Tag: Culture

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Cine City

Cineastes rejoice! It’s episode 2 of the “Cinebrain,” a cinecentric game show hosted by Dave Forman. Three lucky audience members get to test their movie knowledge on Friday February 5.  It’s part game show, part sketch show. Film buffs should head to Cattivo, 146 44^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

Wilkommen, Cabaret!

Say hello to “Cabaret” visiting us direct from Broadway for its 50^th Anniversary Season. What do you buy a show that has everything? Tickets! See Sally, the Emcee and all the rest for some of the best tunes in musicals. It’s at the Benedum Center, 7^th Street between Liberty and Penn, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Boy meets Girl

When’s the last time you went on a date? Take one to “First Date,” a Broadway musical. Five New Yorkers share their dating disasters in story and song. We’ve all been there, now go there to the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

It’s a Whole New World

On Friday February 5, you can celebrate your love for Peabo Bryson, the crooner of soft-rock ballads and multiple Disney hits will be crooning at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Vroom, Vroom, Broom! 

British children’s book author and playwright Julia Donaldson once told a story of a kind witch and her cat who invite a number of other animals to join them whilst traveling on a broomstick in “Room on the Broom.” Now that beloved story will be performed in front of a live audience of adults and children. The show opens on Sunday February 7, at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

– MB

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Take a Lode off

Catch Virginia Wall Gruenert’s one woman play, “Mother Lode” which examines the contentious but loving relationships between mothers and daughters. “Mother Lode” deals with the end-of-life decisions that must be made by dutiful daughters, as well as the discord, conciliation, warfare and ultimate acceptance between strong, independent women bound by love and family. It stars Linda Haston and it’s at the Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main Street, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, click here.

Art & Crime

A daughter of a mob boss escapes a life of crime for a life of art in David Harrower’s “Ciara.” She runs a gallery and champions local artists, especially one whose female figures seem like goddesses.  It stars the grand dame of local theater, Mary Rawson. Quantum Theatre returns to Javo Studios, 5137 Holmes Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

Luck be a Lady Tonight

On January 28, “Guys and Dolls” opens. Gamblers and sinners repent. Your time is nigh. Sky Masterson falls for a doll who is out to save his soul in this musical comedy. Don’t rock the boat, go off to see “Guys and Dolls” at the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.  For more information, click here.

Hail Cesar!

The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan comes to town. He will reveal the secrets of happier, healthier relationships between humans and their beloved canines in “Cesar Millan LIVE.” He will be joined by his famous four-legged friend, Junior. Cesar will perform his amazing training demonstrations with multiple dogs live on stage! Sit up and beg for tickets at the Benedum Center, Seventh Street, between Liberty and Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Piano Man

Russian Pianist Denis Kozhukhin comes to town to perform one of the most technically demanding works of the piano repertoire, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto Number 3. He’ll also play some Beethoven and regale the audience with the theme from the Lone Ranger, AKA the Overture to William Tell. You’ll find this piano man at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on January 29. For more information, click here.

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Hanging on the Line

Friday 22, you are invited to an Album Release. Meet the talented people in The Telephone line at the Telephone Line Album release. They will be joined by special guests, Working Breed and Josh Verbanets (of Meeting of Important People).  Also, meet 20-somethings who don’t understand the word “album.”  It’s at Club Café, 56-58 S. 12^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information and tickets click here.

Planning the Unplanned

It’s Mondo time! Come out and see U.S. Senate hopeful and Mayor John Fetterman tell true stories.  A troupe of talented improvisers will be inspired to create art from those stories on Saturday, January 23. Go early for “Make Nice Boom,” a competition between three improv teams, Well Known Strangers, Ted City Yodelers, and Beer Bods. It’s at Cattivo, 146 44^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, go here.

Blocking

On January 22 and 23, Things are about to get acrobatic in “Tetris Plus.” See the gravity-defying combination of acrobatics, extreme physicality and movement in “My True North,” and “Tetris.” See how this all-ages show fits together (see what I did there?). It’s at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

A Little Opera

Take a popular book by Louisa May Alcott and add the Pittsburgh Opera and you have “Little Women,” sung in English with projected text. Jo and the gang are at Capa Theater, 9^th & Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

First Crawl

The first Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District is Friday, January 22.  Bop around Liberty and Penn Avenue and see, art, improv, music and more. It’s all around downtown Pittsburgh. For more information, click here.

– MB

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

It’s not Rocket Science

Actually, it is. Blast off with 21+ Rocket Science! The Carnegie Science Center is teaming up with City Theatre to explore the space race and the science of rockets. City Theatre will preview scenes from the world premiere of “Some Brighter Distance,” which explores the true story of Arthur Rudolph, a German rocket scientist who helped America win the space race before being cast out of the country. On Friday, January 15, actors will perform under the stars in the Buhl Planetarium; a planetarium show will follow the performance. It’s followed by a Q & A with the cast at the Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.  For more information, click here.

Verses

On Saturday January 16, you’re invited to the opening of a gallery show and book launch celebrating poetry published in the Post-Gazette and the artworks they have inspired. It’s a Who’s Who of local talent that showcases Pittsburgh’s rich poetry and artistic tradition. Its at Panza Gallery, 115 Sedgwick Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15209. For more information, click here.

Think Spring!

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and young American violinist Tim Fain will perform Glass’ second violin concerto “The American Four Seasons,” which is considered a modern counterpart to Vivaldi’s popular Four Seasons.  That’s like Eight Seasons! German conductor Christoph König returns to the podium, and, along with Glass’ concerto, will conduct the orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. It’s at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Four!

One to see people playing…performing with themselves? Go to “All Four One,” a  night of solo improvisational comedy featuring Ayne Terceira in Grammelot, Renee Rabenold in Group Hug, Karen Forney in Still Life and Nilesh Shah. All of them doing a solo improvisational comedy. It will be weird but wonderful. It’s at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here. 

Transposed

Stage 62 turns Broadway on its top hat and tails in this gender-bent revue “Broadway Transposed.” Join the Stage 62 crew for an evening of musical theater as you’ve never heard it before, with men taking on traditionally women’s repertoire and the women tackling the men’s roles. Proceeds benefit Stage 62. It’s at Club Café, 56-58 South 12^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.  For more information, Click here.

– MB

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Comedy with a Plan

Shannon Norman and Amanda Averell are offering an evening of stand-up comedy, improv comedy, and a musical guest all for Planned Parenthood of Western PA for Unplanned Comedy: A Gift of Laughs on January 9, 2016. Guests include Suzanne Lawrence, Molly Sharrow, Holly Price, Sean Collier, and Andy Picarro with improv comedy to Woody Drennan, Tessa Karel, Sarah Turocy, Annie Harder, Mindy Cooper, Jillian McCarthy, Alistair Spatz and special guests Baby Grand (Missy Moreno & Connor McCanlus). Tickets are $15 on-line, $20 at the door. All at Cattivo, 146 44th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

Yellow Brick Road

It’s time again to go off to see the Wizard in “The Wizard of Oz.” It’s an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, reconceived for the stage. Go see Dorothy Gale, the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man and Toto, too. The Yellow Brick Road is at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Sister, Sister!

Cup-A-Jo Productions and the Pittsburgh Fringe are performing a modern retelling of Chekhov’s classic tale, “The Sisters.” Now set in on New York’s East Upper Side, the surrogate home and sanctuary for four siblings as they struggle to banish the ghost of their dead father. You can find “The Sisters” at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106. For more information, click here.

Big Bird’s back!

How do you get to Sesame Street? You go to the Benedum Center and meet Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Grover and the rest. They’re singing and dancing in the Pittsburgh. You can find all your furry friends at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Bring the kids. For more information, click here.

Give me some skin

On Saturday, January 9, Sharon G. Flake’s novel, “The Skin I’m in” comes to life at the Homewood Library. It’s at the Carnegie Library, Homewood, 7101 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.For more information, click here.

– MB

by Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

Holidaze

Start the celebrations early with Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a show with stunning acrobatics, Broadway music and family fun.  It’s not just a variety show but an extravaganza. Holidaze is at the Benedum Center, 237 Seventh Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

New Year’s Eve Eve

Put your party hat on one day early at the 3^rd Annual New Year’s Eve Eve event at the Lava Lounge. It’s a Swive spectacular with comedians Abby Denton, Garrett Titlebaum, Krish Mohan and more. Don’t miss Uke and Tuba, a humorous singing duo that plays (you guessed it) a ukulele and a tuba. It’s going down at the Lava Lounge, 2204 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more info, click here.

Rocking New Year’s Eve

Pittsburgh kicks off the New Year right with a dazzling display of fireworks and talent at Highmark’s First Night 2016 event.  There will be magic, ice sculpting, ballet, music and more. Check out River City Brass, improvisational comedy troupe Player One, jazz bassist Dwayne Dolphin and the comedy stylings of J. Russ and Gab Bonesso. Buy a button and ring in the New Year right. It’s all over downtown Pittsburgh. For more information, click here.

Fun with French

On Thursday, December 31 you can enjoy your holiday in a more posh way with dinner and an 18 piece chamber orchestra with the Pittsburgh Opera at “Une Belle Soiree et Fete,” which roughly translates to mean “a beautiful evening and party.” It’s all at the Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  For more information, click here.

Last Chance

On Sunday January 3^rd, before you start those New Year’s resolutions go to brunch and live it up one last time. Get the hair of the dog that bit you with $5 dollar Bloody Mary and/or Mimosa, and see the best in male and female impersonation at Kierra Darshell’s Drag Brunch. It’s at the James Street Gastropub, 422 Foreland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

-MB.

By Michael “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Punk Rock Holiday!

Start your weekend early on Wednesday, December 23 with a Super Fun Time Awesome Party Band (no, seriously, that’s their name). Join comedian Omid Singh, Santa Youth, Crisis in America and more for a Punk Rock Holiday at the Spirit Lounge, 242 51^st Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. For more information, click here.

Burlesque

Phat Man Dee is having a holiday party at Altar Bar on Saturday, December 26. It’s “A Phattie Little Holiday: Jazz & Burlesque Holiday Experience.” Come out and see Macabre Noir and a host of holiday talent. It’s at the Altar Bar, 1620 Penn Avenue (the Strip District), Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Reindeer Games

It’s not too late to catch a musical version of your favorite Christmas story. “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – the Musical” is hitting Heinz Hall. A mutant reindeer gets bullied in this timeless holiday tale, but don’t worry…he gets to guide Santa’s sleigh through fog. It’s at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue (Downtown) Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Merry Krishna!

Photographer Nandini Valli Muthiah is incorporating traditional ideas of popular Indian art and capturing them in contemporary everyday environments. You can catch her show at the Wood Street Galleries, 601 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Sing! Sing!

The Lava Lounge is serving up some fun times with their “Crooners & Cocktails” event on Sunday, December 21. Join them for Karaoke. It’s hosted by Ms. Lourie (Nyberg). Sing out loud at the Lava Lounge, 2204 E. Carson Street, Pittsburgh’s South Side 15203. For more information, click here.

– MB

By Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant.

A Kid Outside of the Hall

Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall, Brain Candy) comes to Pittsburgh to talk shop. He’ll be interviewed by Brian Gray for  Talking Shop: An Improv Podcast. Come down to the Arcade Comedy Theater for this FREE event. It’s on Friday, December 18 at 4:00 PM at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here. Then, catch his show on Saturday at 8:00 PM at the same location. For the full scoop and schedule of events, click here.

Bet on Black

Comedy Roulette is back for the Drunk Comedy Holiday Edition hosted by John Dick Winters, Friday at 10 PM. Winters will be joined by Alex Stypula, Matt Light, James J. Hamilton and Ray Zawodni at Club Café, 56-58 South 12^th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. For more information and tickets, click here.

Buzzing about it

Check out “The Mountain and the Bumblebee,” a multi-artist, multi-media exhibition exploring ideas about landscapes at Space, 812 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information about the exhibit, click here.

The Return of the Mouse King

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is bringing the “The Nutcracker” back to the Benedum Theater. The holiday tradition continues with a classic story and iconic choreography. Everything is beautiful at the ballet.  Find the Nutcracker, toy soldiers and mice at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

Caroling with the Christmas Carol

This town is overrun by a plague of Dickens! There was the Bricolage’s “Yinz’r Scrooged,” and PICT Classic Theatre’s “Oliver Twist,” and now “A Musical Christmas Carol” returns. See Scrooge sing! It’s the classic tale of greed and redemption with song at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

– MB

by Mike “Buzz” Buzzelli, ‘Burgh Vivant

Hoot for the Holidays

December 10, you can support our troops and enjoy a great line up of music with WYEP’s Holiday Hootenanny, with Norm Nardini, Josh Verbanets, Molly Alphabet, the Wreckids and more. Gifts will be collected for Veterans’ Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania. It’s all at Stage AE, 400 N. Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For more information, click here.

The Laughs Awaken

On December 11, the Arcade Awakens with “Star Wars: The Arcade Awakens.” This night of live sketch, videos, and musical comedy, both the original trilogy and the new movie will be lovingly spoofed and skewered. Come for the lightsaber fights, stay for the Wookiees. It stars some of Pittsburgh’s funniest people like Anna C. Reilly, Missy Moreno, Kyle Longsdorf, Ian McIntosh, Frank McDade and more. Find the force and the funny at the Arcade Comedy Theater, 811 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

 
Deep Blue Sea

John Patrick Shanley’s “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” is at Duquesne’s Genesius Theater December 11 and 12. Two people, Danny (Andrew Yackle) and Roberta (Rachel Erin), meet over a beer in a rundown bar in the Bronx. The meeting proves to be fateful for both. It’s at the Genesius Theater, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282. There’s more information at Brown Paper Tickets here.

Pop goes the Holidays

Heinz Hall puts on a spectacular holiday show every year, with the “Highmark Holiday Pops.” It’s got classic Christmas carols, astonishing solo performers, a choir and a special visitor from the North Pole is scheduled to make an appearance (even though it’s his busiest season). Catch the holiday magic at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information, click here.

More Christmas Carols

When a small theater company is rehearsing for its umpteenth production of “A Christmas Carol,” something happens to shake up the production in “Inspecting Carol.” It’s more Christmas shenanigans at the Little Lake Theatre, 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317.  For more information, click here.