Thursday, September 24, 2009

FLOTUS, Michelle Obama debuts as international host tonight during the G-20 Summit

Interesting events, Mrs. Obama has scheduled.

While the presidents and prime ministers spend Thursday evening and Friday chewing over the world's problems, Mrs. Obama will entertain their spouses by introducing them to Pittsburgh as well as to some of her own interests, including art and architecture, arts education, and sustainable farming and eating locally grown food.

Events are scheduled for a working farm owned by Teresa Heinz Kerry, a performing arts school and a museum dedicated to Andy Warhol, the 20th century pop artist and Pittsburgh native.

The spousal program kicks off Thursday with dinner at the farm in Fox Chapel, just outside the city, owned by Heinz Kerry, a noted local philanthropist who is married to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. The farm raises livestock and grows fruits and vegetables; some of it will be served at the private dinner.

In Washington, Mrs. Obama has been promoting locally grown food and healthier eating with a popular fruit and vegetable garden on the White House lawn, and she recently helped open a farmers' market near the mansion.

For Friday, Mrs. Obama — who has held jazz, country music and poetry events at the White House and is an advocate for art and music education — has lined up a tour of Pittsburgh Creative & Performing Arts. The magnet school in the city's downtown cultural district has more than 800 full-time sixth- through 12th-grade students who study dance, instrumental and vocal music, writing, acting and other creative arts.

The spouses will drop in to various classrooms as students rehearse for coming performances. They also will be treated to a show organized by Mrs. Obama featuring performances by students and such notable musical artists as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, country superstar Trisha Yearwood and singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.

Read it all, here

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