING At the Benedum Center
    • THE LION KING Sensory-Friendly Performance, September 14, 2019, Benedum Center
    • 2019-2020 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Season Announcement
    • Broadway: Casting Revealed: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Return Engagement, February 20-March, 3, 2019, Benedum Center
    • HAMILTON Tickets Are Going On Sale!
    • Broadway: National Tour Cast, The Play That Goes Wrong, September 18-23, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: ANASTASIA Casting Announced North American Tour
    • Broadway: The Play That Goes Wrong, National Tour Launch, September 18-23, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: Disney's Aladdin, Casting Announced, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh
    • Broadway: ELF The Musical, Tickets on Sale, Heinz Hall
    • Broadway, Disney's Aladdin, Casting Announcement, Trevor Dion Nicholas as "Genie"
    • PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh: Disney's Aladdin, Benedum Center
    • Auditions: Role of Lulu in Waitress, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: Autism-Friendly Performance of WICKED, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: Wicked Lottery for $25 Seats, Benedum Center/PNC Broadway
    • Broadway: The Bodyguard, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: WAITRESS Pie Contest, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh
    • Broadway: Two Local Young Actresses To Play Role of “Lulu” in WAITRESS, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: WAITRESS, Benedum Center, March 6-11, 2018
    • Broadway: RENT 20th Anniversary Tour, Heinz Hall
    • Broadway: RENT 20th Anniversary Tour Rush Tickets, Heinz Hall
    • Broadway: Rodgers+Hammerstein's Cinderella, Heinz Hall
    • Theater: Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Benedum Center
    • Broadway: 2018-19 Broadway in Pittsburgh Season Announcement
    • Upcoming Performances: February-April 2020: TRUST Cabaret Series 2019-2020 season
  • Harris Theater
    • Film: Rolling Stone: The Life and Death of Brian Jones
    • New Programming at the Harris Theater
  • Festivals
    • People's Choice Award Recipient Announced for Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, June 5-14, 2020
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces Virtual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, June 5-14, 2020
    • Tickets On Sale Now, 34th Annual EQT Children's Theater Festival, May 14-17, 2020
    • Registration Open for Free Teen Day at Bookish in the 'Burgh
    • 2020 Pittsburgh Humanities Festival Programming Line-up Announced
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces Second Annual BOOKISH IN THE ‘BURGH - Pittsburgh's Teen Book Festival
    • Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2020 New Year's Eve Celebration Lineup
    • 2019 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival Lineup
    • Festival: Pittsburgh Humanities Festival 2019
    • Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2019 Silver Jubilee Announced!
    • Festival: Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, September 21-November 11, 2018
    • Festivals: Pittsburgh Humanities Festival 2018 Programming Lineup Announced
    • Festival: EQT Children's Theater Festival, May 17-20, 2018
    • Festival: Featured Music Lineup – 2018 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
    • Festival: Mavis Staples to Perform at Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
    • Festival: 2018 Dollar Bank Three Rivers arts Festival Programming
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Celebrates the Inaugural BOOKISH IN THE 'BURGH
    • 2019 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival: 60th Anniversary Featured Music Lineup
  • Pittsburgh Dance Council
    • Pittsburgh Dance Council 2021 Spring Season
    • Dance: 2019-2020 Pittsburgh Dance Council Series, 50th Anniversary Season
    • Dance: Derek Hough: Live! The Tour, 2019, Benedum Center
    • Dance: Grupo Corpo, Byham Theater
    • Dance: 2018-19 Pittsburgh Dance Council, Cultural District
    • Dance: 2019-2020 Pittsburgh Dance Council 50th anniversary season continues
  • Children’s Theater and EQT Bridge Theater
    • EQT Bridge Theater Series Announced: 2019-2020 Season
    • 50th Anniversary of THE CHILDREN’S THEATER SERIES: 2019-2020 Season Announced
    • 33rd ANNUAL EQT CHILDREN’S THEATER FESTIVAL, MAY 16-19, 2019
    • 2018–2019 EQT Bridge Theater Series for Pre-Teens and Older Features Shifting Perspectives
    • Children's Theater: The 13-Story Treehouse, August Wilson Center
    • Theater: 2018-2019 Citizens Bank Children's Theater Series, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
    • Children's Theater: Theatreworks USA in Dragons Love Tacos and Other Stories
  • Cohen & Grigsby Trust Present Series
    • One Night of Queen
    • Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring Love Cannon
    • Bollywood spectacular, "Taj Express," comes to Pittsburgh November 6th
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces The 2019 – 2020 COHEN & GRIGSBY TRUST PRESENTS Series
    • Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series: Black Violin Comes to the Byham Theater on September 26, 2019
    • Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents Series: Around the World and Back
    • Theater: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live:
    • Theater: PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure, Benedum Center
    • Theater: February 2018, Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, Cultural District
    • Theater: The Hollywood Special Effects Show, Byham Theater
    • Theater: 'Peppa Pig's Surprise' Extends Tour Including Pittsburgh, PA on November 20, 2018
    • Tickets On Sale for CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE '90s MUSICAL
    • Announcing Debut Tour of MASTERCHEF JUNIOR LIVE!
    • Straight No Chaser Coming to the Benedum Center December 18, 2019
    • The Office! A Musical Parody
  • Trust Arts Education
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Applications Now Available For Disney Musicals In Schools Program
    • Theater: Cityscape, Trust Arts Education Center
  • Greer Cabaret Theater Programs
    • 2020-2021 TRUST Cabaret Series, Greer Cabaret Theater
    • 2019-2020 TRUST Cabaret Series, Greer Cabaret Theater
    • 2018-19 TRUST Cabaret Season Announced
    • April 2019: Jazz Happenings, Pittsburgh's Cultural District, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
    • New Date & Venue: Adam Pascal & Anthony Rapp, 2018-2019 TRUST Cabaret Series
    • Trust Cabaret Series 2018-2019 Continues in the New Year, Greer Cabaret Theater
    • JazzLive 15th Anniversary Celebration, Greer Cabaret Theater
    • BNY Mellon Presents JazzLive, April 2018, Cultural District
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Renames its Cabaret Theater, Honoring Long-Time Trustee and Supporter George Greer
  • Trust Events and Guest Attractions
    • Mandy Moore Announces 2020 North American Tour
    • The Chocolate Bar at the Benedum
    • Rock ‘n' Remember Live! Stars from the Golden Age of Rock and Roll Return to the Benedum Center in April
    • Dancing with the Stars Live Tour 2020 Dances its Way to Pittsburgh This Winter
    • A Benedum Christmas – Home for the Holidays Returns as Pittsburgh's Holiday Showcase
    • Mary Chapin and Shawn Colvin Coming to the Benedum Center October 17, 2019
    • Multiple Choice: Dance/Machine, August Wilson Center
    • Billy Gardell, Benedum Center
    • Decades Rewind, Music of the 60's, 70's, 80's, Byham Theater
    • Yanni 25-Live at The Acropolis Anniversary Concert Tour, Benedum Center
    • Theater: Kaiju Big Battel, Byham Theater
    • Event: Cultured Cocktails, Benedum Center
    • Theater: National Geographic Live-Hilaree Nelson: Point of No Return
    • A Celebration of Women's History Month: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart
    • Theater: Jerry Seinfeld, March 8, 2019, Benedum Center
    • Theater: A Magical Cirque Christmas, December 13, 2018, Benedum Center
    • Music: AMERICA, 2018-2019 World Tour, February 21, 2019, Byham Theater
    • #1 Hit True Crime Podcast MY FAVORITE MURDER Coming to the Benedum!
    • NICK JR. LIVE! “MOVE TO THE MUSIC” Coming to the Benedum Center January 17-19, 2020
    • Comedy: Eddie B,
    • BABY SHARK LIVE! Coming to the Byham Theater November 4, 2019
    • Life Will Be The Death Of Me: Chelsea Handler’s Stand-Up Comedy Tour Announces Additional North American Dates
  • Liberty Magic
    • 2020-2021 Liberty Magic Season
    • Liberty Magic 2020 Spring and Summer Lineup
    • Liberty Magic 2019-2020 Subscription Series Announced
    • Liberty Magic Summer 2019 Lineup On Sale Now
    • Brand-New Arts Space and Experience, LIBERTY MAGIC: Elevating the Art of Magic
  • Visual Arts
    • THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST PRESENTS “holding pattern” A unique fusion of dance and visual art Part of the virtual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
    • Visual Arts: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, January 24, 2020
    • Visual Art: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, July 12, 2019
    • Visual Arts: Spring Gallery Crawl, April 26, 2019, Cultural District
    • Visual Art: Winter Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, January 25, 2019
    • Visual Art, Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, September 21, 2018
    • PUBLIC ART + THEATER: 2018 Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts Spectacle Programming Announced
    • Visual Art: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, Friday, July 6, 2018
    • Visual Arts: Identity Play, SPACE Gallery
    • Visual Arts: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, January
    • Visual Arts: Event Horizon, SPACE Gallery
    • Visual Arts: Marx@200, SPACE Gallery
    • Visual Arts: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, April
    • Visual Arts: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, September 27, 2019
  • Cultural District Announcements
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Introduces Enhanced Guest Security Measures
    • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Honored in Security 500's Top 10
    • DEAR EVAN HANSEN Lottery Information
    • DEAR EVAN HANSEN Breaks Box Office Record
    • Trust Selected by the American Council of Learned Societies to Host a Mellon/ACLS Public Fellow
  • Monthly Media Opportunities
    • July Media Opportunities (2020)
    • June Media Opportunities (2020)
    • May Media Opportunities
    • March Media Opportunities
    • February Media Opportunities
    • January Media Opportunities
    • December Media Opportunities
    • November Media Opportunities
    • October Media Opportunities
    • August Media Opportunities
    • June Media Opportunities
    • May Media Opportunities
    • Theater: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust April Events
    • July Media Opportunities
    • September Media Opportunities

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