Top: Photographer Ned Williams Middle: Photographer Mike Vallano

Western Pennsylvania is the place we call home. For most of us, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be. It’s a region filled with such great tradition, history, culture and fun. There is so much to do and sometimes we take for granted the fantastic culture and activity that our region yields. Our Spring Lifestyles section features two things that are both very old and filled with tradition.

The first was once the sight of what helped make Pittsburgh the industrial powerhouse it was in the early part of this century. This former rail-line has now been converted into a beautiful, flat, scenic, family-oriented trail.

The second is everyone’s favorite place to spend a beautiful spring day—Kennywood!

The Great Allegheny Passage

The Allegheny Trail Alliance is a coalition of seven rails to trails organizations building the Great Allegheny Passage. This 150-mile biking and hiking trail should complete its connection from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD in 2006. A walk or ride along this trail quite possibly could be one of the best ways to spend a spring afternoon with friends and family. You can visit www.atatrail.org or call 888-ATA-BIKE for information on the various access areas in our region where you can park and enter the trail by either bicycle or by foot.

Kennywood
Nothing screams “spring” as much as the opening day at Kennywood. It’s a Pittsburgh tradition and part of every Western Pennsylvanian’s “Lifestyle.” The big day this year is May 6, 2006. New for Kennywood this year is the “Swing Shot,” a thrill ride that will take you from zero to 60 in the blink of an eye. It’s sure to please the adventure seekers; however, it’s definitely not for the timid.

Also new is “The All-American High Dive Show.” This new show is fun for the entire family and packed with excitement. World-class divers will perform amazing springboard and high dives with hilarious comedy routines. The show will take place where the Garden Stage was formally located.

“In Your Face Magic” is new as well. Paul Osborne brings fun to the Kennywood stage with his 25-minute production filled with illusions and magic. “Toyland Magic Show in Kiddieland” is a great new show for the youngsters. Located in the heart of Kiddieland, this stage show will bring your child’s imagination to life.

This spring, come out to Kennywood—a Pittsburgh tradition since 1898!

CULTURAL EVENTS

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre 2900 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (412) 281-0360 • www.pbt.org Swingin’ It! – March 9 – 12, 2006 Romance and Reverie – April 27 – 30, 2006 Pittsburgh CLO 719 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 281-3973 • www.pittsburghclo.org Forbidden Broadway – Cabaret at Theater Square March 2 – April 30, 2006 Summer Series 2006 Beauty and the Beast – June 6-18 Grease – June 20-30 42nd Street – July 4-16 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers – July 18-23 Bombay Dreams – August 1-6 Monty Python’s SPAMALOT – Sept. 19 – Oct. 1 City Theater 1300 Bingham St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (412) 431-4400 www.citytheatrecompany.org Pyretown – by John Belluso March 2, 2006 – April 2, 2006 Opus – by Michael Hollinger March 17, 2006 – April 9, 2006 Talking Heads – by Alan Bennett April 13, 2006 – May 14, 2006 Honus and Me – by Steven Dietz May 4, 2006 – May 28, 2006 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra - Heinz Hall 600 Penn Avenue – Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 392-4900 Irish Tenors with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Sunday, March 5 at 2:30 pm Heavenly Pleasures – Yan Pascal Tortelier – conductor, Nikolaj Znaider, violin March 10 at 8 pm – March 12 at 2:30 pm CeCe Winans – Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra March 11 at 8 pm Naïve and Sentimental Music – Robert Spano, conductor, Lars Vogt, piano March 17 at 8 pm – March 18 at 8 pm Star Power – Marek Janowski, conductor, Sarah Chang, violin – March 24 at 8 pm – March 25 at 8 pm – March 26 at 2:30 pm PNC Pittsburgh Symphony Pops – Pittsburgh Symphony – Jack Everly, conductor March 30 at 7:30 pm “The 1950s: The Golden Age of Television” Music from the fabulous ‘50s Hit Parade tunes and themes from classic TV shows will be presented in true “Ed Sullivan Show” style. Stompin’ at the Savoy – River City Brass Band – Denis Colvell, conductor April 6 at 7:30 pm Song of the Earth – Sir Andrew Davis, conductor, Jane Irwin, mezzo-soprano April 7 at 8 pm – April 8 at 8pm ANNIE The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie is back. This all-new production features a new song “Why Should I Change a Thing?” by Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse. Tuesday, April 11 through Sunday, April 16 Heavenly Concert – Richard Hickox, conductor, Gil Shaham, violin April 21 at 8 pm – April 22 at 8 pm – April 23 at 2:30 pm Emanuel Ax Returns – Sir Andrew Davis, conductor, Emanuel Ax, piano, Andres Cardenes, violin April 27 at 1:30 pm – April 28 at 8 pm – April 29 at 8 pm Epic Masterpieces – Yakov Kreizberg, conductor, Janini Jansen, violin May 5 at 8 pm – May 6 at 8 pm Timeless Television Tunes – River City Brass Band – Denis Colwell, conductor May 11 at 7:30 pm Mother’s Day Celebration – Manfred Honeck, conductor, Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano – May 12 at 8 pm – May 14 2:30 pm Bayer Audience of the Future / Side-By-Side Education Concert – Daniel Meyer and Lawrence Loh, conductors – May 17 at 7:30 pm The Legendary Dohnanyi – Christopher Von Dohnanyi, conductor

Featured Shows and Events Natalie MacMaster (Celtic Fiddling Virtuoso) Venue: Byham Theater Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Lucinda Williams (Singer/Songwriter) Venue: Byham Theater Thursday, March 9, 2006 Tero Saarinen Company Venue: Byham Theater Saturday, March 11, 2006 Hamlet – by Aquila Theater Company Venue: Byham Theater Sunday, March 12, 2006 Dora’s Pirate Adventure Venue: Benedum Center March 15–19, 2006 Jim Gaffigan Venue: Byham Theater Friday, March 24, 2006 Tosca – Pittsburgh Opera Venue: Benedum Center April 1-9, 2006 Catch 22/ Duquesne University Jazz Ensemble Venue: Cabaret at Theater Square Tuesday, April, 4, 2006 Bodiography Innovation Venue: Byham Theater Saturday, April 8, 2006 Pascal Rioult Dance Theater Venue: Byham Theater Saturday, April 22, 2006 Golda’s Balcony – Valerie Harper Venue: Byham Theater April 25-May 7, 2006 Romance & Reverie – Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Venue: Benedum Center April 27-30, 2006 Cosi Fan Tutte – Pittsburgh Opera Venue: Benedum Center May 8-14, 2006 The Sound of Music Venue: Byham Theater May 11-21, 2006 Daniel O’Donnell Venue: Benedum Center Tuesday, May 23, 2006 Pittsburgh Public Theater 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 316-8200 – Box Office (412) 316-1600 www.ppt.org Completely Hollywood (abridged) Venue: O’Reilly Theater March 3, 2006 – April 2, 2006 I am My Own Wife Venue: O’Reilly Theater April 13, 2006 – May 14, 2006 Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson Venue: O’Reilly Theater May 25, 2006 – June 25, 2006 Prime Stage Theater 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 394-3353 • www.primestage.com Great Expectations March 4, 2006 – March 19, 2006 The Giver April 29, 2006 – May 14, 2006 Jack and Rochelle: A Holocaust Story of Love and Resistance May – June, 2006 Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University 222 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 621-4445 • www.pointpark.edu Playhouse Dance Company Venue: Byham Theater March 16, 2006 – March 18, 2006 The Birthday Party Venue: Studio Theater March 22, 2006 – April 9, 2006 King of Hearts Venue: Rauh Theater April 5, 2006 – April 9, 2006 Spring Faculty Dance Concert Venue: Rockwell Theater April 21, 2006 – April 23, 2006 The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood Venue: Rockwell Theater May 21, 2006 – May 28, 2006 Six Canterbury Tales Venue: Rauh Theater May 13, 2006 – May 28, 2006

The Spring Lifestyles Section of Designing HOME Lifestyles Magazine is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of Cultural and Tourism related businesses in Western Pennsylvania. Please contact us at info@DesigningHomeLifestyles.com for information on how to participate in future editions. Dates and pertinent information of events are subject to change. Please contact each organization directly to confirm all dates, times and availability. The included events are only a portion of cultural events in Western Pennsylvania. For additional information, and other events try visiting The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at www.pgharts.org.