What we’re about
Meet others in your local area that are interested in attending, discussing, learning more about the local cultural arts scene. All art forms and art enthusiasts welcome. Share your interests in art, music, film, dance, theater, etc. with others. Have fun and meet new people who share an appreciation and enjoyment of the arts! Our meetups offer a chance to get out into the community, relax, socialize and enjoy activities such as: Movies, Symphony, Concerts, Museums, Plays, Bands, Comedy, and FUN!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- An Evening with Ed Yong, Pulitzer Prize-winning authorCarnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
Please join Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures as they welcome Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Ed Yong for a fascinating evening.
"A moth will never know what a zebra finch hears in its song, a zebra finch will never feel the electric buzz of a black ghost knifefish, a knifefish will never see through the eyes of a mantis shrimp, a mantis shrimp will never smell the way a dog can, and a dog will never understand what it is to be a bat. We will never fully do any of these things either, but we are the only animal that can try.”
Ed Yong, An Immense WorldAs humans, we experience the world around us from our own fixed perspectives. Have you ever considered what a human looks like to an elephant? Or how the world around you might sound if you were a bird?
The earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every kind of animal, including humans, is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving but a tiny sliver of our immense world. Funny, rigorous, and suffused with the joy of discovery, An Immense World takes us on what Marcel Proust called “the only true voyage . . . not to visit strange lands, but to possess other eyes.”Ed Yong is a Pulitzer Prize–winning science writer whose work for The Atlantic earned him the George Polk Award for science reporting, among other honors. His first book, I Contain Multitudes, was a New York Times bestseller and won numerous awards. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times, Scientific American, and more.
TICKETS
In person tickets range from $30-$43 Adults and $15 Students (with promo code LS24STUDENT) Ed Yong In Person - Pittsburgh | Official Ticket Source | Carnegie Music Hall | Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures (culturaldistrict.org) Tickets may also be purchased by phone (412) 622-8866 or at the door starting at 6:30 PMOnline tickets are $18 Ed Yong - Online Access - Pittsburgh | Official Ticket Source | Online Event | Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures (culturaldistrict.org) The viewing link will be emailed to you on the day of the event. Viewers will have access to the recorded program for one week, expiring after May 6, 2024.
- "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" 57-64% off discount tickets and Cast Q&AByham Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson
Play by Sandra Seaton / Original music by Carlos Simon / Additional Music from Carmen by Georges Bizet / Text for original music by Sandra Seaton. Based on a true story.
April 27, 30 & May 3,5, 2024
Byham TheaterPittsburgh’s unsung heroine who taught America to sing
In 1943, the National Negro Opera Company is set to perform on a floating barge to evade racially-segregated venues. But when bad weather threatens—pushing the performance to a segregated performance hall—visionary impressaria Mary Cardwell Dawson must find a way forward.Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to provide access for African Americans to perform on stages for all audiences changed the future of opera. Having founded the longest-running, all-Black opera company here in Pittsburgh and organizing opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities, Mary Cardwell Dawson would go on to train hundreds of African American youth to sing.
Written by Mark Twain Award-winning playwright and librettist Sandra Seaton, "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" celebrates the remarkable founder of Pittsburgh’s historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company. This play with music includes selections from Carmen as well as original music by award-winning Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon.
Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival
Understand Every Word: "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" is sung in French and English with English translations projected above the stage at all performances.
Meetup Ticket Discount Offer
With promo code “POMEETUP” Meet Up members can purchase discounted tickets of $40 (regularly $120) or $20 (regularly $56.25) or $12 (regularly $28) for either the Tuesday, April 30th, 7 pm or Friday, May 1st, 7:30 pm performance.There are a limited number of discounted seats. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and are not for sale at the box office. With this link the discount is pre-applied (where discount seats are shown the Orchestra Level but if you click on the theater map, you can see discount seats in the balcony as well) - http://www.culturaldistrict.org/promotion/apply?promotion_code=POMEETUP
If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Parkulo, Group Services Manager, PITTSBURGH OPERA at 412-281-0912 x 213This is a very generous offer and a wonderful opportunity to experience opera, especially for those that perhaps have never checked out classic opera before. Naturally, this offer is not intended to be a substitute for Pittsburgh Opera 2023-2024 subscriptions which have many benefits.
For more information about this production, including review articles, audio/video previews, cast info, etc., please visit THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON | Pittsburgh Opera
If you prefer Friday, May 3, please RSVP to the other Meetup posting "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" 57-64% off tickets, Fri, May 3, 2024, 7:00 PM | Meetup
PRE-SHOW DISCUSSION Tickets include a very interesting pre-show discussion (with colorful study guide) one hour before each performance. Thus, we can meet inside the Byham at 6 PM (Tuesday, April 30) for this discussion.
AFTER-SHOW Cast Q&A Discussion After the show, please feel free to stay where cast members will discuss their experiences along with some insight about their training, other performances they've been doing around the world, their fun experiences while visiting Pittsburgh, etc. These cast Q&A discussions are often very funny and engaging. This is also a chance to see these opera stars out of costume and actually being quite down-to-earth in addition to their remarkable talents. These Q&A discussions last 30-60 minutes, including a chance for photos and autographs if desired.
The Meetup ticket offer is a really good deal, so think about treating yourself and family/friends for a truly memorable evening.
And if you can't make it on April 30 or May 1 with the Meetup ticket offer, please consider attending one of the other "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" performances.
Saturday, April 27 at 8 PM
Tuesday, April 30 at 7 PM
Friday, May 3 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 5 at 2 PM
Normally priced tickets and ticket availability for all performances may be found at THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON | Pittsburgh Opera or by calling (412) 456-6666 or stopping by the Theater Square/Byham Box Office.
Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability or call 412-423-8980.
- "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" 57-64% off ticketsByham Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson
Play by Sandra Seaton / Original music by Carlos Simon / Additional Music from Carmen by Georges Bizet / Text for original music by Sandra Seaton. Based on a true story.
April 27, 30 & May 3,5, 2024
Byham TheaterPittsburgh’s unsung heroine who taught America to sing
In 1943, the National Negro Opera Company is set to perform on a floating barge to evade racially-segregated venues. But when bad weather threatens—pushing the performance to a segregated performance hall—visionary impressaria Mary Cardwell Dawson must find a way forward.Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to provide access for African Americans to perform on stages for all audiences changed the future of opera. Having founded the longest-running, all-Black opera company here in Pittsburgh and organizing opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities, Mary Cardwell Dawson would go on to train hundreds of African American youth to sing.
Written by Mark Twain Award-winning playwright and librettist Sandra Seaton, "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" celebrates the remarkable founder of Pittsburgh’s historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company. This play with music includes selections from Carmen as well as original music by award-winning Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon.
Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival
Understand Every Word: "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" is sung in French and English with English translations projected above the stage at all performances.
Meetup Ticket Discount Offer
With promo code “POMEETUP” Meet Up members can purchase discounted tickets of $40 (regularly $120) or $20 (regularly $56.25) or $12 (regularly $28) for either the Tuesday, April 30th, 7 pm or Friday, May 1st, 7:30 pm performance.There are a limited number of discounted seats. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and are not for sale at the box office. With this link the discount is pre-applied (where discount seats are shown the Orchestra Level but if you click on the theater map, you can see discount seats in the balcony as well) - http://www.culturaldistrict.org/promotion/apply?promotion_code=POMEETUP
If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Parkulo, Group Services Manager, PITTSBURGH OPERA at 412-281-0912 x 213This is a very generous offer and a wonderful opportunity to experience opera, especially for those that perhaps have never checked out classic opera before. Naturally, this offer is not intended to be a substitute for Pittsburgh Opera 2023-2024 subscriptions which have many benefits.
For more information about this production, including review articles, audio/video previews, cast info, etc., please visit THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON | Pittsburgh Opera
If you prefer Tuesday, April 30, please RSVP to the other Meetup posting "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" 57-64% off tickets and Cast Q&A, Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 6:30 PM | Meetup
PRE-SHOW DISCUSSION Tickets include a very interesting pre-show discussion (with colorful study guide) one hour before each performance. Thus, we can meet inside the Byham at 6 PM (Friday, May 3) for this discussion.
The Meetup ticket offer is a really good deal, so think about treating yourself and family/friends for a truly memorable evening.
And if you can't make it on April 30 or May 1 with the Meetup ticket offer, please consider attending one of the other "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" performances.
Saturday, April 27 at 8 PM
Tuesday, April 30 at 7 PM
Friday, May 3 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 5 at 2 PM
Normally priced tickets and ticket availability for all performances may be found at THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON | Pittsburgh Opera or by calling (412) 456-6666 or stopping by the Theater Square/Byham Box Office.
Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability or call 412-423-8980.
- May Song Shop Concert & Strip District lunch optionPittsburgh Opera in the Strip, Pittsburgh, PA
Please join us for a free concert (performed by Pittsburgh Opera's incredibly talented Resident Artist singers) as we also welcome new members to the Meetup group.
This concert is expected to include selections celebrating love and romance.
There will also be free coffee/tea and cookies.
The free, informal Song Shops feature Pittsburgh Opera's Resident Artists. Beginning at 12:00 PM on selected Saturdays of each month, September 2023–May 2024, these one-hour performances are free, fun, and open to everyone. Guests are encouraged to bring a friend and bring a lunch. FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera provide a reception after each Song Shop concert. Doors open at 11:30AM.
Attracting about 200 people each month, these free performances feature Pittsburgh Opera's Resident Artists for one-hour concerts to help showcase upcoming productions during Pittsburgh Opera's 2023-2024 season.
Free Family-Friendly Concert
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This free performance takes place at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip. It's free and open to everyone. However, to assist with logistics, please register in advance May Song Shop Concert (typeform.com)
Doors open at 11:30 AM.
Please note that the Pittsburgh Opera garage is available only for handicapped parking, by reservation. Handicapped parking reservations must be made by 4 PM Friday, May 10.
For more information about Pittsburgh Opera
So whether you're curious or just looking to take a little break while shopping in the Strip, please consider stopping by Pittsburgh Opera to enjoy their resident artists as they sing classics to give guests a little taste of opera.
And if you're relatively new to Meetup, this is a nice event to meet people in a very relaxed, convenient setting. Because the concert ends at 1 PM, your Saturday afternoon will still be open. Depending on the RSVPs, weather, and interests of the group, some people may go out for an optional lunch or walk around the Strip District.
Options for Spending Time After the Concert
- Lunch within a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Opera location.
- Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (1212 Smallman Street)
Parking Here are several websites with recommendations for parking in the Strip District Parking | Strip District Neighbors and https://www.parkme.com/pittsburgh-parking/strip-district
The Strip District is readily accessible with PAT Buses 2, 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops near the corner of 25th and Liberty which is directly across from the Pittsburgh Opera location.