Category: The Shaker

Inside dish on interviews, editorials, events listings, musings from the minds of BV’s contributors, viewer mail, and other bits of fabulousness — It all goes into The Shaker, ‘Burgh Vivant’s bacchanalian bulletin board. Saddle up to the bar, and get ready for another round of what’s shakin’!

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Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre to Present Pittsburgh Premiere of “Ketubah”

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Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Jewish Community Centers to Present
Discussion Series Exploring the Heritage of the Ballet

PITTSBURGH, PA – As one of three featured works in its March mixed repertory performance, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will present the Pittsburgh premiere of Julia Adam’s “Ketubah” – inspired by traditional Jewish wedding rituals – March 7-16, at the August Wilson Center.

“Ketubah” is a critically acclaimed, lively, contemporary ballet inspired by the Eastern European Jewish Ashkenazi wedding ritual. Choreographer Julia Adam drew upon her own family roots when creating the piece for Houston Ballet in 2004. Set to Klezmer music, the performance follows one young couple from matchmaking to their wedding night. A vibrant ensemble of 16 dancers and evocative use of fabric depict and honor the mikvah, veil, chuppah, and other rituals and traditions that comprise a Jewish marriage celebration. The title, “Ketubah,” refers to the marriage contract signed by the bride and groom on their wedding day. Adam creates a hybrid movement vocabulary of ballet, modern and Israeli folk dance to set the customs in motion.
                                                                                    
Leading up to its main-stage performance, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents several opportunities to explore the inspiration and heritage behind the ballet:

·         Ketubah Display
February 10 – March 16, 2014; American Jewish Museum of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Visitors can view the artistry and sentiment of the ballet’s namesake in five works from private collections.

·         Pointe of View Salons
February 25, 2014, at 7 p.m. –  JCC of Greater Pittsburgh Squirrel Hill
February 27, 2014, at 7 p.m. – JCC, South Hills

Explore the ballet, ketubah art and symbolism, and the cultural history of Jewish wedding traditions. Presenters: Rabbi Donni Aaron, a Jewish educator of JCC Pittsburgh; artist Judy Perlow; and Lisa Auel of PBT’s Education Department.

·         OSHER Evening Lecture Series
March 4, 2014 at  7:30 p.m.; McConomy Auditorium, Carnegie Mellon University

An esteemed panel will discuss the ballet’s unique connections between the rich cultural heritage of ballet, of the ketubah as an artifact and art form, and of Jewish marriage customs. Panelists will include PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr; choreographer Julia Adam; James A. Gibson, Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai, and artist Judy Perlow. This event is presented in collaboration with CMU’s OSHER Life-long Learning Institute.

About 3×3 at the August Wilson Center
PBT pushes the boundaries of ballet in “3×3,” a mixed repertory program showcasing an unconventional exploration of ballet musicality and movement. In addition to “Ketubah,” the program features a PBT world premiere by choreographer Viktor Plotnikov and Dwight Rhoden’s jazz-inspired “Smoke ‘n Roses” set to the live vocals of Pittsburgh’s own Etta Cox. “3×3” takes the stage March 7-16, for two weekends at the August Wilson Center. Tickets start at $25.75, and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting the Box Office at Theater Square.

About Choreographer Julia Adam  
Canadian-born Julia Adam received her early training in her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, and at age thirteen began studies at the National Ballet School in Toronto, graduating in 1983. She spent the next five years honing her skills at the National Ballet of Canada. In 1988, Julia joined the San Francisco Ballet, where she finished the remainder of her dancing career, gaining prestige as a principal dancer known for her lyricism, musicality and broad theatrical range. After retiring from dancing in 2002, Adam was able to devote more time to her love and talent for choreography. She created her first ballet, The Medium is the Message, in 1993 for San Francisco Ballet’s Choreographic Workshop, drawing much attention for her uncanny wit and unique sense of movement. Since then she has created a number of works for companies, including Marin Ballet, The Bay Area Dance Series, Ballet Met, Alberta Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Atlanta Ballet and Nashville Ballet among others.

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The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (2/20 – 2/23)

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Die Laughing

Start your weekend on Wednesday for the “Race to the Coffin Comedy Tour” at the Smiling Moose.  Join John Dick Winters, Jesse Irvin, Tim Ross, Shannon “Shambonez” Norman, Alex Stypula and John Pridmore for an evening of racy, raucous comedy. The evening is hosted by Derek Minto and all the tickets are only five dollars. Five dollars!

Race to the Race to the Coffin Comedy Tour!  Doors open at the 9:30 at the Smiling Moose, 1306 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh. For more information call 412-431-4668 or click www.smiling-moose.com

 

Ariba!

A sports commentator returns to her hometown of Pittsburgh to mourn the loss of a childhood friend in “The Great One.” During her visit, she reminisces about her life between the Pirates 1971 World Series win and the New Year’s Eve 1972, when Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash. It’s a tale of family, friendship and redemption.  It’s also a one-woman show starring Tressa Glover.

You can reminisce about Roberto at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, 937 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh.

For more information go to www.pghplaywrights.com

 

Attack on the Opera

Go on the attack Sunday February 23 at “Histoire du Soldat,” when Attack Theater presents a series of special performances at The George R. White Studio, featuring “A Soldier’s Tale,” and
A Tiny Droplet of a Portrait.”

It’s an evening of collaborations when world class musicians combine for an unforgettable dance experience.

Now, write this down: Performances are Sunday, February 23, Wednesday February 26, Thursday February 27 and Saturday March 1. All performances begin at 7:30 at The George R. White Studio, Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Avenue, in the Strip District.

For more information, click here: www.attacktheatre.com

 

Tramp!

Spend an evening with Charlie (the Tramp) Chaplin. Dan Kamin, who trained Robert Downey Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in “Chaplin,” invites you to experience the artistry of cinema’s greatest comedian from the inside. Kamin will be deconstructing Chaplin’s comedy with film clips, live demonstrations, audience participation, and a classic Chaplin short with live piano accompaniment by celebrated jazz pianist Tom Roberts.

Performances are Friday, February 21, 8:00 P.M. and Sunday, February 23, 2:00 pm at The Strand, 119 North Main Street, Zelienople, PA 16063.

For tickets and information call The Strand at (724) 473-0493 or click www.thestrandtheater.org

 

Mr. Brown Comes to Town

Culinary scientist (“Good Eats”) and game show host (“Iron Chef America”) Alton Brown comes to Pittsburgh. He’ll be serving up comedy, food experimentation and live music in this multimedia presentation.  Be warned, there is an audience participation portion of the evening. You may end up cooking alongside this famous chef (wear the lab coat he offers you, things will get messy).

February 23, Alton Brown will be in town for this lively cooking/comedy/musical event at the Benedum, 703 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. For more information call 412-456-6666 or visit www.trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/38876/alton-brown-live

– MB

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Pittsburgh Playwrights’ THE GREAT ONE spotlights family, friendship, redemption

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The Great One is a fascinating and inspirational play that will be at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, 3rd floor, downtown from Friday, February 21 through Saturday, March 15.

Written by Russ Babines, The Great One is directed by Don DiGiulio.

Tressa Glover stars in this exciting one woman show about a sports commentator who returns to her hometown of Pittsburgh to mourn a childhood friend. She reminisces about the period of her life between the Pirates’ 1971 World Series win and the New Year’s Eve 1972 death of admired Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente.

This is an unforgettable tale of not only America’s pastime, but also family, friendship, and redemption!

Babines wrote the screenplay because he felt it “would have broad appeal due to its family friendly nature and nostalgic elements which includes references to Roberto Clemente and the Pittsburgh Pirates.”

Now he’s rewritten The Great One for the stage – making this his debut as a playwright, saying it’s “another way to tell a story that is very relatable, especially to a Pittsburgh audience.”

Complete listing of show times –

  • Friday, February 21 “Opening Night” at 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 23 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 27 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, February 28 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 1, at 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 2 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 6 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 7 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 8 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m.

All tickets are $21. Seating is General Admission.  Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at http://www.pghplaywrights.com/greatone. For group rates call 412-687-4686.

Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, founded by Mark Clayton Southers, is committed to developing and showcasing the works of local playwrights; from accomplished masters like August Wilson and George S. Kaufman to promising new talents. We seek to nurture a racially and culturally diverse community of playwrights, directors, actors and technical specialists to hone their craft and to network creative opportunities.

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“Undie Rock” – The Skivvies perform at City Theater

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By ‘Burgh Vivant, Mike Buzzelli

Clothes might make the man, but clothes don’t make the band. This weekend, award-winning performers Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Marry Me a Little) and Nick Cearley (All Shook Up) are in town to play instruments in their underwear in “The Skivvies” at the Lester Hamburg Theater, inside City Theater.

If you’re not careful, Cearley will show you his glockenspiel. The duo plays a variety of instruments. Cearley plays the aforementioned glockenspiel, the ukulele and the melodica, a blow organ (easy, now!). Molina plays the ukulele and the cello. Both do it with style and skill.

Skivvies

Mike Buzzelli, Lauren Molina, Nick Cearley, and Lonnie The Theatre Lady.

 

The plucky duo, a scantily clad “Will and Grace,” perform mash-ups of popular songs of several eras. Imagine your radio stuck on scan, but all performed with Molina and Cearley’s masterful, mellifluous voices. The musicians are accompanied by Shannon Ford on drums, beating on them with flair.  

A few local guests sat in with the immodestly attired Molina and nearly naked Cearley.  At Thursday’s performance Burgh Vivant caught Michael Campayno (Rolf from the recently televised “Sound of Music”), Hayley Nielsen (in Primestage’s upcoming “The Importance of Being Earnest”) and Bria Walker (last seen at the City Theater in “Pop”). All of them made brief appearances in their briefs. Other guests Courtney Balan, Joshua Elijah Reese, Hannah Shankman and Nancy Anderson will join the show for select performances (consult the website, if you want to gawk at a particular member of that group).

Neilsen was the first guest, playing a boozy medley of songs. Molina remarked, “There’s a lot of songs about alcohol.” In a few minutes, Neilsen and the Skivvies managed to mention almost all of them.

Walker strut her stuff, commanding the stage with a mash-up of dance songs. For the record, she brought it. The girl can sing! Emphasis on the exclamation point.

Campayno joined the undie rock show with a witty rendition of “Call me, Maybe,” serenading Cearley, while Molina fumed with jealousy (tongue planted firmly in cheek).

With their talent, your head will say “They don’t need the gimmick,” but other parts of your body will shout, “Everyone should perform this way!”

You still have three more chances to catch “The Skivvies,” Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm with a special 10:30 performance on Saturday at the City Theater, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh from February 13, 2014 – February 15, 2014

For more information call or click: 412-431-2489 or www.citytheatrecompany.org

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‘Burgh Vivant presents an Evening with Judy Knaiz

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Pittsburgh, PA  – On Sunday, March 16th, ’Burgh Vivant will host a live, on-stage interview with actress and Pittsburgh native Judy Knaiz, who is perhaps best known for her role as Gussie Granger (aka Ernestina Simple) in the 1969 film musical Hello Dolly, directed by Gene Kelly, starring Barbara Streisand, Walter Matthau, Tommy Tune, and Michael Crawford.  ’Burgh Vivant host Brian Edward will discuss with Ms. Kaniz topics including her career in film, stage, and television, working with such notables as Kelly and Streisand, the making of Hello Dolly, and her perspectives on Pittsburgh.  Ms. Knaiz will also answer selected questions from fans.

The event is a homecoming of sorts for Knaiz, who began her career performing in musical comedies at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, now operated by Point Park University, whose George R. White Theatre will host the March 16th interview and Hello Dolly film screening.

This special edition of ’Burgh Vivant will begin at 4:00pm on Sunday, March 16th in the George R. White Theatre of Point Park University, 414 Wood St., Pittsburgh PA, followed immediately by a screening of Ms. Knaiz’s 1969 film Hello Dolly.  Light refreshments will be provided.  The event is free and open to the public.  Reservations are encouraged.  RSVP to its@burghvivant.org.  Interview questions for Ms. Knaiz may be submitted by Friday, March 14th via email to its@burghvivant.org.  This event is produced in cooperation with The John P. Harris Society of Point Park University.

’Burgh Vivant is an online talk magazine dedicated to examining Pittsburgh’s unique arts and culture community through candid interviews with local artists, performers, entrepreneurs, and newsmakers.  ’Burgh Vivant hosts a featured guest weekly, supplemented with reviews and features in the categories of Art, Culture, Dance, Film, Food, Music, Style, and Theatre.  Viewers may subscribe for free at www.burghvivant.org and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

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City Theatre presents Drama Desk Award winner TRIBES

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Co-produced with Philadelphia Theatre Company

Directed by Stuart Carden

March 8–30, 2014

PITTSBURGH, PA (February 12, 2014)—City Theatre continues its 39th season with Tribes by Nina Raine, a provocative New York hit about what it means to hear and listen. Co-produced with Philadelphia Theatre Company and directed by City Theatre’s former associate artistic director Stuart Carden, Tribes runs on City Theatre’s Mainstage from March 8 through 30, 2014, with an Opening Night performance on Friday, March 14 at 8pm.

Verbal jabs fly in this stirring new play about Billy, a deaf twenty-something who is adept at lipreading the brash discourse of his hearing family. It’s tough to get a word in edgewise around the dinner table, but when Billy falls for Sylvia, a woman who’s losing her hearing, everyone is forced to learn a lesson about listening.

“Boasting rave reviews and sold-out, extended runs in New York and London, Tribes incorporates witty spoken language, sign language, and surtitles to fully immerse the audience in the worlds of both deaf and hearing characters,” says Tracy Brigden, City Theatre’s Artistic Director. “This sharp and very funny play is all about family, relationships, and the power and limitations inherent in communication. It’s provocative, it’s lively, and we’re thrilled to produce this new work by one of London’s hottest playwrights.

“We have collaborated closely with our colleagues at Philadelphia Theatre Company to create a production comprised of some of the very best artists from both cities and beyond,” Brigden continues. “The reaction to this production in Philadelphia has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we are excited for the next leg of its run to be here in Pittsburgh.”

Nina Raine began her career as a trainee director at the Royal Court Theatre after graduating from Oxford. She dramaturged and directed Unprotected at the Liverpool Everyman (TMA Best Director Award, Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award). Her debut play, Rabbit, premiered at the Old Red Lion Theatre in 2006 and transferred to the West End before going to New York. Rabbit won the Charles Wintour Evening Standard and Critics Circle Award for most Promising Playwright. Nina also directed her second play, Tiger Country, at Hampstead Theatre. She directed Jumpy at the Royal Court Theatre, later transferring to the West End, and Shades (Critics Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Most Promising Newcomer). Her commission for the Royal Court Theatre, Tribes, directed by Roger Michell, won an Offie award and was also nominated for both Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for best new play. Tribes opened to rave reviews and won the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Play. It is currently one of the top produced plays of 2014. Recently, Nina opened Longing at Hampstead Theatre, and she is currently directing Moses Raine’s play Donkey Heart in a return to the Old Red Lion Theatre.

Tribes features Robin Abramson (Maple and Vine, Time Stands Still, Blackbird, Mary’s Wedding, and Outlying Islands at City Theatre), Tad Cooley, Alex Hoeffler, John Judd, Amanda Kearns, and Laurie Klatscher (Precious Little, Shooting Star, The Good Body, Slavs, The Cryptogram, Temptation, Moonlight Room, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Red Herring, and The Baltimore Waltz at City Theatre).

The creative team includes Narelle Sissons (Scenic), Janus Stefanowicz (Costume), Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting), Mike Tutaj (Sound/Projection), Melanie Julian (Dialect Coach), and Stuart Howard & Paul Hardt (Casting).

 

CITY THEATRE PRESENTS

Tribes

By Nina Raine
Directed by Stuart Carden

Co-produced with Philadelphia Theatre Company 

When: March 8–30, 2014

Preview Schedule

Saturday, March 8 at 5:30pm

Sunday, March 9 at 7pm

Tuesday, March 11 at 7pm
Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm

Thursday, March 13 at 8pm

 

PRESS / OPENING NIGHT

Friday, March 14 at 8pm

 

Regular Run Schedule

Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7pm

Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm

Saturdays at 5:30 and 9pm

Sundays at 2pm

Weekday matinees will be performed on Wednesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 26 at 1pm.

There will be no evening performance on Wednesday, March 26.

Where: City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side)

Tickets: $35 to $55

Box Office: 412.431.CITY (2489) or citytheatrecompany.org

Audiences under 30 may reserve $15 tickets in advance for all performances except Fridays 8pm and Saturdays 5:30pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, rush tickets are available two hours prior to show time and based on availability.

Seniors age 62 and older may purchase $22 rush tickets at the Box Office beginning two hours before show time. Based on availability.

Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts.  Call Kari Shaffer at 412.431.4400 x286.

City Theatre is now in its 39th season. Located on Pittsburgh’s historic South Side, City Theatre specializes in new plays, commissioning and producing work by playwrights including Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey, Christopher Durang, Michael Hollinger, Willy Holtzman, Tarell McCraney, and Theresa Rebeck. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tracy Brigden, Managing Director Mark R. Power, and a 45-member Board of Directors, City Theatre’s mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience.  CityTheatreCompany.org

 

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Dan Kamin brings Charlie Chaplin to life at The Strand Theater

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Dan Kamin will be live on stage at The Strand Theater, Zelienople PA February 21st and 23rd with FUNNY BONES: THE COMEDY OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN.

Kamin, who has delighted audiences around the globe, is widely considered tho be the world’s leading expert on Chaplin.  He trained Robert Downey Jr. for his Oscar-nominated role in the film Chaplin and created Johnny Depp’s comedy moves for Benny and Joon.

In FUNNY BONES, Kamin invites his audience to experience the artistry of cinema’s greatest comedian from the inside, deconstructing Chaplin’s comedy with film clips, live demonstrations, audience participation, and a classic Chaplin short with live musical accompaniment by celebrated jazz pianist Tom Roberts.

FUNNY BONES is presented as part of a year-long celebration of The Strand Theater’s Centennial.  The show runs Friday, February 21st at 8pm and Sunday, February 23rd at 2pm.  Tickets are $20-$25 and are available online at www.thestrandtheater.org or by calling the Strand Theater Box Office at 724-742-0400

WATCH/LISTEN:  ‘Burgh Vivant interview with internationally known performer and Chaplin expert DAN KAMIN

YOUTUBE:  See clips from some of Dan Kamin’s most notable performances.

 

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Music on the Edge presents the music of Burr Van Nostrand

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Music on the Edge has gathered an all-star lineup of performers to present three works by the underappreciated avant-garde composer Burr Van Nostrand. The program takes place on Saturday, February 22, 8 p.m.at Bellefield Hall Auditorium on the University of Pittsburgh Campus.

Burr Van Nostrand combines detailed graphic notation with conventional notation in his compositions. Because of the difficulty of his works, they received very few performances. While he received a good deal of recognition in the 1970s, including a four-year residency at Gaudeamus Foundation and several awards, his work had since fallen into obscurity. Happily, that situation has been changing in recent years. Due to the efforts of NEC student Jason Belcher and pianist/composer Anthony Coleman, a New World Records recording of Van Nostrands’s music has sparked renewed interest in his work; Music on the Edge codirector Mathew Rosenblum has also played a significant role in that trend.  Rosenblum provided extensive liner notes for that CD and has been one of the main catalysts for the Pittsburgh concert that seeks to build on the success of the recording project.

Three stalwarts of Pittsburgh’s contemporary music scene will bring Van Nostrand’s Fantasy Manual for Urban Survival to life. The trio will comprise flutist Lindsey Goodman, best known locally for her stellar performances with Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, Attack Theatre Music Director Dave Eggar on cello, and Pitt faculty composer Eric Moe on the piano.

Many of the same artists who participated in the landmark New World recording will reprise their performances in Pittsburgh. Pianist/conductor Anthony Coleman will lead the New England Conservatory Chamber Ensemble in Van Nostrand’s Voyage in a White Building 1 and violinist Paul Severtson will perform Phaedra Antinomaes.

Tickets for the Music of Burr Van Nostrand are available through the University of Pittsburgh Stages Box Office, by calling 412-624-7529, or visiting music.pitt.edu/tickets. Tickets in advance: general admission is $15; students and seniors are $10. At the door: general admission is $20; students and seniors are $15. Pitt students are free with valid ID.

Music on the Edge will present two additional events featuring Anthony Coleman. Coleman will give a free lecture about his music on Friday, February 21, 4 p.m. at Pitt’s Music Building. In addition, Coleman will perform a solo piano concert on Friday, February 21 at 8 p.m. at First Unitarian Church in Shadyside. Admission is $10 at the door. Anthony Coleman’s solo performance is co-presented by Music on the Edge and the Consortium. Bassist Jason Ajemian will open the evening.

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Freya Performers Explore ROOTS at Carnegie Music Hall

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The Freya String Quartet’s performance at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall will be a musical exploration of the sights and sounds that shaped the ensemble’s musicians.  Roots will be performed on Monday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The program opens with a set of folk songs from cellist Katya Janpoladyan’s native Armenia.  These tuneful and rhythmically driven pieces evoke the rich musical traditions of a culture dating back nearly 2,500 years.

Spanning thousands of miles, Freya will also perform a work composed expressly for the group by Swedish-American composer Matthew Peterson.  The eponymously named Badlands’ sweeping musical lines and colorful intonations are inspired by rugged beauty of North Dakota’s famous geological marvel.  Both Jason Neukom (composer and violinist) and Jason Hohn (viola) are North Dakota natives.

The program will conclude with Edvard Grieg’s String Quartet in G Minor.  This work of passionate lyricism was an early favorite of violinist Ashley Buck, indeed of each member of the ensemble.  Freya’s musicians credit Grieg’s composition with instilling a love of performing chamber music and exploring its vast repertoire.

Founded in 2009, the Freya String Quartet is dedicated to performing a wide range of music, advocating artistic evolution, and teaching the importance of classical music in the Pittsburgh area.  The ensemble is deeply committed to reaching new audiences by breaking the boundaries of classical music conventions. Freya’s repertoire spans composers from Shostakovich to Glass and Beethoven to Radiohead.  Members of the ensemble have performed throughout the US, Asia, South America and Europe.  To further advance its passion for live performance, innovation, education and collaboration Freya String Quartet helped create Symbiotic Collusion in 2011.

A project on the near horizon is the release of the album Snapshots, featuring nine short “character” pieces composed for Freya by Sean Neukom and Richard Neukom.  The Neukoms are a musical family!

The February 24 concert is the fourth in the ACFL&MH’s Listen Locally chamber music series.  Freya performed the series premiere concert in 2012.  “We’re thrilled to be returning to the Listen Locally series,” says violist Jason Hohn.  “It’s truly a wonderful venue that’s been lovingly restored and is a joy to perform in.”

The remaining two concerts this season’s series are:

March 31 Ferla-Marcinizyn Guitar Duo with contralto Daphne Alderson

April 28 Matt Murchison Mutiny (euphonium, flute, piano, bass, drums)

Tickets for the Listen Locally are $15 and may be purchased in advance at the ACFL&MH during library hours or at the box office the night of the concert.  A reception with the musicians follows the concert.  Please contact Lynne Cochran, Music Hall Director at 412-276-3456 ext. 7 for more information.  All performances take place on Mondays at 7:30 p.m.

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The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (2/14 – 2/16)

Mike BuzzelliThe Shaker

Spirited Away

Start your weekend on Wednesday and join Edible Allegheny Magazine  and sample some of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh at the James Gallery in the West End. Beat the winter blues and Lift Your Spirits (no, seriously, Lift Your Spirits is the name of the event).

You can taste some small bites from Spoon, Lidia’s Italy Pittsburgh, Six Penn Kitchen, and Superior Motors.

Lift Your Spirits, 6:00 to 8:30 at the James Gallery, 413 S. Main Street, Pittsburgh. You can get tickets here; http://www.showclix.com/event/liftyourspirits

 

Let’s get Tropical

Every Sunday in February the Tropical Sands Steel Band is playing at Phipps Conservatory for Tropical Sundays from 1 -3. They have tropical fruit tastings, an Orchid and Tropical Bonsai show to go with it. If you wear a Hawaiian shirt you get in for half price.  Go island hoping right in your own back yard at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go here; http://phipps.conservatory.org

 

No Tails

It’s your last weekend to see “Heads.”  Four hostages in a war zone are forced to make difficult choices to survive their dire situation in “Heads.” Playwright E.M. Lewis brings a heart-wrenching tale of war to the Pittsburgh Playhouse.  Studio Theater, Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m., Saturdays, 2 & 8 p.m. and Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through Feb. 16.  412-392-8000 www.pittsburghplayhouse.com

 

Skivvies

One weekend…four shows only!
Award-winning NYC singer-actors Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley don’t just perform “stripped down” arrangements of distinctive mash-ups and originals; they literally strip down to their underwear to play cello, ukulele, glockenspiel, and melodica. The New York Post calls this undie-rock, comedy-pop duo’s show “a mash-up of all things sultry.” Expect a hilarious evening of genre-hopping pop perfection with local special guests!  At City Theatre, Feb 13-15.  www.citytheatrecompany.org

 

Here Comes the Rain Again

barebones productions presents A STEADY RAIN, by Keith Huff, directed by Melissa Martin, and featuring David Whalen and Patrick Jordan

Joey and Denny have been best friends since kindergarten, and after working together for several years as policemen in Chicago, they are practically family: Joey helps out with Denny’s wife and kids; Denny keeps Joey away from the bottle. But when a domestic disturbance call takes a turn for the worse, their friendship is put on the line. The result is a harrowing journey into a moral gray area where trust and loyalty struggle for survival against a sobering backdrop of pimps, prostitutes, and criminal lowlifes.

http://www.showclix.com/event/steadyrain

 

Bonus Round (A Sixth Thing)

 

Off The Wall Theatre in Carnegie presents the first in an ongoing cabaret series, just in time for a night out this Valentine’s Day Weekend – whether hitting the town with your honey, or flying solo.  The cabaret will feature performances by Hotep the Artist (pantomime and spoken word), Vocalist Rebecca Covert, comedian Derek Minto, and Off The Wall’s new resident company fireWALL Dance Theater, hosted by ‘Burgh Vivant’s own Brian Edward.  Performance dates are Friday, February 14th at 7:00pm, and Saturday, February 15th at 8:00pm, at Off The Wall Theater, 25 West Main Street, Carnegie, PA.  Ample free parking is available.  Tickets may be purchased HERE. 

 

– MB.

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