January 2020 Events
Please doublecheck the details of any event you'd like to attend, in case of mistakes, typos and cancellations. And if it's useful, please share it with others! I compile this list for free. And may your next decade be full of marvels.
Sometime in January, registration will open for “Bookish in the ‘Burgh”, a free festival with workshops, panel discussions, hands-on activities, writing workshops, etc. which takes place March 27 for Educators, Librarians and YA Literature Advocates, and March 28 for teens. It will take place in the Pittsburgh Cultural District at the Trust Arts Education Center and the Harris Theater on Liberty Ave. Details here: https://trustarts.org/pct_home/events/festivals/bookish-in-the-burgh
“Jesus Christ Superstar”, now through Sunday, January 5, Benedum Center, 7th St. and Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “Jesus Christ Superstar is an iconic musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production comes to North America. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) and award winning choreographer Drew McOnie (King Kong, Strictly Ballroom), this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring. With music and lyrics by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/63008/jesus-christ-superstar
Exhibit, “Cuando el RĂo Sueña”, now through January 26, 2020, Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “Award winning artist and sculptor Jaime Guerrero offers a unique look into the refugee crisis in the United States with his upcoming solo exhibition titled Cuando el Río Suena. The title of the exhibition, Cuando el RĂo Suena (When the River Sounds), is from a South American proverb: Cuando el rĂo suena, es porque agua lleva ("When the river sounds it is because it carries water"). It relates to the danger in the journey of migrants crossing the U.S. border. Guerrero uses this new body of work, created during a nine month long residency at PGC, supported in part by The Pittsburgh Foundation and the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, to shed light on everything from border crossings and child/family separation to detainment camps and subsequent fatalities.” https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/events/cuando-el-rio-suena
Exhibit, “Pop/Op”, now through Saturday, March 1, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Free admission. “This exhibition brings together the works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg, who responded to American consumerism and mass production in conversation with artists of the Op art movement including Edna Andrade and Julian Stanczak whose abstract psychedelic designs were as much about the viewer experience as the artwork itself.” https://thewestmoreland.org/exhibitions/pop-op/
“North Park Field Trip”, Wednesday, January 1, 12PM, North Park, Irwin Road, Allison Park. Free and open to the public. “Enjoying botany and nature on New Year’s Day is now a Botanical Society of Western PA tradition! This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call Richard at 412-487-5549 the day of the hike.” Complete directions here: http://www.botsocwpa.org/calendar.php
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 10AM-12PM, Raccoon Creek State Park, Hookstown, meeting at the Pavilion Picnic area on Raccoon Park Rd. above the Beach entrance. Look for park program signs. Free. “Join us at Raccoon Creek State Park as we kick off the New Year with a hike along our XC Ski/Heritage Trail. The Easy to Moderate 2.5-mile hike will depart from Pavilion #6 at the old Pavilion Picnic area along Raccoon Park Road and follow the XC-Ski Trail loop back to the Pavilion. Not recommend for children under 7.Pets permitted but must remain on a leash at all times. Bring water, snacks and dress properly for the weather. If deep snow, bring snowshoes if you have them. The Park will also provide a limited number of snowshoes if needed. Hike will only be canceled due to hazardous road conditions. For hike information, directions or questions contact Patrick Adams at paadams@pa.gov or 724-899-3611. Registration not needed, just show up by 10:00am. Free Program.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike_8323#.XgrydC3Myi4
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 1PM-4PM, Moraine State Park, Pavilion 7, McDaniel’s Launch Area, 118 North Shore Dr., Portersville. Free. “Start the year out right with a hike on the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) in Moraine State Park! Join the folks from the Butler Outdoor Club, starting at Pavilion 7, McDanel’s Launch Area, 118 North Shore Drive, Portersville, PA 16051. Led by experienced guides familiar with the trails, hikers may choose to go either southwest or northeast from the starting point, all on the NCNST. There will be several opportunities to turn back and make a shorter hike, hikers can opt to walk from 1 up to 6 miles on moderate terrain. Butler Outdoor Club has been active for over 25 years, sharing outdoor experiences. Dress for the weather, sturdy shoes or boots, bring your own water and snacks; friendly dogs on leash welcome. Meet at McDanel’s Pavilion 7, North Shore Moraine State Park, with overflow parking if needed at the Bicycle Rental, 157 North Shore Drive. Continue the First Day Hike tradition: on the first day of 2019, Pennsylvania hosted 46 hikes at 31 park locations and welcomed over 2,949 participants (and 134 dogs) who hiked over 7,755 miles!” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike_240#.Xd73CS3Myi4
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 10AM, Keystone State Park. Free. “Kick off 2020 with a hike in the woods, coordinated and sponsored by the Friends of Keystone State Park! Meet Friends Group members in the beach parking lot, at the far end closest to the street at 10am. From there, head across the street to Davis Run Trail. This hike will run in any weather conditions so be sure to dress for the weather! Wear waterproof shoes and dress in layers and of course, don't forget the bug spray as ticks can be active at all times of the year.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike_1791#.Xd73iy3Myi4
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 10AM-11:30AM, Pymatuning State Park, Jamestown. Free. “Welcome the New Year on a hike with family and friends. Join the park naturalist for a hike along Sugar Run Trail. This will be an easy hike on flat terrain approximately 1 mile in length. We will snowshoe if there is enough snow. A limited number of snowshoes will be available on a first come, first served basis. If you have snowshoes of your own, bring them along. Children ages 5+ are welcome. The program is free. Please dress for the weather. We will meet at Pavilion #1 on the lower side of the dam near the fishing pier and Shenango River Launch.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike_2963#.XgrzBS3Myi4 (See Ohio listings at the end of the list for the First Day hike on the Ohio side of the same park.)
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 10AM, Ohiopyle State Park. Free. “Join us to jump into the New Year! We will meet at the Visitor's Center in Ohiopyle and head to a trail from there. If there is enough snow we will provide snowshoes for our first 20 participants. Dress for the weather, bring along water bottle, snack, traction devices for boots or snowshoes if conditions warrant. Pets are permitted but must remain on leash.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike_9167#.XgrzdS3Myi4
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 1PM-3PM, Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Rd., Slippery Rock. Free. “Take a brisk hike on Jennings’ prairie side trails with Jennings staff. This easy hike will cover approximately 2 miles. Traverse varied terrain, in the prairie, forest, and a beaver meadow wetland. Keep those resolutions you’ll be making to get more exercise and spend quality time outdoors! Join participants in state parks across all fifty states in celebrating year-round recreation and healthy lifestyles. This is a free program. Pre-registration is not required. The hike is rated easy for those who are able to travel the distance with some slopes in winter conditions. Meet the group in the prairie trails area parking lot in time to begin promptly at 1:00. Be sure to dress for the weather, with layers for comfort, warmth and to stay dry! Bring a water bottle and/or snacks if desired.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike_at_jennings_environmental_education_center#.Xgr6AC3Myi4
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 10AM-11AM, Black Moshannon State Park, Lake Loop Trail. “10:00 am- Lake Loop Trail- Take a one mile hike on the mostly flat Lake Loop Trail. The trail will circle around the lake where we will look for signs of wildlife. See an active beaver lodge up close. Please wear appropriate footwear. There will be some rocks and roots across the trail. Meet at the beach.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike-_lake_loop_trail#.Xgr5Ly3Myi4
“First Day Hike- Bog Treasures”, Wednesday, January 1, 1PM-2PM, Black Moshannon State Park. “1:00 pm to 2:00 pm- Bog Treasures- Take a stroll on the boardwalk to see the unique plants and animals that call the bog home. See some carnivorous plants along the way. This hike is about half a mile for the full loop. If there is not snow on the trail at the time, it is stroller friendly and ADA accessible.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_hike-bog_treasures#.Xgr53S3Myi4
“First Day Celebration”, Wednesday, January 1, 1:30PM-4PM, Canoe Creek State Park, Wentz Education Center. “Start the New Year by getting off on the right foot with Friends, family and food! The Friends of Canoe Creek will be there with a fire, hot beverages and snacks (available with a donation). You can stand around the fire drinking hot chocolate, talk to friends, and enjoy the first day of the year! We’ll take a First Day Hike at 2:00 pm so dress for the weather – we’ll have options for long or short hikes. Bring the whole family to join the fun and Friends” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/first_day_celebration_2547#.Xd74TS3Myi4
“First Day Hike: Liggett Trail”, Wednesday, January 1, 1PM-3PM, Cook Forest State Park. “Come celebrate the New Year with a hike along the picturesque Tom’s Run Valley. View one of our lightly travelled old growth forested wetlands in its full winter array. This is a great time to observe tracks of animals seldom seen in other times of the year like coyote, fisher, and bobcat; even black bear have been known to amble through from time to time. Program graciously conducted by Friends of Cook Forest starting at the Log Cabin Inn Environmental Learning Classroom. Remember to bring your snowshoes if the snow is deep!” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/1st_day_hike_liggett_trail#.Xd77DS3Myi4
“What’s Cooking?”, Thursday, January 2, 9, 16, and 23, and Friday, January 31, 3:30PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Carrick; Monday, January 27, 1PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Hazelwood; Tuesday, January 28, 4:30PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh West End; and Thursday, January 30, 5PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Beechview. “Start the New Year off right with healthy (and delicious) recipes. We’ll cook (and eat) healthy snacks, mini-meals, and more!”
“Black and Green: Experiences of a Black Professional Making Their Way in Pittsburgh's Environmental Sustainability Scene”, Thursday, January 2, 5:30PM-6PM Networking and refreshments, 6PM-6:30PM Presentation, 6:30PM-7PM Discussion, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Center for Sustainable Landscapes, 1 Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/green-innovation/in-the-community/biophilia-network “Join us on Thurs., Jan. 2 in the CSL Classroom with Ariam Ford-Graver, city planner, board member of Watersheds of South Pittsburgh, Propel Schools and President of the Overbrook Community Council. In this month's meeting, Ariam will share a personal story about her path into her field, an overview of her current environmental justice work at Grounded Strategies, a commentary of the experiences she has had and the connections she has made through the Black Environmental Collective and the challenges she has faced while being Black and Green in Pittsburgh.”
“Public Planetarium Shows”, Mondays and Thursdays, 8PM, Slippery Rock University Planetarium Rocket Room, Room 142, Vincent Science Center, Slippery Rock. Campus map here: https://rockpride.sru.edu/map/access.php “SRU's planetarium is unique, because it is run entirely by students. There has been a slow migration from the old Spitz star projector to a digital projector. The capacity for seating is 50. Students organize the material and music for the shows, which includes full dome movies.” https://www.facebook.com/SRUPlanetarium/
“Ask the Clergy: Unitarian Universalism”, Thursday, January 2, 7PM-8:15PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan? How different are Catholics and Protestants? Do Sikhs cover their heads for the same reason as Muslims and Hindus? Why don’t Jews study the New Testament? Do you have a different question you always wanted to ask a religious leader? Then email it to: asktheclergy@mimcares.org and come to one or all sessions.”
“Guided Tour: A Very Merry Pittsburgh”, January 2, 3, 4 and 5, 11AM and 1PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Included with admission. “Meet a History Center docent under the Kauffman’s Clock for a guided tour of A Very Merry Pittsburgh. Hear the stories behind the artifacts on display, play with original Wolverine Toy Company toys, and share family holiday traditions.” http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events
“3D Printing 101”, Friday, January 3, 5PM-6:30PM, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $25. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/fablab-public-workshops/ “Learn to design and print on Fab Lab’s 3D printers and explore the technology of 3D printing using a 3D printing pen. This introductory class is required in order to use the 3D printer during Fab Lab Open Workshop (FLOW). Workshop is open to ages 8 and up. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who also registers for the workshop.”
“Quadrantids Meteor Shower”, midnight to dawn, Saturday, January 4. “The Quadrantids can produce over 100 meteors per hour, but the narrow peak of this shower lasts only a few hours and doesn’t always come at an opportune time. The radiant point is in the part of the sky that used to be considered the constellation Quadrans Muralis the Mural Quadrant. You’ll find this radiant near the famous Big Dipper asterism (chart here), in the north-northeastern sky after midnight and highest up before dawn. Because the radiant is fairly far to the north on the sky’s dome, meteor numbers tend to be greater at northerly latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2020, watch in the wee hours – after midnight and before dawn – on January 4. The moon is somewhat past first quarter phase, providing moon-free viewing in the predawn hours for 2020’s Quadrantid meteor shower.” https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-quadrantid-meteor-shower
“SkyWatch”, Saturday, January 4, 7PM and 9PM, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $4, or $2 for members or an add-on to general admission. Free for anyone bringing a telescope to share. “Visitors are invited to come to SkyWatch at the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and Observatory and get up-close and personal with amazing celestial objects. SkyWatch happens rain or shine. The evening begins with a virtual tour of the night sky in Buhl Planetarium. Afterward, visitors are welcome to enjoy additional planetarium programs, and if the skies are clear, head up to our observatory! Spot Saturn’s rings or details on the lunar surface through our 16-inch Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, and chat with our team of expert stargazers. On evenings that SkyWatch is presented, we offer the program twice. Come early, or come late, as your schedule permits.” http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/planetarium/buhl-planetarium-skywatch/
“Painting Winter Wildlife”, Saturday, January 4, 2PM-4PM, Raccoon Creek State Park. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/painting_winter_wildlife#.Xgr7FC3Myi4 “Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park has partnered with Artist Lora Russell to bring you Painting Winter Wildlife at the park. We invite anyone from beginner to skilled artist to learn and practice their artistic talents while enjoying the outdoors at Raccoon Creek State Park. Both children and adults are welcome to attend this painting program on Acrylic.”
“Anime Club”, Saturday, January 4, 2PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Lawrenceville; Saturday, January 4, 3PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland; and Saturday, January 4, 3PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Hazelwood. “Get together with other anime enthusiasts to explore Japanese culture through food, kuwaii crafts, cosplay and of course, Anime! This Program is designed for Teens.”
“Resolution Hike”, Saturday, January 4, 11AM-1PM, North Park, Pie Traynor Field, S. Ridge Dr., Allison Park. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.llbean.com/llb/ods/33?EVENT_LEVEL=[0]&EVENT_TYPE=[0]&PRICE_RANGE=[0]&STORE_CITY_STATE=[22]&activeTab=1&nav=ftlink&nearFilter=22 Moderate. “Whether getting outside more is your new resolution or you need some quiet time in nature to decide on a new resolution, this is the perfect hike to start the year off right!”
“Christmas Bird Count: South Butler”, Saturday, January 4, 8AM-5PM, including Succop
Nature Park. Free. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events Family-friendly version 10AM-12PM: “Kids and parents are invited to participate in a family-friendly version of the Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count. Our naturalist will guide you. This event is appropriate for school-age and up. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Advance registration is required. Free event!”
“The Soul Men host The Blues Brothers Night”, Saturday, January 4, 7:30PM-9:30PM, Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. $14. “Special 40 Anniversary Party! It’s a movie, music, and interactive experience! The John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd classic was released in 1980. To celebrate, we’ve got The Soul Men to host the movie, sing, and so much more! From their knuckle tattoos, to their signature hat and sunglasses The Soul Men impersonate Jake and Elwood to perfection. The Soul Men’s performance is a fast paced, high energy, audience participating routine that includes all of your favorite Blues Brother’s songs to get you moving and dancing. Do you have a little Jake in you? What about some Mother Mary Stigmata? Come dressed up as your favorite character! You may end up a part of the action.” https://www.theoakstheater.com/event-listings
“January Brown Bag Concert”, Saturday, January 4, 12PM-1PM, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “You're invited to our free January Brown Bag concert! Join us for an afternoon celebrating two operatic titans - George Frideric Handel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We'll be featuring a plethora of arias from Baroque master Handel's operas Alcina, Orlando, Giulio Cesare, and Rinaldo. In addition, we will regale you with favorite solos and duets from Mozart's classic The Marriage of Figaro. Special guest Laurel Semerdjian, a Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumna who returns to our stage as Bradamante in Alcina later in January, will join five of our current Resident Artists for the January Brown Bag.” https://www.pittsburghopera.org/calendar/detail/january-brown-bag-concert4
Author Book Signing, “Benjamin Shipton”, Saturday, January 4, 1PM, Barnes and Noble, 1000 Cranberry Square Dr., Cranberry Township. “Come meet local author Benjamin Shipton. In his gripping new novel Droned, we meet Sean James, a decorated Navy SEAL who is a witness to the highest of crimes: murder. Now the U.S. government wants him dead. The flash drive around his neck may prove his innocence and restore his honor--if he survives.” https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062118282-0 https://benjaminshipton.com
“Food Truck A Palooza”, Saturday, January 4, 12PM-5PM, Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Plaza Blvd., Monroeville. $10 admission. Free for ages 10 and under. “Join us at this year’s show featuring 30 Global Food Trucks plus your favorite American faire, fabulous Ice Bar, Beer and Spirits, Kid’s Zone, global music and much more!” https://goodtastepittsburgh.com/around-the-world-in-30-trucks/
“Historical Tours of Main Library”, Wednesdays, 11AM and 1PM, and Sundays, 1PM and 3PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historical-tours-of-main-library-registration-46770852880 “Join experienced staff and volunteer docents as we take you on a guided tour through Andrew Carnegie’s Main Library. You’ll get a look at the wonderful art and architecture that created this historic landmark, as well as how the building’s interior has changed over time. Tours will take place on Sundays at 1 PM and 3 PM and Wednesdays at 11 AM and 1 PM, and will last about 1 hour. All tours will meet in the front lobby of the Main Library.”
Screening, “Doctor Who Live Q and A and Screening”, Sunday, January 5, 2PM, Southside Works Cinema Pittsburgh, Monroeville Mall, and Cinemark Robinson Township. https://www.fathomevents.com/events/doctor-who-season-12-premiere “After travelling through space and time, the TARDIS is returning to movie theaters nationwide for a special one-day-only appearance. On January 5, Whovians across the nation can gather at their local cinema to see the Doctor Who Season 12 premiere episode, followed by an exclusive early unveiling of the new season’s second episode. The Doctor is back and resuming her travels through space and time for a brand-new set of action-packed epic adventures with friends Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yasmin (Mandip Gill) and Graham (Bradley Walsh), in this, her second season as the Doctor. This series will delve deeper into the hearts of the Thirteenth Doctor, with cinematic visuals, compelling characters, and a host of alien threats all tied together with Doctor Who’s trademark warmth, humour and heart. The return of Jodie Whittaker's Doctor and friends is set to thrill, scare and delight audiences around the world. After the feature content, for the first time ever, audiences will be treated to a live Q/A with Thirteenth and current Doctor Jodie Whittaker and companions Tosin Cole and Mandip Gill. This exclusive fan experience will be moderated by Terri Schwartz, Editor-in-Chief of Entertainment at IGN, and transmitted live from The Paley Center in New York to big screens across the country.”
“Winter Walks and Talks: Winter Recreation”, Sunday, January 5, 2PM-5PM, Raccoon Creek State Park, Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center, 482 Route 30, Clinton. Free. “Stay in shape and enjoy the winter landscape with our series of 'Winter Walks and Talks". Held once a month over the winter, each program will cover a different winter theme and consist of a talk followed by a guided hike. The January 5 program 'Winter Recreation' will focus primarily on Snowshoeing and XC-Skiing. We'll cover the basic 'How To' of these winter activities and if we have snow we'll try them out. No snow, we'll hike trails at the Wildflower Reserve. Meet at the Parks Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center at 482 Route 30. Participants should be properly dressed for a 1.5- hour hike and practicing Snowshoeing/XC-Skiing around the Interpretive Center. The program is free and no pre-registration is needed, just show up.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/winter_walks_and_talks_winter_recreation#.Xgr7oC3Myi4
“National Bird Day Hike”, Sunday, January 5, 10AM-12PM, North Park, corner of Babcock and Pearce Mill Rd., Gibsonia. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.llbean.com/llb/ods/33?EVENT_LEVEL=[0]&EVENT_TYPE=[0]&PRICE_RANGE=[0]&STORE_CITY_STATE=[22]&activeTab=1&nav=ftlink&nearFilter=22 Easy. “Spend National Bird Day with our resident bird watcher, who will guide you on a quiet and slow-paced hike in search of the many diverse birds in and around North Park’s lake and forest. All levels of experience are welcome to come and see how many birds you can identify!”
“Christmas Bird Count Imperial Circle”, Sunday, January 5, 7AM-5PM, meeting at 1725 Route 30, Clinton. Free. Preregistration required; see details here: https://server2.charityadvantageservers.com/client/Fern_Hollow_Nature_Center_UPWWEE/cbc_imperialcircle.aspx “Each of the citizen scientists who annually braves snow, wind, or rain, to take part in the Christmas Bird Count makes an enormous contribution to conservation. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations and to help guide conservation action. From feeder-watchers and field observers to count, compilers and regional editors, everyone who takes part in the Christmas Bird Count does it for love of birds and the excitement of friendly competition -- and with the knowledge that their efforts are making a difference for science and bird conservation. Today we are helping the Imperial Circle with their count. We specifically need help with Morrow Pontefract and Walker Park.”
“Word Basics”, Monday, January 6, 2PM-3:30PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Job and Career Education Center. “Learn the basics of word processing: formatting text, saving a document, cutting, copying and pasting and more. Please call 412-622-3133 to register.”
“Computer Vision, Artificial Neural Networks, and How the Brain Can Inspire A.I”, Monday, January 6, 7PM, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. Admission is free, and parking is $5. Preregistration required; register online: http://carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/adult-programs-cafe-sci/ Presented by Dr. Rorry Brenner, PhD, Robotics Research Scientist. “Have you ever wondered why Facebook automatically tags a photo of you? How about self-driving cars? Visual effects in movies? All these applications link back to computer vision – the science of how computers understand digital pictures and videos. In recent years, computer vision has skyrocketed. This is due to the resurgence of an algorithm called 'Artificial Neural Networks'. The machine-learning program, invented in the 1960s, is based on the way neurons in the brain learn and form connections. On Jan. 6, join Dr. Brenner as he discusses his research on what is missing from these artificial systems present in the brain, and how to add those mechanisms in ways to improve them.”
“Pittsburgh Police Chess Club”, Mondays, January 6, 13, and 27, 3PM-4PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Brookline. “Join Zone 6 officers for weekly community chess classes! Children and teens are invited to develop their minds and practice problem-solving skills that apply on and off the chess board.”
“Slovak Folk Art”, Monday, January 6, 7PM-9PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “Discover your Slovak heritage at the library! Open to everyone interested in learning more about Slovak culture. Joe Bielecki will discuss Slovak folk art, such as paintings on glass, corn husk dolls, and straw art.”
“Start a Bullet Journal”, Tuesday, January 7, 4:30PM-5:30PM, Moon Township Library. Grades 912. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MOON/ekp.cfm?curOrg=MOON&CFID=193477277&CFTOKEN=f07b309e32d7daba-719E404F-D4AE-528A-53501540E4C63890&jsessionid=84302f5cfc0aa51abaf37220381d38181f28#6295289 “It’s a new year! Perfect time to start that bullet journal you’ve been wanting to make. Miss Nicole and Miss Kaylea will walk teens through how to design a cover page for 2020 and making a spread for the month of January. Journals will be provided but feel free to bring any stationary (washi tape, highlighters, pens, stickers...) you may want to use to design your journal.”
“Introduction to Snowshoeing”, Tuesday, January 7, Wednesday, January 8, Tuesday, January 21 and Wednesday, January 22, 10AM-12PM, Boyce Park Four Seasons Activity Center. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search “Dress for the weather and get outside this winter with the Allegheny County Park Rangers and learn to snowshoe! This will be a basic introductory class where participants will learn to snowshoe on the Boyce Park Ski Slopes. Pre-Registration is required to reserve a spot. Space is limited!”
“Winter Birds and Backyard Bird Feeding”, Tuesday, January 7, 7PM-8PM, Succop Nature Park, and Thursday, January 9, 7PM-8PM, Todd Nature Store. Free. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events “The temperature might be cold outside, but our feathered friends are still livening up the skies! Learn to identify common backyard winter birds and optimize your feeding methods to attract the widest variety of feathered friends.”
“New Year New You--Plant-Based Eating”, Tuesday, January 7, 6:30PM, Shaler North Hills Library, Glenshaw. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/S/SHALER/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=SHALER “Learn about healthy, plant-based eating from local resident Sarah Kaminski, a Certified Holistic Health and Lifestyle Coach, Recipe Developer and Meal Planning Guru. I have 10+ years experience in the field of Health and Wellness as a certified Pilates instructor, Plant-Based Food Blogger, Meal Plan Developer and Certified Health and Life Coach. I help women to simplify nutrition, approaching food and their bodies from a place of empowerment. I’m also a big fan of making good-for-you foods taste fab.”
“Word Beyond the Basics”, Wednesday, January 8, 2PM-4:30PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Job and Career Education Center. “In this class you’ll learn how to import pictures, create bulleted lists, make tables, save your document as a PDF and more. Prerequisite: Word Basics or solid Word experience. Please call 412-622-3133 to register.”
“Sensing the Future – Combining Wearables, Al, and loT”, Wednesday, January 8, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Duquesne University, Power Center Ballroom, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://duq.edu/about/campus/map-and-directions This is a joint meeting of the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh. There are two lectures. The first (listed here) is nontechnical. In between is a dinner that must be paid for in advance, but if you just want to attend the lectures, they are free and open to the public. All details here: http://www.ssp-pgh.org/ssp-monthly-meeting/ Presented by Ryan O’Shea, Founder and Host of Future Grind. “Decreasing size, increasing capabilities, and diminishing costs mean that sensors are becoming ubiquitous. They are in our homes, cars, offices, electronics, and even on and sometimes in our bodies. All of these sensors are generating data, and this data needs to be analyzed to identify valuable information and actionable insights. The sheer amount of data, however, makes this a daunting and often impossible task for humans. At a certain scale, the best method of making sense of this data is leveraging the capabilities of machine learning. Because of this, the futures of sensors, Internet of Things devices, and artificial intelligence are largely interconnected and interrelated – the future success of one is largely dependent on the future success of the others. This high-level, largely non-technical presentation will provide an overview on how sensors are being used today, their relationship with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and how machine learning and artificial intelligence are being used to analyze the data they generate. We’ll also explore the future applications and implications of these sensors, as well as the rise of smart watches, smart clothing, smart tattoos, and implantable devices. Beyond this, we’ll identify and discuss some of the ethical, societal, and regulatory concerns around issues of data privacy and security, bodily autonomy, medicine, citizen science, and more.”
“Documentary and Discussion: The Bystander Moment”, Wednesday, January 8, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Senior Center, 6000 Gateway Campus Blvd., Monroeville. “The #MeToo movement has shined much-needed light on the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and abuse and created unprecedented demand for gender violence prevention models that actually work. Join us for a screening and discussion of The Bystander Moment, a documentary film that tells the story of one of the most prominent and proven of these models -- the innovative bystander approach developed by pioneering activist and writer Jackson Katz and his colleagues. In a riveting analysis illustrated with archival footage and clips from news, sports, and entertainment media, Katz explores the role of bystanders -- especially friends, teammates, classmates, and co-workers -- in perpetuating sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of gender violence. The Bystander Moment stresses the crucial importance of appealing to people not as potential perpetrators or passive spectators, but as active bystanders and potential leaders who have a positive role to play in challenging and changing the sexist cultural norms that lead to gender violence.” http://www.monroevillelibrary.org/adult.html Trailer here: http://bystandermoment.org
“Meet, Play, Learn: Dungeons and Dragons”, Wednesday, January 8, 5PM-8PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland. “Come play 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main in Oakland, in the North Wing Music Room. This event is designed for people new to Dungeons and Dragons, but all experience levels are welcome. We have dice and pre-generated characters for your use, or you can bring your own! Please email the contact person with your experience level with RPGs or with Dungeons and Dragons, so that we can try and organize tables ahead of time. This event is always in need of Dungeon Masters, so if you’d like to volunteer your services as a DM, or learn how to DM, let the contact person know!”
“Are There Limits to Free Speech?”, Wednesday, January 8, 6PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Free admission and free parking. Preregistration required; register online: https://promo.post-gazette.com/townhall “Free parking is located directly across the street in the Eleventh and Smallman Lot. The accused shooter at Tree of Life was influenced by and active on social media platforms that promote hate and violence. How does society respond to incendiary speech that uses social media as a megaphone and a recruiting and indoctrinating tool? Is it time to re-think this problem?” Moderator: Keith Burris, Executive Editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Panelists: Josh Shapiro; Pennsylvania Attorney General; Bruce Ledewitz
Professor of Law at Duquesne University School of Law; Wasi Mohamed, Pittsburgh Director of Community Entrepreneurship for Forward Cities; Rabbi Jeffrey Myers; Rabbi Hazzan at Tree of Life *Or L’Simcha Congregation; Meagan Cahill; Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation; Ruth Ann Dailey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Columnist.”
Screening, “No Más BebĂ©s”, Wednesday, January 8, 6:30PM, Chaltham University, Eddy Theater, Woodland Rd., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.chatham.edu/about/location/campus-map.cfm “This event is free and open to the public. No Más BebĂ©s tells the story of a little-known but landmark event in reproductive justice, when a small group of Mexican immigrant women sued county doctors, the state, and the U.S. government after they were sterilized while giving birth at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q / A session.” https://www.chatham.edu/events/details.cfm?eventID=26300 trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Aj9HMLcRQ
“Journey On Thin Ice: Life Doesn’t always Turn Out How You Plan, Sometimes It Turns Out Better”, Wednesday, January 8, 7:30PM-8:30PM, Chabad Jewish Center of Monroeville, 2715 Mosside Blvd., Monroeville. $5. Preregistration required; register online: “Mor Greenberg was born in Israel and grew up in Sydney. From a young age, she competed internationally as a figure skater. A chance encounter at a Chabad center led her to expand her horizons and deepen her sense of purpose. She now authors the blog Sugarfreecoating.com and regularly gives uplifting candid talks. Most of her time, however, she is cleaning up after her four adorable kids and lovely husband! Join us as Mor shares her remarkable story! This event is open to the whole community.” http://jewishmonroeville.com/thinice
“Adagio Health Power-Up presents Cooking Around the World”, Thursday, January 9, 4PM-5PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny. “Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a tasty trip as we visit Cuba, Eastern Europe, Spain, Italy, Ethiopia and Japan to learn about their local food and culture. It will certainly charge up your taste bus.”
“Cook It”, Thursday, January 9, 4PM-5PM, Sewickley Library. “Whether you're an experienced chef or a kitchen novice, join us to cook up some delicious recipes! We'll prepare the food, cook it, then eat it! Plus you'll learn recipes and handy skills you can use in your own kitchen at home! Open to all students in grades 6-12. No registration necessary!”
“Meet the Master Artists”, Thursday, January 9, 5:30PM-8PM, Heinz History Center, 5th Floor Barensfeld Gallery, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/meet-the-master-artists “Enjoy meeting the artists featured in the History Center’s art exhibition, Master Visual Artists VII: Preserving the Legacy, in partnership with the Master Visual Artists Project – a local group dedicated to recognizing the lifelong achievements of influential artists in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The evening will include opportunities to speak with the artists about their work and an exhibition catalog signing.”
“Tips for Creating Habits When You Have ADHD”, Thursday, January 9, 6:30PM-8:30PM, Northland Library Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND#6295352 “If you have or suspect you may have ADHD, odds are you have struggled throughout your life to create change. Join Certified ADHD Coach Susan Lieber for an interactive session as she explores motivations for change, recognizes the obstacles to changing behaviors, and outlines steps for creating a habit and developing a plan of action.”
“Revelation: A Conversation on Andy Warhol and Religion”, Thursday, January 9, 7PM-9PM, The Warhol Museum Theater, 117 Sandusky St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.warhol.org/event/revelation-a-conversation-on-andy-warhol-and-religion/ “Over the course of a prominent and prolific career, Andy Warhol both pictured religious subjects and practiced his religious faith. Yet in 20th century histories of modern American art, religion is largely excluded. Warhol was perhaps doubly excluded, as a gay man, and a believing Christian, whose identity in the art world and in American society was made complicated by those identities. This conversation between Erika Doss, professor of American studies at the University of Notre Dame, and Paula Kane, professor of religious studies at the University of Pittsburgh, considers what religion meant to Warhol, how his religious beliefs shaped and directed his art, and why religion “matters” in the history of American modernism.”
“Teen Gender and Sexuality Alliance”, Thursday, January 9 and Thursday, January 23, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Teenspace, “The Teen Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a place where you can be yourself! We’re a group of LGBTQIA teens and allies who are having fun, being supportive, learning about local resources, and striving to make our community stronger.”
“Plant Based Nutrition 101”, 3 sessions, Thursdays, January 9, 16, and 30, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “Join us for a comprehensive overview of Plant-Based Nutrition with registered Dietitian, M J Costello. These three weekly sessions are geared toward learning the basics of plant-based diets, and the sorting of fact from fiction as it relates to optimal nutrition. Science proves that a more plant-based diet helps prevent, treat, and/or reverse some of our leading causes of death, including Cardiovascular Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, certain lifestyle Cancers, Obesity and overall physical and mental well-being. Session 1: Reality Check. Basic Nutrition Education; Session 2: Health Risk Reduction through Nutrition; Session 3: Practical Application, What Do I Eat? Plant-based diets are becoming much more popular for their profound advantages to health, environment and animals.”
“Full Moon Hike”, Friday, January 10, 6PM-8PM, North Park, Pie Traynor Field, S. Ridge Dr., Allison Park. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.llbean.com/llb/ods/33?EVENT_LEVEL=[0]&EVENT_TYPE=[0]&PRICE_RANGE=[0]&STORE_CITY_STATE=[22]&activeTab=1&nav=ftlink&nearFilter=22 “Join us for an exciting hike during the full moon. Please wear appropriate hiking clothing, waterproof footwear (if possible) and dress for the weather. Please bring a small day pack with extra clothes, snacks, water and any personal medications you may need. Hope to see you on the trail!”
“YA Book Club”, Friday, January 10, 7PM, Barnes and Noble stores. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/young-adult-book-club “Join us every second Thursday of the month to discuss these compelling stories and characters with our booksellers and fellow YA fans. Our January selection is Reverie (by Ryan La Sala), a bold, alternate-reality adventure where characters are forced to examine the secret worlds they hide within themselves. Contact your local store or visit bn.com/yabookclub for details.”
“Night Hike with a Park Ranger”, Friday, January 10, 7PM-9PM, Hartwood Acres Park, Middle Road Site. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/ha-night-hike-with-a-park-ranger/4706 “Hike will be approximately 2 miles with moderate elevation changes. Please bring a flashlight.”
“Basic Circuitry and Soldering”, Friday, January 10, 5PM-6:30PM, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $25. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/fablab-public-workshops/ “Learn to solder a basic LED circuit at Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center. This introductory class is required in order to use the electronics equipment and soldering irons during and Fab Lab Open Workshop (FLOW). Workshop is open to ages 8 and up. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who also registers for the workshop.”
“Full Moon Snowshoe Hike”, Friday, January 10, 6PM-8:30PM, North Park Boat House. $15, or $10 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028018/ “Join us for an evening of hiking and forest exploration under the light of a full moon. We will enjoy the tranquility of the evening while observing the stars in the sky and the critters that are more active at night. The hike will cover 3-4 miles at an easy pace with moderate changes in elevation. Marvel at how well you can see by the light of the moon! Snowshoe rentals will be available if weather permits.”
“Grief and Growth: Coping with Life’s Inevitable Losses”, Friday, January 10, 2:30PM-3:30PM, Monroeville Library. “Death, illness, divorce, retirement, moving, broken relationships, betrayals, family cut-offs -- such losses permeate everyone’s life eventually. The healthy human response to all losses is grief. When grieving is accepted, then moved through with awareness and willingness to express its emotions, it leads to healing, even growth. When repressed, grief’s emotional turmoil goes underground and damages body, mind, and spirit. Join counselor Eileen Colianni to learn about the repercussions of refusing to grieve, as well as the significant benefits of coping consciously with losses.”
“Microsoft Powerpoint 2016 Basics”, Friday, January 10, 10:30AM-12PM, Northland Library, Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND#6276402 “Participants will learn about the parts of the PowerPoint screen and go through the steps of making a simple presentation. Topics include how to create slides and add text, how to add colors and background design, how to add transitions and animations to make slides ‘pop’, and how to set up a slideshow in order to present it. Prerequisite: Must have solid Word experience.”
“Full Moon Hike”, Friday, January 10, 6:30PM-7:30PM, Frick Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://embed.showclix.com/event/full-moon-hike-january-20 “Enjoy a free moonlit stroll through Frick Park led by a naturalist. This relaxing one-hour hike is designed to connect participants to the cycles in nature and the seasonal phenomena each month brings. Registration is required for this event. This hike is geared towards teens and adults. Dogs are not permitted to join this hike. This hike is rain or shine. Weather-appropriate clothes and footwear with good tread are encouraged. The hike will meet at the Frick Environmental Center. We'll be relying on moonlight for this hike, so please leave your flashlights at home.”
“DogFight”, Friday, January 10 through Sunday, January 19, Comtra Theatre, 20540 Route 19, Cranberry Township. “The hauntingly beautiful musical, Dogfight, by Pasek and Paul (Edges, James and the Giant Peach, A Christmas Story) and Peter Duchan, was praised by countless critics and nominated for numerous awards, winning the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. Based on the 1991 Warner Brothers film, Dogfight takes audiences on a romantic and heartbreaking theatrical journey that stays with you long after the performance. It's November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But, when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress whom he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion.” https://www.comtratheatre.org
“Guided Tour: Women Forging the Way”, Saturday, January 11, 11AM, and Saturday, January 18, 1PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Included with museum admission. “Travel back through time to explore the ever evolving role of women in Western Pennsylvania. From our earliest history to the 21st century, discover the important contributions women have made to our region and to our nation. Join us as we celebrate the centennial of the women’s vote and learn about the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and endurance of Western Pennsylvanian women.” https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/guided-tour-women-forging-the-way-jan-11
“Clarion River Winter Wildlife Expedition”, Saturday, January 11, 7:30AM-11:30AM, Cook Forest State Park Office, 113 River Rd., Cooksburg. “Just because the herds of people have migrated away during the wintertime, doesn’t mean the wildlife is gone too. Matter of fact, winter on the Clarion is one of the best times of the year to observe wildlife in the park, especially some of the oddballs that you don’t get to see in the summer: migrating birds, river otter, fisher. How many species of birds and mammals do you think we can document along the National Wild and Scenic Clarion River…30, 40, 50? To find out, please bring your binoculars to the Park Office for an interpretive driving tour as we search Clear Creek State Park, the Clarion River, and Cook Forest. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available at the Park Office to warm us up." https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/clarion_river_winter_wildlife_expedition_9191#.Xgr8NS3Myi4
Screening, “The End of Quantum Reality”, Saturday, January 11, 4PM and 7PM, Carnegie Science Center, Rangos Giant Cinema, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $9.95 adults, $7.95 children and seniors. http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/rangos-giant-cinema/the-end-of-quantum-reality/ “Almost one hundred years ago, the project to reduce the world to mathematical physics failed suddenly and completely: ‘One of the best-kept secrets of science,’ physicist Nick Herbert writes, ‘is that physicists have lost their grip on reality.’ The world, we are now told, emerges spontaneously, out of ‘nothing,’ and constitutes a ‘multiverse,’ where ‘anything that can happen will happen, and it will happen an infinite number of times. Legendary reclusive genius Wolfgang Smith demonstrates on shockingly obvious grounds the dead end at which physics has arrived, and how we can return, at last, to the real world. The End of Quantum Reality introduces this extraordinary man to a contemporary audience which has, perhaps, never encountered a true philos-sophia, one as intimately at ease with the rigors of quantum physics as with the greatest schools of human wisdom.” Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJt2cPEFjnA
“Winter Tree ID Walk”, Saturday, January 11, 10AM-12PM, McConnells Mill State Park, Kildoo Picnic Area. “Enrich your enjoyment of nature by learning the basics of tree identification in the winter. Join DCNR staff for a guided walk through the grassy areas adjoining the picnic grounds, visiting a variety of trees and using forestry techniques and tools. Dress for the weather, snow or shine (severe weather cancels event) and bring a drink or snack and a desire to learn. All ages welcome, family friendly. Meet at Kildoo Picnic Area - McConnells Mill State Park, just down the road from 2697 McConnells Mill Rd, Portersville, 16051.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/winter_tree_id_walk_5049#.Xgr8pS3Myi4
“History Hike”, Saturday, January 11, 2:30PM-3:30PM, Canoe Creek State Park, Wentz Education Center. Free. “What a beautiful time to get out and visit our beautiful limestone kilns for a glimpse into the history of this area. Learn about the railroad, immigrants and the connection to the steel industry.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/history_hike_3928#.Xgr87C3Myi4
“Downstairs”, Saturday, January 11 through Sunday, February 2, City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., Pittsburgh. Teens and adults. “This ominous, darkly intriguing new play – from Broadway’s most produced female playwright – confronts family secrets, regrets, and the threat of madness in the search for the good life. Downstairs follows the story of Eileen (Tyne Daly), whose brother Teddy (Tim Daly) has decided to move home and live in her basement. Eileen’s husband is less than thrilled about this. And Teddy is more than a little off his game. As the brother and sister struggle to understand their present and their past, questions of betrayal, disappointment, and madness rise and fall. Who is saving whom?” https://citytheatre.culturaldistrict.org/production/62852/downstairs
Screening, “Runaway Come Home”, Saturday, January 11, 4:30PM-6:30PM, and 7PM-9PM, Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. $10. All ages. “Runaway Come Home is a brand new, locally produced feature that illuminates some of the challenges that are faced in today’s culture. Based on the story of the Prodigal Son, this film explores faith, family, and one of the greatest gifts we have: love.” https://www.theoakstheater.com/event-listings Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRJMKG6A5is
“Writing the Difficult Poem: A Writing Workshop”, Saturday, January 11, 1PM-3PM, KST Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Pay what makes you happy. Preregistration required; contact boxoffice@kelly-strayhorn.org. “Award-winning Pittsburgh poet Toi Derricotte offers the last of a three-part series of workshops that invite writers of all levels to find their way into, and through, the difficult poem. Celebrated for writings that ‘push readers and practitioners into the hard work of seeing…,’ Derricotte shares strategies for those ready to confront their most challenging work. Come ready for an illuminating and active process, guided by the influential writer, teacher, and cofounder of Cave Canem Foundation, which has been fostering talented writers since 1996.” https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/toi-derricotte-final-workshop/
“Sewing Studio: Scarf Exploration”, Saturday, January 11, 1PM-4PM, Trust Arts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. Grades 9-12. $20. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.trustarts.org/registration/66460/sewing-studio-scarf-exploration “Stay warm this winter with scarves you made yourself. Using a variety of techniques and materials, you will make 3 -4 unique scarves. All tools and materials are supplied. This is a beginner's level class.”
“Come Grow With Us Workshop”, Saturday, January 11, 8AM-3:30PM, Penn State Extension Mercer County, 463 N. Perry Hwy., Mercer. $55. Preregistration required; register online: https://extension.psu.edu/come-grow-with-us “Join us for the annual Come Grow with Us workshop! This year we will be focusing on birds, pollinators, seeds, and weeds to get participants going and growing on their gardens this spring! Start the growing season off right with informative sessions, resources, and networking at this winter workshop presented by the Mercer County Master Gardeners.”
“Guided Tour: A Tradition of Innovation”, Saturday, January 11, 1PM-2PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Included with museum admission. “Discover the story of Pittsburgh’s past and future in this guided tour of the Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation exhibit. A History Center docent will guide you through this exhibit and share stories and objects from Pittsburgh’s innovators throughout the ages. Whether you’re a life-long Pittsburgher or a brand-new visitor, you’ll discover something new about our city!” https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/guided-tour-pittsburgh-tradition-of-innovation-jan-11
“Beaver County Snow Shovel Riding Championship”, Saturday, January 11 (January 18 rain date in case of lack of snow), 11AM-3PM, Old Economy Park, 5 Forcey Ave., Baden. Free. “Join us for the Beaver County's 57th Annual Snow Shovel Riding/Race Championship at Old Economy Park, 5 Forcey Drive, Baden. Enjoy hot coffee, hot chocolate, and treats before and after the race. Spectators can stay warm by the burning barrels while enjoying music being played by the DJ and watching all the fun! Registration is from 11am to 12pm. Race begins at 12:30pm to 3pm. Anyone can enter and there is no registration fee. The rules are simple: Sit or lay on the a straight edged shovel, then push off from the starting line down the 165' hill to the finish line! If you fall off, jump up and run thru the finish line with your shovel. Each contestant gets two timed runs down the hill in the division they enter, except for modified where only one run is conducted. Prizes will be awarded to the first and second place finishers in each of seven categories: Girls 10 and under, Boys 10 and under, Girls 11-17, Boys 11-17, Women 18 and over, Men 18 and over, Seniors 55 and over, and the always entertaining Modified Division. Modified is an all-ages race that permits the use of other types of homemade sledding devices as long as a straight edged shovel (not pointed) is touching the ground and attached. Prizes are awarded based on the fastest time. Registration is held at the Maintenance building (garage) at Old Economy Park across from the Barn. Children under 13 must have a parent or guardian signed waiver for their participation. Practice runs are on your own and can be made up until the start of the event which begins at 12:30pm. The Snow Shovel Riding Championship promises to be a fun-filled day enjoying the seasonal weather outdoors at Old Economy Park." https://visitbeavercounty.com/calendar/entry/5613/
“Best of the Bluff, Season One: Musique on the Bluff”, Sunday, January 12, 2PM pre-concert discussion, 3PM concert, Duquesne University, Mary Pappert School of Music, PNC Recital Hall, 408 Magee St., Pittsburgh. $15. “Join the Mary Pappert School of Music for a concert featuring Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra members with Dean Dr. David Allen Wehr as artistic director. This all-French program ranges from sambas to lullabies to cancans, with lions, swans, elephants, birds, fish, chickens, tortoises and many more exotic creatures. The Best of the Bluff series is a two-year chamber music series resulting from a recent audience poll. During the pre-concert discussion, Wehr will speak with conductor Daniel Meyer.” https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/calendar-of-events/bluff-series
“Guided Nature Hike-Winter Animal Tracks”, Sunday, January 12, 2PM-4PM, Settler’s Cabin Park, Apache; Sunday, January 19, 2PM-4PM, White Oak Park, Magnolia; Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search “Hike will be approximately 2 miles with moderate elevation changes.”
“Moraine State Park Snowshoe Hike”, Sunday, January 12, 10AM-2PM, Moraine State Park. $16, or $12 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028020/ “Join us for a scenic hike on the Glacier Ridge Trail in Moraine State Park. We'll be hiking along part of the North Country National Scenic Trail We will cover 6 miles at a steady pace, Please bring or request snowshoes or traction for this winter wonderland hike. We will learn how to stay warm and dry while we hike. A detailed packing gear list will be given to participants. Please contact the office if you need to borrow gear.”
“Hike with a Naturalist: Winter Tree ID”, Sunday, January 12, 1PM-3PM, Frick Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://embed.showclix.com/event/hike-with-a-naturalist-january-trees-20 “Come learn the basics of winter tree ID or brush up on your skills! Take a walk through the woodlands of Frick Park with Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin to practice your observation skills as we take an in-depth look at bark and buds. Registration is required. While this is an all-ages event, it is intended for teenagers and adults. We recommend teenagers attend with a friend, parent, or guardian. This hike is rain or shine. Weather-appropriate clothes and footwear with good tread are encouraged. Participants should expect to walk between one and two miles at a leisurely pace. Hike will meet at the Frick Environmental Center.”
“Bird-Friendly Building Design”, Sunday, January 12, 2PM, Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector. Free. “Millions of birds in North America fatally collide with windows each year. These collisions can happen on any building type—from single family homes to large urban towers—and primarily affect migrating songbirds. In collaboration with the American Bird Conservancy, Pittsburgh-based architect and avian conservationist, Nick G Liadis, will explore why bird-window collisions occur and how good design and architecture can help birds safely navigate around buildings and cities. After the lecture, we will head outside for a brief bird walk.” https://carnegiemnh.org/visitor/powdermill-nature-reserve/
“Opera Up Close- Alcina”, Sunday, January 12, 2PM-3:30PM, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Join Robert Boldin, Artistic Administrator, and special guests from the production, for an in-depth look at Alcina.” https://www.pittsburghopera.org/calendar/detail/opera-up-close-alcina
“Editorial Masterclass with [PANK]'s Jessica Fischoff”, Sunday, January 12, 3PM-4:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/editorial-masterclass-w-panks-jessica-fischoff/ “Join Jessica Fischoff of [PANK] for a Master Class on Publishing! Learn all about publishing your writing in literary journals and presses! Space is limited, but open to all community members of all levels. Bring your own writing supplies. We will discuss tactics of how to prepare a successful submission and how to find the right publications for your work as well as answer questions about what editors look for in the slush pile. We’ll also discuss the steps to starting your own literary journal, use writing prompts to spur new work and offer guidance on the revision process to help you generate your future submissions.”
“Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale”, Sunday, January 12 , 9AM-3PM, Harmar House, 1321 Freeport Rd., Cheswick. $5 per person, free for kids 3 and under. “Thousands of animals and supplies all under one roof! Bring the family and don’t forget the camera! Buy direct and save, wholesale pricing!” http://pghreptileshow.com
“Organ 101”, Sunday, January 12, 3PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, 4200 5th Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “This all-ages program is part behind-the-scenes tour and part concert to share the basics of the pipe organ. We’ll cover terminology like ranks and stops, explain how the organ works, and show the variety of pipe sizes and materials. Our introduction to the pipe organ will conclude with a concert to show off the power of the Chapel’s 4,272 pipes.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/organ-101
“Cooking Demos with Chef Claudy Pierre”, Monday, January 13, 5:30PM-7:30PM, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh Hill District. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/cooking-demos-with-chef-claudy-pierre/ “Learn how to make tasty, heart-healthy dishes! Chef Claudy Pierre will demonstrate the food skills you need to prepare healthy, delicious food for your family. Sample food and win prizes including cookbooks and bags of groceries! Chef Claudy Pierre attended Le Cordon Bleu School of Arts in Pittsburgh, PA and founded Eminent Hospitality Solutions, LLC [Eminent] in 2013. Eminent launched the Empowerment, Awareness, and Training (E.A.T) Initiative, a health and wellness program focused on educating and connecting vulnerable populations with fresh and affordable food. Demonstrating that food can be healthy, flavorful and simple to prepare is extremely important in promoting healthy lifestyles, especially among at-risk population – those susceptible to food related illnesses because of race, gender, and /or socio-economic status. Eminent Hospitality Solutions, LLC’s Empowerment Awareness and Training (E.A.T.) Initiative provides educational workshops and demonstrations that empower food vulnerable families to purchase fresh food, and to prepare meals in a healthy way.”
“Making Impacts with Opportunistic Surveys and Data”, Monday, January 13, 12PM-1PM, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Earth Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Presented by Mr. Foltz, environmental consultant, Environmental Solutions and Innovations, Inc. “All seminars will be held at noon in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater. At the visitor desk, tell the attendant that you are here for the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Series. Admission to the seminar is free of charge. Impactful contributions to science are often thought of as grand scale projects requiring immense funding carried out by professors or doctors working at large universities and museums. While this can quite often be the case, many people overlook the impacts of smaller scale studies and projects, which often serve as the building blocks of larger projects and the collective understanding on information available in a given field of study. Due to this disconnect, many people, particularly young scientists, can often feel as though they cannot contribute anything of value, which is fundamentally false. During this talk, we will look at a variety of opportunistic small-scale biological and ecological studies and contributions to projects that have resulted in furthering the knowledge of their respective fields. We will discuss immediate and future impacts of such projects. For young scientists and the general public, we will provide insight and suggestions on how they can get involved and better contribute to their fields. For professors, curators, and state and federal agency personnel, we will provide suggestions on how to best utilize these individuals and their data should they reach out to you.” https://www.facebook.com/events/443873629623114/
“YA Book Club”, Monday, January 13, 6PM-7PM, Panera Bread, 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=BRIDGEVL#6320794 “Do you love YA books? Would you like to try a new read? Or just need a fun night to enjoy with some friends? Then come to our easy-going YA Book Club! We'll meet every 2nd Monday of the month at Panera Bread on Washington Pike. The best part is that you'll get to pick what books we should be reading for the book club! So, make sure to come with a books-to-read list. The book we will be reading is Radio Silence by Alice Oseman. We will have the books for the book club at both Bridgeville and South Fayette Libraries.”
“Made Local: David Harris”, Tuesday, January 14, 6PM-7PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland. Free tickets required: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/made-local-david-harris/ Mr. Harris discusses his book, “A City Divided: Race, Fear and the Law in Police Confrontations.” “When a high school honors student emerges from a police confrontation outside his home bruised and beaten, and facing serious criminal charges, an American city erupts in protest. A long quest for justice begins. A City Divided tells the story of the case involving 18-year-old Jordan Miles and the three plainclothes Pittsburgh Police officers who were charged with wrongful arrest and use of excessive force in an incident that left Miles battered. The book takes an in-depth look at the opposing stories, and at race and the fear it incites, to find answers. What happened between the police and the teen in 2010, and what went wrong? Can the courts respond with a just solution? And how can we prevent these tragedies in the future? David Harris, a resident of Pittsburgh and the Sally Ann Semenko Chair at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, hosts the Criminal Injustice podcast, a weekly conversation about problems in the criminal justice system produced by Josh Raulerson. Harris, who has written, published and conducted research at the intersection of race, criminal justice and the law for almost thirty years, explains not just what happened but why, what the stakes are and, most importantly, what we must do differently to avoid these public safety catastrophes.”
“Kickback: Exposing the Global Corporate Bribery Network”, Tuesday, January 14, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/david-montero/ “Join us for an evening of reading and discussion with David Montero! ‘Kickback’ explores a global system of corruption and inequality: it traces how many of the most prestigious corporations in the world, including Fortune 500s, pay billions of dollars in illegal bribes every year to some of the most authoritarian and repressive regimes in the world. Montero spent five years traveling across Nigeria, Bangladesh, Greece and China to document how these payments exact a devastating toll on human rights, political stability, and the overall health of many of the world’s poorest nations. Kickback is deeply concerned with human rights issues and the exploitation of universal freedom of expression. Many writers, journalists, and artists are seeking refuge from the very regimes that Montero documents – regimes that cling to power thanks to the illegal bribes they receive from Western corporations.”
“Return to Lake Volta: Ghanaian Songs”, Tuesday, January 14, Duquesne University, Mary Pappert School of Music, Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation, 408 Magee St., Pittsburgh. $10. “This faculty recital is the sequel to Songs of Lake Volta, blending traditional Ghanaian songs with original jazz.” https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/calendar-of-events
“Revolting Radio”, Tuesday, January 14, 3:30PM-5:30PM, Sewickley Library. “Love scary stories? Want to make something scary? Join the crew of Revolting Radio and help create a brand new chilling podcast, featuring scary short stories and more. All talents needed, from acting to writing to sound effects and recording! Open to all students entering grades 6-12. No registration required!”
“The Life and Legacy of Henry Phipps”, Wednesday, January 15, 6:30PM-8PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Lawrenceville. “Rose Hydeman, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens docent and local historian, will discuss the life and legacy of Henry Phipps.”
“Owl Prowl in Riverview Park”, Wednesday, January 15, 6:30PM-8:30PM, Riverview Park, Pittsburgh. $12, or $8 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028015/ “Did you know that Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls inhabit Riverview Park? Join Venture Outdoors Trip Leaders for an evening hike through this 250-acre city park while searching for owls! We will learn more about owls, and will even spend some time learning and practicing owl calls. After the hike, we will gather for hot chocolate to warm up as we discuss our experience.”
“Nature at Night: Moonlight and Snow”, Wednesday, January 15, 7PM, Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector. Free. “Once the sun has set, a crisp winter night can be a beautiful time to walk in the woods. The stillness of the evening lets us listen to snow crunching under our feet, an owl hooting in a nearby tree, or the distant yip of coyotes. Bring your flashlight or headlamp, jacket, boots, and gloves, and come hit the trail at night.” https://carnegiemnh.org/visitor/powdermill-nature-reserve/
“I-79 Landslides near Pittsburgh, PA: A 50-year Perspective””, Wednesday, January 15, 7:30PM, Cefalo’s Banquet and Event Center, 428 Washington Ave., Carnegie. Presented by James Hamel, Phd PE PG, Hamel Geotechnical Consultants. This is a monthly meeting of the Pittsburgh Geological Society, and if you only want to hear the speaker, it’s free and open to the public. Members and nonmembers alike can come earlier for a catered meal, and teachers can receive a certificate for continuing education credits, but both require additional costs. Details here: https://pittsburghgeologicalsociety.org/index.html
“Excel Beyond the Basics”, Wednesday, January 15, 2PM-4:30PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Job and Career Education Center. “Develop your Excel skills beyond basic spreadsheets and formulas. Learn how to sort data, turn your data list into a table, assign a workbook password, create charts and more. Prerequisite: Excel Basics or previous Excel experience. Please call 412-622-3133 to register.”
Screening, “Weathering With You”, Wednesday, January 15 and Thursday, January 16, AMC Waterfront 22 Homestead, Southside Works Cinema, and Monroeville Mall. https://www.fathomevents.com/events/weathering-with-you “GKIDS and Fathom Events proudly present a two-night fan preview screening of the highly-anticipated new film from director Makoto Shinkai and producer Genki Kawamura, the creative team behind the critically-acclaimed, global smash hit Your Name. The summer of his high school freshman year, Hodaka runs away from his remote island home to Tokyo, and quickly finds himself pushed to his financial and personal limits. The weather is unusually gloomy and rainy every day, as if to suggest his future. He lives his days in isolation, but finally finds work as a writer for a mysterious occult magazine. Then one day, Hodaka meets Hina on a busy street corner. This bright and strong-willed girl possesses a strange and wonderful ability: the power to stop the rain and clear the sky… The fan preview screenings will feature an exclusive video interview with director Makoto Shinkai.” Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6iK6DjV_iE
“West Pittsburgh History Club”, Thursday, January 16, 11AM-12:30PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh West End. “Join us as local historian, Norene Beatty, presents on Pittsburgh and the West End’s part in shipping on the Ohio River. Pittsburgh played a crucial part in this as the home of the source of the Ohio River. Norene is the president of the Old Stone Tavern Group and is passionate about preserving and educating on the rich history of the West End.”
“Cook It!”, Thursday, January 16, 4PM-5:30PM, Northland Library, Pittsburgh. “Let's get cooking! Come learn how to make a simple dish and share your own favorite recipes! This program is for kids in middle and high school.”
“Interfaith Panel: The Nature of the Soul”, Thursday, January 16, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “At this Interfaith Panel discussion, members of the Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium (MIM) will discuss the nature of the soul within their respective faith traditions. Panelists will include representatives of the Bahá'Ă, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Sikh, and Unitarian Universalist faith communities.”
“Chutz-Pow! Vol. 4 Launch and ‘Chutz-Pow! The Art of Resistance’ Exhibit Opening”, Thursday, January 16, 6PM, Chaltham University, Chatham Gallery, Woodland Hall, 5798 Woodland Rd., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.chatham.edu/about/location/campus-map.cfm Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://hcofpgh.org/events/ “Join the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh as we formally launch our fourth volume in our wildly popular graphic novel series ‘Chutz-Pow!’. This newest volume will focus on women’s stories during the Holocaust. In addition, come see the opening of our original exhibit ‘Chutz-Pow! The Art of Resistance’ featuring artwork from Chutz-Pow! Volumes 1-3 (on display in Chatham University’s Woodland Art Gallery from January-February, 2020).”
“Birds and Climate Change: Audubon’s Survival by Degrees Report”, Thursday, January 16, 7PM-8:30PM, Beechwood Farms Nature Preserve. Free. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events/8831 “Audubon’s latest findings show that nearly 2/3s of North America’s bird species are severely threatened by climate change. How will birds in North America be impacted? This talk will cover the findings of Audubon’s updated 2019 Audubon’s Survival by Degrees Report and the challenges facing bird species across the continent. Free.”
“Made Local: Chip Walter”, Thursday, January 16, 6PM-7PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, South Wing Reading Room. Free tickets required: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/made-local-chip-walter/ “Pittsburgh-based science journalist Chip Walter’s new book with National Geographic, Immortality, Inc., entwines fascinating conversations about life, death, aging, and the future of the human race, even as it peels back the science and personal stories of how and why these scientists are tackling the problem. Walter dives into the mysteries of stem cell rejuvenation, advanced genomics, artificial intelligence and new discoveries unmasking the very roots of aging and youth. In an age where Silicon Valley billionaires are betting their fortunes on laboratory advances to prove aging unnecessary and death a disease that can be cured, the idea of living hundreds of years might sound absurd or even morally wrong. Walter’s journalism concludes it isn’t science fiction. Researchers are delving into the mysteries of stem cells and the human genome, discovering what it means to grow old and how to keep those processes from happening. The scientific advances in this captivating story will have a profound effect on the future of humanity.”
“Artist Talk: Associated Artists of Pittsburgh”, Thursday, January 16. 6PM-7PM, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Free. Preregistration here: https://thewestmoreland.org/event/artist-talk-associated-artists-jan/ “Hear it straight from the mouth of an artist! These interactive conversations will delve into the artists and their practice from the 107th Annual exhibition. The featured artists will be: Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer, Nancy McNary-Smith, and Katie Ott.” More about the exhibit, which will run through January 26, here: https://thewestmoreland.org/exhibitions/aap-annual-exhibition-2019/
“An Elephant in the Garden”, Friday, January 17, 7PM and Saturday, January 18, 2PM, Byham Theater, 101 6tth St., Pittsburgh. $12. “1945. Dresden, Germany. Two children and their mother flee falling bombs during World War II. They aren’t alone, though. An adorable elephant from the zoo named Marlene becomes an unlikely family member. Along the way, this extraordinary quartet of refugees meet a Canadian officer cowering in a barn, a school choir on the run and their Countess savior who is harboring them from the Nazis.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/65834/an-elephant-in-the-garden
“Laser Cutting 101”, Friday, January 17, 5PM-6:30PM, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $25. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/fablab-public-workshops/ “Learn to use the 40W laser at Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center to safely cut and etch your own designs! This introductory class is required in order to use the laser cutter during any Fab Lab Open Workshop (FLOW). Workshop is open to ages 8 and up. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who also registers for the workshop.”
Screening, “Matewan”, Friday, January 17, 7PM, Carnegie Science Center, Rangos Giant Cinema, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $13.95 adults, $11.95 children and seniors. “At The Rangos, critically-acclaimed songwriter and Americana folk icon Will Oldham will introduce the new 4K restoration of the 1987 historic drama Matewan. In the film, a labor union organizer comes to an embattled mining community brutally and violently dominated and harassed by the mining company. Written and directed by John Sayles, Matewan recounts the true story of a West Virginia coal town where the local miners’ struggle to form a union rose to the pitch of all-out war in 1920. When Matewan’s miners go on strike, organizer Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper, in his film debut) arrives to help them, uniting workers white and black, Appalachia-born and immigrant, while urging patience in the face of the coal company’s violent provocations. With a crackerjack ensemble cast—including James Earl Jones, David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell, and Will Oldham—and Oscar-nominated cinematography by Haskell Wexler, Matewan taps into a rich vein of Americana with painstaking attention to local texture, issuing an impassioned cry for justice that still resounds today. Bill O’Driscoll, arts and culture reporter at 90.5 WESA, will conduct a Q/A with Oldham after the film.” http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/rangos-giant-cinema/matewan/ Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIoiHf_Lt4
Screening, “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound”, Friday, January 17, showtimes TBA, Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound reveals the hidden power of sound in cinema – and the unsung heroes whose creative breakthroughs have impacted the most beloved, classic films. Through film clips, interviews, and archival footage, this documentary captures the history, impact and process of this overlooked art form. Featuring the insights and stories of iconic directors such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, David Lynch, Barbra Streisand, Ang Lee, Sofia Coppola, and Ryan Coogler, working with sound design pioneers – Walter Murch, Ben Burtt, and Gary Rydstrom and the many women and men who followed in their footsteps.” http://cinema.pfpca.org/films/making-waves-the-art-of-cinematic-sound
“Poetry Unplugged: MLK”, Friday, January 17, 8PM, August Wilson Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. Ages 16 and up. “The fourth annual Poetry Unplugged is a night of spoken word and music featuring artists from around the country using the life and work of Martin Luther King as inspiration. Poetry Unplugged will be a night of TRUTH and POWER. Mahogany Browne hosts an evening filled with Award-winning spoken word artists known for their fierce delivery and ability to move the crowd. Featured poets include Jessica Care Moore, Ursula Rucker, and many more.”
“Fire and Ice Festival”, Friday, January 17 through Sunday, January 19, Somerset. “Fire and Ice Festival is a little winter gem that will help break the winter doldrums. Held every weekend before Martin Luther King Day, Fire and Ice is a great community event that has something for everyone and is sure to bring the family together. There is a lot of energy at this festival. A 5k run, fireworks, and contests add pep to dreary winter days. For great food, great music, and great times Fire and Ice is an obvious pick. The Fire and Ice Festival hosts an amazing ice sculpting contest and boasts some of the most beautiful ice sculptures. During the festival, craftsmen carve amazing wooden statues that are auctioned off at the end of the festival. Stop in at the Fire and Ice Marketplace to shop for a variety of handcrafted goodies and to place bids for the silent auction. For the kids, there is a model train display and a festival scavenger hunt. There are a lot of activities as well, such as ice-cream making, frog jumping, and face painting. Older kids will enjoy the teen dance and the billiards contest. Friday, the festival hosts fireworks.” https://www.somersetinc.org/fireandice/
“Learn to Crochet Chevrons and Waves”, Saturday, January 18, 10:30AM-12PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Learning Lab Classroom. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/rocketsearch/rs_event.cfm?curOrg=MTLEB&tfem=false&eID=6183344 “Join Robyn Chachula, crochet author, teacher and designer, as we travel over hills and valleys with our crochet! Chevron and wave patterns are just brimming with eye catching beauty. Join us in class as we learn crochet techniques to master these fabrics; such as increasing and decreasing stitches, and differing size of stitches. This class is for the beginner level student, who is familiar with how to chain, single crochet, and double crochet. Students should bring 2 balls of contrasting color yarn and corresponding hook, or borrow yarn and hook from us. Ages 10 and above. Registration required.”
Concert, “Let Freedom Sing!”, Saturday, January 18, 7PM, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2001 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh; and Monday, January 20, 7PM, Woodland Hills High School Auditorium, 2550 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh. Cash donations for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank requested. “13th annual concert celebrations of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Both concerts featuring the Heritage Gospel Chorale of Pittsburgh, and Lynne Hayes-Freeland, KDKA Radio, and combined choirs from around the region.” http://www.letfreedomsing.net
“Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Out of This World”, Saturday, January 18, through March 8, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, 1 Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. Included with Conservatory admission. Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30PM are lectures on topics related to bonsai and orchids; see complete schedule for details: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/orchid-and-tropical-bonsai-show “Starting Sat., Jan. 18, grab your spacesuit and prepare to blast off into a galaxy of gardens at Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show: Out of This World! At this all-new show, guests will enjoy hundreds of star-shaped and otherworldly orchids, plus our cosmic collection of tropical bonsai. Escape from the cold and embark on an interplanetary adventure right inside the display rooms of our Victorian glasshouse!”
“Guided Nature Hike-Winter Animal Track Exploration”, Saturday, January 18, 2PM-4PM, Harrison Hills Park, Environmental Learning Center; and Sunday, January 26, 2PM-4PM, North Park Skating Rink, 2nd Floor. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/hh-guided-nature-hike-winter-animal-track-exploration/4701 “Take a close look at the different signs of animal activity in the wintertime. There will be a short indoor portion followed by an outdoor exploration of animal tracks and signs.”
“Rock Around the Garden- An Introduction to Rock Gardening”, Saturday, January 18, 1PM-2:30PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “Len Lehman will share his expertise on rock gardening. Learn about the types of rock gardens and which type of rocks and plants to use to create unique and stunning gardens. Len Lehman received his BS in Science Education and Biology and his MS in Entomology and Education from the University of Tennessee. He currently serves as docent at Phipps Conservatory and is a member and past President of the Men’s Garden Club of Pittsburgh, past Vice President of the Pittsburgh Iris and Daylily Society, past Chair of the North American Rock Garden Society, and Vice Chair of the Hosta and Daffodil Society of Western PA.”
“Learn to Program an Arduino”, Saturday, January 18, 10AM-12PM, Pitt Manufacturing Assistance Center Makerspace, 7800 Susquehanna St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://prototypepgh.com “Learn the basics of programming an Arduino. This open source microcontroller can be used to build to build simple robots, thermostats, and motion detectors.”
“Snowshoe Stroll through Schenley”, Saturday, January 18, 1PM-3PM, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. $15, or $10 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028026/ “See Schenley Park in a new way this wintry season - by floating atop the heaps of snow in snowshoes! We have shoes for even the littlest hiker, so bring the entire family along. We'll cover 1-2 miles on easy trails. If we don't have snow, we will still have a chance to try out the snowshoes, then take an easy stroll through the park. Cookies and hot cocoa at the end to warm up!”
“An Afternoon with Mark Perrott - Tattoo Witness”, Saturday, January 18, 1:30PM-2:30PM, Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., Pittsburgh. “Join us for a discussion and book signing with photographer and Pittsburgh native Mark Perrott on Saturday, January 18 at 1:30 p.m. Mark’s most recent book, Tattoo Witness, is a collection of portraits of tattooed Americans. The book includes a forward by Carnegie Museum of Art’s first photography curator, Linda Benedict-Jones, as well as excerpted interviews by Tim Azinger and Heather Mull. Mark has worked as a professional photographer for the past fifty years. In addition to his commercial work, which includes portraiture and photography for annual reports. Mark has lifelong, made photographs that document Pittsburgh’s citizens, and its rich industrial landscape. Mark’s photographs are included in the permanent collections of a number of museums, including the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.” https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/an-afternoon-with-mark-perrott-tattoo-witness http://www.markperrott.com
“Book Reading and Performance: ‘Songs of Love and Horror’ by Will Oldham”, Saturday, January 18, 6PM-8PM, White Whale Books, 4754 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. “White Whale Bookstore is delighted to announce an evening of song and conversation with Will Oldham. Performing as himself, Palace Brothers, or Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Oldham has released more than twenty studio albums, along with EPs, singles, and music for film and television. He'll be joining us in the store to discuss and read from his collection of lyrics, Songs of Love and Horror, as well as play a few select songs and sign copies. In his introduction to this book, Oldham writes, “The primary intention of these works is to provide platforms (or excuses) to commune with others: with people I love, musicians I revere, and audiences who feel similarly desperate for connection.” Spanning the full arc of his career, Songs of Love and Horror serves as a timely retrospective of Oldham’s songwriting. Throughout the book, Oldham has annotated the songs, providing his personal spin and reflection on the work, and showcasing a songwriting and literary presence that is both candid and wise. Emotionally riveting, intelligent, and warm, Songs of Love and Horror is a spectacular portrait of an artist who has captured poetry in music to say what we can’t say otherwise. This volume preserves an extraordinary body of work that will dazzle longtime fans and new listeners alike. We hope you'll come out to welcome Will Oldham to White Whale and to Pittsburgh, as well as buy his books! It's sure to be a magical event.” https://whitewhalebookstore.com/events/2020/1/18/book-reading-and-performance-songs-of-love-and-horror-by-will-oldham
“Lecture: Lina Bo Bardi Draws”, Saturday, January 18, 1:30PM-2:30PM, Carnegie Museum of Art Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://cmoa.org/event/lecture-lina-bo-bardi-draws/ “Learn more about one of the most inspirational architects of the 20th century, Lina Bo Bardi, from visiting curator Zeuler R. Lima. The lecture will address the broad context of Bo Bardi's life and work through her colorful, idiosyncratic drawings.”
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration”, Saturday, January 18 and Sunday, January 19, 10AM-5PM, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Free. Preregistration here: https://thewestmoreland.org/event/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration/ “Drop in all day, performances start at 2pm. The Museum is celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of musical performances and art making. And, be sure to share your dreams for a better future through an activity in the Center for Creative Connections.”
“Guided Tour: Pittsburgh’s Attic From Glass to Ketchup”, Saturday, January 18, 11AM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. “Join a History Center docent for a tour where you’re guaranteed to see something new. This guided tour will take you to three exhibits: Special Collections, Glass: Shattering Notions, and Heinz. We’ll bring out objects that you can see and touch in this special tour.” https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/guided-tour-pittsburghs-attic-jan-18
“Creative Conundrum Lab: Crafts for Clean Air REDUX”, Sunday, January 19, 3PM-5PM, Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, 214 N. Lexington St., Pittsburgh. “Join us and the Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) for the second installment of our highly successful Crafts for Clean Air, a winter sewing workshop! We'll sew athletic winter wearables—create your own scarf, headband, ear warmers, face mask, wristlets, legwarmers, and more using reclaimed fleece, wool, and stretchy fabric. Bring a friend (or two) so you can try out our sewing machines while learning more about air quality and how to stay healthy during the cold weather months from GASP’s education coordinator.” https://www.facebook.com/events/2662709417130805/
“History and Futurity, Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. MLK Jr.”, Monday, January 20, 12PM-3PM, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Pay what makes you happy: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/history-futurity-mlk-day-2020/ “History and Futurity is a celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose work brought hope and healing to America. Stop by anytime between 12:00pm and 3:00pm for engaging activities hosted by community partners and join us at 1:00pm for an intergenerational performance program featuring Pittsburgh based artists in the theater! The afternoon will affirm Dr. MLK Jr.’s example of activism, and remind youth of their power to transform our world.”
“Microsoft Word 2016 Basics Part 1”, Monday, January 20, 10:30AM-12PM, Northland Library, Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND&ref=EK&refNote=TaF#1/20/2020 “Participants will learn about the parts of the Word window and practice formatting and editing text. Participants will also learn how to Cut, Copy, and Paste text, as well as how to Save a Word document. For students with no previous Word experience. Prerequisite: Must have mouse skills.”
“Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Day”, Monday, January 20, 11AM-4:30PM, Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Included with admission. “This year marks the 91st birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose message of equal rights for all is as important today as it was during his lifetime. Help us celebrate his legacy through family-friendly activities that inspire discussion and reflection. All activities are free with admission! Collaborative Dream Mural in the Studio 11AM-4PM: Stop by the Studio to contribute to a collaborative mural. Draw or write your dreams for the positive changes you hope to see in the world. The whole family can participate! Come back at 4 p.m. to see the completed mural. Self-Portraits in the Galleries 11AM-4:30PM: Look at examples of portraits found in the galleries, then create your very own self-portrait to take home. As you draw, reflect on the things that are difficult to depict in a portrait, such as your hopes, dreams, and feelings—many of which are shared by other people. Back-to-Back Drawing in the Galleries 11AM-4:30PM: Join us in the Scaife Galleries for this fun drawing game that emphasizes collaboration and communication. Try sketching an artwork that you can't see while a friend or family member describes it to you.” https://cmoa.org/event/martin-luther-king-family-day/
“Microsoft Excel 2016 Basics Part 1”, Monday, January 20, 12:30PM-2PM, Northland Library, Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND&ref=EK&refNote=TaF#1/20/2020 “Participants will go through some basic Excel terminology before learning how to move around the spreadsheet. Participants will then build some simple financial documents to practice on, using simple functions, formulas (such as addition), and constants. Prerequisite: Must have solid Word experience.”
Author Talk, “Carmen Maria Machado”, Monday, January 20, 7:30PM, Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Tickets $15-$35 adults, $10 students: https://pittsburghlectures.org/lectures/carmen-maria-machado/ “Carmen Maria Machado’s genre-bending short-story collection Her Body and Other Parties was one of the hottest books of 2017. In her revolutionary memoir, In the Dream House, Machado writes about her personal experience of queer domestic violence, and gives readers essayistic explorations of the history and reality of abuse in queer relationships. Unpacking the stereotype of lesbian relationships as safe and utopian, In the Dream House is a bold dissection of the mechanisms and cultural representations of psychological abuse. Tracing the full arc of a harrowing relationship with a charismatic but volatile woman, Machado struggles to make sense of how what happened to her shaped the person she was becoming. The result is a wrenching, riveting book that explodes our ideas about what a memoir can do and be.” https://carmenmariamachado.com
“Martin Luther King Community Celebration”, Monday, January 20, 10AM-4PM, Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at PGC. Learn about glass, and enjoy hands-on activities that demonstrate the importance of teamwork in the creative process! Help us mosaic on our new Free Library that will be installed outside of PGC spring 2020. Glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day. Free kiln-fired pizza also available until 4pm!” https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/events/martin-luther-king-community-celebration
“Martin Luther King Interfaith Service”, Tuesday, January 21, 6PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, 4200 5th Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “An annual service co-sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Cross Cultural and Leadership Development, the Office of Interfaith Dialogue and Engagement and the Association of Chaplaincies. All are welcome to attend.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/martin-luther-king-interfaith-service-2
“Introduction to the Glowforge”, Tuesday, January 21, 6PM-7PM, Monroeville Library Maker Lab. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.monroevillelibrary.org/adult.html “Join us for a brief introduction of the Library's GlowForge (laser cutter/engraver). This amazing tool uses a laser to cut, wood, paper, plastics, fabric, leather, and even chocolate. It can also engrave images on many different materials. in this course you will learn the basics of how the GlowForge works and what it takes to generate your own work. You will also have the opportunity to make your own customized key-chain. There is a class fee to cover material costs and, because space is limited, registration is required.”
“Jazz Series-Local Legends: Pittsburgh Potpourri, Part 2”, Tuesday, January 21, 4:30PM, Duquesne University, Mary Pappert School of Music, PNC Recital Hall, 408 Magee St., Pittsburgh. $10. “The next concert in the Uptown Jazz series will focus on a blend of Pittsburgh-native jazz artists. For the series, the School of Music is partnering with non-profit organization Pittsburgh Creators' Project, which will display local artwork in the PNC Recital Hall lobby during the performances.”
“Northland Teen Gender and Sexuality Alliance”, Tuesday, January 21, 6:30PM-8PM, Northland Library Pittsburgh. “Come hang out with a group of LGBTQIA+ friends and allies to have fun, be your true self, strengthen community, and of course eat snacks! This group will meet the third Tuesday of each month. Ages 13 to 18.”
“PowerPoint Beyond the Basics”, Wednesday, January 22, 2PM-4:30PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Job and Career Education Center. “Learn how to take your presentation to from basic to amazing and continue to develop your comfort level and skills with PowerPoint. Please call 412-622-3133 to register.”
“Introduction to Microsoft Excel”, Wednesday, January 22, 11AM-1PM, Sewickley Library. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/S/SEWICKLEY/EK.cfm “This class will cover the basics of using this popular spreadsheet software.”
“Melissa Hartwig Urban in conversation with Dr. Will Cole - Whole30 Family and Friends Cookbook”, Wednesday, January 22, 7PM-8PM, Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/melissa-urban “Riverstone Books is thrilled to welcome Melissa Hartwig Urban and Dr. Will Cole for a unique way to kick off the New Year. Most of us resolve to eat healthier at the beginning of every year adopting a new dietary lifestyle such as the Whole30 plan. But the realities of modern life often intercede when we get together at parties. Whether it is a family gathering, Superbowl Sunday affair, or a backyard BBQ, Whole30 Friends and Family can show you how to have fun and stay true to your new healthy eating habits. Packed with recipes from snacks, to main courses, to drinks (all Whole30 compliant) this book will help you create the perfect menu whether you are hosting or bringing a dish as a guest.”
“Science Fiction Book Discussion Group”, Wednesday, January 22, 7PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room B. “The science fiction book discussion group focuses on classic, ‘hard,’ and/or award winning science fiction books.” Novel: “The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet” by Becky Chambers. Short Fiction: “The Effluent Engine” by N.K. Jemisin and “The Woman from Altair” by Leigh Brackett
“Words and Pictures: Jim Rugg”, Thursday, January 23, 7PM-8PM, Carnegie Main Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free tickets required: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/words-and-pictures-jim-rugg/ “Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures presents Jim Rugg is a Pittsburgh-based comic book artist, illustrator, and designer who collaborated with author Cecil Castellucci on the cult classic graphic novel The PLAIN Janes in 2007. The PLAIN Janes are back in a complete graphic novel collection to be released with a never-before-seen third story in January 2020. The Janes and their secret art gang are sure to be a hit with young adult readers. Jim’s other books include Street Angel, Afrodisiac, Notebook Drawings, and Supermag. He is a recipient of both the Eisner and Ignatz Awards and he teaches visual storytelling at the School of Visual Arts and the Animation Workshop in Denmark.” https://www.jimrugg.com
“A Masterclass In Forensic Science With Dr. Cyril Wecht”, Thursday, January 23, 10AM, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, 1 Lincoln Park, Midland. “World-renowned pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht takes students on an amazing journey into the heart of forensic science with a focus on some of the most fascinating and controversial cases of our time.” http://www.lincolnparkarts.org/event/ed98b611f484b8ce194e94540e0d2290
“Little Shop of Horrors”, Thursday, January 23 through Sunday, February 23, O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “At Mushnik’s Florists, clerk Seymour is growing an odd horticultural find. Turns out that water is not enough; it takes warm bodies to keep the bloodthirsty flower fed. This hilariously harrowing musical became a monster hit for Menken and Ashman before they wrote The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast for Disney. A tender love story, along with rock, R and B, and 60s girl group music, complete this carnivorous carnival of fun.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/61928/little-shop-of-horrors
“Adobe Illustrator 101”, Thursday, January 23, 6PM -7:30PM, Monroeville Library, Maker Lab. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.monroevillelibrary.org/adult.html “Learn Adobe Illustrator so you can make your own projects on the GlowForge, Sillohette, etc... This is an advanced series of courses geared for anyone who wants to create their own work on the GlowForge (laser cutter/engraver), large format printer, and Sillohette/Cricket. We will learn how to create artwork by drawing freehand and importing images from anywhere. You will learn how to draw with precision, manipulate text and then how to export your creations in the proper formats to use in the other advanced equipment in the Maker-Lab. We will provide you with your own USB drive so you can store your work, take it with you, and bring it back. This class is part of a series and there is a class fee to cover materials, and, because space is limited, registration is required.”
“Generations Speaker Series: Deborah Leuchter Stueber”, Thursday, January 23, 7PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://hcofpgh.org/events/ “She was born in Bruchsal, Germany. He was born in Vienna, Austria. As hidden children, their paths crossed briefly in a French orphanage. This is just a part of their story, separately and together: surviving the Holocaust, fighting Nazis in the French Resistance, and making a new life in America. This is the true story of Kurt and Edith Leuchter, as told by their daughter Deborah Stueber.”
“From The Heart Valentine’s Stamping Class”, Thursday, January 23, 10AM-12PM, Sewickley Library. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/S/SEWICKLEY/EK.cfm “Creatively express your love and affections this Valentine's Day! Nicole Steele of The Joyful Stamper is back for another fun stamping session with you. She'll lead you step-by-step in making a chocolate holder, a tall treat bag, and 2 Valentine's Day cards. All stamper levels are welcome, from new to experienced! We'll make a beautiful mess playing with paper, ribbon, ink, and embellishments.”
“Plant-Centered Diet: What is it, and can it work for you?”, Thursday, January 23, 7PM-8:30PM, Northland Library Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND&ref=EK&refNote=TaF#1/23/2020 “Have you heard the term plant-based but feel too uninformed to give it a try? Join Holistic Health and Lifestyle Coach Sarah Kaminski as she talks about the basic principles of a plant-centered approach to eating and how it differs from other diets. About the presenter: Sarah Kaminski is a Pittsburgh native, educator, Holistic Health and Lifestyle Coach and Plant-Based Recipe Developer through The Veg Out Project.”
“Opera: The Light in the Piazza”, January 23, 24, and 25, 8PM, and January 26, 2PM, Carnegie Mellon University, Purnell Center for the Arts, Phillip Chosky Theater, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/assets/pdfs/campus-map-2019-8.5x11.pdf $10 adults, $5 seniors, free for students. https://www.cmu.edu/cfa/music/events
“Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District”, Friday, January 24, 5:30PM, Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District. Free. “Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is a free, quarterly, multi-venue showcase of downtown’s dynamic art and entertainment scene. Dozens of galleries, stages, storefronts, and unique public spaces dot each installment’s 14-block map of destinations, hosting US premieres of international multimedia artists, regional visual art exhibitions, live music, theater and dance performances, film screenings, hands-on creative activities, and special crawl after dark attractions. The Gallery Crawl is what it looks, feels, tastes, and sounds like to experience a true Cultural District, with diverse artistic offerings for a multitude of interests. Nearly 30,000 annual visitors experience this “open house” for Pittsburgh’s renowned Cultural District, free and open to the public since 2004.” Complete details here: https://crawl.trustarts.org
“Vinyl Cutting 101”, Friday, January 24, 5PM-6:30PM, Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. $25. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/fablab-public-workshops/ “Learn to use the computer controlled vinyl cutter in Fab Lab Carnegie Science Center. This introductory class is required in order to use the vinyl cutter during Fab Lab Open Workshop (FLOW). Workshop is open to ages 8 and up. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult who also registers for the workshop.”
“Owl Survey”, Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, 5:30PM, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Killbuck Boat Launch. Free. “To better protect our resources, we must first have a grasp of what we have. Join the park naturalist and Cambria County's compiler for the PA Society of Ornithology, as we go seeking two seldom encountered owls: the Northern Saw-whet and the Long-eared. Using audio recordings, we hope to hear responses from these two species, so we can document their presence and numbers within the park. We will meet at the Killbuck Boat Launch, and survey the access. All are welcome to join us, but be prepared for an extended period outside in winter conditions. Dress in layers, wear proper footwear, and bring a flashlight and water/snack." https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/owl_survey#.Xgr-xS3Myi4
“Year of the Rat- Lunar New Year Kickoff Celebration”, Saturday, January 25, 12PM-4PM, St. Edmond’s Academy, Discovery Space, 5705 Darlington Rd., Pittsburgh. “Come celebrate the biggest holiday on the Asian calendar with live cultural and music performances, family fun activities and authentic traditional foods from local restaurants.” The annual Lunar New Year parade will take place on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill on Sunday, February 9, 12:30PM. https://www.facebook.com/ocapghpa/photos/a.305685462816896/2876485452403538/?type=3&theater
Exhibit Opening, “Andrea Zittel: An Institute of Investigative Living", Friday, January 24, 6PM-8PM, Exhibit runs Saturday, January 25 through March 8, Carnegie Mellon University, Purnell Center for the Arts, Miller Institute for Contemporary Art, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/assets/pdfs/campus-map-2019-8.5x11.pdf “Miller ICA is opening a solo exhibition of new and existing work by Andrea Zittel from January 24th-March 8th. Andrea Zittel’s work rests at the intersection of art, architecture, and design. A world-builder, Zittel’s practice manifests within her live/work residence A-Z West– an artwork and homestead located on over seventy acres in the California high desert next to Joshua Tree National Park. Since its inception A-Z West has functioned as an evolving testing grounds for living—a place in which spaces, objects, and acts of living all intertwine into a single ongoing investigation into what it means to exist and participate in our culture today. “How to live?’ and ‘What gives life meaning?’ are core issues in both Zittel’s personal life and artistic practice. Answering these questions has entailed exploring complex relationships between our need for freedom, security, autonomy, authority, and control—observing how structure and limitations often have the capacity to generate feelings of freedom beyond open-ended choices. This exhibition surveys work spanning many years, and a wide range of media including furniture, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, painting, and two newly commissioned room-sized patterned tile-floors. The exhibition demonstrates the immersive gestalt of Zittel’s all encompassing practice where every material aspect of daily life is examined and her ethos for living guides all action.” https://miller-ica.cmu.edu/exhibitions/#466/andrea-zittel-an-institute-of-investigative-living
“Map Reading Workshop”, Saturday, January 25, 10AM-11:30AM, Pittsburgh REI, 412 S. 27th St., Pittsburgh. $12, or $15 for REI members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.rei.com/events/92974/map-reading-workshop/266983 “Map reading just got a whole lot easier with this hands-on workshop focused on building your confidence reading topographic maps! In this hands-on workshop , you'll learn the ins and outs of contour lines, how to identify different topographic features, and how these features can impact your route planning.”
“Alcina”, Saturday, January 25 through Sunday, February 2, Capa Theater, 111 9th St., Pittsburgh. “Alcina is a baroque masterpiece by George Frideric Handel. The title character, Alcina, is a malicious sorceress who lives on an enchanted island with her sister Morgana. She uses her magic spells to trick men into falling in love with her. But once she tires of them, she turns them into animals or inanimate objects. Alcina’s current crush is Ruggiero, a chivalrous knight she has captured. Ruggiero’s fiancĂ© Bradamante and her tutor Melisso arrive to bring Ruggiero home. But Alcina and Morgana have no intention of letting him leave, setting the stage for a climatic showdown. Will Ruggiero regain his senses in time? Will Alcina’s evil spell finally be broken?” https://www.trustarts.org/production/61916/alcina
“Origami Paper Crafts Workshop”, Saturday, January 25, 1PM-2PM, Dormont Library Pittsburgh. “By popular demand, our Origami Paper Crafts workshops will be continuing! Sessions are held on the fourth Saturday of each month from 1-2 PM. This program is open to adults, teens, and children 3rd grade and up. You can see some photos of our previous workshops on Facebook. Registration is requested for this program. To register or for more information, please call 412-531-8754 or ask at the front desk.”
“Beethoven’s Fidelio”, Friday, January 24 through Sunday, January 26, Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “’Of all my spiritual children, this is the one that cost me the worst birth pangs’, said Beethoven of his only opera ‘Fidelio’. ‘For that reason, it is the one most dear to me.’ The story of one woman's heroic struggle to rescue her husband from political imprisonment, ‘Fidelio’ occupied Beethoven for nearly a decade. He rewrote it twice to fashion a powerful, inspiring allegory of love and courage. Manfred Honeck has assembled the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh to perform, in concert version, Beethoven's ‘Fidelio,’ in advance of his performances at Vienna’s Theater an der Wien, the site of the work’s 1805 premiere.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/62260/beethovens-fidelio
“Pittsburgh Songwriters in the Round”, Sunday, January 26, 6PM-7PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/pittsburgh-songwriters-in-the-round/ “It all begins with a song. In this acoustic, Nashville-style round, four songwriters will take turns sharing their original songs and the stories behind how they were written. Presented in cooperation with the Pittsburgh, PA Chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.”
“Black Holes, Beakers, and Books: A Popular Science Book Discussion Group”, Sunday, January 26, 3:30PM-4:30PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Director’s Conference Room. “Are you interested in exploring the vast mysteries of the cosmos, understanding human evolutionary history, or talking about the long-term future of the planet earth? These topics and more will be discussed in Black Holes, Beakers, and Books, a popular science book club that reads and discusses popular science books published within the last five years. This group meets every other month on the fourth Sunday from 3:30 – 4:30 PM in the Director’s Conference Room on the First Floor of the Main Library. January’s selection is: 'Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars' by Nathalia Holt. Holt traces the pivotal achievements of the elite female science recruits at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where in the mid-20th century they transformed rocket design and enabled the creations of the first American satellites.”
“Aeolian Winds of Pittsburgh”, Sunday, January 26, 3PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, 4200 5th Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “The Aeolian Winds' mission is to share high-quality wind chamber music with the greater Pittsburgh community, bringing the group's members' diverse experiences of their daily lives and chosen professions to the music-making, creating a truly unique ensemble.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/aeolian-winds-of-pittsburgh http://www.aeolianwinds.com
“Cookies and Crafts: Valentine’s String Art”, Sunday, January 26, 1PM-3PM, Baldwin Borough Library. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BALDWIN/EK.cfm?zeeOrg=BALDWIN “Back by popular demand, join use for another Cookies and Crafts! This month we are inspired by St. Valentine, and will be making heart string art. There will be several patterns to choose from. You'll get to be creative and hit a bunch of nails! Please bring a hammer, and a dozen of your favorite cookies to share with your new friends.”
“Michael Smerconish: American Life in Columns”, Sunday, January 26, 2PM, Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. “SiriusXM and CNN Host and Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Michael Smerconish brings his book ‘Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns’ to the stage with a dynamic, visual presentation. All author proceeds from sale of the ‘Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right: American Life in Columns’ book benefit the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, a Philadelphia non-profit that provides social services to children who are the victims of trauma.” https://www.theoakstheater.com/event-listings
“Let’s Go Snowshoeing”, Sunday, January 26, 11AM-2PM, Forbes State Forest, Roaring Run Trailhead. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=7013q000002BpZuAAK&mapLinkHref=https://maps.google.com/maps&daddr=Let%27s%20go%20snowshoeing?%20(Roaring%20Run)@40.563876,-79.559567 “We can't predict the weather, but we can have an adventure whether there's snow or not! Join Sierra Club and REI for an outdoor adventure at Roaring Run. If there’s enough snow on the trail, we’ll have snowshoes available for you to use for free. If not, then we’ll go for a hike! It’s sure to be a great time either way. We will hike for about 3 miles out and back on the Roaring Run Trail in the Laurel Highlands. This hike is suitable for people age 15+, but not for dogs. Be prepared to get your heart rate up and work muscles you didn't know you had! Assuming we’ll have snow, REI is planning a brief snowshoe fitting and training on how to use them at 11am. Please be on time! We will hit the trail promptly at 11:30am. Sierra Club staff will be talking on the trail about how climate change is affecting our region and ways to get involved in doing something about it.”
“My Dear Children: A Screening and Director’s Talk Honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day”, Sunday, January 26, 3PM, Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Pittsburgh. $18 adults, free for students and survivors. Preregistration required; register here: https://hcofpgh.org/events/ “The first scholarly, in-depth documentary on the pogroms following the Russian Revolution, the horrifying precursor to the Holocaust.” Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owFZ-hgPzc8
“Microsoft Word 2016 Basics Part 2”, Monday, January 27, 10:30AM-12PM, Northland Library Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND&ref=EK&refNote=TaF#1/27/2020 “Participants will type some text in Word and then learn how to work with commands such as setting tabs, margins, columns, and spell-check. Prerequisite: Participation in the Microsoft Word 2016 Basics Part 1 class or similar.”
“Novel Methods for Untangling the History of Species Interactions”, Monday, January 27, 12PM-1PM, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Earth Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Presented by Dr. Emily Meineke who is joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Urban Landscape Entomology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at University of California, Davis in 2020. “All seminars will be held at noon in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater. At the visitor desk, tell the attendant that you are here for the R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Series. Admission to the seminar is free of charge. Insects have been eating plants for nearly 400 million years, and these interactions have given rise to much of macroscopic diversity. Over the past 12,000 years or so, humans have altered these relationships by domesticating plants and moving them beyond their natural ranges, spraying pesticides, building cities, and changing the global climate. Long-term effects of global change on plant-herbivore interactions are of critical importance to ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. However, effects of global change on these and other species interactions are understudied because longitudinal data spanning the period of anthropogenic environmental change are sparse. Here, Dr. Emily Meineke details two novel methods for determining how interactions between plants and insect herbivores have shifted with global change: citywide urban warming experiments and insect damage preserved within historical plant specimens. Together, these methods reveal that insect herbivore abundance and damage are likely to increase with continued climate warming and urbanization. However, urbanization has complex effects on herbivores that vary across feeding guilds. These results have clear implications for improving the management of urban forests to increase greenness, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.” https://www.facebook.com/events/2473537502888455/
Concert, “Surround with Alia Musica”, Monday, January 27, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/surround-with-alia-musica/ “Immerse yourself in the sound-world of a harp sextet. In Surround, a landmark piece from Pittsburgh new music composer Federico Garcia-De Castro, six harps encircle the audience creating a concert experience like no other. Surround employs familiar and innovative harp-playing techniques, and explores the spatial possibilities of surround sound, from all-encompassing textures to circular motion to spatial surprise. Featuring PSO’s principal harpist Gretchen Van Hoesen, members of her graduate studio at Carnegie Mellon University, local harpists Natalie Severson and Nuiko Wadden (member of the New York-based International Contemporary Ensemble). The performance is part of a collaboration with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind Children, that includes workshops with the students in the creation and performance of spatial music, and is supported by Arlene Wolk and the Helen Jaffe Wolk Fund (Pittsburgh Foundation).”
“Anissa Gray - Book Signing and Discussion”, Monday, January 27, 7PM-9PM, Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., Pittsburgh. “The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls is the January 27th, 2020 Riverstone Book Club pick. We are thrilled to announce that Anissa Gray will be joining us to lead Book Club that evening. This wonderfully written, intriguing book reminds us of The Mothers meets An American Marriage in this dazzling debut novel about mothers and daughters, identity and family, and how the relationships that sustain you can also be the ones that consume you.” https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/anissa-gray-book-signing-and-discussion https://anissagray.com
“Microsoft Excel 2016 Basics Part 2”, Monday, January 27, 10:30AM-12PM and 12:30PM-2PM, Northland Library Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND&ref=EK&refNote=TaF#1/27/2020 “Participants will learn how to create lists, sort data, add codes, format numbers, and work with fill series. Participants will also work with various formulas and functions. Prerequisite: Participation in the Microsoft Excel 2016 Basics Part 1 class or similar.”
“Write or Die: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing and Critique Group”, Tuesday, January 28, 6:45PM-8:55PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room B. “Write or Die (WorD) is a Pittsburgh, PA science fiction, fantasy and horror writing and critique group. Established in 1996, it has been steadily growing since then. Meetings are free to attend and open to the public. Our group includes experienced writers with decades of writing experience behind them, and newcomers who have yet to see anything in print. What exactly do we do? We're writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror, and we gather together to share our work with each other and gain insight so we can all become better writers. We look for the good in your work and always strive to point out the good parts but understand, as a Critique Group we will also give you helpful criticism that will help you make your writing better. We look for mistakes and problems with your writing so that you can make it better.”
“Pittsburgh Marathon presents P3R Runs on Second Ave.”, Wednesday, January 29, 6PM-8PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Hazelwood. “Meet a youth coach from the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon and learn more about running and food! Whatever your age or your sports interest, we have a plan for you. Join us for fitness and snacks. School Age Children and Teens are welcome!”
“The C Word”, ("crazy"), Wednesday, January 29 through Sunday, February 2, Duquesne University, Genesius Theater, 1225 Seitz St., Pittsburgh. $20 adults, $10 seniors and non-Duquesne students, free for Duquesne students. “The C-Word is a dark comedy about mental illness and family. It explores how different generations handle mental health and how those attitudes have shifted over the years. The story takes place after Grace returns home after being released from a psychiatric hospital. Grace is staying with her mother, Mary. (This is a case of the apple not even leaving the branchlet alone falling off of the tree). Tension builds throughout the show as the two realize they may not be the best influences on each other.” https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4388050
“Poison Garden: Poisoning in Agatha Christie's Literature”, Wednesday, January 29, 6PM-7PM, University of Pittsburgh, Scaife Hall, 4th Floor. Campus map here: https://www.pitt.edu/documents/campus_map.pdf Presented by Syliva Pamboukian, PhD, Professor of English, Robert Morris University. http://bioethics.pitt.edu/event/poison-garden-poisoning-agatha-christies-literature
“National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, Ukraine Presents Swan Lake”, Wednesday, January 29, 7:30PM, Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. “This full-scale production, set to the music of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and based on German legend, follows a heroic young prince as he works to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell. The Legendary National Ballet Theatre of Odessa with 55 Ukrainian talented and brightest ballet stars bring this romantic tale of true love to glorious life!” https://www.thepalacetheatre.org/concerts-events/swan-lake/
“100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die”, Thursday, January 30, 7PM-8:30PM, Northland Library, Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NORTHLAND/ek.cfm?curOrg=NORTHLAND&ref=EK&refNote=TaF#1/30/2020 “The story of Pittsburgh’s transformation from a smoky steel town to a modern, high-tech city draws people from around the world to this corner of southwestern Pennsylvania. With so much to do and see (and eat!) around here, it’s no wonder why. Join author Rossilynne Culgan as she talks about her book, 100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die, combining a local’s expertise with the spirit of discovery in her hometown. About the author: Rossilynne Skena Culgan is director of The Incline, a Pittsburgh news website devoted to helping curious locals make the most of their city. Before The Incline, Rossilynne worked at Carnegie Science Center, Thrillist, About.com, the Tribune- Review, the Valley News Dispatch, and The Daily Collegian at Penn State.”
“The Book of Merman”, Thursday, January 30 through Sunday, March 8, Greer Caberet Theater, 655 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “Two Mormon missionaries ring the doorbell of Ethel Merman and hilarity ensues in this new musical comedy. This diva-driven whirlwind features original songs and show-stopping ballads, combining one of Broadway’s smash hits with the larger-than-life persona of the legendary belter Ethel Merman. Mistaking the two young men for door-to-door salesmen, Ethel welcomes the missionaries in after their frustrating day of canvassing the neighborhood for prospective converts. The result — a hilariously heartfelt journey about being true to oneself, as both the Mormons and Merman come to embrace who they really are.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/66572/the-book-of-merman
“Oscar Nominated Short Films”, opening Friday, January 31, Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. They will be showing three separate programs of Oscar nominated films in each of three categories: Short Film (Animated), Short Film (Live Action) and Documentary (Short Subject). Nominees will be announced on January 13, so check back later for details. “For the 15th consecutive year, Shorts HD and Magnolia Pictures present the Oscar-Nominated Short Films. This is your annual chance to predict the winners in all three categories – Animated, Live Action, and Documentary (and have the edge in your Oscar pool)! A perennial hit with audiences around the country and the world, don’t miss this year’s selection of shorts. The Academy Awards take place Sunday, February 9th.” http://cinema.pfpca.org/films/2020-oscar-nominated-short-films
**********Road Trips*********
Buffalo
“Millard Fillmore Commemoration”, Tuesday, January 7, 10AM, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1411 Delaware Ave., Buffalo NY. Free. “A long-standing tradition continues in the new year, as the community will gather at Forest Lawn for the 55th annual Millard Fillmore Commemoration Program – this year marking the 220th anniversary of his birth. All are welcomed to join us at the Fillmore gravesite for this event as representatives from the University of Buffalo and several other organizations in which President Fillmore played a key role, join to honor him and his legacy. This ceremony is open to the public, and will be followed by a reception in Forest Lawn’s Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center.” https://buffalonews.com/2019/12/27/commemoration-set-for-millard-fillmores-220th-birthday/
“Special Tour: In a Most Commendable Manner: Fort Niagara's Hidden African-American History”, Monday, January 20, 2PM-3:30PM, Old Fort Niagara, 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, NY. $13 adults, $9 ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under. “This walking tour examines African Americans at Fort Niagara from the 18th through the 20th centuries. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Old Fort Niagara presents a special walking tour that illuminates the hidden African American history of the fort. Tour participants will learn about slavery in New France, hear the story of Richard Pierpoint, a black loyalist during the American Revolution, discover new information on the 24th Infantry Regiment that was posted at Fort Niagara in 1908-9 and conclude with a look at the life of Hubert Crawford, the African American artist who painted the mural "Lions of Cantigny" at the Fort Niagara Officers Club.” https://www.oldfortniagara.org/event/100186/special-tour-in-a-most-commendable-manner-fort-niagaras-hidden-african-american-history
“Lumagination”, select evenings, Saturday, January 25 through Saturday, February 29, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 S. Park Ave., Buffalo, NY. $15.50 adults, $14 seniors and students, $7 ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and under. “Mysterious Minerals - The interior of the Botanical Gardens will be illuminated to excite imaginations, stimulate the senses and entertain all ages! This year, visitors will experience the extraordinary facets of Earth and minerals. From simulated salt caves and stalactites to wooden sculptures, balancing stones, geodes and crystals, Lumagination will take visitors on a journey like no other! This is part three of a four-part series exploring water, air, earth and fire.” Details and special events here: https://www.buffalogardens.com/products/lumagination
“Buffalo Soup Fest”, Sunday, January 26, with two sessions, 11AM-1:30PM and 3PM-5:30PM, Buffalo Riverworks, 359 Ganson St., Buffalo, NY. $4 admission tickets: https://buffalosoupfest.eventsmart.com/events/the-10th-annual-buffalo-soup-fest/ Most soups costing $2 or $3, cash only. Parking $5. “Welcome to the fastest-growing and most exciting event of the winter in Buffalo, NY! The Buffalo Soup-Fest has spent the last NINE years providing tens of thousands of Western New Yorkers with some of the best soups in the area. Join 5,000+ friends and 25restaurants while sampling over 70 different soups all in one place! Bring your friends and family to Buffalo Riverworks and be a part of what everyone is calling the must-attend event of the winter!” https://www.buffalosoupfest.com
Erie
“Wild Winter”, Saturday, January 4, 10AM-11AM, Presque Isle State Park, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Dr., Erie. Free. “What do animals do in the winter? How do they survive the cold and snow? Compare animal pelts and learn about hibernation, migration, and adaptation. Meet at the TREC for this indoor program.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/wild_winter_1634#.XgxBwhdKii4
“Lighthouse Walking Tour”, Sunday, January 12, 12PM-2PM, Presque Isle State Park, Lighthouse Parking Area, Erie. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/lighthouse_walking_tour#.Xgr9QS3Myi4 “Experience the story of the Presque Isle Lighthouse on this 2-mile walking tour. Meet the Park Naturalist at the Presque Isle Lighthouse Parking Area. This program will include an outdoor hike along Sidewalk Trail and an indoor tour of the lighthouse.”
“Erie Bluffs After Dark”, Friday, January 17, 6PM-7:30PM, Erie Bluffs State Park. Free. “Join the Park Naturalists for an evening stroll at Erie Bluffs State Park for about a 1.5 mile hike. Meet in the main parking lot at 11122 W. Lake Rd. in Lake City. Learn about nocturnal wildlife and park history. Please dress for the weather, waterproof footwear recommended. No fee or registration required.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/erie_bluffs_after_dark_9017#.Xgr96y3Myi4
Harrisburg
“For the Love of Orchids”, Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2, 9AM-5PM, Milton and Catherine Hersey Conservatory, 170 Hotel Rd., Hersey. Included with admission: $13.50 adults, $12 seniors, $9.50 ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and under. “More than 1,000 orchids representing dozens of orchid varieties will be on display, including rare species and unique hybrids. Orchid societies from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, DC participate in the annual exhibit. Several vendors will have orchids for sale. Societies, individuals and vendors will show displays that will be judged onsite by American Orchid Society judges and presented with awards. Several orchids displayed at previous SOS shows have received national recognition. A team of AOS judges will award show ribbons and trophies to the best of the best on display at the show. An incredible variety of orchids will also be available for purchase.” https://www.susquehannaorchid.org
Maryland
“Crazy Crowns”, Saturday, January 4. 1PM-4PM, American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 2nd Floor Classroom, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD. $5; museum admission not included. All ages. “Join us for a hands-on, drop-in, art-making workshop once a month in the AVAM classroom! Our Education staff will help you explore new creative territory and make a project inspired by one of our beloved visionary artists. Supplies and boundless inspiration provided! Everyone needs a crown! Create a custom royal headpiece just for YOU using shiny tape, faux flowers and more.” http://avam.org/for-educators-and-educatees/weekend-walk-in.shtml
“Mosaics with Rick Shelley”, Saturday, January 11, 10AM-4PM, American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD. $110, or $85 for museum members. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.avam.org/news-and-events/events/mosaics.shtml “A One-Day Mosaic Workshop with Rick Shelley! Come and learn the ancient art of mosaic. You will get a chance to learn about a variety of techniques and walk away with your own finished piece of art.”
“MLK Dare to Dream Day”, Monday, January 20, 10AM-5PM, American Visionary Art Museum, Jim Rouse Visionary Center, 2nd Floor Classroom, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD. Free. Donations of new and gently used socks requested. “You're invited to a FREE celebration honoring one of history‘s greatest visionaries. Enjoy birthday cake, a Power Patch printmaking workshop, an artist talk by exhibiting artist Kyle Yearwood, a Poetry Slam and Open Mic, and more, at this FREE, fun-filled day! See our latest exhibition The Secret Life of Earth with FREE admission all day. A special invitation extended to educators and all the wonderful people who help to empower the next generation. Teachers, come pick up our educational materials and discover the many educational offerings we have available for you and your students.” http://www.avam.org/news-and-events/events/mlk-day.shtml
Ohio
“First Day Hike”, Wednesday, January 1, 11AM-1PM, Pymatuning State Park, Andover, OH. “Join the Naturalist and start the New Year right- with a hike in the great outdoors! Bring the whole family! Meets at Beaver Dam Trailhead- park at cabin beach/ launch ramp parking lot. Contact Cynthia Orth, 440-466-8400 or cynthia.orth@dnr.state.oh.us for questions.” http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/calendar/pageid/eventlistview/signupquestionid/0/categoryid/0/locationid/0
“Nutcracker Village”, now through January 4, Fort Steuben Park, Steubenville, OH. Free and open to the public. The world's largest collection of life-size nutcrackers will be on display at Fort Steuben Park throughout the entire holiday season. Fort Steuben Park is free and open to the public 24 hours a day. Pets are welcome but must be crowd-friendly and kept on a leash at all times.” Advent Market hours Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 3PM-9PM. Free hayrides every ½ hour Fridays and Saturdays 6PM-8PM, and free trolley rides every ½ hour Saturdays and Sundays 3PM-5PM. http://www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com/schedule.html
“Conservatory Aglow”, now through January 4, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH. $22 adults, $19 seniors, $12 ages 3-12. “Conservatory Aglow, presented by American Electric Power Foundation with lighting partner Ahlum and Arbor Tree Preservation, is bigger and brighter than ever as artists of international acclaim are incorporated into the show, including a full-scale exhibition of work by Dale Chihuly and an interactive light sculpture by Jen Lewin. These installations accompany familiar holiday favorites – such as poinsettia trees, rainbow tunnel, the gingerbread competition and more!” https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/conservatory-aglow/
Exhibit, “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master”, now through January 5, Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH. Timed tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students and children 6-17, free for ages 5 and under. “The name of the Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) is synonymous with creative genius and virtuosity. The exhibition Michelangelo: Mind of the Master presents an unprecedented opportunity for museum visitors to experience the brilliance of Michelangelo’s achievements on an intimate scale through more than two dozen original drawings. Michelangelo’s genius is especially evident through his breathtaking draftsmanship on sheets filled with multiple figures and close studies of human anatomy. These working sketches invite us to look over the shoulder of one of Western art history’s most influential masters and to experience firsthand his boundless creativity and extraordinary mastery of the human form. These drawings demonstrate Michelangelo’s inventive preparations for his most important and groundbreaking commissions, including the Sistine Chapel ceiling fresco, sculptures for the tomb of Giuliano de’ Medici, and the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Michelangelo: Mind of the Master brings to the United States for the first time a group of drawings by Michelangelo from the remarkable collection of the Teylers Museum (Haarlem, The Netherlands), which was formed in the 18th century in part from the collection of Queen Christina of Sweden (1626–1689). Additional drawings from the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum round out the display. A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition and includes essays by Emily J. Peters (Cleveland Museum of Art), Julian Brooks (J. Paul Getty Museum), and Carel van Tuyll van Serooskerken (Teylers Museum) that explore Michelangelo’s working methods and major projects, as well as the fascinating history of the ownership of his drawings after his death.” https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/michelangelo-mind-master
Exhibit, “Tiffany in Bloom: Stained Glass Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany”, now through Sunday, June 14, Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH. Free. “Focusing on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s passion for stained glass as a way to bring Nature’s splendid color into the home, this exhibition explores Tiffany’s vivid designs in relation to emerging artistic and craft movements at the turn of the 20th century. Through the dynamic, illuminated display of 20 of the designer’s finest stained glass table and floor lamps and featuring the iconic Hinds House stained glass window, Tiffany in Bloom introduces visitors to the magic that Tiffany created with thousands of shards of glass and the 'newfangled' power of electric light. Period photographs and accounts of his artisans also provide a glimpse into Tiffany’s shop and studio. His method of design, production, and marketing; his reliance on women designers, such as Ohio native Clara Driscoll; and his alliances with both his father’s firm (Tiffany and Co.) and his European counterpart Siegfried Bing (Maison de l’Art Nouveau) lift the curtain on Tiffany’s special brand of artistic creation and success. Rare masterworks such as the Wisteria, Peacock, Bamboo, and Peony lamps highlight important thematic groups that focus on Tiffany’s many stylistic influences, from Asian to Art Nouveau. The stained glass techniques used by Tiffany’s artisans reveal the firm’s unparalleled standard of quality and the designer’s love for the infinite possibilities of iridescence, texture, and color in manipulating light. Most of the works in this exhibition recently joined the museum’s collection through the generous bequest of Charles Maurer, a Cleveland industrialist and renowned collector of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tiffany in Bloom celebrates this extraordinary gift by providing an unprecedented opportunity to view so many of Tiffany’s great lamps together in a veritable bouquet of splendor” https://www.clevelandart.org/exhibitions/tiffany-bloom-stained-glass-lamps-louis-comfort-tiffany
“Orchids”, Saturday, January 11 through March 8, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH. $19 adults, $16 seniors, $12 ages 3-12.” The golden age of glass houses is back, during the Conservatory’s annual orchid exhibition. Thousands of vibrant orchids are displayed with a modern spin of the Victorian Era, kicking off the Conservatory’s year-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of Colulmbus’ very own historic glass house: the John F. Wolfe Palm House and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse.” https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/orchids/
“Columbus Donut Fest”, Sunday, January 26, 4PM-6PM, Strongwater Food and Spirits, 401 W. Town St., Columbus, OH. $12 adults, $7 ages 6-13, free for ages 5 and under. “Columbus Donut Fest is back in 2020 and we are bigger and better than ever! Get ready for Columbus's Biggest Donut Celebration on January 26th at Strongwater Food and Spirits. We're bringing together Donut Makers, Donut Enthusiasts, Coffee Shops and Craft Drinks for a food lovers dream event. All tickets to the event come with your first donut on the house, a commemorative mug and donut box for your treats, coffee samples, live entertainment, immersive donut themed experiences and surprises at the event from our partners and friends. Additional Donuts and treats will be available for purchase at the event from vendors. Please note, this is not a Sampling Event, we believe in full-sized fun to allow Donut Artists to express their creativity and talent!” https://www.columbusdonutfest.com/2020-donut-fest/
Philadelphia
“A Longwood Christmas”, now through January 5, Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, PA. Timed tickets $25 adults, $22 seniors and college students, $13 youth 5-18, free for ages 4 and under. “Thousands of poinsettias, towering Christmas trees and fragrant flowers transform the indoor gardens, where concerts take place daily; outside, 500,000 lights glitter in the trees, and fountains dance to seasonal music.” https://longwoodgardens.org/visit
“Notorious RBG”, now though January 12, National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia. $9 adults, free for ages 12 and under. “Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first-ever museum retrospective of the Supreme Court Justice-turned-pop-culture-icon, makes its east coast debut at the National Museum of American Jewish History. Tracing a career that traveled from trailblazer to pop-culture icon, the special exhibition explores her precedent-setting role on our nation’s highest court, as well as her varied roles as a student, life partner, mother, change-making lawyer, judge, and women’s rights pioneer. The second woman—and the first Jewish woman—to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg acquired the “Notorious RBG” moniker after a series of fiery, record-breaking dissents she gave from the Supreme Court bench in 2013 around the Voting Rights Act. Then-NYU law student Shana Knizhnik was inspired to create the Notorious RBG tumblr, referencing rap star Notorious B.I.G. (In homage to Notorious B.I.G., the exhibition section titles are inspired by his lyrics.) Based on the New York Times best-selling book of the same name by Knizhnik and Irin Carmon, the visually rich and entertaining exhibition explores RBG’s legacy through archival photographs and documents, historical artifacts, contemporary art, media stations, and gallery interactives. Visitors will find not only the Justice’s writings, opinions, and interviews, but also the whimsical yet powerful world of Notorious RBG memes, fan art, and parody – from a cartoon action figure named Wrath Hover Ginsbot to renderings of the Justice’s likeness on t-shirts, nail decals, and even as tattoos. NMAJH’s location on Independence Mall provides a unique and ideal backdrop for exploring Justice Ginsburg’s story and the circumstances that brought her to the Court. It places the Justice’s story at the very location where the United States was founded and the US Constitution established the Supreme Court. Justice Ginsburg’s life and nomination to the Court are not new to NMAJH. She has been featured in the Museum’s core exhibition since our grand re-opening in 2010 as part of our exploration of contemporary Jewish life in America, and has been a longstanding Museum Member.” https://www.nmajh.org/exhibitions/rbg/
“Candytopia”, now through January 26, Candytopia Philadelphia, 901 Market St. #1150, Philadelphia. $28 adults, $20 kids 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. https://www.showclix.com/event/candytopiaphl “What if an eccentric chocolatier and a daredevil pop star had a whirlwind romance, got married while skydiving, and had a glamorous, glittering love child who grew up to rule a small nation? Welcome to Candytopia, where colossal candyfloss constructions meld with a tantalizing taffy twistedness! Explore our sprawling sanctuary of confectionary bliss, tastefully curated by Hollywood Candy Queen Jackie Sorkin, realized by master fabricator Zac Hartog, and brought to life by life-long retailer, John Goodman. This four-month interactive art installation celebrates the vibrant colors and flavors of our favorite sugary delights across over a dozen environments, from flying unicorn pigs to a marshmallow tsunami. Bring your family, your friends, and your sweet tooth for an experience like none other! If you ever dreamed of nibbling your way through Candyland or scoring a Golden Ticket, you’ve come to the right place. Treat yourself to Candytopia, and let your tastebuds and your imagination soar!”
“Orchid Extravaganza”, Saturday, January 18 through March 22, Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square, PA. Timed tickets $25 adults, $22 seniors and college students, $13 youth 5-18, free for ages 4 and under. “Bold strokes of color and texture throughout our Conservatory will create an indoor paradise of whimsy and warmth. From a sea of golden Oncidium … to swirls of salmon Phalaenopsis … to a tapestry of vibrant Vanda … this winter our fanciful orchids will color outside the lines. Outside, the dramatic silhouettes of majestic trees and delicate grasses will paint a setting of quiet tranquility. Look for the graceful lines of our outdoor gardens to beautifully illustrate the soul of the subdued winter landscape … and hint at seasons to come. From vivacious hues to fine details, an inspired winter awaits.” https://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/orchid-extravaganza
Toronto
“Terra Lumina”, evenings now through April 13, Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON. Timed tickets $29.99 CN adults, $24.99 CN ages 3-12, 27.99 CN seniors. “Terra Lumina is the eleventh unique experience created in Moment Factory’s Lumina night walk series. After nightfall at the Toronto Zoo this winter, you are invited to pursue an immersive experience along a 1.5 km walking path that travels into the future and back. Your journey begins when a portal carries you into the luminescent wonders of the year 2099, a time when humans and nature have learned to live in harmony. Let yourself be transported by vibrant lighting, multimedia effects, breathtaking video projections and an original score to an enchanted world filled with possibility. And explore this bright and hopeful future to reveal the powerful secrets of tomorrow.” http://www.torontozoo.com/terralumina
“2020 Lunar New Year Celebration”, Saturday, January 25 through Sunday, February 9, Dragon City Mall, 280 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON. “In the year 2020, the first day of the Lunar New Year will fall on January 25th. To highlight the fifteen-day celebrations and in welcoming the year of the Rat, Toronto Chinatown BIA will spearhead the celebrations with an opening ceremony in Dragon City Mall followed by a magnificent lantern exhibition, and a lineup of interactive games and performances to showcase the rich heritage of Asian traditions during the 2020 Lunar New Year Celebrations. As per traditions, the Lantern Festival will come to mark the last day of the fifteen-day Lunar New Year celebrations where families come together and light up different colours and shapes of lanterns. Lanterns are iconic and have transcended time through generations in Asian culture. During the fifteen-day celebrations, temporary installations of lanterns will come to life in different shapes and colours will illuminate the Dragon City Mall at the heart of Chinatown.” https://www.chinatownbia.com/eventsnews/lny2020/
Washington DC
Exhibit, “Ginny Ruffner: Reforestation of the Imagination”, now through January 5, 2020, Renwick Gallery, Pennsylvania Ave. at 17th St. NW, Washington DC. Free. “Ginny Ruffner is an artist best known for her elegant sculptures and mastery of glass techniques. Recently, she has created work that combines traditional glass sculpture with Augmented Reality (AR) technology to create an interactive viewer experience. Visitors to the exhibition Reforestation of the Imagination will use a downloadable app that superimposes digital information over seemingly barren sculptures, creating two distinct realities to explore. The installation consists of six islands, each featuring colorless glass sculptures of tree stumps. The landscape appears barren and bleak. Ruffner has imagined a gloriously complex and colorful alternative environment that viewers can access using AR’s technological lens. In this second reality, the stumps grow unique appendages of mythical flora. Ruffner designs these fictional species to adapt to their surrounding conditions in a means unexpected, beautiful, and optimistic. These plants have evolved from existing fruits and flowers, developing dramatic appendages and skills necessary to flourish in this radically different environment. Reforestation of the Imagination calls into question our very notions of reality and fantasy, of concrete and abstract, and of desolation and hope, all while drawing attention to contemporary ecological issues. The installation also includes nineteen drawings that were the inspiration for the AR images.” https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/ruffner
“Georgetown Glow”, now through January 5, 5PM-10PM nightly. Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC. Free. “Experience the sparkle of the season at Georgetown GLOW, the region's only curated exhibition of outdoor public light art installations. Set against the historic backdrop of DC's oldest neighborhood, it's a whole new way to shine. The 2019 Georgetown GLOW invites visitors to re-imagine the season of light through outdoor public art.” https://www.georgetownglowdc.com
“Kennedy Center Lunar New Year 2020”, Wednesday, January 22 through Sunday, February 2, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington DC. Free. “We are pleased to continue our annual Lunar New Year celebration and ring in the Year of the Rat with showcases of Chinese and Korean culture. We are also presenting a special display of Winter Lanterns in recognition of the first winter season at the REACH. The REACH glows with the D.C. debut of approximately 100 stunning Winter Lanterns crafted by Chinese artisans made up of 10,000 colored LED lights, including the Chinese Four Symbols and 12 Zodiac Signs, Panda Grove, and Mushroom Garden display. Along with the beautiful lantern displays, visitors can enjoy performances and artisan demonstrations, food trucks, and more.” Complete details here: https://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/event/XU5RA
West Virginia
“Oglebay Festival of Lights”, now through January 5, Oglebay, 465 Lodge Dr., Wheeling, WV. $25 suggested donation per vehicle. “Beginning in 1985, the Winter Festival of Lights has grown into one of the nation’s largest holiday light shows, attracting more than one million visitors each year. Identified as one of the top light displays in the United States by countless travel companies and national publications, the Winter Festival of Lights features three hundred acres of twinkling lights over a six-mile drive. The dazzling display includes 90 lighted attractions boasting more than one million energy-efficient LED lights. Now, guests can experience this time-honored tradition in a whole new way with 3D 'Sleigh Bans' which transform every point of light into a magical display!” https://oglebay.com/lights
“Sled Run”, Thursdays through Sundays throughout January, Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd., Davis, WV. “With a reputation as the longest and fastest sled run in the east, it’s no wonder the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park is a hot spot, often selling out quickly. Don’t miss out on all the fun—order your sled run tickets in advance! The sled run is one of the most popular winter attractions at West Virginia state parks. Riders zip down a quarter mile of freshly groomed snow, surrounded by snow-capped evergreens that transform the area into a winter wonderland. The sled run is equipped with lights for nighttime sledding and has a conveyor belt that tows riders and their sleds back to the top of the hill. When sledders need a break from the cold, they can warm up by an outdoor fire or head inside the warming hut for hot chocolate and snacks.” https://wvstateparks.com/experience-thrills-and-chills-at-blackwater-falls-sled-run/
“Owls of the Garden”, Saturday, January 11, 5:30PM-7:30PM, West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd., Morgantown, WV. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.wvbg.org/programs/events/ “Join Mountaineer Audubon and Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia’s Katie Fallon for a winter owl walk. The program will begin with a short indoor presentation featuring live owls from the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia followed by a walk in the WVBG in search of wild owls. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.”
“Winter Botany”, Sunday, January 26, 2PM-4PM, West Virginia Botanic Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd., Morgantown, WV. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.wvbg.org/programs/events/ “Join local naturalist Ellen Hrabovsky for a walk in the woods, rain or shine, to observe nature during the cold time of the year, taking note along the way of identifying features of trees and shrubs. We will also see evidence of wildlife activity. Nature always has surprises for me on my forest walks so let’s see what we can find. Best for children 10 and older and dress for the weather.”
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