Pittsburgh Happenings

Silent Spring Turns 50
2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson’s seminal book. "Silent Spring" is considered a significant influence in launching an era of environmental awareness and action around the world. And, Rachel Carson was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Springdale. The Rachel Carson Institute will present a symposium on the impact of Silent Spring on conservation of wildlife and the future of conservation and preservation of biodiversity. The event takes place at the National Aviary Theater of Flight and Chatham University Eddy Theatre on May 11-12. http://rachel_carson_homestead.myupsite.com

Get Your Bud Here!
Forget Iron City. The Pittsburgh Pirates, in conjunction with Anheuser-Bush, will debut the new Budweiser Bowtie Bar on Opening Day – April 5, 2012. The expansive “U”-shaped bar will be accessible to all fans, and will overlook right field of PNC Park, as well as Downtown Pittsburgh and the Allegheny River. In addition, there will be expanded cover patio space with a rear glass wall to protect fans from weather. “It is important that Pittsburgh remains home to the ‘Best Ballpark in America,’ therefore we are constantly looking for ways to update and improve PNC Park,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly.

Art Acquisitions
Carnegie Museum of Art acquired new major works to its collection. The acquisitions include an important early pastel drawing by Pittsburgh native Mary Cassatt featuring a woman with a child; a rare, intricate Bettridge pianoforte made of papier-mâché from the 1860s; and a prescient early sculpture by Franz Erhard Walther. Other acquisitions include an outstanding pair of Bakewell water decanters from the White House service of U.S. President James Monroe and a contemporary daguerreotype (and the sole existing presidential inauguration image in the medium) of “The Inauguration of Barack Obama” by Jerry Spagnoli. www.cmoa.org

Pittsburgh In, Portland Out
The Washington Post reports that Portland is so yesterday, and Pittsburgh is super cool. The follow-up article to The Washington Post’s “2012 In Out List” that says Portland is out and Pittsburgh is in, states: “Pittsburgh is poised to offer a new type of lifestyle. The Steel City has its own bike routes, microbreweries, organic food markets, art and lush scenery. Pittsburgh was named one of the world’s 20 must-see destinations by National Geographic Traveler in 2011 (Only one other place in the United States, Sonoma, Calif., made the list).” Take that, Porlandia!

Distinctively Dutch
Art, dance, music and more mark the four-month Distinctively Dutch Festival, Feb. 18-June 10. Creativity and innovation are essential strands of the Dutch DNA, as well as the core of Pittsburgh’s remarkable cultural transformation. From Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, to Pittsburgh’s own Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson, both regions have proven to be fertile ground for artists and thinkers who are true innovators. This one-of-a-kind festival presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust features art, dance, technology and film presented in a cutting-edge way that is, well, Distinctively Dutch. dutchfestival.trustarts.org

Rock On
Science comes to life at the Carnegie Science Center, with hundreds of hands-on exhibits, including roboworld, the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition. Get ready to rock with GUITAR: The Instrument that Rocked the World. This new exhibit explores all facets of the world’s most popular instrument – from its history as an instrument of popular culture over the past 400 years to the science of creating sound with wood and steel. More than 60 instruments will be featured – ranging from the rare and antique to the wildly popular and innovative—along with hands-on interactive, models, performance video, stunning images and more. Just for fun, there’s the world’s largest playable guitar! Opens June 16-Sept. 30.