Tag: Culture

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant Contributor.

Here are the Top Five Things To Do in Pittsburgh for June 26 – 28

Tales of the Odd West

Mystery’s Most Wanted presents, “Montana Marie Gets Gunned Down at Three,” a night of improv, comedy and murder! Things are hopping at the Horny Toad Saloon (hopping, get it?) in the frontier town of Camel Rock. A saloon girl, a bandito, a deputy and a singing cowboy try to figure out who gunned down the toughest, hairiest sheriff in the Old West.

It’s a late night show at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh on Saturday, June 28^th.

For more details, mosey on over to http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/event/3205/mysterys-most-wanted

Diamonds are Forever

Want to help out Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and sparkle while you do it? Go to Diamonds and Denim on Market Square, Saturday evening, June 28, 2014 in Market Square. Be casual and sophisticated at the same time. You’ll be at a grand celebration but you’ll also be helping out the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation Transplantation Surgery Auxiliary.

For more information, go to https://www.givetochildrens.org/diamondsanddenim-disc

We be Jammin’

No, there isn’t Jelly in Shadyside. It’s the Jam on Walnut! Three Saturdays in the summer Walnut Street will be blocked off for an outdoor concert benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter.

Come to the big block party on June 28, 2014 at 7:00 pm and welcome Chris Higbee to the Shadyside stage.

For more information, go to http://thinkshadyside.com/discover

Radio Days

Morning Show radio host Randy Baumann of WDVE will welcome some out of town comedians in the DVE Comedy Festival. The Festival features Harland Williams, Byran Callen, Nikki Glaser and Tommy Johnagin on Friday, June 27.

You can find the DVE Comedy Festival at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, go to http://www.dve.com/calendar/June-27-2014/dve-comedy-festival-2014-377329/

Marvelous Marvin

Pittsburgh misses Marvin Hamlisch. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will celebrate his life with “Play it Again, Marvin!” Pianist Kevin Cole wrote and produced this tribute to the award-winning composer. There will be family videos and personal memories and, of course, great music.

You can hear it all at Heinz Hall, which is STILL located at 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh.

More information can be gleaned at http://trustarts.culturaldistrict.org/production/40139/play-it-again-marvin-a-marvin-hamlisch-celebration-with-the-pittsburgh-symphony-orchestra

And now…A Sixth Thing…

Mash it Up

The Sixth thing is a bunch of great things all in one; much like those Matryoshka nesting dolls. Brooklyn Beer comes to Pittsburgh. The award-winning craft brewery is taking over Pittsburgh; celebrating neighborhood culture, emerging artist and the local food scene. It’s not too late to get into the game and join them as they tour the city with the Brooklyn Brewery Mash Tour. There will be a Found footage Festival, a slow supper and a closing party at Club Café. Heck, they’ve got more than Five Fun Things To Do in Pittsburgh on their website! The Festival runs from June 21 to June 28.

Check out all the fun at http://brooklynbrewerymash.com/pittsburgh

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(Pittsburgh, Pa) –On Saturday, June 21^st, Just Ducky Tours, a Pittsburgh based company, will welcome back their millionth rider.  The milestone was reached on ‘Miss Sliberty’, a DUKW boat from the Just Ducky Tours fleet in October 2013.  As passengers returned to Station Square, Just Ducky Tours Co-Owners, Christopher D’Addario and Michael Cohen presented Mrs. Trischler and her husband, residents of Butler County, their daughter and three grandsons with a gift certificate for a future private duck tour.

The tour will be redeemed Saturday, June 21^st as Mrs. Trischler and 29 family members gather from all over the country to celebrate on a private Just Ducky Tour.  The family will arrive at 4:00 p.m. in Station Square and will enjoy boxed lunches prepared especially for the family compliments of Hard Rock Café while touring the City of Pittsburgh.

Just Ducky Tours is honored to have toured the wonderful City of Pittsburgh and her three rivers with over one million people from all over the world.  They congratulate and welcome back the Trischler Family.

About Just Ducky Tours, Inc.

Just Ducky Tours is Pittsburgh’s only fully-narrated one-hour adventure through the city on LAND and WATER! Each excursion begins in historic Station Square before waddling through town then splashing into the river.  Passengers can experience the ride of their life in an authentic WWII amphibious vehicle from April to November! For the last 16 years, Just Ducky Tours has been quacking through the streets of Pittsburgh and has grown to a fleet of 6 boats, with a seventh planned for 2014.  For more information, visit www.justduckytours.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jdtpittsburgh or on Twitter at @pgh_justducky

TECH TOURS GO BEHIND THE SCENES OF A REAL COLD WAR-ERA SUBMARINE

PITTSBURGH, June 16, 2014 — On select Sunday mornings this summer, Carnegie Science Center will offer visitors the chance to go behind the scenes of USS Requin, a Cold War-era submarine docked along the Ohio River, and to tour areas rarely seen by the general public.

Requin behind-the-scenes “Tech Tours” will take place from 9-11:30 am on June 29; July 13 & 27; Aug. 10 & 31; and Sept. 14. During tours led by a submarine veteran and Science Center staff, visitors will learn how Requin crew faced challenges and life underwater. It’s a special chance to explore un-restored compartments, climb into the conning tower, and see the periscope.

“The Tech Tours give our visitors a unique opportunity to explore Requin and get a really in-depth look at life on a submarine,” says Patty Rogers, curator of Historic Exhibits at Carnegie Science Center. “These tours are great for everyone, from teens learning about history, science, engineering, and technology to veterans. This special program offers a rare opportunity for the public to see the conning tower or check out the periscope.”

In addition to her commitment to our local historic naval treasure, Rogers serves as President of the Historical Naval Ships Association (HNSA), an organization whose purpose is to preserve and interpret historically important naval ships around the world.

Because of the submarine’s structure, Requin Tech Tours require full mobility, and tour size is limited to 12 people. Participants must be age 15 and older. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Advance registration is required. Call 412.237.1637 to register.

Visitors wishing to go on a self-guided tour of USS Requin are welcome to do so daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Self-guided tours of the submarine are included with general admission to the Science Center; admission to the submarine is $5 for walk-ups who have not purchased Science Center admission.

About Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes, and off-site education programs.

About Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is a collection of four distinctive museums dedicated to exploration through art and science: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum. Annually, the museums reach more than 1.2 million people through exhibitions, educational programs, outreach activities, and special events.

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant Contributor.

Here are the Top Five Things To Do June 19 through June 22:

Pixburgh N’Nat

John McIntire Dangerously Live Comedy Talk Show with special guest Rick Sebak.

In John’s own Pittsburghese; “Join me and WQED’s Rick Sebak as we explore the endearing and annoying quirks that make Pixburgh Pixburgh. So git yinz asses in gear and gitdonner.”

The Dangerously Live Comedy Talk Show is June 21 at 10:15 at the CLO Cabaret, 655 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh.

Play-ground

Alarum Theatre is performing “Iphigenia & Other Daughters” at the Blue Slide Playground in Frick Park.

Alarum promises “A bold new look at the Orestes myth from Greek tragedy focuses on the women, those who were excluded from the wars, from revenge, and from history itself.”

“Iphigenia & Other Daughters” is at the aforementioned Blue Slide Playground, Frick Park, Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson Street, Squirrel Hill.

Which Witch is Witch?

The Heritage Players will cry, “Witch!” when they present Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” There’s a lot of hurtful name-calling in this play, but if you’ve ever watched Fox News, you can handle it.

“The Crucible” is playing at the Seton Center, 1900 Pioneer Avenue, Pittsburgh.

For more information, call 412-254-4633 or go to www.bphp.org

Whodunnit

You get to be Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot or Columbo at Gaetano’s Restaurant as they present “Deadly Lessons,” an interactive murder mystery dinner theater show. You’ll be going to a party for everyone’s favorite school teacher, Miss Lily, but maybe this school teacher has a hidden past. Dunt Dunt Da!

“Deadly Lessons” is at Gaetano’s Restaurant1617 Banksville Rd., Pittsburgh.

For more information, call 724-344-2069 or visit www.eatdrinkmurder.org

Where the Wild Things Are

It’s the final weekend to catch “Wild Things,” an exhibit of 2D, 3D and kinetic artworks juried by Cynthia Shaffer. After June 21, things will be a lot less wild in Sewickley.

You can find “Wild Things” at the Sweetwater Center for the Arts, 200 Broad Street, Sewickley.

For more information, call 412-741-4405 or visit www.sweetwaterartcenter.org

-MB.

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant Contributor.

Here are the Top Five Fun Things To Do in Pittsburgh the weekend of June 12 to June 15.

Spike it Up

It’s not too late to catch “Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike.” When movie star Masha unexpectedly returns & announces to her adult siblings, Vanya & Sonia, her plans to sell their family farmhouse, the rug is pulled out from under their bucolic existence.

“Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike” is at the Little Lake Theatre 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg (map) through June 28.

For more information, call 724-745-6300 or click www.littlelake.org

Occult Classics

Five friends go up to a cabin in the woods, where they find unspeakable evil lurking in the forest. They find a tome called the “Necronomicon”, Book of the Dead, and the taped translation of the text. Once the tape is played, the evil is released. One by one, the teens are possessed. Doesn’t that just scream, Musical?! Yes, the cult classic film by Sam Raimi is now “Evil Dead: The Musical.”

The No-Name Players are performing it at the Off The Wall Theater.

Off the Wall Theater is at 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie.

For more information, go here; www.nonameplayers.org

Air Supply

There’s a performance & installation by Squonk Opera about air, made by air & powered by air featuring live original music & inflatable objects called “Pneumatica.” It’s part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival. Check out all the art while you’re there at Point State Park, 101 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh.

For more information on Pneumatica, go to www.squonkopera.org

You can also check out the rest of the fest, here at www.3riversartsfest.org

Be Brave!

I love a parade! Sunday, June 15, 2014. Members of the LGBTQ community and their allies will be marching in the streets of Pittsburgh. There are tons of Pride related events over the weekend. Pride in the Streets with headliner Chaka Kahn on Saturday night, but after the parade on Sunday, gay country singer Steve Grand will be giving a free concert in the streets. When Steve Grand’s video “All-American Boy” debuted on YouTube, it made him an overnight sensation. Out Magazine has already named him one of their Out 100 list.

For a full calendar of all the Pride events, go to www.pittsburghpride.org

Pride Adjacent

There’s another way to celebrate Pittsburgh Pride. Arcade Comedy Theater will be hosting two LGBT related shows during the Pride festivities a block away from the main event. At 8:00 pm, there’s the Hootenanny with Mark Trawka, Chorus Master from the Pittsburgh Opera. He’ll tell a story based on an audience suggestion, and then a group of talented improvisers will act it out. At 10:00 pm, there’s the Pride Comedy Show featuring LGBT comedians like Carl Schimmel, Abby Denton, and John Pridmore. Storyteller Stacy Keene will weave an LGBT tale. There are musical guests Midge Crickett and Kate Kittenfists DuPuis. And there is an all LGBT improv group starring John Feightner, Connor McCanlus, Kayleigh Blanchette and Michael Quigley. They’ll be joined by their host, Michael Buzzelli (Oh. Now I get it). Proceeds from both shows will go to LGBT charities.

For more information, go to http://arcadecomedytheater.com/

-MB.

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant Contributor.

Here is the list for the Top Five Things To Do this weekend from June 5 to 8.

Wait for it

Didi and Gogo are hanging out waiting for a friend. They have a while to wait. Along the way they’ll meet Pozzo and Lucky and wait and wait and wait. There’s plenty of fun and philosophy while the are “Waiting for Godot.”

Catch PICT Classic Theatre’s rendition of “Waiting for Godot” at the Charity Randall Theater , 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

For more information, call 412) 561-6000 or go to https://picttheatre.secure.force.com/ticket/

Send me an Angel

Throughline Theatre Company starts their new season with “Angels in America, Parts I & II.” In the 1980s AIDS becomes an epidemic. Tony Kushner’s “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches” and “Angels in America: Perestroika” will be at the Grey Box Theatre, 3595 Butler Street, Lawrenceville, PA 15201.

For more information, go to http://www.throughlinetheatre.org
Jungle (Dance) Fever

Friday, June 6 you can party in the tropics at “Party in the Tropics” at Phipps Conservancy and Botanical Gardens. A live DJ will be spinning beats in the tropical setting. It’s cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dancing in one of the most beautiful places in Pittsburgh.

Join the party at Phipps Conservancy and Botanical Gardens, One Schenley Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

For more information, call 412-622-6914 or click http://phipps.conservatory.org/exhibits-and-events/featured-event.aspx?eventid=815

Sunshine in Shadyside

Sunshine comes to Pittsburgh. The LGBT community and Gleeks (fans of the television show “Glee”) will be dancing in the street with Charice (Sunshine Corazon of the aforementioned television show).

Pennsylvania is now the 19th state to have marriage equality, and they’re inviting the LGBT community and their allies to join them at “Equality on Ellsworth.” And now is the time to celebrate.

“Equality on Ellsworth” will be on the 5800 block of Ellsworth Avenue, Shadyside.

For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghpride.org/events/equality-rally-on-ellsworth/

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Godot above, Orlando Below. The Unseam’d Shakespeare Company will be presenting Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando.” In the play, Orlando finds himself/herself to alternate between gender and sexes. What happens when you go to bed as a man and wake up as a woman? Catch “Orlando” and find out!

You can find “Orlando” at The Henry Heyman Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (just below the Charity Randall Theatre).

For more information, call 412-621-0244 or got to http://unseamd.com

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant Contributor.

Here are the Top Five Things to do in Pittsburgh May 29-June 1:

Make Some Noise

Get set for Michael Frayn’s hilarious behind-the-scenes comedy romp, “Noises Off.” It’s a play-within-a-play about a troupe of British actors rehearsing and performing a sex farce comedy, “Nothing On.”

You can catch “Noises Off” at the Pittsburgh Public’s O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh.

For more information, call 412-316-1600 or visit www.ppt.org

Festival of Plays

Things are moving pretty quickly over at The City Theatre as they mount “Momentum.” You can hear four new plays, discuss playwriting with a playwright’s panel and a whole lot more.

Momentum is at the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, South Side Pittsburgh.

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

Love is in the Air

Love is in the air, and, quite possibly, in the attic at “A Love Affair.” This romantic comedy is about a couple clearing out their attic and reliving moments from their 38-year marriage.

It’s the last weekend, so hurry down to the South park Theatre, Corrigan Drive at Brownsville Road, Bethel Park.

For more information, call 412-831-8552 or visit www.southparktheatre.com

True Tales

Thursday night you can head down to the East End Book Exchange for an enlightening and entertaining event, “True Story Party.”

Stacy Keene curates and collected some true tales from comedians Zach Funk, Ian Insect and Christine Marie, improviser extraordinaire Matt Bower and many more truth tellers. Thursday’s theme is “Don’t worry! I got this.” Perhaps Brophy from the Institute of the Very, Very Nervous will swing by and try to carry your luggage (That’s a joke from an ancient Mel Brooks movie called “High Anxiety.” Trust me, it’s funny).

The East End Book Exchange is 2754 Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield area of Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/628323603916171/?fref=ts

It’s Raining Men

It’ll be raining men, when Martha Wash comes to Pittsburgh. The Queen of Clubland is performing free in Market Square for a special event called, “Fabulous Gay Friday!”

It’ll be fabulous. It’ll be free.

Fabulous Gay Friday takes place from noon till one Friday May 30.

For more information, hit them up at https://www.facebook.com/events/448804338555901/?fref=ts

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant Contributor.

Here are the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh for Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25.

Peter Prequel

Before he lost his shadow at the Darling house, Peter Pan was having other adventures. In “Peter and the Starcatcher,” we meet the titular boy-who-never-grew-up before he takes over Never Never Land.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” runs May 20-22 at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh.

For more information, call 412-392-4900 or visit www.pgharts.org

Married Life

In 1908, three upstanding couples gather to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss only to discover that none of them are legally married in “When We Are Married.” If Playwright and novelist J.B. Priestley were alive today he’d probably call his play “Downton Abbey” with laughs.

You can see “When We Are Married” at the Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg.

For more information, call 724-745-6300 or visit www.littlelake.org

Singing and Dancing

“Singing in the Rain” comes to the stage! This extraordinary score is a downright downpour of magical music: “Make ‘Em Laugh” and “Good Mornin’,” and, of course, “Singin’ in the Rain!”

It’s a glorious feeling! Come out to “Singing in the Rain” at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh.

Call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pgharts.org

The Don’s Fire

The Neighborhood Opera Company presents an innovative production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” with orchestra and an all African-American cast.

You can catch “Don Giovanni” at the Alumni Concert Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, 5032 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh on May 24 or May 25.

For more information go to http://neighborhoodoperaco.tumblr.com/

Brush Up Your Shakespeare

On Memorial Day, May 26^th, head to Te Café in Squirrel Hill and lob insults at others; Shakespearean style at “BYOB – Bring Your Own Bard.” Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks’ informal, no pressure, scene night where actors and non-actors take a crack at their favorite Shakespearean pieces. The theme this month is Shakespeare’s Insults and Retorts.

Doors open at 7:15 PM, readings begin at 7:30 PM. Suggested $10 donation.

For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghshakespeare.com

-MB