Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 Set for Tomorrow Night

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces updates to the vibrant programming planned for this year's New Year's Eve celebration, scheduled to take place in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District on Tuesday, December 31, 2013.

Savannah Wiggins is announced as the winner of the Equitable Gas Sing-Off. She will perform live on stage as the opening act for the Equitable Gas Marquee Performances at the Benedum Center during Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014. The 16-year-old high school student has been singing gospel, pop, jazz, and neo soul since she was eight years old. Upon graduation, she aspires to attend college and then begin a career on Broadway. Watch Savannah perform on Pittsburgh Today Live: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/video/9671724-sing-off-champ-performs-live/.

Entertainment Weekly featured Alternate Histories-a book of prints and fictionalized histories-by Matthew Buchholz as a top 10 gift book this holiday season. These illustrations of monsters, aliens, and zombies in history, which the magazine dubbed "blazingly creative," are on display at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh as part of the exhibition Memory Terrains at the Trust Arts Education Center, 805 Liberty Avenue.

Joy Ike has been announced as the WYEP Artist of the Year 2013. The independent singer/songwriter presents energetic and soulful performances featuring percussive piano-playing and soaring vocals at 7:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., at the Trust Arts Education Center, 805 Liberty Avenue.

Mia Tarducci Henry has been announced as the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Artist of the Year 2014. A selection of her vibrant and colorful abstract paintings recalling her experiences in Grenada 30 years ago is included in Highmark First Night Pittsburgh as part of the exhibition Memory Terrains at the Trust Arts Education Center, 805 Liberty Avenue.

All programming is subject to change. Updates will be posted online at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH. The Highmark First Night Pittsburgh website provides even more event details and allows users to sort through the schedule of events and customize plans. TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH is mobile-friendly and will allow smartphone users to plan on-the-go during New Year's Eve.

All-Access Highmark First Night Pittsburgh buttons (worn by attendees) are available beginning December 5, 2013 at participating Giant Eagle locations; online at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH; by phone at 412-456-6666; or at The Box Office at Theater Square, located at 655 Penn Avenue. Buttons cost $8 in advance or $10 night-of-event. Children age 5 and under are admitted FREE.

Some indoor performances also require seating vouchers, which are free tickets. They must be reserved to ensure theaters do not fill beyond capacity. Vouchers can be reserved starting December 5 by phone or at The Box Office at Theater Square only. Events requiring vouchers are listed at TrustArts.org/FirstNightPGH.

Want your vouchers sooner? Our VIP package, entitled "First Night Friends," allows members to purchase vouchers beginning December 5 for priority seating, access, parking, and more! For more information on becoming a part of this special sponsorship opportunity, please call 412-471-6086.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 sponsors as of release date include: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as the presenting sponsor, Equitable Gas Company, Dollar Bank, First National Bank, Giant Eagle, PNC, and Bobby Rahal Motor Company. New this year, FedEx Ground will serve as the sponsor for the annual parade with special puppets designed by Studio Capezzuti.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 community supporters include The Buhl Foundation, The Fine Foundation, and The Grable Foundation.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh 2014 media partners include KDKA TV, Trib Total Media, and WYEP 91.3 FM/WESA 90.5FM.

Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is an arts-focused and family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. It is the largest single-day celebration in the region offering around 150 events at nearly 50 indoor and outdoor locations within the 14-block Cultural District. The celebration offers something for everyone.