Tag: Culture

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli

Here are the Five Top Things to do in Pittsburgh December 25 to December 28.

Shepherd’s Pie

It’s Christmas time! Start your weekend early and go to “Fearless: A Shepherd’s Story.” It’s the retelling of the story of a shepherd who came to Bethlehem (not the city in Pennsylvania). The performance has original music and dance with special guests Sheila Beasley and Linda Ross Brown. It’s at the New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh (North Side). For more information, go to http://www.newhazletttheater.org/

Ali Oops!

Ali Spagnola is saying farewell to Pittsburgh, but she’s going out with a bang! Friday, December 26 you can say goodbye to this talented lady. She’s going to do 60 one-minute covers in one huge drinking game concert, “Ali’s Farewell Power Hour.” It goes down at Club Café 56-58 12^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA (South Side). Tickets and more information, can be found at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=5481885&pl=opus

Star Power

When you hear “Christmas Star” most Pittsburgher’s think of that little star from the Eat N Park commercial. Ray Werner wants to make you think about war. Father and sons, veterans from two very different American wars (Iraq and Vietnam) gather together on Christmas Eve. It’s at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh (Downtown).

Dynamic Duos

It’s not too late to catch “Murder for Two.” Two pianists (pause for a Beavis and Butthead moment) play all the characters in a murder mystery. It’s comedy! It’s music! It’s murder! Two out of three ain’t bad. It’s at that previously mentioned Cabaret at Theater Square. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/42671/murder-for-two

Living Dangerously
Reality TV star and mayor of Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto, will join John McIntire on his Dangerously Live Talk Show on Saturday, December 27. John’s other guests include Post-Gazette cartoonist, Rob Rogers, and some comedian that writes this column (Hint: his gianormous head is at the top of this page). It’s the Dangerously Live Talk Show’s Year in Review episode at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh (Downtown).  For more information, go here: https://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/event/3303/the-john-mcintire-dangerously-live-comedy-talk-show:

-MB.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the week of December 18 through 21.

Or what?

It’s getting bawdy up in here. John Shepard is back at Off the Wall Theater directing “Or,” a raucous adult comedy about the first female playwright in Europe. The show opens on December 19.  “Or,” is at the Off the Wall Theater, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, go to http://www.insideoffthewall.com/

Three Stooges

Unplanned Comedy presents THESE ARE COMEDIANS. A live comedy podcast hosted by Woody Drennan. Three local comedians, Jesse Irvin, John Dick Winters and Alex Stypula will discuss comedy with Drennan. It’s happening Saturday December 20 at Hambones, 4207 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/408489685942960/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming&sid_reminder=6942600439669981184

Set your phasers on Fun!

Steel City Improv is going where no improviser has gone before. Deep space funny for the “USS Improvise.” Its comedy for all your Sci-Fi and Sy-Fy friends. It’s at the Steel City Improv Theater, 5950 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. For more information, go to http://steelcityimprov.com/

Kim’s Kwanzaa

Move over,  Christmas. Scooch in a bit, Hanukah. It’s Kwanzaa, too, and Kim El’s play, “Ubuntu Holiday,” is all about the Kwanzaa celebration. It opens December 21 at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA For more information, go to http://www.pghplaywrights.com/

The Elf on the Slab

When one of Santa’s newest elves ends up with a toe tag on one of his curly shoes, it’s up to you to solve the mystery in “Elf’ed.” Attend a Christmas themed interactive murder mystery dinner at Gaetano’s Restaurant, 1617 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh. More information, and tickets, are available here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/880119

-MB.

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the week of December 11 to 14.

Purple Rain

The kids from Dreams of Hope have a brand new show, “The Lavender Spell.” When powerful magic forces have torn a hole in the fabric of this world, leaving it vulnerable to the mortal realm, a young witch stands trial. Can the Fey, a group of bodiless magical beings, explain what led to this disaster, and why they cast the Lavender Spell? The Lavender Spell is at the Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.dreamsofhope.org/

Cratchit it up a notch

A holiday favorite returns to the Byham Theater. It’s time for “A Musical Christmas Carol.” The story of Scrooge comes to life with song! The Dickens you say! Scrooge and his ghosts get together at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh through December 21. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org

Bailey’s No Cream

Bricolage is serving up another Live Radio Play. Catch “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Another Christmas classic comes to the Pittsburgh stage. See Brett Goodnack lasso the moon at the Bricolage, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.bricolagepgh.org/

Making Water

While you’re in town, see “Urinetown.” When the Earth’s water supply is diminished, an evil corporate empire charges admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Basically, pay toilets come back in a big way in “Urinetown,” at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Avenue. For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghplayhouse.com/

Pop goes the Concert

The Pittsburgh Symphony teams up with the Mendelssohn Choir and Santa Claus to put on a spectular holiday show. This week, Jim Cunningham narrates a Christmas tale. The following week, Rick Sebak will narrate. Illustrator Joe Wos will be on hand to draw up some additional surprises. It’s happening at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://culturaldistrict.org/venues/heinz-hall

-MB.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh for the weekend of December 4 through 7.

Santa in Santaland

Decades ago, David Sedaris told a story about his time as a Christmas elf in at Macy’s on
“This American Life.” That story, “The Santaland Diaries” made him a household name with the NPR set. That story has become a phenomenon. Now, a man named Santa (actor and director Stephen Santa) stars as Crumpet the Elf, i.e. the author’s alter ego. The jingle bells jangle at South Park Theater, Corrigan Drive at Brownsville Road, South Park, PA.  For more information, go to http://www.southparktheatre.com/

Plan on Unplanned

Three improv teams, Well Known Strangers, The Death Show and Ocho Dik Dik, compete for the ultimate title. Each team has 18 minutes to convince you, the voters, that they deserve comedy gold. It’s a grand night of comedy at “Make Nice Boom” followed by more fun at the Mondo Show. It’s all part of Unplanned Comedy and it happens Friday, December 5 at Cattivo, 146 44^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

Expecting Greatness

An orphan boy, Pip, goes through a myriad of trials and tribulations to win the hand of the fair Estella in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.” It’s over at PICT, so expect greatness. It starts this weekend.  The Victorian tale is told at the Charity Randall Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue (in the shadow of the Cathedral of Learning), Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.picttheatre.org/

Man Up

If you missed the sold out “Avenue Q” recently, Assemble is putting on “Acting Like A Man,” a sex farce with puppets on December 6. The Marquis de Sade and puppetry, what more could you ask for? Did I mention it’s $5.00 in advance and only $7.00 at the door. That door is located on 5125 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh (Garfield). For more information, go to https://actinglikeaman.wordpress.com/

All Aboard!

Every Christmas, the Garden Railroad leaves the junction at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This year the exhibit’s theme is the California Gold Rush. Explore miniature versions of Northern California, complete with tiny prospectors, water features, and interactive buttons for children to push, and lots of mini flora. The train departs and arrives from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1 Scheneley Drive, Pittsburgh (blocks from the aforementioned Cathedral of Learning). The display is ongoing through the holidays.

http://phipps.conservatory.org/exhibits-and-events/featured-event.aspx?eventid=371

– MB.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh for the weekend of November 19 through the 23.

Putting On Shorts

It’s time for Pittsburgh’s Second Annual Comedy Film Festival, “Unclaimed Shorts.” Local actors, writers and directors will make you laugh with their short films. They’ll be throwing their shorts up on the wall and seeing what sticks. It all goes down Thursday, November 20 at Cefalo’s Banquet and Event Center, 428 Washington Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, go to the Facebook Events page for https://www.facebook.com/events/760699960669626/?fref=ts

Stella!

Barebones Productions is taking you on a streetcar ride with “A Streetcar named Desire.” This all-star cast of local luminaries includes Tami Dixon, Patrick Jordan, Jeffrey Carpenter, Ben Mayer and Cindy Jackson. The house will rock with original music from Joe Grushecky and John Gresh (*Note:The music will be LIVE: Nov. 20th, 23rd, 26th, 28th, 30th and all dates in December, and recorded for other dates). It’ll be a Stella performance at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For tickets go to http://www.showclix.com/event/3850184

Blonde Ambition

Catch the world premiere of “Smart Blond.” The “Born Yesterday” star Judy Holliday recants her rise to fame from Greenwich Village to Broadway. (Hey, I know she could just take the Red Line, but we’re talking metaphorically here). Get “Smart” at the Pittsburgh City Theater, 1300 Bingham Street, Pittsburgh’s historic South Side. For more information, go to http://www.citytheatrecompany.org/play/smart-blonde/

Checking In

Do I even have to tell you smart Burgh Vivant Followers to see “L’Hotel” at the Pittsburgh Public Theater? It’s the world premiere of Ed Dixon’s new play (Ed was just recently interviewed here at ‘Burgh Vivant). Watch hysterical historical figures like Oscar Wilde, Isadora Duncan, Victor Hugo and Doors frontman Jim Morrison cavort in a strange and wondrous hotel. Check in at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/40791/lhotel

Bonus Stages

There’s always something fun down at the Arcade Comedy Theater. This weekend, there’s the sci-fi lunacy of “Dodge Intrepid and the Pages of Time,” and the D & D wackiness of “The Knights of the Arcade,” but did you know that every Sunday is Bonus Stage? The Arcade Comedy Theater improvisation house teams hit the stage and with special guests and surprise events every Sunday at 7:00 pm. Best of all, tickets are just five bucks! Catch all the craziness at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://arcadecomedytheater.com/

– MB.

Pittsburgh, Pa. — Beginning on Nov. 28, 2014, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens presents “Winter Wonderland,” an all-new Winter Flower Show exhibit bringing to life the beloved carol of the same name. The public garden will also be staying open late through Jan. 11, 2015 for guests to enjoy the magic of the displays by candlelight, as well as its popular outdoor Winter Light Garden, which will be expanded this year to include both the Outdoor and Discovery Gardens, adding even more sparkle and shine to the holiday season.

Written by Pennsylvania native Dick Smith in 1934, “Winter Wonderland” is perhaps one of the best-known carols of all time. For this year’s Winter Flower Show, the lyrics of this delightful song will be brought to life as they are interpreted throughout many of the Conservatory’s exhibit rooms. Guests will be charmed when they recognize themes inspired by phrases like “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?”; “Gone away is the bluebird, here to stay is the new bird”; “In the meadow we can build a snowman”; and “Later on we’ll conspire as we dream by the fire” as they are represented through artful arrangements of LED lights, decorated fir trees, whimsical props, and, of course, favorite seasonal blooms such as poinsettias, paperwhites and amaryllis.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, indoor displays of colorful illuminated glass mushrooms, ferns, bromeliads, tillandsia and stars will make a return this year, while outside, in the Outdoor and Discovery Gardens, the spectacular Winter Light Garden dazzles guests with glowing orbs, luminous trees and brilliant fountains and arches of light. Garden Railroad will be on view too, taking spectators back in time to the Gold Rush as they explore the landscapes of northern California and Mt. Shasta — complete with prospectors, water features, interactive buttons for children to push, and miniature living plants, shrubs and trees.

Other holiday events include: Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes (Nov. 21); Santa Visits (Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29-Dec. 20, plus Nov. 28 and Dec. 1); Candlelight Evenings (Nov. 28-Jan. 11); Gifts and Greens Market (Dec. 4, 5 and 6); Saturdays with the Sugar Plum Fairy (Dec. 6 and 13); Family Fun Days (Dec. 26-30); and a New Year’s Eve Family Celebration (Dec. 31). More details can be found at phipps.conservatory.org.

Winter Flower Show, designed by Terra Design Studios, LLC, and Winter Light Garden, designed by Phipps Exhibit Coordinator Jordyn Melino, run through Jan. 11. Daily hours for Winter Flower Show are 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. for Winter Light Garden. Phipps closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and reopens at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 26. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children (ages 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.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh the week of November 13 through the 16.

Get Indecent

Meet the Indecent Divas. Vocalists Rebecca Covert and Anna Elder for an evening of bawdy music, risqué humor, and lots of wicked surprises! It’s a cabaret with sass and questionable class. The fun starts Thursday at Off The Wall Theatre in Carnegie.  Off the Wall is located at 25 West Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information and tickets go to http://www.showclix.com/event/3881987

You Gotta Get Wreck Loose

Kick off your Sunday shoes and get Wreck Loose on Novemeber 13. Wreck Loose will release their new single, “Feed Me.” You can also catch a performance by Josh Verbanets and the Commonheart. Hear all the excitement at the Brillobox, 4104 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh. For more information, go to http://brillobox.net/

Playing with Words

Alan Olifson hosts WordPlay on November 14. Hear true stories told to music at the Bricolage, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.bricolagepgh.org

Science Fiction Double Feature

You can have a wacky sci-fi weekend. There are two events in downtown Pittsburgh to capture your imagination. The PNC Pops will feature the Sci-Fi Spectacular. Hear your favorite sci-fi tunes. I expect there will be a lot of John Williams’ music, hosted by George Takei.  November 14 through 16, beam yourself over to Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.  www.pittsburghsymphony.org

And/or…

Radio Days

November 14 you can hear a live action comic book with The Intergalactic Nemesis: Target Earth – A Live Action Graphic Novel. Actors will voice characters in a radio play like version of a sci-fi extravaganza while they project comic book panels onto a large screen. It sounds like it will be out of this world. Blast off at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA.  For more information, go to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/43183/the-intergalactic-nemesis-target-earth-a-live-action-graphic-novel

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

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

Skullduggery

The work of artists Siena Baldi, Paul Bowden, Jeff Schwarz, Barbara Smith, and Ron Ulicny are skulking around the Revision Space Gallery in an exhibit called, “The Enduring Skull.” It’s a heady collection of art that has to be seen to be believed. The show goes until December 7.  Revision Space Gallery is located on 5262 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 (Lawrenceville).  Get the skinny over at http://revisionspace.com/exhibitions.html

Party People

Gala season is in full swing. Sunday, November 9 Little Lake Theatre Company hosts “Speed Volume Energy.” They will dole out some awards, sip some cocktails and celebrate a terrific season of theater. On Monday, my friends will discuss love, loss and what I wore.  Join the party at Valleybrook Country Club, 425 Hidden Valley Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15317. For the full scoop, go to http://www.littlelake.org/fundraiser.htm

This Just in…

On November 8, Len Barcousky can tell you everything you need to know about the Civil War but was too afraid to ask in History class as part of Carnegie Library’s Second Saturday Lecture Series. He will discuss Pittsburgh’s newspaper coverage of the war as a breaking news story. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Get the low down on the Civil War at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, go to http://www.carnegiecarnegie.org/

All the world’s a stage

Get lost in the forest of Arden with Rosalind in William Shakespeare’s “As You Like it.” John Amplas directs the Conservatory Theatre Company version of this classic comedy opening this weekend.  “As You Like It,” can be found at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghplayhouse.com/current-season/conservatory-theatre-company/as-you-like-it

A Slice of the Fourth Piece

The assistant professor of Piano at IUP, Jacob Ertl, comes to Pittsburgh on Sunday November 9. He will perform Stravinsky’s “Freebird,” Rzewski’s “Fourth Piece.” Kip and Desiree Sotares will host this benefit event at Alia Musica, 250 Emerson Street, Pittsburgh (Shadyside). It’s only $15 but seating is limited.  To reserve a seat, go to http://www.alia-musica.org/main.html

– MB.