Whether you have recently moved here or are a life-long Pittsburgher looking to meet new people and learn more about great events coming up and the creative pioneering spirit of the region, please join us as we highlight "Spring in the City" with our panel of experts as they provide behind-the-scenes insights about what makes Pittsburgh special this Spring.

This event also includes networking along with lively jazz/blues performed by vocalist Jessica Lee, Mark Strickland (guitar), Jay Willis (sax), Dave Pellow (bass) along with other musicians, including a special Chinese erhu performance by Mimi Jong.

Our "Spring in the City" panelists include:

-- Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

-- Renee Piechocki, Office of Public Art/Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

-- Andy Kirtland, Artistic Associate, Unseam'd Shakespeare

-- Mimi Jong, Music Programming Manager, Silk Screen Asian Arts & Cultural Organization

--Connie Brinda, Co-Founder/Finance Director, Prime Stage Theatre

To learn more about these panelists and their wonderful organizations, check out the panelist descriptions shown below.

To check out the Little E's Menu
http://littleesjazz.com/littlees_menu.pdf

http://littleesjazz.com

There will also be complimentary hors d'oeuvres along with beer/wine specials ($5.50-$6.50/glass) and cocktail specials.

And the cover charge is only $5 which helps support the musicians.

Panelist Descriptions

1) Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP)
http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com (http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/)
Formed by Downtown businesses, professionals, civic organizations, foundations, and residents, the PDP develops and implements innovative programs/initiatives in critical areas (including Clean & Safe, Economic Development, Transportation, Marketing and Advocacy) that have collectively helped ignite a remarkable revitalization of downtown Pittsburgh. Just a few fun examples include free WiFi, innovative Project Pop-Up (assisting artists, entrepreneurs, and non-profits to activate previously vacated store fronts) and heartwarming 'Downtown Love Story' contest.

While strategically partnering with other stakeholders, PDP is also a tremendous resource of information, providing readily accessible reports on all aspects of downtown living and business development along with many links to assist with dining, shopping, nightlife, volunteer opportunities, and online calendar of upcoming events. If you haven't been downtown lately, you don't know what you're missing! Jeremy will preview some of the most exciting developments coming up this Spring.

2) Renee Piechocki, Office of Public Art/A Partnership of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (GPAC) and the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning

www.publicartpittsburgh.org (http://www.publicartpittsburgh.org/)

Founded in 2005, the Office of Public Art (OPA) is a public-private partnership between the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council (GPAC) and the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning that provides technical assistance and educational programs about public art in the Pittsburgh region. They help entities in the public and private sector with commissioning new works of art, developing systems for public art administration, and planning for new ways to include artists in the development of public space. They also host the Pittsburgh Artist Registry, expertly guided walking tours, and the soon to be released Pittsburgh Art Places, a website that will feature profiles of every arts venue and every work of art in public spaces in the region.

Renee will also preview the 'Pittsburgh is Art 2013' collaborative campaign which begins in April 2013 with Pittsburgh's involvement in being selected to host five major art and museum conferences plus two significant exhibitions as the foundation of a year-long effort to invite people from around the world to take a fresh look at Pittsburgh as America's foremost comeback city and see first-hand how it has been re-imagined over the course of a generation.

3) Andy Kirtland, Artistic Associate, Unseam'd Shakespeare
http://www.unseamd.com

Unseam'd Shakespeare continues the celebration of its 20th Season with a fantastic event coming up on April 7 at TRUTH (in the South Side) followed by a stunning production during June 12-29, 2013 (in Oakland) of "The Tempest, or The Enchanted Isle" that will take Scott Palmer's rich and strange adaptation of John Dryden and William D'Avenant's version of Shakespeare's classic as a starting point while fully exploring it in setting, costume, and style. Although Dryden and Davenant's adaptation of the play held the stage for nearly two hundred years, the Unseam'd production may cast a light not only the morals and manners of the time (and perhaps some resonances for our own) but on the play's long-standing popularity. Shakespeare like you've never seen before, and even before this city was called Pittsburgh!

4) Mimi Jong, Music Programming Manager, Silk Screen Asian Arts & Cultural Organization
http://silkscreenfestival.org
Mimi will preview the 8th Annual Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival during May 10-19, 2013. The Silk Screen Film Festival has become increasingly recognized as one of the best festivals of its kind in the world, putting Pittsburgh on the world cultural map for Asian Culture, particularly Asian Films. Silk Screen has expanded year-round programming in celebration of Asian and Asian-American arts, including educational outreach (K-12), art exhibits, theater, dance and music performances and workshops.

5) Connie Brinda, Co-Founder/Finance Director, Prime Stage Theatre
http://www.primestage.com

Now in its 17th season, Prime Stage has introduced theatre to thousands of adolescents, educators, and families -- with an acclaimed reputation of 'bringing literature to life' while garnering numerous awards from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and other local organizations, as well as national recognition, such as being named "Outstanding Children's Theatre Company in the United States" from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.

Connie will preview Prime Stage's upcoming production (during May 10-19 at the New Hazlett in the Northside) of the classic "Walk Two Moons" adapted by Tom Arvetis -- based on Newbery Award-winning book by Sharon Creech -- which challenges audiences to look outward into a world where everyone has the immense power to help one another.

Connie will also discuss the re-staging of their remarkable play "Everything is Fine" to various local schools/communities during April 2013. "Everything is Fine" is a 45-minute play (written and performed by teens) designed to identify the warning signs of teen dating violence that can help save lives; what better way to understand teens than hearing and seeing their own words in action. "Everything is Fine" also has the distinction of being nationally endorsed by the non-profit organization Futures Without Violence while the Prime Stage Theatre Teen Advisory Board has been honored as one of 2013 Peace Partner Awardees by the local non-profit, Center for Victims.

6) Mark Freeman (Co-Host)

We're expecting a really nice crowd based on all the postings. And the cover charge is only $5

Stay tuned for updates!

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