'Burgh Vivant

March 10, 2014

Phipps to come alive with the sounds of music for Spring Flower Show

Pittsburgh’s premier public garden brings melodies into bloom for beloved seasonal showcase.

Pittsburgh, Pa.—Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens invites visitors to take a toe-tapping journey through a musical world where melodies bloom like flowers at Spring Flower Show. Opening on March 22, 2014, this colorful new display combines music and garden design for a sensational seasonal showcase filled with sights, sounds and scents that are sure to have guests of all ages singing.

From one room to the next, musical genres from swing and big band to blues and rock ´n roll will be represented through whimsical sculptures made out of up-cycled instruments; surprising planters like an upright piano; and carefully orchestrated plantings designed to mimic the rise and fall of musical notes. Popular songs will also be piped through some of the rooms, adding to the multi-sensory experience.

The stars of the show, of course, will be the thousands of vibrant tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other favorites, in addition to some beautiful varieties of snapdragons, primula and pansies. Arranged in spectacular groupings according to color and theme, plants will be carefully placed to add scope to and enliven each scene, from blue and purple flowers representing the blues genre to rainbow-hued blooms.

Spring Flower Show, designed by Hays Landscape Architecture Studio and sponsored by PNC, runs through April 20. Hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children (2 – 18). Members and kids under 2 enter free.

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. is a green leader among public gardens with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Learn more: phipps.conservatory.org.

March 2, 2014March 2, 2014

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (3/6 – 3/9)

Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, March 6 through the 9.

Main Street Poetry

The Carnegie Carnegie in Carnegie (that’s a lot of Carnegie’s in one sentence) will host “In This Valley” a poetry reading by Bernadette Kazmarski. Kazmarski will read poetry inspired by her everyday experiences and encounters in Carnegie (I sincerely hope there are poems titled “Dog with the pink mohawk,” “Ode to the G2,” or “That guy they threw out of Riley’s”). Thursday, March 6^th you can find out for yourself at a reception that will include her visual art as well.

“In This Valley” is at the 2^nd Floor Reception Hall of the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA. For more information go to www.carnegiecarnegie.org.

Make an Unplanned Plan

Unplanned Comedy returns to the Union Pig and Chicken with two shows Saturday March 8.

8PM – Improv teams go head-to-head-to head as ALMOST INFAMOUS and RUCKUS compete against DEATH IN OXFORD for a comedy championship. Is there a prize? I’m sure they’ll mime a sash and tiara (it’s all about the space work).

And at 9:30PM…

MONDO! Mondo speaks, they make a scene. Inspired by one audience suggestion, Mondo, WTAE Anchor, Michelle Wright, tells of personal views, opinions, and remembrances as fodder for the cast’s high-octane, off-the-cuff, improvised scenes.

Plan your weekend around “Unplanned Comedy.” It’s at the Union Pig and Chicken, 220 N. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. For more information, hit them up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1462317480652767/?fref=ts.

Get him to the Greek

Homer takes over at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. The Poet, Teagle F. Bougere, tells the story of gods, monsters and the thrilling tales of the Trojan War in “An Iliad.”

One actor plays the Greek classic’s famous characters Achilles, Hector, Agammemnon, and the beautiful Helen of Troy.

Set sail for “An Iliad” opening March 6 at the O’ O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater. Call 412-316-1600 or click http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/36123/an-iliad

Finding Utopia

The Pittsburgh Savoyards are singing about Capitalism in “Utopia Limited” the story about princess from a far-off land. It was Gilbert and Sullivan’s second-to-last collaborative effort, and it’s the second-to-last pick of the week.

Jump on the HMS Pinafore and head over to the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie for “Utopia Limited.”

For more information, check out the Pittsburgh Savoyards at http://www.pittsburghsavoyards.org/wordpress/

Jazz Hands

Start spreading the news, Conductor Jack Everly will swing his baton in front of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra when they perform “All That Jazz: A Symphonic Celebration of Kander & Ebb.”

John Kander and lyricist Frank Ebb are responsible for writing some well-known show tunes, including “New York, New York,” “All That Jazz,” and “Cabaret.”

Maybe this time, you’ll go to Heinz Hall to see the symphonic celebration. Please do tell mama, because she may want to join you for “All That Jazz: A Symphonic Celebration of Kander & Ebb” at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to http://culturaldistrict.org/production/36212/all-that-jazz-a-symphonic-celebration-of-kander-and-ebb

March 2, 2014

CLO Ambassadors to Hold 17th Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction

Preview party at Nine on Nine kicks off upcoming fundraiser

Pittsburgh (February 27, 2014) – The Pittsburgh CLO Ambassadors hosted a Wine Tasting and Silent Auction preview party for sponsors and members of the press on February 24, at Nine on Nine in Pittsburgh. The preview party was held to raise awareness for the Ambassadors’ 17^th Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction, which will take place Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Duquesne Club, and will feature wines from Capital Wine & Spirits.

Event guests will have the opportunity to sample premier wines as well as bid on unique silent auction packages. This year’s packages include a walk-on role in a Pittsburgh CLO production, tickets to local cultural and sporting events, autographed memorabilia, fabulous getaways and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

“Since its inception, the Wine Tasting and Silent Auction has raised more than $900,000 to benefit programs including the Pittsburgh CLO Academy, the New Horizons Program, Creative Vision and the Gene Kelly Awards,” said Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Co-Chair, Lisa Woods of Burns White, LLC. “The CLO Ambassadors are pleased to have this opportunity to support quality arts education for young people in our communities.”

“Lisa and I would like to invite and encourage everyone who recognizes the critical role the arts play in children’s lives to attend this wonderful event on March 7. Pittsburgh CLO Education programs reach more than 50,000 students in the region every year,” added Co-Chair Stephen Bloomburg of Post & Schell.

This annual event sells out quickly. Tickets for the Wine Tasting and Silent Auction are available at two price levels and can be purchased online at pittsburghCLO.org or by phone at 412-281-3973 ext. 234.

Individual Ticket

Includes:

Connoisseur Ticket

Includes:

$90

· One ticket to the event

· Commemorative wine glass

$150

· One ticket to the event

· Three raffle tickets

· Listing in the event program

· Commemorative wine glass

Raffle tickets are also being sold in conjunction with the event. The winner of the Grand Prize will receive a trip for two to Paris which includes a Luxury hotel stay of two nights with breakfast in a Luxury Apartment courtesy of La Réserve Trocadéro Paris, roundtrip airfare on Delta Air Lines and travel planning services courtesy of Travel Leaders/Travel in Luxury. Second Prize is a $1,000 gift certificate courtesy of Henne Jewelers and Third Prize is dinner for two courtesy of Six Penn Kitchen and two tickets to Monty Python’s Spamalot courtesy of Pittsburgh CLO.

Raffle tickets are available for $20 each or 5 for $50 and can be purchased in advance or at the event. The winner need not be present.

This year’s Connoisseur Sponsors are PNC Financial Services, RR Donnelley and Capital Wine & Spirits. The Chateau Sponsors are Burns White, Federated Investors, First National Bank, K&L Gates, Mine Safety Appliances Company, Reed Smith, LLP and UPMC. The Corporate Sponsors are Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Dollar Bank, Post & Schell and Schneider Downs & Co. The Supporting Sponsors are Jim & Kristin Brennan, Dawood Engineering, Nick & Anne Liparulo, Peace Dental, and Swank Construction Company LLC.

February 27, 2014

Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory announces IN THE HEIGHTS

This spring, Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory will present the award-winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS.

IN THE HEIGHTS tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. IN THE HEIGHTS is the winner of the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. This student production will bring out all hopes and dreams of this amazing story. This is one you don’t want to miss!

Performance Dates: MARCH 6-9TH GARGARO THEATER, 327 SOUTH MAIN STREET, PITTSBURGH, PA 15220.

Tickets begin at just $10 individual performance tickets are available by calling (412) 539-0900 X232. More information is available by visiting www.pittsburghmusicals.com <http://www.pittsburghmusicals.com>.

About Pittsburgh Musical Theater

Pittsburgh Musical Theater (PMT) was founded in 1990 with the vision of creating a regional musical theater company committed to quality productions of the best of Pittsburgh’s own professional talent at a price affordable to all residents, especially children and families. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts organization, the mission expanded to include a strong commitment to education, training, and outreach programs through its Richard E. Rauh Conservatory for Musical Theater. General music education and appreciation programs are offered for student’s ages 4-18. The Pre-College Program, a highly structured, accredited program, is designed for high school students with serious aspirations for careers in the performing arts.

WATCH/LISTEN: ‘Burgh Vivant’s interview with Pittsburgh Musical Theater General Manager and Conservatory Director, Colleen Petrucci.

February 26, 2014

CARNEVALE comes to Lidia’s Italy Pittsburgh

Lidia’s Italy, located at 1400 Smallman Street in the Strip District, will host a special dinner on Tuesday, March 11 at 6pm to celebrate the traditional Italian “Carnevale” festival.

Also known as Mardi Gras, the festival is celebrated in Italy and elsewhere around the world before Easter, as a final party prior to Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In Italy, the celebration features parades, masquerade balls, music and parties. Festivities can last for several weeks before the official Carnevale date. The amount of grandeur and splendor of the festivities depended on a good harvest, famine or plague.

Masks are also an important part of the Carnevale tradition in Italy, especially in Venice. At Lidia’s, attendees will be given masks to celebrate the dinner in authentic style. Carnevale is a farewell celebration, a time to get it out of your system, so to speak, hiding behind the masks that have become a symbol of the Venetian Carnevale. It is always a time to indulge in culinary delights.

WATCH/LISTEN: ‘Burgh Vivant’s interview with chef, restauranteur, and author Lidia Bastianich.

In Venice and throughout Italy little soft fired pastries are served. In Venice these are called bugie or little lies, that are consumed behind the masks of anonymity. These sweet treats have different names throughout Italy, called chiacchiere in Milan, crostoli in Friuli or cenci in Tuscany.

For the Carnevale dinner, executive chef Jeremy Voytish will prepare a special 5-course menu including:

Antipasti: Pasta sfoglia con salsicce e pancetta (Ricotta and flour pastry stuffed with house-made sausage, pancetta and Montasio cheese) & Carpaccio con rucola e Grana Padano (Beef carpaccio with wild arugula and shaved Grana Padano)

Primi: Scampetti con polenta (Stone ground white corn polenta, sweet shrimps, EVOO)

Pasta: Bucatini all’Amatriciana (Bucatini pasta with a crushed tomatoes, garlic, and house cured pancetta)

Secondo: Vitello Saltimbocca (Veal cutlet, prosciutto, sage, brown butter)

Dolci: Frittelle di mele alla vaniglia (Crispy apple fritters with vanilla)

WATCH/LISTEN: ‘Burgh Vivant’s interview with Executive Chef of Lidia’s Italy Pittsburgh, Jeremy Voytish.

Seats for the dinner are $60 per person, with an option of wine pairing for an additional $25 dollars. For more information or to reserve a ticket please contact 412-552-0150 or visit www.lidias-pittsburgh.com

February 25, 2014

Ben Opie composes for Jazz orchestra at the New Hazlett

For the past 30 years, local jazz musician and music educator Ben Opie has composed and performed original music in Pittsburgh. Now, see the completion of his largest, most ambitious creative effort to date—Concerto for Orkestra, a full concert-length symphonic composition for jazz orchestra.

“Duke Ellington composed many suites for his orchestra, and Charles Mingus composed what is perhaps the most ambitious of all jazz works, Epitaph,” Opie said. “However, I can think of no regional composers that have taken on a project quite like this one.”

Scored for 15 musicians and featuring ten movements, Concerto for Orkestra will be given its world premiere on May 2, 2014 at the New Hazlett Theater in Pittsburgh, performed by OPEK under the baton of conductor Nizan Liebovich.

“Early in the process of composing the work,” said Opie. “I recalled an odd compliment a friend had paid me once. He told me my playing had been so great, it was no longer music, it was transportation.”

Opie kept this comment in mind during the composition of Concerto for Orkestra, naming all but the opening and closing movements for modes of transportation such as “Fiat,” “Bumper Car,” “Dirigible,” and “Incline.”

The completion of Concerto for Orkestra was made possible by an Investing in Professional Artists: Creative Development Grant from The Pittsburgh Foundation. It premiers at the New Hazlett Theater this May. For information on tickets visit www.newhazletttheater.org.

February 25, 2014

Prime Stage Theatre Brings a “Trivial Comedy” to the Stage

The Importance of being Earnest hits the Stage at The New Hazlett Theater

PITTSBURGH – Prime Stage Theatre enjoys continuing its 2013-2014 season with The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Directed by Rich Keitel, Earnest is “a trivial comedy for serious people” filled with actors who have successfully entertained audiences on many Pittsburgh stages. Two young men, played by Tom Driscoll and Andrew Swackhammer, in order to impress their two young ladies, played by Hayley Nielsen and Magan Dee Yanko, pretend that their names are “Ernest.” But who is Earnest? Will the secret that has been hidden for years finally be revealed? Will Lady Bracknell, played by Susan McGregor-Laine, keep order amidst this confusion?

The elaborate set designs and period costumes are sure to dazzle and the dialogue and antics of the characters will keep the audience laughing from start to finish.

The performance runs from Saturday, March 8 through Sunday, March 16 at The New Hazlett Theater, with a preview performance on Friday, March 7.

Join us on March 8 for opening night’s “Go Wild with Wilde” event. Dress up in your best Oscar Wilde inspired outfit, wear a carnation in your lapel, or simply wear a fun hat. Refreshments will be served.

Tickets are on sale now.

For more information on the season or to buy tickets, visit www.primestage.com.

February 23, 2014

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli – Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (2/27 – 3/2)

Every week we pick the Top Five things to do in Pittsburgh over the weekend. Here are the picks for Thursday Feb 27 through March 2.

Getting on Paul’s Case

Snooty leaves sooty. A young man flees Pittsburgh for New York City in “Paul’s Case.” Been there. Done that. Have the t-shirt. But this journey is set to music. Willa Cather’s short story “Paul’s Case” is now an opera. Tenor Daniel Curran plays Paul, a boy with champagne wishes on a beer budget.

“Paul’s Case” is at the Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh. Call 412-456-6666 or www.pittsburghopera.org

It’s Summer time!

Oh. I wish it was summer time! But you can hear the song, “Summer time” in the Broadway play that popularized the tune. “Porgy and Bess” returns to Pittsburgh. African-American life in Charleston, South Carolina is hard, but everyone is making beautiful music as they lament their troubles.

I love a Gershwin tune, How about you? “Porgy and Bess” is playing at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh. For details, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/37630/porgy-and-bess

The Beginning of Ending

Amanda has the talent to become a great composer, but her life gets sidetracked by the demands of an almost-famous fiancé, divorcing parents & a rent-paying job writing commercial jingles. “A Feminine Ending” has been called a gentle, bittersweet. “A Feminine Ending” is at Off the Wall Theater, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie.

Call 724-873-3576 or click www.insideoffthewall.com.

Donnybrook

Just in time for the Oscars, you can go to Hello, Donny and sing along to your favorite soundtracks. There’s something for everyone in at the feel good sing-a-long, from “Titanic” to “Space Jam.”

You can sing “Hello Donny” at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square. Here’s the kicker, folks: the event is free (but it’s 21 and over).

Sing! Shout! Get down to the Backstage Bar, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh on Wednesday, February 26 at 9:30 pm. For more information click here: http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/event/3941/hello-donny-a-showtunes-sing-along

And then, head down to There Ultra Lounge, 931 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh for the After Party.

Truth and Beauty

True Story is back at the East End Book Exchange on Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 pm. Come see true stories told live without notes. This month’s theme is “arrested development,” and I’m sure there will be more than one banana stand joke.

Come out and see Andy Picarro, Brian Gray, Brian Broome, Kelly Dee, Todd Shaffer, Tim Sommers, Catherine Conley and Derek Minto. The event will be hosted by Mike Buzzelli (if that name sounds familiar I’d like to refer you to the large bulbous head at the top of this page).

The event is free but they accept donations and/or book purchases.

The East End Book Exchange is located at 4754 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh. For more about the East End Book Exchange, click here: http://www.eastendbookexchange.com/shop/eastend/splash.html

– MB.

February 23, 2014

Music On the Edge presents JACK Quartet at the Warhol

For the final installation of their 2013–14 collaboration, Music on the Edge and the Andy Warhol Museum will present the critically acclaimed and highly adventurous JACK Qaurtet. For JACK’s much-anticipated return to Pittsburgh, JACK Quartet will perform a concert featuring titans of contemporary music. The program includes John Zorn’s The Dead Man, Morton Feldman’s Structures, and string quartets by Witold Lutoslawski and Hans Abrahamsen.

Violinists Christopher Otto and Ari Streisfeld, violist John Pickford Richards, and cellist Kevin McFarland first met while attending the Eastman School of Music, and have been making music together ever since. In recent years, JACK Quartet has made a lasting impression on audiences and critics around the world. The Washington Post commented, “The string quartet may be a 250-year-old contraption, but young, brilliant groups like the JACK Quartet are keeping it thrillingly vital.” The Boston Globe described the group’s playing as “explosive virtuosity” and Mark Swed (Los Angeles Times) called their sold-out performances of Georg Friedrich Haas’ String Quartet No. 3 In iij. Noct. “mind-blowingly good.”

JACK Quartet is committed both to commissioning new works and playing some of the most challenging repertoire of the 20th Century. This passion for new music has led them to work closely with outstanding composers such as Helmut Lachenmann, György Kurtág, Matthias Pintscher, Amy Williams, Georg Friedrich Haas, James Dillon, Toshio Hosokawa, Wolfgang Rihm, Elliott Sharp, Beat Furrer, Caleb Burhans, and Aaron Cassidy.

Music on the Edge and The Andy Warhol Museum will present JACK Quartet at the Warhol’s Museum Theater on Saturday, March 1st at 8 p.m. Get your tickets in advance, because this show is sure to sell out!

Tickets 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. (No free student tickets at The Warhol).

February 21, 2014February 21, 2014

‘A bloody good time’ – Pittsburgh Playhouse Conservatory Company’s BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON

production photos by Jeff Swensen.

Don’t know much about history? Alex Timbers and Michael Friedman give those dull, old American History books a Spring Awakening, adding sass and verve to those dry, dusty tomes. The result is “Bloody BloodyAndrew Jackson” a rock musical about Old Hickory, America’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Most people know Jackson from the twenty dollar bill, but the president has a sordid and blood-soaked biography, rife for theatrical adaptation. A musical might not be the first choice for a drama, but it’s a damn good one. This is a rock comic odyssey with the highest body count of any comedy that has ever gone before.

The musical alleges that Jackson puts the party in Democratic Party, putting the ass front in center as the party’s symbol. It’s a fractured fairy tale of an American president, peppered with some historical facts and pithy bon mots. Republicans and Democrats are equally skewered, and the show heaps on a large portion of liberal guilt. The near-genocide of the 500 Nations of Native Americans rests squarely on the broad shoulders of the seventh president (re: the Trail of Tears).

The story, hilariously narrated by the Storyteller (Caitlin Bower), starts off with Jackson’s rough and tumble upbringing as a frontiersman in the wilds of Tennessee, back before there was a 711 on every corner. Jackson endures a horrific series of deaths and strikes out on his own at the ripe old age of thirteen. He quickly rises through the ranks of the army. Famous battles flash by as if we’re watching Andrew Jackson’s E True Hollywood story. We hit all the high points, his famous battles, the introduction of Rachel Donelson Robards (a terrific Brittany Dorazio), his soon-to-be-wife, the adoption of his Native American child, Lyncoya (Dom Masciola), etc. The first act culminates in Jackson’s victory lap around the White House.

The show makes comical uses of anachronisms, and there’s a plethora of them. They even take a few swipes at the iPad, literally and figuratively.

“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” is energetic and fun. The show is not for sticklers of the finer points of American History. It’s also not for prudes (those guys and gals swear like sailors on shore leave).

Reed Worth plays Andrew Jackson with rock star swagger. He captures the arrogance, the egotism and rare moments of vulnerability. There is a lot of action in this Jackson, and Worth plays it big and enthusiastically.

Michael Montgomery’s costumes are less than historically accurate, but wildly original and exciting. But it’s mostly about those tight blue jeans, daringly worn by Worth and the other the men and women in the cast.

There were some great turns by Martin Van Buren (Conner Gillooly) John Quincy Adams (Patrick Steven Bovo), Henry Clay (Luke Halferty), James Monroe (Wood Van Meter) and John Calhoun (Joe Godley), and a poignant moment with Black Fox (Tal Kroser).

The show has a fantastic ensemble of actors, singers and musicians and director Michael McKelvey garners some top-notch performances out of them. He and choreographer/assistant director Cassidy Adkins keep things (and the cast) moving. Luke Minx, John Rohlf, Kristen Hoover and the rest of the band rock the house.

If you’re looking for a show about sex, democracy and rock & roll (and who isn’t?) catch “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” It’s a bloody, bloody good time.

You can see the cock-eyed version of history unfold at the Conservatory Theater Company’s production of “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” at the Rockwell Theatre, inside the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

-MB