CMU School of Drama


Friday, November 04, 2016

Pittsburgh's Light Up Night to feature 'pedestrian plaza' of entertainment

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Mayor Bill Peduto remembers a time when Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night meant driving up to Mount Washington, waiting two minutes until the lights in Downtown buildings came on, and driving home.

As he noted in a news conference Thursday for the city’s ever-expanding Comcast Light Up Night, that sure isn’t the case anymore — last year, the event drew about 500,000 people.

6 comments:

Rebecca Meckler said...

This sounds like such a fascinating event. I think this is a great way to build the holiday spirit and a sense of community in Pittsburgh. Its also amazing that they have the ability to expand the event from it’s size in the past. It’s great that there is going to be two stages. I hope this gives local performers the ability to get their name out, as well as know performers, and spread the holiday spirit at the same time. It’s also. great that the National Mayor’s conference overlap with this event. I hope that the people at the National Mayor’s conference can see what Pittsburgh is doing and try to bring it to their cities, if only in small ways. Though other cities might not have the means that Pittsburgh has, the most likely can bring something small back. I hope that I get a chance to see the Energy Flow show on the Rachel Carson Bridge. I would love to see how they are to include the wind turbines into the light show. I can’t wait to see the holiday spirit in Pittsburgh this year.

Unknown said...

I never knew this happened downtown each year to bring in the holiday season. I wonder how they publicize this? I only read this article, where else do they talk about it for people to see and plan to come? I think it is great when they get such a good turnout for events like this, it really brings the community together as one. People get to see lights at the beginning of the day and then come back in the evening for bands and good food. It is a whole day of events that brings the weekend in nicely. I wish that I didn’t have rehearsal during the day because it would be nice to spend the day downtown seeing all the lights and just taking time away from campus. Maybe I will try to get down there later in the weekend to see when the buildings light up at night. There is always good art going on Pittsburgh and I am thankful for that.

Vanessa Ramon said...

This event sounds amazing. I can't believe I didn't hear about it last year. After reading through the article I couldn't help but notice that this event is very centered around all of the innovative entertainment that is being provided. I think that is is great. I really enjoy how supportive the city of pittsburgh is of the arts and even the innovation of the arts. One of the events that sounds really interesting is new art and light installation on the Rachel Carson Bridge. Not only does it sound interesting that the instillation will be on a bridge, but also that it will be powered by wind turbine! How cool does that sound!! overall, this event seems like one that the whole family could enjoy. I certainly don't want to miss out on the art instillation, the amazing performances. and the awesome food to come. It is no wonder why the event has grown.

Sabrina Browne said...

Reading the article and the schedule of events, it looks like that this is really a glowing christmas celebration. And I don't mean to be thaaaat guy, but Santa doesn't visit everyone. Hanukkah is literally the Jewish festival of lights. It goes for 8 days, it's kind of a big deal. I think that this is a great event to bring the community together and should be a jolly time, but "the holiday season" is very clearly geared towards one thing: Christmas spirit. I'm don't mean to rain on any Hallmark parade here, but I think that it would be nice to extend beyond just the one holiday. I'm not suggesting everyone skip #LUN2016 and go to temple instead, I just think it would be nice to get into the "holidays spirit" instead of only the "Christmas spirit."

Unknown said...

Light Up Night is always a wonderful event and it is always great to see Flyspace Productions in work as well. It’s been a few years since I have actually been downtown for the night, but there is always coverage on the local news. There’s a few things that I think are important to note in this article. The city is attempting to spread out events that occur in the downtown area. I cannot remember off the top of my head if there has ever really been event with a pedestrian area on Fort Duquesne Boulevard. After looking at the map of events, it is actually really spread it. It stars on Fort Duqesne then moves through the Cultural District to Market Square and into PPG Place. The square footage will definitely help bring people into business that don’t get all the cultural district foot traffic. Finally, it is great to see that the event is increasing in scale, considering the bands that are playing. Daya is getting national coverage in the Top 10’s and O.A.R. is a solid, recognizable name.

Zak Biggins said...

THIS SOUNDS SO FUN. In the few months i've been here, I have noticed the strong sense of community asserted in pittsburgh and this event only strengthens that premise. That our city is so supportive of the combination of arts and sciences is such a beautiful, refreshing thing. This kind of reminds me of our very own bridge that lights up and connects purnell to the gates center. I do, however, wonder what efforts the creative team has made to publicize this event because I haven't heard anything about it.I Regardless, am so excited to share my holiday spirit in Pittsburg and hope to see the bridge!