By Tribune-Review

Published: Thursday, November 1, 2012, 1:56 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, November 1, 2012

The City of Pittsburgh has partnered with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History to host an alternative homecoming dance for teens who find it intimidating to attend their own school's dance.

Inspired by the recently released movie “Perks of Being a Wallflower” filmed in Pittsburgh, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Youth Council worked with teen program coordinators at the museums and library to develop ways to curb bullying and provide events and resources for students.

“Wallflowers and Wildflowers: Alternative Homecoming” is 7:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's Hall of North American Wildlife and Botany, 4400 Forbes Ave. Tickets can be bought in advance at the library's teen desk for $3 and are available at the door for $5 the day of the dance.

Proceeds benefit free teen programming at partnering organizations. Wallflowers and Wildflowers is for teens in grades 9 through 12 or ages 14 through 17.

Students are welcome to bring friends, a date or come alone, and dress as formally or casually as they'd like.

“Many students in the region can't take part in traditional homecoming festivities because they attend high school with no sports teams, are home-schooled or cyber-schooled, are unable to afford it, or because they can't bring the date they want, among many other reasons,” said Joseph Wilk, teen specialist at the Carnegie Library in Oakland, in a statement. “We hope to offer a memorable, fun alternative where they can express themselves and transform from a wallflower to a wildflower.”

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