Popular PITT ARTS Program Once Again Will Expose Thousands of Pitt Students to Local Culture

PITTSBURGH-On the heels of its 10th anniversary, PITT ARTS is gearing up for another academic year in which it will expose thousands of Pitt students to ballet, opera, art exhibitions, and other cultural gems both on and off campus.

Last year, more than 35,000 students took advantage of what PITT ARTS has to offer, including those who participated more than once. This year, as Oakland hosts the "55th Carnegie International" exhibition and the "T. Rex vs. T. Rex" exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, PITT ARTS is expecting an encore year of brisk participation.

PITT ARTS programs include the following:

The 10th Annual Arts Fair

Sept. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Ballroom, William Pitt Union (WPU), 3959 Fifth Ave., Oakland

The Pitt community and the general public are invited to visit booths sponsored by more than 30 local arts organizations. A free lunch, prizes, and ticket giveaways are included.

Pitt Nights

Oct. 10, Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Jan. 30, and Feb. 18

Pitt faculty and staff are invited to join graduate and undergraduate students on these specific nights for outings to the symphony, ballet, opera, public theater, or other venues. The discounted ticket price includes free transportation, a free dessert reception, and a visit with a cast member or artistic director.

Free Arts Encounters

Similar to Pitt Nights, these are offered exclusively to Pitt undergraduate students. More than 100 outings are offered throughout the academic year, ranging from film and dance to other arts. Transportation; a dinner, buffet, or dessert; and tickets to the performance are free.

Artful Wednesdays

Sept. 24 -Dec. 3

Nordy's Place, Lower Level, WPU

A free lunch and performance will take place for Pitt students from noon to 1 p.m. for 10 consecutive Wednesdays. The line-up includes flamenco dancers on Sept. 24 and master drummers, musicians, and dancers from the Republic of Congo on Oct. 1.

The Cheap Seats Program

This program runs throughout the entire year and provides deeply discounted tickets for a number of cultural venues to Pitt students, faculty, and staff. Pitt people may purchase up to four tickets and may buy for those not within the Pitt community as a long the Pitt person purchasing attends. Tickets can be reserved in the PITT ARTS office in 929 WPU. Last year, PITT ARTS sold 11,000 "cheap seats" to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh CLO, CLO Cabaret, and other performances.

For more information, contact PITT ARTS at 412-624-4498 or visit www.pittarts.pitt.edu.

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