Tag: Culture

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend (April 15 to April 19)

Burning Bridges

Solve the mystery of “Bridges Burned” or just meet the author, Annette Riggle Dashofy will be signing her mystery book, “Bridges Burned.” The author will be at the Barnes and Noble at South Hills Village signing her Zoe Chambers mystery. You can Annette’s John Hancock and maybe even a “To Kill a Mockingbird” prize pack. Thursday at six, you should head to the Barnes & Noble, South Hills Village, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241. P.S. B &N is having a sale this week (April 11 – 19), and you can save 25% on books, toys, games, gifts, music and movies. So, it’s a win-win.

Always Bet on Black

The Race to the Coffin Comedy Tour dudes are at it again with “Comedy Roulette: Stand–Up vs. Improv.” Host John Dick Winters is pitting a group of Pittsburgh’s best comedians against Pittsburgh’s best improvisers. It should be a knock down drag out fight, but only your sides will be hurting…from laughter. It’s at Club Café, 56-58 South 12^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side). For more information and tickets, go to http://tktwb.tw/1Ewphp1

He’s a Moor, not a Moop!

William Shakespeare’s “Othello” comes to Pittsburgh. It’s a classic tragedy about love and jealousy, and it’s got an amazing cast directed by Ted Pappas. Catch the Moor, at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/40793/othello

No, not that Anne Hathaway!

Brush up, your Shakespeare, because the Mrs. is in town. Meet “Mrs. Shakespeare,” a one woman show starring playwright and actor, Yvonne Hudson. Will’s wife will regale you with her husband’s songs a, sonnets and soliloquies as she spins a story of her marriage and motherhood. I’m dying to find out if the Bard used to hog the covers! The show is April 18 at 7:00 pm at the Prime Stage Studio, 840 Saw Mill Run Blvd. (Lower Level), Pittsburgh, PA 15220. For more information, go to http://www.primestage.com/shows_and_tickets/2nd_stage.html

It’s the Balm!

Even Heroin addicts, prostitutes and thieves all need a good place to relax, like Frank’s Café, a greasy spoon diner in NYC’s Upper Broadway neighborhood in Lanford Wilson’s “Balm in Gilead.” “Balm” was Wilson’s first full length play, and now, decades later, you can find these reprobates at the Colonial Theatre, on the Robert Morris University Campus, Moon Township, PA 15108. For more information, go to http://studentlife.rmu.edu/colonial-theatre/

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh April 9 to April 12.

Play on Words

Alan Olifson brings “WordPlay” back to the Bricolage. Pittsburgh’s best writers, comedians and storytellers come together and share their true stories while our DJ spins a real-time soundtrack. “WordPlay” is at the Bricolage, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For the rest of the story, go to http://www.bricolagepgh.org/

Dirty Deeds

The Dirty Ball returns to Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11. There will be performances from Attack Theatre, and beats from Title Town Soul & Funk Party’s DJ Gordy G, space age art installations, ageless fashion showdowns, and old-school libations. Get Dirty at 415 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (South Side). For more information, go to www.attacktheatre.com/tdb15

Dangerous Theatre

The Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival presents “Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements,” a documentary about the dangers of free speech in Belarus, featuring a post-screening Q&A with Oleg Sidorchik of Belarus Free Theatre. Catch “Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements” at the McConomy Auditorium, University Center, Carnegie Mellon University. For more information and tickets, go to http://www.cmu.edu/faces/tickets.html

Names, Names, Names!

Quantum Theatre presents the World premiere adaptation based on José Saramago’s Nobel Prize winning book, “All the Names” at the Original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny is located adjacent to The New Hazlett Theater on Pittsburgh Northside. For more information, go to http://www.quantumtheatre.com/season/allthenames/

Civil Wars

Across town, at another Carnegie, The Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall to be precise, “Peoples Natural Gas Presents: The Civil War.” It’s a series of vignettes, stories and songs about the Civil War. In 1999, “The Civil War” earned five Tony nominations. Go see it at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, go to http://www.carnegiecarnegie.org/

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant. 

April is upon us. Here are the Top Five Things to do in the first weekend of April.

Burgh Besties

Spend April 1^st with some of my favorite fools. “The Best of the Burgh” Comedy Showcase happens on April 1^st at Buckhead Saloon at 8:30. You can see Jeff Konkle, Justin Markuss, Tim Ross, PJ Williams and Tommy Kupiec. No cover charge and no drink minimum. Plus, you can drink 16 oz Leinenkugel Drafts all day. It’s fun to say “Leinenkugel.” The party is at Buckhead Saloon, Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/872549909473751/

The Liar’s Club

KDKA Radio Talk Show host John McIntire has a terrific, new venue for his Dangerously Live Talk Show. Join Forensic Pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht, ACLU President Vic Walczak, and Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner and McIntire for “The Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire” episode, Friday, April 3^rd at The Oaks, 310 Allegheny River Blvd, Oakmont, PA, 15139. For more information, go to http://theoakstheater.com/

Will Perform for Food

The University of Pittsburgh wants you to enjoy theater and feed the hungry. Pitt is hosting a food drive in conjunction with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank while showing “Curse of the Starving Class,” an award-winning Sam Shepard drama about an American family desperately trying to hold on to their family farm. If you bring a canned good, you get $2 off admission price. “Curse of the Starving Class” is at the Henry Heymann Theatre, Inside the Stephen Foster Building, Forbes Avenue (in the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning), Pittsburgh, PA 15213. For more information, go to http://www.play.pitt.edu/content/curse-starving-class

December in April

Friday, April 3^rd, see the Big Star Tribute Show with the December Boys, performers from Wreck Loose, Working Breed, The Me Toos and Steeteque come together for this tribute show. Where else can you hear “September Gurls,” from the December Boys in April? Put April 3^rd on your calendar and head down to the Club Café, 56 South 12^th Street, South Side and give a listen. For more information, go to http://clubcafelive.com/

Late Night at the Double Feature, Picture Show

Great Scott! You can see Androids fighting Brad and Janet at the late night, double feature, Picture Show…in the back row, at “The Rocky Horror Show!” Uh-Oh! It premieres on April 2^nd. Frank-N-Furter and Park Productions want to show you their latest creation. It all starts at 10:30 (after “Boeing Boeing””) at The Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/45925/the-rocky-horror-show

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh for the last weekend of March.

Get Horny

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is presenting “Four Horns,” with four William D. Caballero, Robert D. Lauver, Mark Houghton and Joseph C. Rounds with guest concertmaster, Nathan Olson March 27 through March 29. The show is at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/production/40194/four-horns?cid=PS_fourhornseblast

The Living is Easley

Come mingle with Easely, Pittsburgh’s newest art and tech startup that offers gallery quality art for your home or office. On March 26, they will have a pop-up gallery with live painting & interactive art. There will also be musical delights, giveaways and more. It’s free & open to the community! See it at Space, 812 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://www.spacepittsburgh.org

The Secret’s in the sauce!

It’s that time of the month! The return of the No Name Players live sitcom, “The Sisters Sorella.” Writers and performers Tressa Glover, Julianne Avolio and Maggie Carr bring you episode three of this charming theatrical comedy event. The fine Italian ladies will be at Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://www.nonameplayers.org/

As if!

Off the Wall’s FireWALL presents “Perspectives (as).” The dance troupe describes it as, “a delicate and fierce adventure into what happens when the artificial meets the natural.” You can find the show at the Off the Wall Theater, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, go to http://www.insideoffthewall.com/

Kiss me, I’m Carmen!

You have one last weekend to catch “Carmen” at the Pittsburgh Opera. Carmen and her suitors will enchant you some evening this weekend if you let them. The opera is at the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghopera.org/

And now a sixth thing…

If anyone wants to grab a drink with me come down to Buckhead’s Saloon Friday, March 27 for “Raise a Glass for Ryan!” a benefit for Cystic Fibrosis.

An $8 donation to Run for Ryan – Cystic Fibrosis Foundation gets you:

Free drink card redeemable for your drink of choice
– $3 beer – includes all drafts, domestic and import bottles
– $4 you call its – includes things such as Captain Morgan, Absolut, Jim Beam and Skyy
– $5 specialty drinks, house wines, and appetizers

It’s all at Buckhead Saloon, Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/419347654896130/

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of March 19 – 22.

Light’s Out

Thursday night is another chance to see Matt Light and a group of hilarious local comedians at the Pittsburgh Improv. This month’s lineup includes, two gentlemen from Pittsburgh’s rock radio station, WDVE, T-Robe Roberson and more. It’s at the Pittsburgh Improv, 166 E. Bridge Street, Homestead, PA For more information, go to http://pittsburgh.improv.com/

Daddy’s Girl

A young woman is planning to kill the queen of Argos for murdering her father. Did I mention the queen is also the girl’s mother? Go see “Electra” and find out why this Greek family is more dysfunctional than a whole season of Jerry Springer. “Electra” is at the Seton Center, 1900 Pioneer Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.bphp.org/

Row your boat ashore

It’s time for the Sixth Annual Three Rivers Rowing Wine Tasting Gala at the Priory. For $75 you can taste four great wines with wine host Milko Mladinov of Winebow Inporters. The wines will be paired up with some delicious food from executive chefs Pete Phillipy and Mike Henney. There’s entertainment, a silent auction and ticket raffle. The Fundraiser is at The Priory, 614 Pressley Street, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://trrajuniorsboosters.org./

Works of Art

See new works of art by CMU students in a month long pop-up gallery, Gallery 808. The works of several 1^st and 2^nd year MFA students will be on display, including Daniel Allende, Kevin Brophy, Zhiwan Cheung, Brittany DeNigris, Jamie Dickerson, Nima Dehghani, Hannah Epstein, Ada-Scarlett Hopper, Jesse Kauppila, Tucker Marder, Adam Milner, Daniel Pillis and Moses Williams. Gallery 808 is at 808 Ivy Street, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2015/february/mfa-presents-gallery-808.html

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

On Friday, March 20, you can celebrate Mr. Roger’s birthday on “Mr. Roger’s Day” with free admission to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Mr. McFeely will be there and there will be a host of activities at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to https://pittsburghkids.org/

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the weekend of March 12 to15.

Bad Girls

Want to come face to face with history’s most duplicitous women? You can at Professor Eldritch’s Asylum for Uncanny and Extraordinary Women. Uncumber Theatrics and Devious Maid Productions present a new all-female immersive experience at an undisclosed location. The show runs from March 13 to April 4^th….somewhere. For more information, go to http://www.deviousmaid.org/prof-eldritchs-asylum.html

Grown Man Business

Aaron Kleiber was voted Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best Comic in 2012 and 2013. This weekend you can see him headlining at the Pittsburgh Improv March 12 thru March 15. Two other local funny men, Sean Collier and Matt Light will be showing up as well. Everyone will be laughing at the Pittsburgh Improv, 166 East Bridge Street, Homestead, PA 15120. For more information, go to http://pittsburgh.improv.com/event.cfm?id=360220

Monster Mash

Pittsburgh based actor David Crawford portrays H. P. Lovecraft in a one man show, “Lovecraft’s Monsters.” It’s a must for any horror aficionado. Cthulhu demands your presence, at The Maker Theater, 5950 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. For more information, go to http://www.12peerstheater.org/2015-season

Marxist Remarks

Long dead socialist Karl Marx comes back to see our super-capitalist (expialidocious) society in “Marx in Soho,” a one man, one-act play by Howard Zinn performed by American actor-activist Brian Jones. Philosophies clash at the Frick Fine Arts Building, 650 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. For more information, go to http://isopittsburgh.blogspot.com/2015/01/heads-up-marx-in-soho-coming-march-21st.html

Artists and Models

An artist is creating a triptych of black womanhood tenement above the chaos of a Harlem race riot in “Wine in the Wilderness.” His muse will deconstruct his notions of black women in a discussion about race and women that ultimately changes his work.  Head down to the Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/event/8503/wine-in-the-wilderness

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh, March 5 through 8.

Posing with Posehn

Friday, March 6 comedian Brian Posehn will come to the Rex Theater on the South Side. Posehn was a series regular on “The Sarah Silverman Program” and was one of the original tour members of the “Comedians of Comedy.” Local comedian, Gio Attisano, will open.  Funny things are happening at the Rex Theater, 1602 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh.  For tickets, go to http://bit.ly/BrianPosehnPGH

Learning Curve

August Wilson’s final work, “How I Learned what I Learned” comes home. The show explores Wilson’s days as a struggling young writer in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and how the neighborhood and its people inspired his amazing cycle of plays about the African-American experience.  Learn about Pittsburgh’s greatest playwright at Pittsburgh Public’s O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/40795/how-i-learned-what-i-learned

Putting on the Ritz

Dr. Frankenstein aims to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life in “Young Frankenstein!” With help and hindrance from servant Igor, buxom assistant Inga and needy fiancée Elizabeth, his experiment yields success and unexpected consequences. It’s a musical based on the hilarious Mel Brooks film of the same name.  Put the candle back at the Byham Theater, 101 6^th Street, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/42315/young-frankenstein

Quantum Leaping and Dancing

There are two ways to party on Saturday March 7 at the Quat’z Arts Q Ball. You can go for the $175 VIP ticket and sample delicious food from E2 and listen to the C Street Brass, OR you can fly economy class and get the $35 ($40 at the door) dance party tickets. Either way, it’s a going to be a guaranteed ball!  Get your dance shoes and join us at the Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. For more information or tickets, go to https://quantumtheatre.secure.force.com/donate/?dfId=a0ni0000006l7TxAAI

Ladies who Lunch

March 6, marks the world premiere of “Lunch Lady Cabaret.” Friday night in the North Hinterland High School cafeteria, and lunch ladies Gladys, Agnes, Mavis, and Doris are letting their hairnets down for an evening of song, dance, and irreverent entertainment served up hot. The oven’s on until dawn, as Soapy the Janitor hosts an evening of hilarious musical satire sizzling with parodies of Broadway, Pop, and Rock & Roll favorites. The ladies will be serving laughs by the ladle at the McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin Street, McKeesport, PA. For more information, go to http://mckeesportlittletheater.com/

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by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the last weekend of February.

Talk About It

Ten people will stand up and tell true stories at The Moth’s Pittsburgh GrandSLAM III. The theme is “When Worlds Collide” with host Alan Olifson and musical guests Sarah Siplak of the Wreckids. True stories told live on Thursday, February 26 at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://themoth.org/events/event/pittsburgh-moth-grandslam-iii-when-worlds-collide/

Get on the Bus, Gus

The B.U.S. is back for its tenth year! The B.U.S. (Bricolage Urban Scrawl) is a fundraiser that puts theatre-making at the heart of the event. Bricolage will collaborate with over 40 local theatre artists, asking them to risk their creative necks for this unconventional and exhilarating fundraiser experience. Inspired by a 90-minute city bus ride, these daring artists have just 24 hours to write, direct, and memorize six new 10-minute plays.  Made up stories told live Saturday, February 28 at New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://www.bricolagepgh.org/

Boom, Boom, Boom, Let’s Go Back to My Room

Saturday, February 28, three impov troupes vie for the championship at “Make Nice Boom.” The champs, Well Known Strangers, take on two new contenders LGBTQ*Bert and Yeah Those Guys. Each team will vie for your votes while doing hilarious improvisational comedy.  Taste the rainbow at Cativo, 14644^th Street, Pittsburgh (Lawrenceville).  For more information, go to http://www.unplannedcomedy.com/

Sisters are doing it for themselves

The “Sisters Sorella, an original monthly sitcom” returns to the Arcade Comedy Theater. Three Italian sisters, played by Tressa Glover, Julianne Avolio, and Maggie Carr, are some spicy meatball makers. It’s a live sitcom and it’s hilarious. It happens Friday and Saturday at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://www.nonameplayers.org/

Ghosts

On February 27^th Virginia Gruenert’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Ghosts” opens at the Off the Wall Theater in Carnegie. Mrs. Helen Alving has accepted her pastor’s counsel and endured her husband’s many infidelities in silence. Ten years after his death, she is about to dedicate an orphanage to his memory. Her son, Oswald, kept innocent after his father’s profligacy, returns home for the dedication. His attraction to the housemaid conjures up ghosts of his parents’ unhappy marriage. This disastrous romance, along with Oswald’s increasing symptoms of the venereal disease inherited from his father, force Mrs. Alving to confront her own “Ghosts.”  Go haunt the Off the Wall Theater, 25 East Main Street, Carnegie.  For more information, go to http://www.insideoffthewall.com/

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