AS YOU LIKE IT marks 10th anniversary of free Shakespeare in city parks

 

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Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks marks its 10th season of presenting free Shakespeare plays in city parks by reprising its inaugural 2005 production  of “As You Like It,” one of the Bard’s finest comedies which takes place in the ‘Forest of Arden’ and deals with the familiar themes of gender-disguising and mistaken identities. Free performances run Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Sept. 6-28.

Directed by local favorite Lisa Ann Goldsmith and featuring PSIP Artistic Director Jennifer Tober as the spunky female protagonist “Rosalind,” PSIP’s 10th anniversary offering will present the First Folio, using Shakespeare’s original language.  PSIP promotes its own unique brand of engaging, physical classical theater outdoors in public parks, using no set except the natural environs.

“What PSIP offers our audience is so different from what we think of as ‘typical’ theater – we use the grass, trees, woods – and bring the text to life in an exciting way, often right up in the audience’s face,” Tober says. “Our style is vibrant and our language understandable; we make Shakespeare accessible to those brand new to the Bard (even tiny children) as well as seasoned theatre-goers.”

Tober, a New York transplant, started the company upon arriving in 2005.  The inaugural production of “As You Like It” ran for two weekends in Frick Park in November, right before Thanksgiving.  One show ended in light snow flurries.

“Pittsburgh had been missing outdoor Shakespeare, and thus I started the company – outdoor Shakespeare has been such a huge, and fantastic, part of my creative life for so many years,” Tober says.

Her professional experience includes appearances at such companies as Quantum Theatre, The REP, PICT, UnSeam’d Shakespeare, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, the Shakespeare Project, and New York Classical Theatre.

“Really, nothing makes me happier than doing or seeing Shakespeare outdoors on a beautiful day – or even a yucky day. It really has been a joy to see how the company has grown over the past 10 years,” she adds.

Goldsmith and Tober are happy to be working together again, having both performed in UnSeam’d Shakespeare Company’s 2009 production of “Macbeth 3,” directed by Michael Hood.  Goldsmith is fresh off playing ‘Rachel’ in Quantum Theatre’s “Pantagleize” as well as directing “The Devil’s Arithmetic” for Prime Stage Theatre.

“As You Like It is arguably Shakespeare’s finest comedy.  And where better to play the Forest of Arden than in the parks of Pittsburgh?  Filled with love, deception, gender reversals and laugh-out-loud comedy, “As You Like It” is a great late-summer offering for theatre-goers of all ages,” says Goldsmith.

SHOWTIMES: AYLI runs each Saturday and Sunday through September.

Sept. 6 and 7 Frick Park, Blue Slide Playground, Beechwood Blvd. & Nicholson Street, Squirrel Hill2 PM

Sept. 13 Allegheny Commons West Park, Ridge Ave & Arch St, North Side (behind the Aviary)2 PM

Sept. 14 Arsenal Park, 40th and Butler Streets, Lawrenceville, 2 PM

Sept. 20 and 21 Schenley Park, Flagstaff Hill at Frew St. 2 PM

Sept. 27 Frick Park, Blue Slide Playground, Beechwood Blvd. & Nicholson St., Squirrel Hill 11 AM & 2:30 PM (note: this is a two-show day!)

Sept. 28 Frick Park, Blue Slide Playground, Beechwood Blvd. & Nicholson St., Squirrel Hill 2 PM

www.pittsburghshakespeare.com

Twitter:  @Pgh Shakespeare

 

LAVISH IN LAWRENCEVILLE: Eye Kandy fashion show dazzles at Revision Space

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by Brian Edward, ‘Burgh Vivant.

On the evening of Saturday, July 26th, Revision Space gallery in Lawrenceville hosted and elegant fashion show featuring the wares of Eye Kandy Boutique Clothing and Accessories with hairstyles by Velvet Salon and Boutique.  Eye Kandy owner Kandy Barkley designed the evening’s fashion ensembles to to compliment Revision Space’s exhibiting artists.

The gallery walls were adorned with works from the current exhibition GREAT WAVES, featuring works by artists Masha Fikhman, Zack Lee, and Travis Schwab. GREAT WAVES is a rotating exhibition curated by Revision Space Director Cindy Lisica.  Audiences will see different iterations of the exhibition on various visits and events at the gallery through September 7th. The art works are available “off the wall” and the show will be actively re-imagined throughout the summer.

 

Adding to the delightful decadence were a variety of cake pops and cupcakes prepared expertly by 2 Local Girls, and locally brewed beers courtesy of Roundabout Brewery.

It is the mission of Revision Space to offer an energetic program of curated solo and small group exhibitions and to maintain a diverse roster of both emerging and established artists. The gallery is interested in providing a quality space for artists to expose their work and for their work to be appreciated in Pittsburgh. Their new storefront gallery is situated in the growing and creative neighborhood of Lawrenceville and exhibits local, national and international contemporary artists.

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THE PERFORMER, by Travis K. Schwab.

 

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I COULD SEE FOR JUST ONE MOMENT, by Masha Fikhman.

 

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Decadent delectables by 2 LOCAL GIRLS.

 

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Roundabout Brewery brought the party with three original and local brews.

 

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Eye Kandy owner Kandy Barkley with daughter, Zaydra.

 

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Kandy Barkley and Revision Space Curator, Cindy Lisica

 

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-BE.

 

 

 

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (7/31 – 8/3)

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 by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

 

Here are the Top Five things to do this weekend, July 31 to Aug. 3

 

Holy Grail!

Start your week with “Spamalot,” the Tony-winning musical based on “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The comedy troupe takes Arthurian legend and shish kabobs it. Now, with added music! Beware the Black Knight, the Knights that go Ni and the world’s deadliest bunny rabbit.  “Spamalot” runs from Tuesday, July 29th to Sunday August 3rd at the Benedum Center, 803 Liberty Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghclo.org/shows/view/73/refer:clo-shows

 

True Romance

You have one last weekend to see, “Romance,” David Mamet’s courtroom farce. It’s being presented by the newly reborn Kinetic Theatre Company (rising from the ashes of the flash-in-the-pan Phoenix).  You can find “Romance” at The Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh. Pretty much catty-corner to Salt of the Earth.  For more information, go to www.kinetictheatre.org

 

 

Well, Hello!

Bend a gender at “Hello Donna,” a sing-along at the Backstage Bar. Picture it, Karaoke meets “Wife Swap.” Men will sing songs normally sung by women, and vice versa. Originally titled, “Hello Donny,” a parody of “Hello Dolly,” things get kicked up a notch at “Hello Donna.” From this month’s title, we surmise that there will be fewer show tunes and more disco.  Things are happening July 30th at the Backstage Bar and Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh.  You can call them at 412-325-6769 or visit the “Hello Donny” Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/events/270357209818981/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

 

Jungle Fever

Every once and a while; Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens pumps up the jams. On Friday, August 1st it’s time again to “Party in the Tropics.” Dance inside Phipps lush indoor garden. You can tour the grounds, eat drink and be merry!  There will be cocktails, dancing and some light hors d’oeuvres. It’s over 21 but its lots and lots of fun.  For more information, call 412-622-6914, or go to http://phipps.conservatory.org/exhibits-and-events/featured-event.aspx?eventid=815

 

 

Get the Frick outta here!

There’s an outdoor concert at the Frick. Every first Friday in the summer, the Frick hosts an outdoor summer concert. Bring chairs, blankets and snacks and listen to the music of Jerry Grevich and his Tamburitza Orchestra.  I can think of no other historical home offering Croatian string music for five dollars!  The Frick Art and Historical Center is located at 7227 Reynolds Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.  For more information, call 412-371-0600 or visit http://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/programs_events/concertsfilms.php

 

And now a sixth thing….

Da Dum. Da Dum…

No. It’s not safe to go in the water. It’s not safe to be on land. Actually, it’s not safe to watch SyFy The majesty of entertainment that is Sharknado returns with Sharknado II: Aftersharks!  On July 30 at 9:00, Cruze Bar will be having a Sharknado II Viewing party. You’re going to need plenty of alcohol to get slog through this mess of a movie. Did I mention that the main character’s name is Finn?  See the glory and majesty of Sharknado II at Cruze Bar, 1600 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh.  Check out their Facebook events page; https://www.facebook.com/events/1572872919606254/?fref=ts

 

– MB.

 

 

New Hazlett premieres new piece by Federico Garcia-De Castro

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Pittsburgh, PA— This August, local composer and musician Federico Garcia-De Castro kicks off a new season of Community Supported Art at the New Hazlett Theater with an evening of music arranged for two pianos. Federico’s music will make you rethink your preconceptions of piano music with four distinct yet interconnected movements including: Alexander Borodin’s “Au covent,” Simon Eastwood’s Interference for two performers at piano, Federico Garcia-De Castro’s Livre Pour Deux Pianos (Book for Two Pianos) and the world premiere of Renderings, an all-new work specially commissioned for the CSA.

“Our internal image of the sound of the piano is usually tied to the technical and aesthetic limitations of the single performer,” Federico explains. “When two performers are present, the familiar sound emancipates, takes on new roles, reveals hidden possibilities.”

Federico has a great number of conducting and composition credits to his name ranging from local performances with Alia Musica, to national and even international appearances. This past summer, Federico was featured composer in the Thailand International Composition Festival, and participated in a residency in Panama, taking to 10 the number of countries where his music has been performed. He returns to Pittsburgh this August to perform alongside Daniel Pesca in this New Hazlett CSA debut.

 

Federico Garcia-De Castro Piano Duet Concert will perform at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh PA 15212 on August 14, 2014 at 8PM.  Tickets are available at http://newhazletttheater.org/#csa

 

ABOUT THE CSA

A brand new crop of local artists takes the New Halzett stage in the 2014-2015 Community Supported Art Performance Series. Now in its second year, this performing arts harvest is particularly bountiful with seven new performance groups creating work for a unique take on the traditional CSA.

Here’s how it works: for $100 per share in the program, patrons become shareholders in the New Hazlett CSA. In addition to six fresh performances from seven performance groups (the last show of the season is a double feature), shareholders also gain access to exclusive events and opportunities to interact directly with the artists they’re sponsoring.

 

Additional Upcoming CSA Performances
Moriah Ella Mason, October 11, 2014 at 8pm

Moriah Ella Mason’s Contained walks the line between wild and domestic. Inspired by the strange assortment of creatures found in natural history museums, dancers evolve from insects to animals, from humans to monsters, myths, and beyond.

 

Jennifer Myers, December 12, 2014 at 8pm

Rivers, streets, sidewalks, and bridges…Performance artist Jennifer Myers takes six performances created for public spaces and translates them into an all-new work for the New Hazlett stage.

 

Jil Stifel and Ben Sota, February 12, 2015 at 8pm

When contemporary circus meets dance, anything is possible. Dropped into this sweeping landscape, performers ignite the world around them. Surprise and wonder merge together, forming an unbelievable kind of beauty.

 

Anya Martin, April 2, 2015 at 8pm

Anya Martin, along with the Hiawatha Project and a team of performing artists, disassembles the legendary hero of the American railroad, John Henry. JH: Mechanics of a Legend looks deep into our cultural past for the human behind the folklore.

 

CSA Double Feature

Teena Marie Custer and Roberta Gudio, June 11, 2015 at 8pm

Teena Marie Custer examines how we create personas across social networks with a solo hip-hop dance performance. Roberta Guido uses dance to explore the powerful effects of touch on human emotion.

 

 

Red, Ripe, and Roasted: Summer crops steal the show at Phipps

 

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10th annual tomato and garlic festival to benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

 

Pittsburgh, Pa. — On August 24, 2014, from 11 a.m. –  4 p.m., Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will celebrate two of summer’s most bountiful crops at its 10th annual Red, Ripe and Roasted tomato and garlic festival. Held on the public garden’s sustainably managed front lawn and in the Outdoor Garden, this family-friendly event features cooking demonstrations, a tomato contest, a farmers’ market and activities for kids — all to benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

   Always a seasonal highlight, Red, Ripe and Roasted is a foodie’s dream-come-true with a focus on fresh, local produce and its many culinary possibilities. Café Phipps — a 3-star Green Restaurant Certified® eatery — will prepare and share a variety of delicious dishes to sample, there will be cooking demonstrations and a Phipps-grown garlic roast, and a farmers’ market featuring organic and Certified Naturally Grown produce will give guests an opportunity to buy plenty of tomatoes and garlic to experiment with at home. Beloved garden writer and television/radio host Doug Oster — author of Tomatoes, Garlic, Basil — and food writer Miriam Rubin, author of Tomatoes, will also be in attendance to present some of their favorite recipes and sign copies of their books.

   Another popular festival activity is a tomato contest for which home gardeners are invited to enter their ugliest, smallest or largest ripe tomatoes for a chance to win special prizes— among them a membership to Phipps. And, as always, a variety of discovery activities, including a fun food matching game and opportunities to pot garlic cloves to take home, will delight children of all ages. Let’s Move Pittsburgh and several other local organizations will also be in attendance to engage event-goers.

   While highlighting western Pennsylvania’s quintessential crops, the festival also encourages guests to share the season’s harvest with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. By donating a bag of fresh produce to help community members in need, festival participants will be admitted for free to both Red, Ripe and Roasted and to Summer Flower Show, featuring bright blooms and whimsical model train displays, during event hours. In 2013, the festival resulted in the collection of 2,174 pounds of food.

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.

 

The Sounds of Science: Symphony and Science Center partner for 21+ night

 

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PITTSBURGH, July 23, 2014 – Carnegie Science Center is teaming up with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a special adults-only evening, featuring symphonic sounds with a scientific twist. “The Sounds of Science” is the theme of the Science Center’s next 21+ Night on Friday, Aug. 1, from 6 – 10 pm.

Throughout the evening, musicians will demonstrate their instruments, including a double bass and a bassoon. They’ll even hook up instruments to the Science Center’s Rubens’ Tube, which visually demonstrates an instrument’s sound waves and pressure by shooting flames into the air.

Visitors can dance on a giant floor piano and play a tune with Boomwhackers, hollow percussion tubes. Stations throughout the building will offer the materials for DIY musical instruments, including a one-note harmonica.

Guests can test their musical knowledge at a live action Trivial Pursuit game, complete with a prize giveaway. Visitors can pose with a Mozart-cut out – and enter to win a Mozart prize pack.

Fiddlesticks, the orchestra’s “fiddlin’ feline” ambassador, will make a special appearance.

As always, 21+ Night features music, cash bars, and the chance to experience four floors of hands-on exhibits – with no kids!

Participants get a discount on Omnimax films and laser shows that evening.

The cost of the event is just $10 with advance registration before noon on the day of the event or $15 after noon at the door. Guests will receive a voucher for $15 in free slot play at the Rivers Casino when they arrive, while supplies last.

21+ Nights are sponsored by Trib Total Media, and Bob and Q92 Radio.

For more information or to register, visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org or call 412.237.3400.

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.

About Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

For more than 116 years, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has been an essential part of Pittsburgh’s cultural landscape. The Pittsburgh Symphony, known for its artistic excellence, is credited with a rich history of the world’s finest conductors and musicians, and a strong commitment to the Pittsburgh region and its citizens. This tradition was furthered in fall 2008, when Austrian conductor Manfred Honeck became music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. With a long and distinguished history of touring both domestically and overseas since 1900, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra continues to be critically acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest orchestras. The Pittsburgh Symphony has made 40 international tours, including 20 European tours, eight trips to the Far East, and two to South America. Under the baton of Gilbert Levine, the PSO was the first American orchestra to perform at the Vatican in January 2004 for the late Pope John Paul II, as part of the Pontiff’s Silver Jubilee celebration. The PSO has a long and illustrious history in the areas of recordings and radio concerts. As early as 1936, the PSO broadcast coast-to-coast, receiving increased national attention in 1982 through network radio broadcasts on Public Radio International (PRI). The PRI series is produced by Classical WQED-FM 89.3 in Pittsburgh and is made possible by the musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

 

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (7/24 – 7/27)

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by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

 

Here are the Top Five Things To Do in Pittsburgh the week of July 24 to 27.

 

Smack! Crash! Bam!

Who’s a better superhero? Batman or Spider-Man? Can the Hulk beat up Superman? Can Marvel make a successful Howard the Duck movie? Some of these age old comic book questions will be answered at “When Universes Collide: The Ultimate Superhero Smackdown.”

Can’t make ComicCon? Mix and mingle with superhero cos-players (people who dress up like comic book and cartoon characters) while viewing 70 years of original comic book art loaned from some of the nation’s finest collections. Be the first to vote on what hero will win each epic superhero battle.

Be a hero and support the ToonSeum. 945 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA.  To buy tickets to the event, Thursday, July 24 click here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/when-universes-collide-the-ultimate-superhero-smackdown-opening-reception-tickets-12170984743?aff=efbevent

 

Big Fat Musical!

CCAC’s South Campus Summer Theater presents “Hairspray.” John Waters took rock & roll and racism and came up with a delightful comedy about some very real social issues. A few years later, his movie was made into a play (and then into another movie).  Catch Tracy Turnblad and all her friends at CCAC South Campus Theatre, 1750 ClaritonRoad, West Mifflin, PA.  For more information, go to http://libguides.ccac.edu/content.php?pid=602047&sid=4967050

 

Dog Days

The Hatch Arts Collective opens their new full-length play, “Walldogs.” The play has four stories about art, text and image. A 1930’s wall sign painter, or “walldog,” two teen taggers, a hipster street artist, and a drunken king from the bible.  “Walldogs” is billed as an art-making event.  The show opens Friday, July 25 at Artists Image Resource, 518 Foreland Street, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://www.hatcharts.org/project/walldogs/

 

Wait for it

Dog & Pony Theatricals present Harold Pinter’s darkly comic tale, “The Dumb Waiter.”  In a windowless basement, Gus and Ben await orders for their next job. As mysterious deliveries arrive, paranoia sets in and comedic tension builds.  You can catch “The Dumb Waiter,” at the Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, a stone’s throw from the aforementioned ToonSeum.  For more information, go to http://www.showclix.com/event/3860188

 

Gabaret!

There is always great food over at Harvard & Highland, but on Saturday, July 25 you get music and comedy, too! Phineas the Shark presents “Life is a Gabaret, Old Chum!” Cause, you know, to sharks, everything is old chum.  The variety show is hosted by Gab Bonesso and the eponymous shark, Phineas. It features Nathan Bell, Mista Cookie Jar, Neal Rosenblat and Bonesso’s frequent collaborator and front man of “Meeting of Important People,” Josh Verbanets.  Best of all, the show is free!  Harvard and Highland is on the corner of Harvard and Highland, but, more specifically, you can find it at 220 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://gabbonesso.com/

 

-MB.

 

 

Recipe: The Woman and Scarecrow Martini

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This week’s guest on ‘Burgh Vivant is Marina Carr, Ireland’s leading female dramatist, visiting Pittsburgh in conjunction with her play WOMAN AND SCARECROW at PICT Classic Theatre through August 2nd.  In honor of Marina’s visit, the mix masters of ‘Burgh Vivant laboratories have devised a signature martini in her honor, aptly named the “Woman and Scarecrow.”  Host Brian Edward presented it to Marina on the show this week, and here is the recipe so that you can enjoy one at home or request one while out on the town.

Oh, and don’t expect measurements.  At ‘Burgh Vivant, we never measure.  We assume that you will pour according to taste and tolerance.

 

INGREDIENTS:


 

VEGETABLE JUICE

BOYD AND BLAIR POTATO VODKA

FRESH BASIL LEAF

LIME

CELERY STICKS

STUFFED OLIVE

TOOTHPICKS


 

 

This cocktail is similar to the Bloody Mary, though more garden-fresh than spicy.  Go with your favorite tomato or vegetable juice.

Pour vegetable juice into chilled martini glass.

For our vodka, we chose Boyd and Blair.  First, it’s a potato vodka, keeping with our garden theme and giving a nod to the staple crop of Ireland.  Second, it’s made locally in the Pittsburgh area!  Not to mention that its one of the smoothest vodkas we have ever tasted.  And we have TASTED.

Pour vodka into glass with vegetable juice.

Be generous – why not?  Life is short.  Now, while these two luscious liquids commingle, get yourself a shaker.

Muddle basil leaves in the bottom of shaker. 

What’s muddle you ask?  In short, to lightly crush.  Not too much, not too little.  You can achieve this by chopping up your basil leaves (and P.S. – do yourself a favor and get fresh if you can) placing them in the bottom of your shaker, and muddling them with the handle of a ladle, or the blunt end of any kitchen instrument, if you don’t have… you know… a muddler.

Add lime.

You know that random lime you’ve had sitting on your countertop for a week?  This will be its finest hour.  Slice it into 4 wedges and spritz some lime juice into your shaker on top of the muddled basil, as much or as little as you like.  If you lack a flair for the dramatic, we suppose you can use lime juice from a bottle.  No.  Scratch that.  You cant.  We’d much prefer you be dramatic.  PLUS – you can use your left over lime wedges when you make your “scarecrow” garnish!  You’ll thank us.

Pour contents of martini glass into shaker and shake.

Woo!  Now it’s a par-tay!  Put the lid on and shake ‘er up.  Or stir, if you have the patience.

Pour shaker into martini glass.

Soup from heaven.  You can decide if you’d like to strain out the basil leaves and keep the flavor, sprinkle just a few in, or let them all take a swim!

Create your garnish.

Oh, right, this is the fun part.  And if we weren’t so excited to take a sip of this thing, we might have done the garnish in advance.  You can make it whenever you like.  Just make it great.

Utilizing 2 short celery sticks, cut one in half, creating a total of one long stick and 2 short and equal length.

This is going to be your “scarecrow.”  Now caution: less is more.  A garnish like this fills up a martini glass a lot quicker than a typical Bloody Mary glass.  (The scarecrow garnish Brian Edward made fro Marina was WAY too big.)  The long piece of celery will be the body, the two short pieces will be the arms.

Affix the celery arms to the celery body with toothpicks.

You take the toothpicks and you kinda just… you know… you’ll figure it out.

Use another toothpick to attach the olive as a head.

The crowing glory.  Yah, save this for last – its a nice touch.  The olive is the head of your scarecrow.  We recommend stuffed olives because they’re awesome.  Select your favorite kind.  OR – stuff a hollow olive with your leftover muddled basil.  And don’t be afraid to get creative!  Make your scarecrow however you like.  (We’re sorry we made fun of Brian Edward’s earlier.)

Place garnish in drink and enjoy!

If you make this drink, send us photos!

 

 

The “Buzz” from Buzzelli: Pittsburgh’s Top To-Do’s THIS WEEKEND (7/17 – 7/20)

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by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

 

Here are the Top Five Fun Things To Do in Pittsburgh July 17th to 20th.

 

Summer at the Beach 

It’s the last weekend to catch Little Lake Theatre’s production of the Neil Simon classic “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”  So, catch it while you can!  The beach is at the lake! More precisely, it’s located at Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317.  For more information, go tohttp://www.littlelaketheatre.org/

 

Beer with me!

Drink beer and help animals at the Pittsburgh Summer Beerfest at Stage A.E. on the North Shore on Friday and Saturday, July 18th & 19. There will be over 80 beers from all over the country, including some local labels from Massachusetts to California (local Pittsburgh brewery the Church Brew Works will also have their beer on hand. There will be music and plenty of food, including pretzels from the Pretzel Shop. After all, what’s beer without pretzels?  The party starts at Stage A. E. 400 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.  For more information, go to http://www.pittsburghbeerfest.com/

 

Go Vegan!

Saturday, July 19 at the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church you can literally veg out with veggies at the Pittsburgh Vegan Festival.  Pittsburgh vendors will be selling some vegan treats, TCBY will be offering up almond milk frozen yogurt and a surprise flavor of sorbet. There will be vegan wine from J & D Wine Cellars, and lots, lots more.  There will be entertainment, including belly dance, salsa, and a vegan, feminist, pun-loving comedian, Lana Aurora. Bet me that there will be seitan/Satan joke, and plenty of puns about tofu.  People will veg out at the Unitarian Universalist Church Allegheny, 416 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA.  Visit the Facebook page for more information, at https://www.facebook.com/events/694807407224342/?fref=ts

 

A new “New” play

Throughline Theatre Company continues their season of Mortality and Divinity with the world premiere of “A New Death.” C.S. Wyatt’s new play about the mystery that eludes us all (until we croak).  Wyatt envisions the transition as a mismanaged monopoly. A New Death” lifts the curtain on an industry rife with corporate waste and bureaucratic cover-ups, revealing a system riddled with red tape, office politics, and incompetence… lots and lots of incompetence.  To see the show, go to the Grey Box Theatre, 3595 Butler Street, Pittsburgh.  For more information, go to http://www.throughlinetheatre.org/

 

Side Out

Stage 62 will be presenting “Side Show,” A moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. It’s based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression.  Stage 62 is at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA.  For more information, go to http://www.stage62.org/show/?action=view&productionID=28

 

-MB.

 

 

Cosmos by Consol: The 8th Annual Consol Energy Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh bash

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by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Everyone was dancing in the dark at the 8th Annual Consol Energy Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh bash hosted by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Partner’s Board on Friday, July 11th.

Food from Cure, Grit & Grace, Root 174 and Round Corner Cantina were featuring specialty dishes. Round Corner’s seviche was party favorite. There was also plenty of whiskey to sample from Wigle Whiskey.

After dinner, party-goers were treated to music from Cait Cuneo Band, ukulele player Jody Perigo, and improvisational performers from the Arcade Comedy Theater. Cait Cuneo was giving out free CDs to all the lucky attendees. Congratulations to the lucky patrons who picked up a copy. Her voice was mellifluous. Emcee Jethro Nolen kept things moving. He and the Arcade Comedy crew were hilarious. The Nolens, with John Feightner played out a particularly funny sketch based on the Academy Awards, and Abby Fudor hosted a uproarious pseudo Dating Game show with Ben Mayer, Kristy Nolen, Liz Labacz, and Beth Ann Fogle.

After nine, things really got moving with DJ Adam Salter spinning tunes on the wide open spaces of the August Wilson Center, were the event took place.

The Dream Cream Team was scooping out ice cream, and there was a large array of desserts from various area restaurants. There was also plenty of popcorn from Pittsburgh Popcorn.

Patrons who didn’t feel like shaking their groove thing, played pinball or played dress up for a photo booth.

All sorts of people partied and fashioned ranged from outlandishly hip to cool and classy. Several “Pittsburgh Famous” faces were in the crowd. Samuel Badger, Natalie Bencivenga (from the Post Gazette’s Seen page), and ‘Burgh Vivant’s own Lonnie the Theater Lady were spotted on the dance floor.

Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh raised $70,000 to benefit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and they did it with music, comedy, food and fun. Pittsburgh city councilman Tom Baker declared it July 11th Pittsburgh Cosmopolitan Day by special proclamation by the city.

Put it on your calendar in 2015, it’s one of the party’s of the year!

1
Cait Cuneo belts out a tune for the Cosmo crowd.

 

2
Arcade Comedy Theater members Jethro Nolen (far left) wells with (crocodile) tears as Kristy Nolen (center) reunites with John Feightner in an improvised comedy scene wherein the three act out scenes from a fake Academy Award winning movie, “Dorothy Does Dallas.”

 

3
Arcade Comedy Theater’s Abby Fudor announces the next comedy improv game.

 

4
Jody Perigo on ukulele.

 

5
Cosmopolitan Pittsburghers line up for the photo booth (with costumes and props provided).

 

6
Cosmopolitan Pittsburghers enjoy arcade games throughout the evening.

 

7
Lonnie the Theatre Lady gets her Wigle Whiskey on.

 

-MB.

 

 

 

 

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