kNOT Dance from First Night website

The holiday dance shows are wrapping up in Pittsburgh. Uniquely Pittsburgh in flavor, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker closed on December 23rd with great reviews from local critics for revisions by choreographer and artistic director of the company Terrence Orr.

Attack Theatre’s contemporary take on seasonal dance, Holiday Unwrapped finished its short run for the public in early December. The company will not perform again until early January with one of their Game Nights–a mix of short dance performances and indoor games.

But if you missed any of these shows and are looking for some dance to bring in the new year, check out First Night, Downtown Pittsburgh’s New Year’s celebration.

Tonight’s extravaganza will include the Alumni Theater Company at CAPA High School, Bodiography Contemporary Ballet with live music at the Byham Theater, ballroom dance lessons at Arthur Murray, Texture Contemporary Dance Company, the kNOT Dance premier of a piece called French Me and a number of family and adult dance parties.

The event also includes a parade featuring giant puppets put together by local artists–including some of my own dance students from Hope Academy and MGR Foundation’s Murals program–under the direction of Cheryl Capezzuti. It also includes musical offerings and activities for all ages. So if you’re looking for a place to go with your hot date or just a way to keep family entertained tonight, check the First Night listings for more information.