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Pittsburgh, PA, September 1, 2020: Nonprofit British-American Connections Pittsburgh (BACP) is delighted to announce the lineup for the Sixth Annual Britsburgh Festival Monday, September 7 through Sunday, September 13. Britsburgh promises to bring a full week of engaging programming into your living room with events ranging from the history of World War II to a virtual beer tasting.
This year’s festival features virtual events only, in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines. All eleven 2020 Festival events will be presented via Zoom and last approximately 90 minutes. “There is something for everyone this year,” says Kim Szczypinski, Britsburgh’s Chief Festival Planner. To register for individual Britsburgh Festival events please visit www.britsburgh.com. You must register in advance to access the events. Registration for all 2020 Britsburgh Festival events is free.
The Britsburgh Festival begins on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Join Britsburghers for a Virtual Afternoon Tea at 3 p.m. Then come back at 7 p.m. as local genealogists Linda Everhart and Carol Gillis show you how they’ve solved mysteries in their British genealogy. On Tuesday at 7 p.m. don’t miss the annual Britsburgh Beer Tasting event with East End Brewery. (Fee for beer samples, which can be purchased in advance.) On Wednesday at 7 p.m. historians Michael Neiberg and John Mitcham discuss the high stakes and high drama of one of the turning points of World War II, the evacuation of Dunkirk. On Thursday, September 10 at 7 p.m. CMU Professor Jeff Williams takes us on a dive into the preoccupations of George Orwell including Big Brother and the exploitation of working-class people. On Friday, September 11 join other mystery aficionados and author Anna Lee Huber to consider the appeal of British Mysteries in the USA. Then at 7 p.m. get a front row seat for Shakespeare’s Cymbeline with Andy Kirtland and Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks. Saturday, September 12 brings two Britsburgh events: 2 p.m. A Yorkshire Travelogue with Debbie and Vaughn Gilbert. Then come settle into your armchair at 7:00 p.m. as Jon Tyillian, Alan Lewis and friends from Calvary Episcopal Church bring us a Virtual Concert titled “Oh, to Be in Britain.” The Britsburgh Festival will conclude on Sunday, September 13 with two events, a 2 p.m. lecture on the Battle of Britain with Jim Stratton followed by a 7 p.m. lecture on World War II’s “Operation Mincemeat” with Dana del Bianco. For further event information please see the attached schedule or visit Britsburgh.com.
Britsburgh’s President and virtual program host Robert Charlesworth is pleased to announce that Britsburgh will launch two new societies at this year’s Festival: The British Mystery Society (BMS) will launch with author Anna Lee Huber and a panel of local book, film and TV British mystery lovers including WQED’s Jui Joshi. Joe Coohill (aka podcast host Professor Buzzkill) will moderate the panel as we discover just why British Mystery is so darned popular in the U.S.A. (Friday, 9/11 at 4 p.m.) The Travel Society begins with a virtual visit to Yorkshire hosted by Debbie and Vaughn Gilbert. (Saturday 9/12 at 2 p.m.)
Britsburgh President Charlesworth is also pleased to report that Britsburgh’s virtual programming since March has raised over $5,000 in donations for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and organizations supporting those impacted by the COVID 19 virus.
Festival participants are encouraged to make a contribution to Britsburgh when registering for the Festival’s free events. Your donations will go to Britsburgh to cover Festival marketing costs. We invite you to join Britsburgh and participate in Britsburgh’s growing Societies. Information on membership can be found at britsburgh.com.
About Britsburgh (www.britsburgh.com)
Britsburgh, a brand of The British-American Connections Pittsburgh (BACP), a nonprofit 501c6, provides opportunities for all people in the Pittsburgh region to participate in activities that enable them to expand and enhance their interest in British traditions, history, and culture. Enjoy!
Britsburgh Contacts: Robert Charlesworth 412 396 9400 or Kim Szczypinski 412 334 4367
Britsburgh Festival 2020 Press Release (PDF)