Pittsburgh Goes Dutch for a Three-Month Arts Festival

Photo: Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras

The arts in Pittsburgh are enjoying the Dutch touch in 2012. As the birthplace of pop art giant Andy Warhol, modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson, Pittsburgh is no stranger to artistic innovation. This year the city is collaborating with more than 75 Dutch artists to present the Distinctly Dutch Festival, through May 20.

One of the greatest concentration of Dutch artists to be seen this year -- anywhere -- the Distinctly Dutch Festival will showcase the dance, theater, music, visual art, film, and literature of the Netherlands. This three-month, interdisciplinary cultural festival will offer something for everyone: dance premieres by Ji?í Kylián & Michael Schumacher and Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras, multi-media theatrical performances by PIPS:lab, and concerts including Dutch Women of Jazz and the percussive rhythms of Drums United, among many others.

Though encompassing the entire city, the festival is centered in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. The revitalization of this area has made it one of the city’s most popular for both the art and gay scenes. Stay steps away from all the action at the historic Omni William Penn Hotel. Beautifully restored to its 1916 grandeur, this hotel served as the host hotel during last summer’s Pittsburgh Pride, and offers a blend of modern convenience and old-world glamour in the center of downtown.

And if you need one more reason to visit, consider this: Pittsburgh ranks as Amerca's Third Sluttiest City. We think the Dutch would approve.

For information on all event and tickets for the Distinctly Dutch Festival visit TrustArts.org. To learn more about Pittsburgh check out VisitPittsburgh.com.

-- IVAN QUINTANILLA

Photo: Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras

The arts in Pittsburgh are enjoying the Dutch touch in 2012. As the birthplace of pop art giant Andy Warhol, modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson, Pittsburgh is no stranger to artistic innovation. This year the city is collaborating with more than 75 Dutch artists to present the Distinctly Dutch Festival, through May 20.

One of the greatest concentration of Dutch artists to be seen this year -- anywhere -- the Distinctly Dutch Festival will showcase the dance, theater, music, visual art, film, and literature of the Netherlands. This three-month, interdisciplinary cultural festival will offer something for everyone: dance premieres by Ji?í Kylián & Michael Schumacher and Dance Works Rotterdam/André Gingras, multi-media theatrical performances by PIPS:lab, and concerts including Dutch Women of Jazz and the percussive rhythms of Drums United, among many others.

Though encompassing the entire city, the festival is centered in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. The revitalization of this area has made it one of the city’s most popular for both the art and gay scenes. Stay steps away from all the action at the historic Omni William Penn Hotel. Beautifully restored to its 1916 grandeur, this hotel served as the host hotel during last summer’s Pittsburgh Pride, and offers a blend of modern convenience and old-world glamour in the center of downtown.

And if you need one more reason to visit, consider this: Pittsburgh ranks as Amerca's Third Sluttiest City. We think the Dutch would approve.

For information on all event and tickets for the Distinctly Dutch Festival visit TrustArts.org. To learn more about Pittsburgh check out VisitPittsburgh.com.

-- IVAN QUINTANILLA