Tag: Culture

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

All Night Long

On Saturday, August 14, several Lawrenceville bars join forces to rock you all night long at the Rock All Night Tour; over 120 full bands and over 30 solo artists, craft vendors, art, classic cars, and a few surprises. Activities will begin at noon in Arsenal Park and last into the wee hours of the night in Lawrenceville. For more information, go here.

Cheeseburger in Burgettstown

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band comes to Pittsburgh (sort of). He’ll be at the First Niagara Pavilion in Burgettstown. He’s played there every year since the First Niagara Pavilion opened in 1990. It’s pretty simple to get to Margaritaville from there. Just go to the First Niagara Pavilion located on Route 18 and Route 22 W, Burgettstown, PA. For more information, go here.

If the shoe fits…

CLO is trying to get the girls to the ball with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The show, running all week, August 11 – 16, features a Tony Award winning score. In addition to seeing a fabulous show, the CLO is collection formal and semi-formal gowns for Becca’s Closet, which donates formal attire to high school girls with financial need who would not otherwise be able to attend their school’s military balls, homecoming or proms. It’s a the Benedum Center, 237 7^th Avenue, between Penn and Liberty, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go here.

Play on Words

On Friday, August 14, Alan Olifson returns to the Bricolage with “WordPlay,” storytelling accompanied by a live DJ. Storytellers include, Olifson and Siovhan Christensen, Parag S. Gohel, Adam Tobias, and Bricolage’s own Tami Dixon. It’s at the Bricolage, 937 Liberty Avenue, 1^st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go here.

A moving performance

William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” is in town (towns). The show will alternate between two locations, the Grand Theater in Elizabeth, PA and the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Castle Shannon. Come see the historical tragedy, in a town of your choosing. For locations, more information, and tickets, go here.

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

These Boots are made for walking

Broadway’s hit musical “Kinky Boots” comes to town. Pittsburgh native Billy Porter will reprise his Tony Award-winning role as Lola. Charlie Price wants to save his struggling shoe factory, and our boy/girl Lola comes up with a unique way to solve his problems. This is the must see event of the season. Get kinky at the Benedum Center, 7^th Street between Liberty and Penn, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go here.

After the Boots

Join Pittsburgh’s best drag queens (with some live singers) immediately following Broadway’s hit musical at the “Kierra Darshell’s Kinky Boots After Party!” C.J. Mitchell and Nick Bramlett, two local male vocalists, will sing. Kierra will welcome Jezebel D’Opulence, Milan Tre’Zur, Mahogany La’Piranha, Tamara Knight, and two more members of the D’Opulence family, FeFe and Delicia to the stage. It’s at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Gab About It

A Pittsburgh-based musical comedy duo, Josh & Gab, best known for their winning anti-bullying school programs, take their act to the Andy Warhol Museum on Saturday, August 8 at 2 PM. Hear the group who are known to every pre-teen in Pittsburgh (Seriously, my cousins’ kids think they’re bigger than the Beetles).  It’s at the Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, go here.

Pound of flesh

“Revenge” meets “Gossip Girl” in Urban Impact Shakes’ production of “The Merchant of Venice.” See a modern twist on Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and bitterness, free will and fate as the actors connect the stories to their own lives.  Come eager to laugh, quick to empathize, ready to ask questions of faith and snap a selfie or two.  “The Merchant of Venice” is at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, go here.

Sip it, Sip it good!

It’s the last weekend to catch “Sips, Shots & Gulps” s exhibition of finely crafted and artistic drinking vessels showcases a variety of styles, techniques and firing methods used in contemporary ceramics. When focusing on an everyday object such as a cup, an artist’s hand and eye can elevate even the most common, necessary and mundane routine of drinking into an uplifting experience. It’s at the Sweetwater Arts Center, 200 Broad Street, Sewickley, PA 15143. For more information, and a list of artists participating, go here.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Best in Show

To celebrate their 25 anniversary the Pittsburgh New Works Festival is rolling out some of its best shows from the past years. They will be featuring some Even More Awesome Plays from the Past with Eileen Enwright Hodgetts’ “Twilight,” Katherine Miller-Haines’ “The Fellowship of Actors and Directors,” C.P. Stancich’s “Just One Abiding Dearth,” and Kim (Zelonis) Dale’s “A Skewed Nude.” Come check them out at CCAC South Campus Theatre, 1750 Clairton Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122 . For more information and tickets go to here.

And a Child Shall Rock Them

Saturday, August 1 it’s time for Teenage Takeover on concert series that Pittsburgh punk rockers of all ages (especially those under 21) have been waiting for! Pittsburgh’s finest young bloods take over the in an explosion of sound and color. All are welcome to enjoy the music and wild, teenage atmosphere. See and hear the Yetis, The Nox Boys, Chase the Monkey, Pachyderm and The Summercamp. It’s at The Shop, 4314 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. For more information  and to hear a preview of some of the music go here. 

Putting the B in Brunch

Brunch can be a real drag on Sunday mornings. Why not make it a drag brunch?  Specifically, why not go to Kierra Darshell’s Drag Brunch? Sip a Mimosa and watch men and women dress up like women and men, respectively. There will be Kings, Queens and plenty of Jokers on Sunday, August 2 (every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday monthly) at the James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy, 422 Foreland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, go here: http://jamesstreetgastropub.com/events-live-jazz-music-northside-pittsburgh-pa-dining-lunch-dinner-bar-restaurant/event.php?id=763

On the Outside

John Patrick Shanley’s quirky love story, “Outside Mullingar” is back. Rosemary Muldoon has been crushing on her neighbor Anthony for a long time. Anthony is buzzing around with his own problems. When a land dispute rises up, Rosemary is afraid to bumble things. It all goes down at the Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside, Canonsburg, PA  15317. For more information, go here. http://www.littlelake.org/box-office/

Mingling

On July 1^st, you can get lucky with “Mingled” a speed dating event. In this experimental, micro-theater experience, audience members will assume the role of speed-daters as they uncover hidden connections and add their own stories to the mix. Check it out at 4919 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. For more information, go here. http://www.uncumbertheatrics.com/#!mingled/c1wr0

-MB.

By Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Off to see the Wizard!

Dorothy Gale is off to see the wizard in “The Wizard of Oz.” L. Frank Baum’s classic story of a girl, a talking Tin Man, a talking Lion, and a talking Scarecrow (they don’t just talk…they sing!) Come out and be delighted all over again by this iconic tale. It’s at Quaker Valley High School Auditorium
625 Beaver Street, Leetsdale, PA 15056. For more information, go here:

Go retro!

R-ACT Theatre Productions are presenting an evening of live stage versions retro sitcoms, a game show and commercials with the “T.V. Dinner Show.” It’s only $8 for a night of live entertainment on Friday, July 24 at 158 Brighton Avenue, Rochester, PA 15074. For more information, go here:

As We Stumble Along!

A die-hard theatre fan plays his favorite cast album, and the characters. It’s not too late to see “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The show runs through July 27 at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, go here.

Swing!

Friday, July 24 you can swing out, sister. It’s the James Street Swing All Stars. Take swing lessons at 7 and get dancing by in the ballroom. It’s all at the James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy, 4222 Foreland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Learn more, here.

We will Rock You!

Saturday, July 25, WDVE and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will rock you with “A Night of Symphonic Rock.” Carry on, my wayward son. Head down to hear special guest John Elefante, former singer of the group Kansas. It’s at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go here:

– MB

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Rabbit Hole

The Rage of the Stage Players are going to take you down the rabbit hole in ‘Alice’s Adventures in “Wonderland,’” a darker, modernized interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” It all goes down at the McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin Street, McKeesport, PA 15132. For more information, go here.

Tooning In

The ToonSeum’s new exhibit, “Slinging Satire at the ToonSeum: Political Cartoons and the First Amendment” has an opening reception Friday, July 17. The exhibition features 100 political cartoons by artists who include a dozen Pulitzer Prize winners, five Herblock Award recipients and a host of celebrated cartoonists from the publishing industry’s most prominent newspapers, websites and magazines. The exhibit and the opening night event will be at the ToonSeum, 945 Liverty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go here.

Hustle and Bustle

The city of Pittsburgh is chock full of improv teams, but on Friday, July 17 you can see those crazy kids who were on the ground floor of the burgeoning Pittsburgh comedy scene, Hustlebot. They are bringing their improv and sketch comedy to the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go here.

Grave Matters

Saturday, July 18 is opening night of John B. Keane’s play, “Sharon’s Grave,” a tale of greed, a family feud and a beautiful Celtic princess. Pass around the poitin, and enjoy a classical Irish tale. It’s at the Henry Heymann Theater, inside the Stephen Foster Memorial Theater, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information, visit here.

Mommy Dearest

Friday, July 17 is the opening night for Euripides “Medea,” a tale about a scorned woman out for revenge.  Driven mad by betrayal, Medea goes to the most extreme measures to exact revenge. The story has haunted the imagination of mankind since the play was first produced in 431 B.C. Catch all the excitement at the Grey Box, 3595 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, go here.

A Sixth Thing…

The Art of BS

It’s back! John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Talk Show is back and John is calling B.S. on P.C. His guests include Delta Foundation’s Gary Van Horn, Handwriting Analyst Michelle Dresbold and the guy at who’s picture is at the top of this page, comedian Mike Buzzelli. If you’re tired of political correctness, head down to the Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on Saturday, July 18 at 10:15 pm. For more information, go here.

– MB

Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh July 3^rd – 5^th.

 
Swinging

A Hollywood star and her ‘gal pals’ are going overseas to entertain the troops with a 1944 USO show in “Swingtime Canteen.” I have a sneaking suspicion we will hear about a bugle boy who likes to Boogie Woogie. I’m giving you your marching orders; proceed to South Park Theatre, Corrigan Drive and Brownsville Road, Bethel Park, PA 15129. Playing July 2^nd – 18^th (no show July 4^th). For more information, go to https://sites.google.com/a/southparktheatre.com/south-park-theatre/what-s-new/makinggodlaugh

Take 2

On Friday, July 3 you can hear a selection of Broadway’s greatest duets when the Comtra Theater presnts “It Takes 2.” You’ll hear songs from “Guys and Dolls,” “Miss Siagon,” “Rent,” “Spamalot,” and more.

It’s going down at the Comtra Theater, 20540 Route 19, Cranberry, PA 16066.

For more information, go to http://www.comtratheatre.org/

Sidewall

No stone goes unturned in “Sidewall: A mural project’s first annual group show.” Mural artists celebrate their body of work on their big non-canvas. There’s an opening reception, July 3, at 7 PM at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, 5006 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15224. For more information, go to http://irmafreeman.org/

Stardates

Set your phasers on funny, because the “U.S.S. Improv” is trekking to the Maker Theater on stardate; Friday, July 3. See improvisational comedy with a sci-fi twist. It’s at the Maker Theater, 5950 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. For more information, go to http://www.themakertheater.com/

Fireworks!
Of course, this weekend’s biggest event is all about the U. S. of A! Celebrate the Fourth of July at Point State Park as fireworks light up Pittsburgh’s sky. Watch from your favorite spot along Mt. Washington, or get to the Point, Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh. The event is free! For more information, go to

http://fireworksinpennsylvania.com/events/pittsburgh-fireworks/

-MB.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are your Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of June 25 through June 28.

Light the Fuse

You probably never imagined you’d ever hear a mash up of Brahms’ First Symphony and Radiohead’s OK Computer, but the songs from the latter are intricately woven into the former, fusing together a never-before-heard “hybrid” sound that is at once classical and contemporary at Fuse@PSO. Also on the program are a mash-up of Brahms’ Tragic Overture and Radiohead’s “Street Spirit” (from “The Bends”) and a virtuosic orchestral fantasy based on Radiohead’s “Idioteque” (from Kid A). You can find these mash ups June 24 at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/production/44752/fuse-at-pso-brahms-plus-radiohead

Barrelhouse of Laughs

Pittsburgh has a thriving comedy scene. If you’re curious about all things comedy in Pittsburgh, then you need to check out the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival Open House on Thursday June 25. Enjoy short sets from local improv and stand-up acts, join in grown-up-friendly games lead by City of Play, and indulge in fantastic cocktails from Wigle Whiskey’s award-winning distillery. It’s at the Wigle Whiskey Garden, 1055 Spring Garden Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information and tickets, go to http://pittsburghcomedyfestival.org/comedy-open-house/

Pittsburgh in Hollywood

Thursday, June 25 is the Steeltown Film Factory Community Showcase. See locally produced short films like “Zombie Woman,” “Paper Umbrellas,” “Woman in a Blue Gown,” “Always a Bridesmaid,” and more! Meet them all before they become all Hollywood. It’s at the Hollywood Theater, 1449 Potomac Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. It’s a free event, but registration is required. Register here: http://www.steeltown.org/events/steeltown-film-factory-community-showcase-screening

Lucky

You’re in luck, you have two more weekends to catch, Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.” It’s the story of charismatic and controversial tabloid columnist Mike McAlary and dramatizes his meteoric rise from a newspaper cub reporter to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.” You can find the “Lucky Guy” at the Little Lake Theater, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

Brewing up Trouble

When Roxette brings her new girlfriend home and calls all of her sisters together, old grievances flare setting into motion an impossible moral struggle in Scott T. Barsotti’s play, “Brewed.” The play opens June 26 at Off the Wall Theater, 25 East Main Street, Carnegie. For more information, go to www.nonameplayers.org

-MB.