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Sunshine and a surprise performance by Point Park University dance students welcomed visitors to Katz Plaza in Downtown Pittsburgh on May 5. The flash mob danced a "root for trees" message as part of the World Environment Day events organized by TreeVitalize Pittsburgh. With funding from the Colcom Foundation, TreeVitalize will be planting 250 trees in Downtown Pittsburgh in the coming year.

Students from the University's Conservatory of Performing Arts joined with young people from the Pittsburgh CLO Academy and Pittsburgh CAPA, the city's creative and performing arts school, to surprise noontime visitors in the Cultural District.

Conservatory instructor Kiesha Lalama-White choreographed the performance.

"It was great to see the University students collaborating with the younger dancers," said Lalama-White. "Everyone enjoyed the day-the energy of both the crowd and the performers was inspiring!"

This is the second flash mob event by Point Park students in Pittsburgh this academic year. On September 22, 2009 students created surprise dance performances in three locations to celebrate the start of the G-20 Summit. The Colcom Foundation provided behind-the-scenes support for the simultaneous performances as part of its mission to aid cultural and environmental projects in the region.