Tag: Culture

Annual celebration at Pittsburgh’s premier public garden features nature-inspired crafts and activities.

Pittsburgh, Pa. – On May 24, 2014, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens invites families to join the festivities at Discovery Garden Day, an annual celebration featuring hands-on crafts and activities for kids of all ages. Held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the public garden’s multi-sensory outdoor garden — a space created to capture the curiosity of young adventurers — all event programs are designed to encourage exploration and observation while kids unwind and have fun.

   At Discovery Garden Day, games, a potting activity, a craft and more will cover a variety of nature-inspired topics. Event participants will also have the chance to simply enjoy the garden, which has a brand-new oversized bird’s nest, a giant tree stump for climbing; plots designed to attract birds, butterflies and bees; a color wheel garden; a bog garden with carnivorous plants; a sensory garden; and a special nature play area, where kids can let their imaginations run wild.

   All Children’s Discovery Garden Day activities, including light refreshments and entertainment, are complementary with regular paid admission, which costs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $11 for children ages 2 – 18. Members and kids under 2 enter for free. The garden, which is open seasonally, can also be visited daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until dusk on Fridays. Regular offerings include story time and pot-a-plant activities under the Discovery Pavilion.

   To learn more about Discovery Garden Day and other family-friendly programs, including immersive summer camps for ages 2 – 7, please visit phipps.conservatory.org.

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 contributor.

Here are the Top Five Fun Things To Do in Pittsburgh May 15 – 18

Games People Play

Itching to play Four-Square, Backgammon, Tic-Tac-Toe or Connect Four? Connect with the Attack Theatre and go to Game Night and the Seven-Minute Dance Series starting May 16.

Between games, enjoy seven minute excerpts from some works-in-progress from the company spread throughout the night.

Gear up for Game Night at the Attack Theatre’s Intergalactic Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue, in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Game Night: old school games, new school dance and high school drinks.

For more information, go to www.attacktheatre.com

Broadway goes to Zelienople

Lenora Nemetz returns to Pittsburgh to perform for the Strand Broadway Concert Series. She’ll sing some of her favorites May 16 and 17. She will sing songs from some of the six Broadway shows she’s starred in.

It’s all going down at the Strand, 119 North Main Street, Zelienople, PA 16063For more information go to www.thestrandtheater.org

Zone Out

It’s the last weekend to see “Comfort Zone,” Marlon Erik Youngblood’s play about the aftermath of a shooting and how it impacts a community.

“Comfort Zone” is at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, 3^rd Floor, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to www.pghplaywrights.com

Delphi be damned

The Arcade Comedy Theater is best known for its improvisational comedy and stand up. On May 16 and 17^th sketch comedians will take the stage. It’s Spinster Comedy’s “Oracle of Truth.” Come see Dave Ranallo
Tressa Glover DiGiulio
Laurie B
John Feightner
Eric S. Donaldson
Daniel KelleyDave Ranallo, Tressa Glover DiGuilio, John Feightner and more sketchy people.

It’s all going down at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, go to www.arcadecomedytheater.com

Tony Before the Tony’s

Grammy Award-winning music icon Tony Bennett is performing at Heinz Hall. He’ll be there with special guest Antonia Bennett (I suspect it’s Tony in drag).

Step out with your baby, and go see Tony Bennett May 16 at the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

For more information, go to www.pittsburghsymphony.org

And now a special sixth thing…

Hockey Sticks

On May 17th, you can eat, drink, swap a hockey stories and strategy, get autographs and photos as well a play corn-hole and bubble hockey with some of the Pens Alumni as well as local TV and Radio personalities when you “Hang Out With The Pros.”   Brian Trottier will play a few songs on his guitar.

This event will feature Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni, including former Stanley Cup winning goalie, Ken Wregget, NHL Hall of Famer and 6-time Stanley Cup Champion, Brian Trottier and a number of others to be announced shortly. Pittsburgh’s own, Dave Hanson of the Hanson Brothers from the 1970’s movie, “Slapshot” will also be hanging out at this fundraiser for PEMF (Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation).

“Hang out with the Pros” will be at31 Sports Bar and Grille, 1020 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017 (on the Outside Deck).

For more information, go to http://31sportsbargrille.com/

-MB.

Every week we pick the Top Five Fun Things to do in and around Pittsburgh. Here’s the list for May 8 – 11.

Doubtful

A Bronx school principal and nun takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young priest of improper relations with a male student in “Doubt.” It’s a modern day parable or perhaps it’s a modern day “Crucible.”

You can find “Doubt” at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie. Call 412-429-6262 or click www.carnegiecarnegie.org

Spirited Away

It’s the mysterious return of Elvira (Giddy up, oom poppa, omm poppa, mow mow)! Following a séance, Charles Condomine finds his late wife is back for an extended visit in “Blithe Spirit.” It’s kinda hacking off Condomine’s current wife.

You can catch “Blithe Spirit” at the Charity Randall Theatre, 4301 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, go to: http://picttheatre.org/

Under Where?

A young bride is met with instant celebrity after her bloomers drop to her ankles at a parade for the king. It’s not exactly the Britney Spears story, but it is adapted from Carl Sterheim’s farce by standup comedian, actor and playwright Steve Martin.

You can find “The Underpants” at the Little Lake Theater, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA. Please wear your own to the show.

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

You can’t have a what?

Over at the Grey Box (there’s a joke in here somewhere) three women each visit their therapist on a typical Tuesday evening in “You can’t have an orgasm with me.” It’s a provocative, hilarious and touching look at the healing power of vulnerability.

For more information, go to their Facebook Events page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1402806613328748/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Noodling Around

Standup Comedian Krish Mohan brings his online video “Fork Full of Noodles” to a live audience at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival. See some of Pittsburgh’s best standup comedians and improvisers noodling around on the Pittsburgh Fringe stage. See comedians Derek Minto, Ray Zawondni, Zach Funk and improvisers like Justin Vetter, Brett Goodnack and more…

May 10: 2pm-3pm
May 10: 8:50p-9:50pm
May 11: 7:20pm-8:20pmShow times are May 10 2:00 – 3:00 pm, 8:50 – 9:50 pm, and 7:20-8:20 on May 11.

For tickets and more information go to http://pghfringe.org/

Pittsburgh, May, 2014 – On Saturday, May 17, 100+ Gay For Good volunteers will descend on to Downtown Pittsburgh in the hope of doing good in their community and to participate in the international Harvey Milk Day. Working with two different nonprofits, The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. With the PDP, the majority of volunteers will be split up into smaller groups and be painting, trash and litter removal, weeding, etc. Simultaneously, a group will help with spring cleaning at the GLCC’s Downtown office.

Last year was the first time Gay For Good brought the Harvey Milk Day of Service to Pittsburgh; joining a host of cities around the world in celebrating the life and work of LGBT pioneer Harvey Milk. Last year, Gay For Good had nearly 100 volunteers participate in projects in three different Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Working with Lawrenceville United, WQED and Tree Pittsburgh.

“Gay For Good’s main mission is to get the LGBT community out of our bubble and work to create a better community for everyone in general. Politics aside, we want to make a difference.” says Jared Pascoe, co-founder of Gay For Good: Pittsburgh.

About Gay For Good: The Pittsburgh chapter of Gay For Good was founded in 2011. G4G is a national community service group that volunteers with a different nonprofit each month. Since its inception, G4G Pittsburgh has worked with over 25 area nonprofits, donating nearly 4,500 volunteer hours. There are ten G4G chapters across the country.

About Harvey Milk Day: The Harvey Milk Foundation marks every May 22 as a day to honor what Harvey stood for and asks people “to celebrate Harvey Milk’s life story, message and legacy in celebrating globally on his birthday to give hope and inspire disenfranchised communities.” Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California until he was assassinated in 1978.

There’s always something going on in Pittsburgh. Every week we pick the Top Five Fun Things to do in Pittsburgh. Here’s the list for May 1 to May 4. May the Fourth be with you.

Silky Smooth

It’s not too late to catch a bunch of screenings at the 9^th Annual Silk Screen Film Festival. The festival runs all week long but check out the various events and various locations.

www.silkscreenfestival.org/events

Green Eggs and Singing!

Only a Grinch wouldn’t buy tickets to “Seussical the Musical.”  He’d sneak in through the chimney! Come out and see a Cat in a Hat, or a Horton hearing a Who. See Tim Hartman in a hat almost as tall as he is! Who knows what else in “Seussical the Musical.”

“Seussical the Musical” is at the Byham Theater, 101 6^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, go to www.pittsburghmusicals.com

Laugh-a-thon!

Join the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival at the Arcade Comedy Theater on Thursday May 1, and help raise money for the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival 2014. The party will feature some of Pittsburgh’s best improvisers, stand up comedians and special guests. For twenty bucks you get into the fundraiser, two drink tickets and a chance to win prizes!

Arrive any time! There will be performances and activities all evening.

Pittsburgh Comedy Festival Launch will be at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh PA, 15222

For more information, go to www.pittsburghcomedyfestival.org/event/launch-party-2014-05-01/

Money Changes Everything

There’s a lot of confusion when an earnest aerobics instructor unknowingly acquires a suitcase full of cash in “Bottoms Up.”

“Bottoms Up!” is at the South Park Theatre, Corrigan Road at Brownsville Road, Bethel Park, PA.

Call 412-831-8552 or click http://www.southparktheatre.com/

Hope Floats

Sandra Bullock was in a movie called “Hope Floats.” She was also in a movie called “Gravity. “ The show at the City Theater has nothing to do with either of those things. “Hope and Gravity” is a non-linear comedy about fate, just as this paragraph is a non-sequitur apropos of nothing.

Float over to “Hope and Gravity” at the City Theatre, 1300 Bingham Street, South Side, Pittsburgh.

For more information, go to www.citytheatrecompany.org

And now a sixth thing….

Girls Gone Mild!

Goody Plenty and the Amlets are back, baby! You can catch “Amish Burlesque; Featuring Goody Plenty and the Amlets” at the McKeesport Little Theater.  The Plenty and her Amlets lampoon Broadway show tunes with an Amish flare, or lack of flare. It’s the cleanest dirty show in town.  ‘Burgh Vivant contributor Andy Coleman plays Jebadiah, the Emcee, in a show directed by the vivantiest ‘Burgh Vivant himself, Brian Edward.

Get in your buggy and drive over to “Amish Burlesque” at the McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin Street, McKeesport, PA.

For more information, call 412-673-1100 or visit www.mckeesportlittletheater.com

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

Ink-a-Dink-A Doo

A love-starved Manhattanite husband and wife struggle to satisfy their childlike desire to “Have it all” during the 80s. They hire Inky, a young Slavic Nanny who is obsessed with Muhammad Ali. Complications ensue

Have a spot of “Inky” at the Off the Wall Theater, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA opening this weekend.

www.insideoffthewall.com

Slowly, I turned

Quickly head to “Slowly” it’s the last weekend to see the Howard Barker play about four women waiting for the arrival of conquering in their besieged city.

The 45 minute play is from the Alarum Theatre stars Jenny Malarkey, Amanda Montoya, Cynthia Sulemana and Lauryn Thomas. The event takes place outside but rain dates will be announced if necessary.

“Slowly” is at Scheneley Park’s Flagstaff Hill. For more information, go here: alarumtheatre@gmail.com.

Orpheus Descends into Pittsburgh

Philip Glass is putting an operatic twist on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in “Orphee.”  This new twist on a myth is presented by the Pittsburgh Opera. Say “Twist on a myth” three times fast, I double-dog dare you.

You can see and hear “Orphee” in all of its melodic beauty at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue.

For more information, go to www.pittsburghopera.org

Math is Hard

The Prime Stage Theater will perform select scenes from “The Devil’s Arithmetic,” an adaptation based on the book by Jane Yolen.

Subtract yourself from the couch and add yourself to the audience of “The Devil’s Arithmetic” on Saturday night at the Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh.

For more information, call 412-622-3151 or www.carnegielibrary.org

Serious music

German born clarinetist Susanne Ortner is an internationally acclaimed in klezmer music. Over seven years ago, Susanne left her home country to collaborate with Holocaust Survivors in Pittsburgh and delve deeper into their music. Ortner will be telling her story through music, with the accompaniment of Walt Mahovlich, an accomplished accordionist.

Ortner will play Saturday April 24 at the Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information, contact the Andy Warhol at www.warhol.org

– MB.

Here’s the list of Five Fun Things to do this weekend in Pittsburgh, April  17 – 20. Hop to it, it’s Easter weekend!

Oh Candida!

A romantic tug of war ensues between a practical husband and a passionate poet in “Candida.” Ted Pappas directs this classic George Bernard Shaw work at the Pittsburgh Public Theater April 17 through May 18

The Pittsburgh Public Theater, 521 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh

For more information call 412-316-1600 or click www.PPT.org

Eggs and the birds that lay them

Here’s an eggscellent idea for Easter! Go to the National Aviary’s Eggstravaganza this weekend. You can get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and there’s an egg hunt included in the price of admission. Can you think of a better place to hunt for eggs than in a sanctuary filled with birds that lay them?

The National Aviary, 700 Arch Street, North Side, Pittsburgh.

Call 412-323-7235 or click www.aviary.org

Dancing Shoes

April 17 19 you can see the Point Park dance students in the Conservatory Dance Company will be performing dances from Martha Graham, George Balanchine, David Parsons and Dwight Rhoden at the Byham, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh

For more information, go to www.pittsburghplayhouse.com

Wine Walk

Stroll along the avenues of downtown, see the architecture and taste the wine. It’s the Architecture Walk and Wine Tasting on Saturday April 19 from 2-5.

After the walk, enjoy a wine tasting paired with appetizers at the Capital Grille. Reservations are required.

For more information, click on www.ventureoutdoors.org

Cabaret!

Saturday, April 19 you have a chance to see the sexy and daring firewall dance troupe, two talented vocalists, Rebecca Covert and Alison Cahill, and the always hilarious Burgh Vivant himself, Brian Edward at the Cabaret at Off the Wall Theater.

You can come to the Cabaret at the Off the Wall Theater, 25 West Main Street, Carnegie.

For more information click on www.Insideoffthewall.com

(Special thanks go out to my theater wife, Lonnie the Theater Lady, for the assist in compiling this week’s list)

-MB.

This week, ‘Burgh Vivant Host and Executive Producer Brian Edward guest interviewed on WRITING ON THE FLOOR, hosted by Zach Simons.  Both hosts get amusingly off topic, veering into classic film, animation, Batman, and Brian Edward’s upcoming production of AMISH BURLESQUE FEATURING GOODY PLENTY & THE AMLETS.

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE.

And… see both Writing on the Floor and ‘Burgh Vivant featured in NEXT PITTSBURGH.