RADical Days 2011 Begins

The region’s popular RADical Days event returns for the 10th time today, and there are at least 10 good reasons to get out and experience the regional assets:

1. See the tallest and largest land mammals on the planet.
2. Lose yourself in the sounds of music from baroque to jazz.
3. Marvel at the swinging and swaying of dancers.
4. Awaken your senses with nature in a glass house.
5. Interact with history at multiple museums.
6. Create and take home your own art.
7. Get up close with heat-defying acts of art.
8. Go behind the scenes of world-class sports and civic facilities.
9. Explore an asset you’ve never visited before.
10. Just walk right in to dozens of cultural treasures.

RADical Days is an annual event that the Allegheny Regional Asset District and its funded assets sponsor to thank the public for the sales tax funds that support the region’s parks, libraries, sports and civic facilities and arts and culture organizations.

This year, there will be more than 50 venues offering free admission and more than a dozen arts groups offering music, dance and theater performances for the region.

“The District is pleased to announce the 10th annual RADical Days event that has grown from three days of activities to three weeks of free admissions and performances by our regional assets,” said David Donahoe, executive director of RAD. “We hope the public will enjoy the diverse and excellent experiences offered by the assets during RADical Days.”

RADical Days 2011 festivities kick off with the Allegheny County Parks’ Hay Day today at Hartwood Acresin the afternoon and concludes Oct. 15 with music and dance tours and concerts with WQED-FM, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Opera and Attack Theatre.

New offerings this year include a full afternoon of music, dance and theater performances at the New Hazlett Theater and an open house at the Young Men and Women’s African Heritage Association Oct. 2 on the North Side.

The complete event schedule can be found at radworkshere.org.

Updates also will be posted on the District’s Facebook page facebook.com/radworkshere.org. Mobile users can receive updates via the district’s text site: text RAD to SMASH (76274). There is no charge to receive text alerts; however, users’ standard message and data rates apply.

Participating assets are not offering free admission every day. The public is urged to check listings for each asset’s free date, times and limitations. Admissions are first-come, first-serve. Some venues require advance reservations due to seating limitations. Parking fees
might be charged at venue lots.