Michelle Obama hosted a concert this morning at the Pittsburgh Creative & Performing Arts School for its students and the spouses of international leaders deliberating at the G-20 economic summit.

“We believe strongly that the arts aren’t somehow an ‘extra’ part of our national life, but instead we feel that the arts are at the heart of our national life. It is through our music, our literature, our art, drama and dance that we tell the story of our past and we express our hopes for the future. Our artists challenge our assumptions in ways that many cannot and do not. They expand our understandings, and push us to view our world in new and very unexpected ways….. “

Read the compete article on the LA Times Culture Monster blog.

PITTSBURGH, PA (AP).- First lady Michelle Obama is taking on a new role as international hostess when she welcomes the spouses of world leaders headed to this river city for a two-day economic summit. 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. Mrs. Obama and President Barack Obama will welcome world leaders and their spouses at a reception Thursday at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Read the original here:
Michelle Obama Hosts Spouses of World Leaders at Andy Warhol Museum