It’s time to come out of hiding. Spring has sprung in the ‘burgh, so there’s no longer any excuse for avoiding the outdoors and other people.
What? Just me?
‘Tis the season for soccer practice and baseball games, dirty hands and faces, and the EQT Children’s Theater Festival! The Festival is May 16-19 in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and is such an incredible opportunity for our kids to become one with the arts. Whether theater, hands-on activities, or music, the Children’s Theater Festival’s lineup is impressively packed with something for every kiddo. Even the itty bitty ones who just want to clap along and maybe crawl around on stage. Enter: Sky and Stone!
Anyhoo, there are so many featured performances for kids and teens of all ages in Cultural District theaters, and tickets start at only $12! Ummm…can you even get into a movie for $12 any more? In addition to featured performances, the Festival grounds are filled with FREE activities, performances, and experiences for families.
Now I know you’re not getting into the movies for FREE!
Let’s say you’re like some of my suburban friends, nervous about a trek into the city. No worries–friendly, helpful Festival Guides are stationed throughout the Cultural District to help you find your Festival destinations, offer show and activity recommendations, and basically steer you in the right direction. Talk about convenient!
Let’s also talk about what’s on tap at this year’s Festival. For the entire list of shows and activities, filter for your preferences HERE and mark your calendar. These are some of the shows I want to go to. I mean, take my kids to. Yeah, totally for the kids…
Air Play: “Flying umbrellas, larger-than-life balloons, giant kites floating over the audience, and the biggest snow globe you’ve ever seen will make you gasp in wonder and laugh until it hurts. Air Play is a circus-style adventure of two siblings journeying through a surreal world, transforming ordinary objects into uncommon beauty.”
Murikamification: Say it three times fast, I dare you! This show looks AWESOME! “Best for ages 7 and up, it’s a non-traditional show taking place throughout the Cultural District! Audiences are provided a meeting point prior to the show day and time. Artists lead the audience on a theatrical adventure on an intensely physical and absurd performance trail. In each new city, the work is adapted to the local context, meaning this is a moving theater piece that’ll take you through Pittsburgh’s own Cultural District.” I MEAN, COME ON!
Like those aren’t cool enough, check out circle circle circle: “Immerse yourself in a larger-than-life cube of colors. A 3D rainbow of circles create a 15-foot high maze that’s as fun to gaze at as it is to adventure inside. Artist Cyril Lancelin’s work has been shown around the world, and circle circle circle will be a world premiere in Pittsburgh” this year! Our city is so excited for this!
As always, I want to send someone to the Festival this year. Rather than go the traditional giveaway route with Rafflecopter, I wanna kick it old-school. Leave a comment on this blog post or on social media where I share this blog post. Every comment–no matter what it is!–will be thrown into the raffle. The winner snags tickets to a show of his/her choice, and don’t forget: there’s so much free stuff going on, you should probably just plan to head to the Cultural District anyway.
Winner will be chosen and announced on April 30th so get your two-cents in before then!
As always, I'm honored to help the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust advertise the incredible things they do for the people of our city.
AirPlay looks so neat and good for both of my kids ages 3 and 6! I have had a sticky note in my calendar for that date reminding me to buy tickets!😂