Pittsburgh, PA

It’s already the final weekend of the Arts Festival, so I thought I’d highlight some of the events being held today and tomorrow.

Saturday, June 21
-Pittsburgh Playworks: Professionally staged readings of plays by Pittsburgh playwrights; 1pm at 937 Liberty Avenue
-panPittsburgh: Steel drums @ the Community Stage, 2-4pm
-Opek, Good Brother Earl and the Avett Brothers will be performing at 6, 6:30, 7:30 respectively

Sunday, June 22
-Pittsburgh Rocks! Battle of the Bands @ the Market Square stage from 2-5pm
-Dreams of Hope: a gay/straight performing arts group @ the Community Stage, 5:15
-Mystic Knights and Alejandro Escovedo closing out the night at the Main Stage, 5pm and 6pm

Come check out all of the amazing artwork and goods for sale in the artists market, as well as the exhibits located around downtown. I recommend visiting the Contained exhibit on Forbes Avenue by Market Square, especially the Zen Room, which was a peaceful way to spend my day volunteering at the Festival.

For more informations, visit their website here.

I also wanted to mention the Barack Obama bake sale at Zombo Gallery in Lawrenceville that’s taking place tomorrow from noon-4pm. Zombo will be djing and the proceeds will go to moveon.org’s Obama presidential fund.

While you’re there, you can also check out their Attack of the Pittsburgh Tattoo Artists exhibit, where Pittsburgh’s finest tattoo artists have displayed their wildest works of art. Objects include skateboards, paintings, sculptures and more. The show closes on June 29th, so hurry this is the perfect opportunity to see it while it lasts!

Zombo Gallery is located at 4900 Hatfield Street in Lawrenceville.

Check out my previous post for other going-ons at the Arts Festival I left out in this post.

Pittsburgh, art, Arts Festival, music, Zombo Gallery, Lawrenceville, Obama

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Youth and Arts is presenting an interesting exhibit, titled “From Violence to Vision.” The exhibit features the work of the guild’s first group of Arts Leadership and Public Service interns (more about the guild below).

The exhibit focuses on an important social issue and according to their press release, one of eight ALPS interns with work in the exhibition, Adriane Hairston, a rising senior at CAPA high school, is excited to participate in activism through art for her first time: “As a group, we [ALPS interns] decided to address violence through this exhibition because it is an issue that has affected all of us, despite our various backgrounds and experiences.

The press release also described the work done by the MCG Youth and Arts:

In collaboration with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) and with support from various grants, foundations and individual donations, MCG Youth & Arts is a center for arts and learning that serves approximately 2,000 unique students in grades K–12 annually. Students may participate in courses in various media including ceramics, photography, design and digital arts; career and college exposure activities; and workshops with internationally renowned artists who also exhibit work at MCG’s galleries. Additionally, MCG Youth & Arts hosts a number of educational opportunities for principals, teachers and the community, and offers public access to its two galleries at no cost. All programs are implemented by professional working artists, and maintain an 8:1 student:teacher ratio in order to provide students the attention they need to succeed. MCG is a subsidiary of Manchester Bidwell Corporation.

“From Violence to Vision” is on view through July 6th at MCG’s satellite gallery at 800 Penn Avenue. There is also a silent auction of exhibition pieces and the sale of student-designed advocacy pins. There is a free reception this Friday the 20th, from 5:30-8pm at the gallery.

A portion of all proceeds made during the exhibition will go to the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC). Supported by a grant from the New York-based Surdna Foundation, the ALPS internship is part of MCG’s Apprenticeship Training Program after-school arts courses.

Through nationally recognized and acclaimed year-round programs, MCG Youth & Arts strives to educate, inspire and promote continuance to higher education by engaging students in learning through the arts.

For more information on the Manchester Guild visit their website here or contact Brittany Colatrella, Communications Coordinator, MCG Youth & Arts, 412-322-1773 Ext. 378.

Don’t forget the Arts Festival is still going on until this Sunday. Visit my previous post to see what you’ve been missing!

Pittsburgh, Manchester Craftsmen Guild, Penn Avenue, art, exhibit

It’s already the second week of the festival, so I figured now is as good as time as any to talk about this great event. The festival is still being held downtown around the Gateway Plaza/PPG Plaza/Market Square area and runs until June 22nd. Here’s just some of the highlights of this weekend’s events:

Friday, June 13th
-Maceo Parker! The legendary jazz singer is presenting on the Main Stage at 7:30pm
-Take Me Out, Richard Greenberg’s Tony-winning play @ Navarra, 131 7th Street, 8pm, $10
-The Unintended, a play exposing the present situation of Afghani refugees in Pakistan @ 937 Liberty Avenue, 8pm, $5
-Omega Love is playing at Market Square @ 9:30pm

Saturday, June 14th
-Magarac Attack opening and artist party in Market Square; a folk-themed celebration with participating artists, 4-6 pm
-The Curve Ball @ Navarra, 6pm, $35; exclusive cocktail reception and admission to the 8pm performance of Take Me Out for Pittsburgh’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community
-Phoebe Snow and special guest Gemini @ the Main Stage, 6:30pm

Sunday, June 15th
-Celtic Spirit Highland Dancers of Pittsburgh @ Community Stage, 12:30pm
-Attack Theatre’s The Heist @ the Contained Exhibition (Forbes Avenue), 5:30pm
-NY Dolls! with special guest the Takeover UK @ the Main Stage, 6:30pm

I’ve been volunteering at the festival since last week and I can say that so far, there’s been a really good turnout, great artists and some amazing music, so come on out!

For more information on performances, scheduling and more, check out their website here.

And if you can’t make it out to the festival this weekend, maybe you can catch the Life on Mars exhibit I previously talked about that’s happening at the Carnegie Museum.

Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Arts Festival, downtown, art, music, Maceo Parker, NY Dolls

Phipps Conservatory’s May Market is this weekend!

Shop for various garden plants and gardening tools, as well special green items, like eco-pots made from recycled grain husks. There will also be local experts on hand to answer all of your gardening questions and a special presentation by nationally syndicated gardening expert, Joe Lamp’l. If you are interested in listening to Lamp’l speak, you should rsvp for the talk by calling 412-441-4442 x 3803. There is no charge for the presentation or any other event taking place at the May Market.

The event takes place all weekend at Phipps Garden Center:

May 16th: 10am-7pm with local experts Q and A from noon-4pm
May 17th: 10am-7pm with Joe Lamp’l from 10:30-11:30 am and special presentation at 12:30
May 18th: 10am-5pm

Phipps Garden Center is located at 1059 Shady Avenue in Oakland. For more information, visit their website here.

Also going on this weekend is the 52nd annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival!

Join in on a multi-cultural celebration this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. There will be more than 30 nationalities represented in the form of ethnic entertainment, food, shopping and more.

Festival hours are as follows:
Friday: 4pm-10pm
Saturday: 12-10pm
Sunday: 12-6pm

Tickets purchased in advance are $8 for adults (13 and over), children (4-12) and free for children under 4. Tickets purchased at the door cost an extra $2 for adults only.

Check out the Folk Festival’s website for more info on performance times, parking and contact information.

And if you can still find the time, don’t forget to check out my previous post listing Saturday’s local events.

Pittsburgh, Phipps Garden Center, May Market, gardening, Folk Festival, David L. Lawrence Convention Center

The Silk Screen Film Festival is back in Pittsburgh from May 9th through the 18th. The festival showcases the cinematic achievements of filmmakers from all over the world, exploring the depths of the Asian-American experience.

The films will be shown at the Harris Theater, Melwood Screening Room, Regent Square Theater and at the Warhol. A complete film schedule can be found here, but I’d like to highlight a couple I think would be interesting.

Getting Home: Based on a true story. In Zhang Yang’s quasi-philosophical road comedy, working-class stiff Zhao (the famous Chinese comedian Zhao Benshan) is shocked when his drinking buddy and co-worker drops dead during a routine night out. Zhoa owes it to his long-time friend to transport his corpse to its final resting place. Director Zhang Yang also made the critically acclaimed Shower.

Tie a Yellow Ribbon: In her first feature film, director Joy Deitrich paints a nuanced portrait of a female Korean adoptee who must confront her damaged past. Estranged from her family due to a childhood indiscretion with her white brother, Jenny Mason seeks to regain a sense of home by exploring ties with the Asian Americans she meets in her new apartment building, until suddenly, her brother shows up at the door, stirring up long lost feelings that she has tried to bury.

Ploy: Director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s psychological drama wherein three strangers are locked inside one hotel room. It starts with subtle suspicions and builds up to jealousy, as the appearance of a young woman triggers devastating consequences for a married couple.

In addition to providing thoughtful and memorable films to the Pittsburgh region, Silk Screen also has these goals in mind:

* Educate communities – Asian American and mainstream, local and national - about Asian and Asian American history, culture, experiences and issues;
* Bring Asian cultural education experiences to area schools and universities;
* Support ongoing development of Asian and Asian American independent cinema;
* Foster understanding across lines of race, ethnicity, religion, age, and region by bringing together the various Asian communities and the population at large within the Pittsburgh region;
* Sustain growth and encourage excellence in Asian American culture and Pittsburgh’s place within it. As the Festival grows, to become a full celebration of Asian heritage, build a more dynamic and multicultural community, and make Silk Screen a traveling event across the Commonwealth.

Neat!

For more information on showtimes, ticket prices, etc visit Silk Screen’s website here.

Don’t forget to visit Zombo Gallery this weekend to check out Ian Green’s exhibition!

Pittsburgh, Silk Screen, Asian American, film, festival

The Arts Festival has announced a call for artists, musicians and more for various events and exhibits. They are currently looking for musicians and bands to perform on their Market Square stage during the festival, as well as children’s performing groups to perform during their Family Festival, which features family friendly fun and games.

The festival is also looking for artists to be a part of their “Contained” exhibit. The exhibit is being held in partnership with the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and involves installations in a 8′ x 40′ x 8′ space. According to the festival, the work can be in any medium and represent any subject. For more information on participating in the Three Rivers Arts Festival, visit their website here.

I’d also like to announce that the fourth issue of the Pittsburgh-based Debris Magazine is out! The magazine is always looking for literary and artistic submissions, so please check out the guidelines and contact info at www.debrismagazine.com. For those of you who are not writers, artists or photographers, check out the Spring issue anyways! It features all new literary talent and a very talented Portuguese painter, as well as a photographer whose goal is to travel the world and capture it all on his camera. Exciting stuff, I promise!

And lastly, I’d like to remind everyone about the Good vs. Evil photography show that will be happening at the Creative Treehouse in Bellevue on May 17th. John Bodnar is still accepting photography submissions for the event, so if you’re interested please email him at jbodnar@gmail.com. For more information, visit my previous post on the upcoming event here.

Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Contained, Debris Magazine, Creative Treehouse, photography, art

The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is holding it’s 42nd annual conference here in Pittsburgh, starting March 19th and ending March 22nd. The conference is titled “CONFLUENCE: Innovation, Community, Environment” and will feature demonstrations, exhibits, lectures and more at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown.

For more information on the exhibitions and presentations, visit the NCECa’s website here.

In addition to the events going on at the Convention Center, there are many other exhibits going on in the city of Pittsburgh that also celebrate the art of ceramics.

Here are just a few courtesy of the Pittsburgh Galleries blog:

McGuinn Gallery, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, 412-454-6352.
Out of Madness – Seven Potters Follow Ohr, Georgette Ore, Bart Fetz, Megan Quinn, John Britt, Tony Merino, Lisa Orr, Susan Filley. Features the work of seven potters whose work has been directly influenced by a condition of Mad-Pottery started by Ohr. Organized by Bart Fetz. Mar 19-May 18. Wed 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m., all other days 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Reception Mar 19, 4:30-6:00p.m.

Main gallery of the Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Avenue, 412-622-8830.
Hanging by a Thread, Alison Carter, Joshua Green, John Hasegawa, Philip Haralam, Eric Kao, Jean Keil, Lily Liu, Susan Ting, Yoko Sekino-Bove, May Wong. This invitational group exhibition is to increase the public awareness of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference in Pittsburgh during March of 2008 and to invite the people of Pittsburgh to experience the current trends and diversity in contemporary ceramic arts. All the ceramic work will be displayed on the wall. Organized by Yoko Sekino-Bové. Mar 1-31. Wed-Thu 10:00a.m.-8:00p.m., Fri-Sat 10:00a.m.-5:30p.m. Reception Mar 21, 6:00-8:00p.m.

Fe Gallery, 4102 Butler Street, 412-860-6028.
From the Ground Up, Debbie Quick, HyunKyung Yoon, Akiko Jackson and others. Curated by Jill Larson. Several artists who take a progressive approach to a traditional medium- clay. Feb 22-Apr 18. Daily 12:00-4:00p.m.

Modern Formations Gallery and Performance Space, 4919 Penn Avenue, 412-362-0274.
Americana Refigured, Pavel Amromin, Renee Audette, Thaddeus Erdahl, Magdalene Gluszek, Tammy Marinuzzi, Beau Raymond, Matt Shaffer, Michael Schmidt. Ceramic figurative show focusing on contemporary ideals and what it means to live in todays American society. Organized by Beau Raymond. Mar 7-28. Wed-Sat 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. and by appointment. Reception Mar 20, 7:00-9:00p.m.

I strongly suggest you check out the rest of the events going on around the city these next couple of weeks. For a good listing of events, make sure you visit the Pittsburgh Galleries blog here where events are categorized by neighborhood.

In the meantime, don’t forget about the two calls for artists/photographers that were posted here earlier this week.

Pittsburgh, NCECA, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown, Oakland, East End, Lawrenceville, art, ceramics, clay, Pittsburgh Galleries

For those who are unfamiliar with the tale of the demon barber from Fleet Street, I’m not going to give anything away and will only say I highly recommend you see this play!

It’s only running for a short time between January 29-February 3rd, so buy those tickets immediately. I’ll be out of town or else I would definitely be there!

The schedule is as follows:

January 29-31: 7:30pm
February 1: 8pm
February 2: 2pm & 8pm
February 3: 1pm & 6:30pm

Ticket prices range from $22.50-64.00 and can be purchased online here or by calling 412-392-4900. The performance will be at Heinz Hall in the Cultural District, downtown.

Also playing this week is Eve Ensler’s hit The Vagina Monologues, which is being held at the City Theatre until March 9th.

The schedule varies and is as follows:

Performance Schedule until Feb. 17
Tuesdays at 7 pm
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5:30 pm & 9 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

Performance Schedule from Feb. 20 until March 9
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5:30 pm & 9 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

Note: There will be no performance on Friday, Feb. 29 because the Hamburg Studio will be used to workshop a new musical.

Tickets are $35 Tuesdays-Thursdays, $40 Fridays & Saturdays and $5 off for City Theatre subscribers. There is also a limited number of tickets available to students for $15.

There will also be special performance nights, such as Bring a Man in for Free Night (Feb. 13th), as well as discussions, shopping and girl’s night outs, sound off Sundays and more which can be viewed here.

Also playing at the City Theatre is the 13th of Paris, Mat Smart’s romantic comedy about a man who runs off to Paris and discovers the meaning of true love.

Opening night is January 30th at 8pm and the regular schedule is as follows:

Tuesdays at 7 pm
Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5:30 & 9 pm
Sundays at 2 pm

Tickets are between $15-46 dollars, with discounts for attendees aged 25 and under, students and senior citizens.

City Theatre is located at 1300 Bingham Street in the South Side. For more information visit the City Theatre’s website here or by calling 412.431.CITY.

Hope everyone had a chance to make it out the Gallery Crawl Friday! Hopefully the next one will have a tad warmer weather.

Pittsburgh, theater, City Theatre, South Side, downtown, Heinz Hall, Sweeney Todd, Vagina Monologues, 13th of Paris

This Friday the 25th is the Gallery Crawl, taking place as usual in the Cultural District. As always there will be free admission to downtown galleries, as well as complimentary drinks and snacks. The Gallery Crawl is between 5:30 and 9pm, followed by an after party at Olive or Twist and at Verve Wellness.

Some highlights of the evening include:

Urban Living at the Wood Street Galleries
With numerous construction projects underway, Pittsburgh’s new downtown residents look forward to many options for shaping their domestic, professional and social lives. “Urban Living” offers perspectives and propositions spanning technological and environmental issues that impact and energize urban culture.

Artists include: Pascal Glissmann & Martina Hofflin, Informationlab, Sabrina Raaf, Roman Kirschner, France Cadet

820 Liberty
Define: How To Post It!

A juried Neighborhood Gallery Invitational, presented by Articulate. Demonstrations will include hands-on posting of artwork on-line for galleries and artists and how viewers can purchase artwork online. Presented by Art-iculate; Pittsburgh Creative Network.

Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery
Deliciously Disposable Earth

Deliciously Disposable Earth will be a Salon style international multimedia exhibition that explores the contemporary implications of mining industries across the world. What minerals are being mined? What are we using them for? Who is profiting and who is sweating? How does it fit into our contemporary world of corporate and globalized interests? What new ways of corporate colonialism are being developed by mining industries?

709 Penn Gallery
Celebrations of Life and Death in West Africa

Photo exhibit by musician/photographer, Colter Harper, taken on his journeys through various regions of West Africa

Live West African traditional and popular music.

All descriptions were taken from the Pittsburgh Arts website and for more information, visit their website here or call 412-456-6666 for more information.

Workshop for Working Artists
And then on Saturday the 26th, feel free to attend the Working Artist’s Workshop held at the Fe Gallery in Lawrenceville, which starts a tad early in the morning so don’t drink too much at the Crawl!

Their press release:

Please join us for the first in a series of informal yet informative discussions with prominent members from the art community: Michael Olijnyk, curator of the Mattress Factory; Kurt Shaw, art critic for the Tribune Review; and Renee Piechocki, artist and public art consultant. The workshop is designed to create a forum for discussing the nuts and bolts of exhibiting and gaining exposure as a mature working artist - not to mention the balancing act that we must master in the process.

Brunch and Q & A Discussion Begins at 11AM
Reserve your seat by emailing: BuyArtToday@MindSpring.com
$5 Donation encouraged
Students Welcome

Fe gallery
4102 Butler Street, Pgh
(Lawrenceville) 15201
412.860.6028

Sounds like a fun-filled weekend to me!

If you’re still in need of entertainment, check out Mosley’s post on Pittsburgh drivers here.

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Pittsburgh celebrates it semiquincentennial in November, but all year there are events planned to increase awareness of Pittsburgh’s awesomeness and reasons to visit our fine city.

There have even been plays and operas written to celebrate this occasion, including Second City’s Three Rivers Run Through It! and Squonk Opera’s Pittsburgh: The Opera.

Second City’s Three Rivers Run Through It! runs from January 8-13th, so catch it before it ends! It’s playing at Pittsburgh’s Public Theater on Penn Avenue in the Cultural District.

The Public Theater’s website describes the play: “Created especially for Pittsburgh Public Theater in celebration of the city’s 250th Birthday, comes a brand-new, laugh-out-loud-funny sketch & improv show from the phenomenal Second City. Picture Big Ben meeting Kenny Kangaroo for pierogies in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and you know what we’re talking about. If you love Pittsburgh and you love comedy, this is the show for you. Come and live it up!”

Ticket prices range from $25-45, with $15 pricing for theater goers age 26 and under, but you have to call 412.316.1600 for details.

For more information visit their website here.

Pittsburgh: The Opera is returning due to popular demand and will probably sell out like last year, so buy those tickets as soon as you can if you’re planning on going!

Showtimes:
Thursday, January 17 at 8 pm
Friday, January 18 at 8 pm
Saturday, January 19 at 8 pm
Sunday, January 20 at 3 pm

Tickets:
$12 in advance
$15 at door general admission
$8 students, seniors
$10 groups of 10 or more (all group sales must be in advance)

Available at the door or from ProArts Tickets via telephone at 412.394.3353 or secure website www.proartstickets.org.

The opera will be performed at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty and for more details, visit their website.

To see what other exciting projects are going on in Pittsburgh, check out yesterday’s post here. I tend to post events/articles that are related to the arts and music, so if you find this site lacking in other departments, please send me your events and project info so I can post that as well. Being an art and literary editor, I am constantly communicating with and trying to promote these areas I’m interested in.

Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh 250, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Public Theater, Pittsburgh: The Opera, Second City, Three Rivers Run Through It, East Liberty

It’s that time of year already…it’s Light Up Night! Aww and it’s snowing too…how appropriate!

The festivities are taking place in a variety of places, including downtown and Station Square.

Here’s some highlights for what’s going on tonight:

6 a.m. – 10 p.m. PPG Place Wintergarden and Two PPG Place
PPG Place Holiday Displays (open for the season through Jan. 7)
The “Spirits of Giving Around the World” display captures holiday traditions around the globe. The “5th Annual Gingerbread House and Train Display” feature delicious dwellings created by local students, chefs, organizations and individuals – all surrounded by a unique train display created by a local artist, Don Jones.

9 a.m. – Midnight Bessemer Court, Station Square
The Fountain at Bessemer Court Holiday Shows
Hear the sounds of the season set to our spectacular waltzing water fountain show. Shows are every 20 minutes. This is the final day for the Fountain at Bessemer Court until Spring 2008.

10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. YWCA, 305 Wood Street
YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Presents “A Holiday Bazaar”
Find beautiful, unique handcrafted products and personalized services offered by local women-owned micro-businesses. Children’s activities, holiday music, gift-wrap services, and refreshments also available.

11 a.m. – Midnight PPG Plaza
The Rink at PPG Place Downtown Pittsburgh’s only outdoor skating rink opens for the season

Noon US Steel Plaza
The Pittsburgh Creche Dedication
This nativity scene is an actual replica of the one in St. Peter’s Square
in Rome, Italy. Be sure to visit Pittsburgh’s own symbol of Christmas.

4:30 – 9 p.m. Market Square, Heinz Hall Courtyard & Corner of Fifth Avenue & Smithfield Street
Unite for Diabetes Scavenger Hunt & Sweepstakes
Join the worldwide movement and Unite for Diabetes. This year, you can help the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute and
America on the Move recognize the first-ever World Diabetes Day by participating in the Unite for Diabetes Scavenger Hunt & Sweepstakes. Navigate your way through the Light Up Night festivities by following the Unite for Diabetes Trail. Stop by any of
the Unite for Diabetes booths to pick up a scavenger hunt map and sweepstakes entry form. You can also participate in family-friendly activities including children’s crafts, a football toss and a Unite for Diabetes photo opportunity. To learn more about the Unite for Diabetes campaign, visit http://www.prideofpa.org

4:30 – 9 p.m. Market Square
Market Square Happenings
Sponsored by Duquesne Light and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Stop by the Square for glow sticks at Duquesne Light’s booth, catch a glimpse of the Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley, record holiday greetings with Comcast, participate in a Unite for Diabetes scavenger hunt, purchase tickets to holiday shows at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust booth and hear live music and entertainment on the Market Square stage. Also, visit booths sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Flexcar, Pittsburgh 250, Geico and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Giveaways, prizes, children’s activities (face painting, games), food vendors (kettle korn, roasted nuts, funnel cakes, hot dogs) and much more.

5 – 8:30 p.m. Food Court, Two PPG Place
Harry & Hermie’s Dueling Pianos
Join the fun as Harry Levicky and Hermie Graniti perform your favorite hits in this hand-clapping, foot-stomping performance.
5 p.m. Bessemer Court, Station Square

NIGHT LIGHTS Light Up!
A holiday tradition, Station Square lights up an outdoor walk-through light display called NIGHT LIGHTS. More than 10,000 light bulbs create the new displays and feature several animated components. Begins on Light Up Night and will continue through Christmas Day.

7 p.m. Market Square
Duquesne Light Market Square Lighting of the Trees
Watch as this popular gathering spot is illuminated like never before! The winner of Duquesne Light’s “Light Up Night Sweepstakes”
will illuminate the square with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Morgan O’Brien, President and CEO of Duquesne Light. It’s a sight to see this Light Up Night. Don’t forget to stop by Duquesne Light’s booth for one of their popular glow sticks. To register your child for the sweepstakes, go to http://www.duquesnelight.com

8 p.m. Pittsburgh Public Theater, O’Reilly Theater
This Wonderful Life
Life truly is worth living in this one-man theatrical twist on the classic holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life. http://www.ppt.org

9 p.m. Gateway Center Corridor
Macy’s Fireworks Finale
Join us for the evening’s finale as the sky bursts with color set to festive holiday music.

For a full schedule of events, visit the Downtown Partnership’s website.
PPG Place’s website.
Station Square’s website.

And since I’m supposed to link back to a previous post, check out the Bodies…Exhibition controversy with an additional editorial note from a surgeon in the comments section.

Pittsburgh, Light Up Night, Christmas, PPG Place, Station Square, holiday, Downtown Partnership

The 26th Annual Three Rivers Film Festival began this past Wednesday and is a great event that should not be missed! For those of you who are unfamiliar to the festival, it’s a film festival that shows independent, experimental and foreign films, documentaries, as well as some of the classics like Manhattan.

So here’s the schedule:

Friday Nov. 9
5:30 PF/PCA Member Show
Gallery opening includes a member screening. Melwood
7:00 The Nines
Editor Douglas Crise is scheduled to attend. Regent Square
7:00 The Rocket Harris
9:30 The Island Regent Square
9:30 Beauty In Trouble Harris
9:30 Double Feature, pt 1: Murder Party Melwood
11:00 Double Feature, pt 2: Blood Car Melwood

Sat. Nov. 10
2:00 Manual of Love Regent Square
2:00 The Rocket Harris
2:00 Rough Streets
reception at Melwood immediately following. Melwood
4:15 The Nines
Editor Douglas Crise is scheduled to attend. Regent Square
4:30 Times and Winds Harris
4:30 The Blue Eyed Six
Director Brian W. Kreider is scheduled to attend. Melwood
6:45 The Walker Regent Square
7:00 Kalkadoon Man with William Barton live
Reception at SPACE Gallery, immediately following.
Tickets – $10 available online. Harris
7:00 Mark McElhatten: Contemporary Cinema
Presented by the NYFF curator in person. Melwood
9:15 Persepolis Regent Square
9:15 Chronicle of an Escape Harris
9:30 Double Feature, pt 1Blood Car Melwood
11:00 Double Feature, pt 1Murder Party Melwood

Sunday Nov. 11
2:00 Chronicle of an Escape Harris
2:30 The Island Regent Square
3:00 Mark McElhatten: LaPore Tribute
Presented by the NYFF curator in person. Melwood
4:00 Times and Winds Harris
5:00 American Zombie Regent Square
5:00 The Blue Eyed Six
Director Brian W. Kreider is scheduled to attend. Melwood
6:30 Delirious Harris
7:00 Short Films Program A
Prizes announced and awarded. Melwood
7:30 The Band’s Visit Regent Square

Mon. Nov. 12
7:00 Manual of Love Regent Square
7:00 Chronicle of an Escape Harris
7:00 Guest curator: Adam Abrams Melwood
9:00 The Way I Spent the End of the World Regent Square
9:00 The Rocket Harris
9:15 Trigger Man Melwood

Tues. Nov. 13
7:00 The Way I Spent the End of the World Regent Square
7:00 Delirious Harris
8:00 Film Kitchen: Trailer Trash
Director Don Ramirez is scheduled to attend.
Reception at 7:00pm Melwood
9:00 Irina Palm Regent Square
9:00 Times and Winds Harris

Wed. Nov. 14
7:00 Irina Palm Regent Square
7:00 Trigger Man Melwood
7:30 Manhattan
reception immediately following. Harris
8:45 Short Films Program B
Prizes announced and awarded. Harris
9:00 American Zombie Regent Square

Thurs. Nov. 15
8:00 An Evening With Kenneth Anger
reception at Concept Art Gallery immediately following.
Tickets – $12 available online. Regent Square

The festival is put on by Pittsburgh Filmmakers and to see previous film festivals hosted by the organization, go to my post on the Janus Film Festival here.

For more information on movie descriptions, check out this weeks City Paper or visit the Film Festival’s website here.

Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Three Rivers Film Festival, film, movies, independent, documentaries, Woody Allen, Harris Theater, Melwood Screening Room, Regent Square

This Friday is the last chance you can catch the “Power” exhibit at Future Tenant’s gallery and while you’re out for the Gallery Crawl I’m sure you’ll check it out, right?!

“Power” is an exhibit curated by Christian D that explores the very essence and definition of feminine power.

The commentary on Future Tenant’s website suggests questions/concepts women can ponder while viewing the work: What is it to be a woman with power, a woman without power? How do we achieve it, share it, and reach it and why is it so important? As artists, we use art to express power, but there are so many areas where woman don’t have power.

As well as thinking about: We hear and live through the definitions of what men think of a woman’s power, daily. A man can be intelligent, but a woman is considered cold and calculating; a man can be assertive, but a woman is pushy; a man can implement plans and strategies, but a woman is a nagging mother hen; a man can be strong, but a woman’s strength is defined as bitchy and when a woman exhibits strong leadership abilities, she is accused of imitating a man. Though these definitions may apply to some, they do not apply to all and are limiting, as well as demeaning.

As women, how do we define POWER?

Artists include, Susan Constanse, Veronica Corpuz, Alexis S. Covato, Patricia Villalobos, Escheverria, Cara Erskine, Carolina Loyola-Garcia, Vanessa German, Stacy Rae Gross, Renee Ruth Ickes, Pamela Jennings, Monique Luck, Maritza Mosquera, Rise Nagin, Staycee Pearl, Suz Pisano, Rebecca Rose, Sam Thorp, and Two Girls Working: Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki.

According to the site, the “group exhibit will collectively express the definition of feminine power through the eyes, heart and souls of twenty women, a myriad of meanings of power. Each participating artist will have one piece on display. Why one piece, because more often than not, that is all one gets, one chance to make an impression, one chance to express your power.

The exhibit will represent diversity ranging from the mediums used, the age, experience and culture of the artists. The work can be realized in different media: paintings, photos, digital prints, drawings, sketches, fiber, video presentations, sound works, etc.”

For more information visit Christian D’s website and Future Tenants’.

And speaking of artwork, the Haunted TreeHouse show still needs gothic/Halloween themed artwork for its Halloween party/exhibit November 3rd. For more information view our previous post here.

Pittsburgh, Future Tenant, gallery, art, women, power, Creative Treehouse, Haunted Treehouse

Another party brought to you by 1337 productions and with these acts, promises to be even better than the last party!

Here’s the lineup:

Knifehandchop
Belladonnakillz
The Niceguys
Sunrize
Vapour
Rukkus with MC E.N.D.
Psyklone
Robotpilot
Darren Grant
Dynamic Uno
George WSR
Tika
RyuRy
Konztant
Red Ranger
Otagi

Saturday, Oct. 13th
8pm-4am (doors open at 7:30)
All ages, with 21 + reentry
$20 before 11/$25 after & free for Canadians (no joke, a bunch of the acts are coming from there)

China Town Inn
522 3rd Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

As an added bonus, there’s a bar inside the restaurant and Chinese food will be served all night.
Also, this event is expected to reach full capacity so come early!

For more info, click here or refer to a post I made on a previous party here.

See ya there!

Pittsburgh, China Town Inn, 1337, techno, electronic, drum n bass, music, digital, Knifehandchop, Belladonnakillz, Rukkus

Starting with today, I suggest everyone check out the Alternative Transportation Festival!

According to the festival’s website:

The Alternative Transportation Festival (ATF) is an event to raise public awareness of alternative means of transportation and advocate for the increased use of public transportation, car-sharing, alternative fuels, fuel efficient, hybrid and advanced vehicles, boats, bikes and other human-powered technologies.

Driven by locally-led innovation and a growing community of activists and operators, Pittsburgh has become a leader in the development of alternative transportation solutions to pressing national and international issues that arise from America’s fossil fuel dependence, including rising fuel costs, air pollution and global warming, economic and National security concerns.

The festival is being organized by Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities with support from Steel City Biofuels, Bike Pittsburgh, Restorative Events and Nakturnal.

If you’ve ridden the bus lately, you should have seen the flyer for this event, but just in case you didn’t, here’s some more info.

The event is taking place in three locations: Market Square, Schenley Plaza and South Side Works. Each location will feature live music and entertainment, as well as information on alternative transportation options and a chance to meet with other like minded individuals.

Schenley Plaza:
11am-1:30pm & 3-8pm
Music of Coz Serrapere, DJ Omar Abdul and the Zany Umbrella Circus

Market Square:
11am-1:30pm & 3-5pm
Music of DJ Zimmie

South Side Works:
11am-1:30pm & 3-8pm
Music by The Metropolitans

I am all for increasing public awareness on this issue. I think it’s nice that we participate in the National Dump the Pump Day and that more and more people are riding their bikes to work and despite most of them doing it to save gas money, it is still saving the environment and this is a step in the right direction.

I’m not sure Pittsburgh will ever be as non-reliant on cars as other cities, just because of how the city is laid out and the suburbs, but a step in this direction makes me happy. And since there’s no way we’re going to eliminate commuting to work via cars, I hope in the future there is at least a trend towards the usage of energy efficient cars.

And as for Saturday…

The Tom Museum is celebrating its one year anniversary!!

The event will be split into two halves; the first being a pre-event fundraiser for the Tom Museum with special guest Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, which will take place from 6 – 7 PM and will be in the lobby of the New Hazlett Theater. (Allegheny Square East)
Admission to this part of the event/fundraiser is $65.00.

After the fundraiser at 7:30pm, there will be a contest that sounds like a lot of fun!

From the Tom Museum’s website:
The New Hazlett Theater will host three teams of artists who will compete to build winning sculptures out of secret materials (read: junk to be unveiled at the event). The only supplies that the teams may bring with them to the challenge are the contents of one suitcase. Adding to the suspense of the evening is the arrival of Team West Virginia, led by WVU sculpture professor and artist Douglas Loewen. Tickets are $10.00 and will be available at the door.

Tom Sarver, Mike Cuccaro, Liz Hammond and Buddy Nutt will host the event. Music will be provided by DJ Mary Mack and Mr. & Mrs. Funky of Unfinished Symphonies. Judges for the event will include Heather Pesanti, Assistant Curator at The Carnegie Museum of Art; Mickey McManus, CEO of MAYA Design; Artist Thommy Conroy; and Karen Hartman from the Brew House Association.

For more information, visit the Tom Museum website.

Have a nice weekend everyone and enjoy the nice weather! I’ll be up at Clarion for their Autumn Leaf Festival, which is always a lot of fun!

And as always, go Steelers!!

Pittsburgh, public transportation, buses, alternative fuels, Tom Museum, art, Olympic Theater, Market Square, Schenley Park, South Side Works