Pittsburgh Festival Opera Presents Fifth Annual Gala GALA CUBANA

Gala Cubana is the fifth annual gala in support of Pittsburgh Festival Opera (the new name of Opera Theater of Pittsburgh), the region's mid-sized opera company that produces a summer festival of operas, musical theater and cabaret-style entertainment---all sung in English.

This year, Pittsburgh Festival Opera celebrates the music and cuisine of Cuba with an evening of superb food and entertainment on Saturday, April 22 at the elegant Pittsburgh Golf Club, 5280 Northumberland St., Schenley Park, Squirrel Hill (15217).

Gala Chairman Carolyn Smith says: "We're very excited to bring this taste of Cuba to our patrons and new friends. We're especially proud to be able to perform the US premiere of pieces from Cubanacan. This will be a truly lively and memorable evening!"

Gala Cubana kicks off at 6:15 pm with a rum tasting, appetizers, a roving fashion show, and a chance to bid on exciting Silent Auction items. A Conga line then leads guests into the dining room, where exquisite Cuban dinner choices are served at 7 pm. Bidding on Live Auction items follows (including the chance to win a walk-on role in one of Festival Opera's summer season shows). After dinner at 8:15 pm, non-diners are welcome to join the party at a special discounted ticket price, for dancing (Salsa, Rumba, Bolero Cha Cha and more ) and a dessert buffet.

During dinner, Teanna Medina of Yemaya Pittsburgh will delight guests with an Afro-Cuban dance exhibit, Miles Wilson-Toliver presents excerpts from Cubanacan, a new Cuban Opera never before heard in the US, and Stephanie Ramos sings traditional Cuban songs.

After dinner Miguel Sague III & Guaracha, an energetic, Cuban music band with singer, get the party rolling. Guests are led through some simple Salsa and Cha Cha dances, and encouraged to join in with maracas supplied by Festival Opera.

Dress up and have fun! Tropical or Cuban-style attire is encouraged for Gala Cubana. Inspiring ideas for men's and women's attire can be found on Pittsburgh Festival Opera's web site.

Gala Cubana supports Pittsburgh Festival Opera's education programs which include:

The innovative Opera Tots program providing music education for preschool children.

Opera in the Schools, offering in-school workshops and free school time matinees of an engaging children's opera, with Hansel and Gretel offered to more than 2,000 children in 2017.

The Young Professional Artists Training Program, drawing young singers, musicians, and directors for training and production experience during the Festival's summer season, this year running June 15-July 23.

All tickets include free valet parking, dessert and dancing and the chance to bid on Silent Auction items. Diners also get to bid on unique Live Auction offerings. To purchase tickets, visit pittsburghfestivalopera.org/gala or call 412-621-1499.

Ticket details:
- Event tickets: $175 each (includes hors d'oeuvres, dinner, a complimentary drink followed by cash bar, dessert, dancing). Tables of 8 or 10 may also be reserved.
- Special Dessert & Dancing tickets: $75 each (dessert, dancing, cash bar).

ABOUT PITTSBURGH FESTIVAL OPERA Pittsburgh Festival Opera (formerly Opera Theater of Pittsburgh) produces a summer festival featuring a company of 150 performers including top national and regional singers as well as rising stars from its Young Professional Artists Program. Reaching across traditional lines of demarcation in the arts, Pittsburgh Festival Opera engages diverse, new and younger audiences, bringing in supporters of music, theater, dance, and the visual arts. In its 40-year history, Pittsburgh Festival Opera has presented more than 50 Pittsburgh premieres, many of them American operas that would not have been produced by other regional companies, including 28 world premieres. Over its first five summer festival seasons, Pittsburgh Festival Opera has drawn more than 50,000 people to operas, musicals, new works and recitals.

The company was founder in 1978 by Mildred Miller Posvar. Since 1999, Jonathan Eaton has served as Artistic and General Director.

Pittsburgh Festival Opera is not affiliated by Pittsburgh Opera.

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