The organization Global Beats strives to bring together “new” Pittsburghers from all over the world by celebrating the music of Africa, Latin America, New York City, and Cuba.
It’s an idea that began in 1999 when Carla Leininger began her show “The Brazilian Radio Hour” on Carnegie Mellon University’s radio station WRCT.
A native of Brazil, she wanted to share the music of her country with her new city and also provide a bit of home for other Brazilians living here. From there a broader approach to bring together cultures began to take shape.
It’s an idea that began in 1999 when Carla Leininger began her show “The Brazilian Radio Hour” on Carnegie Mellon University’s radio station WRCT.
A native of Brazil, she wanted to share the music of her country with her new city and also provide a bit of home for other Brazilians living here. From there a broader approach to bring together cultures began to take shape.
In 2004 Leininger organized Global Beats to take the music out to public spaces to reach even more of Pittsburgh’s growing community of residents with international roots.
She says this was so “internationals could connect with their culture and their music, and Americans would have an opportunity to listen to something different”.
The organization continues to grow by forging connections with many different ethnic communities providing unique opportunities to new arrivals and native Pittsburghers alike.
