By, Anastasia Farmerie
Zany Umbrella Circus in Market Square March 22-24, 2013. Presented by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership with assistance from the Office of Public Art and special thanks to the City of Pittsburgh.
The Zany Umbrella Circus from Anastasia Farmerie on Vimeo.
This street theatre circus who are originally from Pittsburgh, Zany Umbrella Circus, performed this past weekend for a free show of "Cake" in Market Square. Watch this video to see who they are, what they're about, and a brief recap to their latest show.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Q & A with Famous Pittsburghers
Famous Pittsburgher: Tim O' Brien
Company/Organization/Job:
Owner, O’Brien Communications
Quick blurb about your company/organization:
O’Brien Communications is a corporate communications consultancy that was started in 2001. It has served companies and organizations of all sizes.
How long have you been doing what you do:
I’ve run by business for the past 12 years. I’ve been in the communications business for 30 years.
How long have you lived in Pittsburgh:
I’m a native Pittsburgher.
1. What is your favorite thing to do in Downtown Pittsburgh? Why?
a. My favorite thing is the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I’m on the committee and it’s one of the most fun groups to be around. And on parade day, it’s great to see so many people “Irish for a day” come out rain or shine and put the city’s best foot forward. It’s a great rite of Spring for Pittsburgh.
2. What is your favorite Downtown restaurant? Why? What’s your favorite dish?
a. My favorite Downtown restaurant is Ruth’s Chris. Their steaks are the best.
3. Where do you like to shop Downtown? Why?
a. My favorite store is Macy’s. I started going there when it was Kaufmann’s and it has always been a favorite place to shop Downtown.
4. Talk a bit about your favorite Downtown Pittsburgh Experience or Memory.
a. About one month after I got married, I organized the first luminaria display at PPG Place for Light Up Night. There was something about that time and that night I will never forget. I still have the photo in my office of the plaza glowing with 2,000 lit candles.
5. What festival or major event do you like best in Downtown? Why?
a. I mentioned the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is my favorite. My other favorite event would be the Three Rivers Regatta, which uses all of Pittsburgh’s assets at one time, the parks the town and of course, the rivers.
6. Tell us one thing about Downtown that has surprised you.
a. Downtown is emerging as a residential option for many newcomers and long-time Pittsburghers. I’ve read about it as an emerging trend over the years, but when you see it in person, it’s a pleasant surprise.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Meet Geof Comings...
By, Anastasia Farmerie--PDP Marketing Intern
Geof Comings, Economic and Development Manager for PDP, is responsible for the Market Square management and the Paris to Pittsburgh project but if you listen to this brief interview, you can find out why he fell in love with Market Square and so much more.
Geof Comings, Economic and Development Manager for PDP, is responsible for the Market Square management and the Paris to Pittsburgh project but if you listen to this brief interview, you can find out why he fell in love with Market Square and so much more.
Friday, March 1, 2013
"That’s exactly how I see Downtown – a diverse group of people experiencing a diverse offering."
By, Brian Kurtz--Research and Economic Development Manager
After much anticipation I found myself in the Pierce Art Studio on Saturday with experts, innovators, entrepreneurs and generally gifted people for TEDxGrandviewAve, an event - in the words of event organizers - “here to give [innovators] the opportunity to showcase their efforts, share their realizations, and inspire those around them to develop ideas worth spreading.”
Photo by, Mike Woycheck |
Photo by, Mike Woycheck |
I don't have the space to talk about every speaker, but be sure to visit the TEDxGrandviewAve website to view videos of the fantastic talks!
As unintentional as it may have been, Downtown was the perfect setting for this conference. Just look at the progress made over the past six years. New skyscrapers, a plethora of new apartments and condos, a reinvented Market Square, new ideas and activities to establish Downtown as the top of mind place for living, business and pleasure in the region. Pittsburgh is lucky to have people who are committed enough to the city and enterprise to spend a Saturday listening to the bright ideas and actions of others. These are probably the same people that will continue to grow Downtown and our region over the next six years.
Photo by, Brian Kurtz |
The evening concluded with an after party at SPACE on Liberty Avenue that also acted as the official launch of Urbanist – the new go-to guide for what makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. The party featured some of our favorite Downtowner’s – Bluebird Kitchen, Franktuary, Marty’s Market, Bar Marco and Pittsburgh Winery – in addition to other hot Pittsburgh restaurants and thirst-quenchers. The Pillow Project continued their entertaining improvisational “FreeJazz” movement and music. I have a feeling you’ll be seeing them in Downtown very soon.
It was quite invigorating to walk around SPACE (featuring a new thought-provoking exhibit called “Mean Girls”) and see people from every age, race, social, economic and artistic realm all taking in the food, beverage, music, dance, and art choices the evening had to offer. That’s exactly how I see Downtown – a diverse group of people experiencing a diverse offering.
There’s plenty of room to go and grow, and we at the PDP are working hard on a daily basis to make Downtown a true 18 hour/day neighborhood. But that room for growth compounded with the energy and ideas at coming out of TEDxGrandviewAve is what makes me even more excited for what comes next.
Photo by, Brian Kurtz |
P.S. Our upcoming Annual Meeting is a great opportunity to hear more about what we do to make Downtown a better place and what to expect in the next year. I hope to see you there.
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