March 2020 Events
Please check the accuracy of anything you plant to attend. Mistakes, typos and cancellations happen! And you are surely doing a good deed if you tell others about this list! First of all, maybe they will find something amazing to do this month. Also, it's not worthwhile to me to compile it because it's making me any money (it's not), but it's more worthwhile the more useful it its to others.
“Cat Video Fest 2020”, now through Sunday, March 8, Carnegie Science Center, Rangos Giant Cinema, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/rangos-giant-cinema/catvideofest/; and now through Thursday, March 5, Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Pittsburgh https://rowhousecinema.com/film-series/internet-cat-video-fest-2020/ “The cats are back. CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and, of course, classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area. Seeing these curious creatures on our giant screen will make your heart explode from cuteness overload. Not only will you get to enjoy approximately 80 minutes of cats jumping, running, dancing, pouncing, and purring, but a portion of your ticket purchase will benefit a local animal charity. This is a can’t-miss event for all self-proclaimed cat people! Find your fellow feline-fans and get ready to laugh at the best and brightest in hilarious cat content.”
“The Book of Merman”, now through Sunday, March 8, Greer Cabaret 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
“Cry It Out”, now through Sunday, March 22, City Theatre Mainstage, 1300 Bingham St., Pittsburgh. “When it comes to being a new parent, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Brilliantly funny and painfully true, Cry It Out confronts the pressure to have it all when having it all is a giant lie.” https://citytheatrecompany.org/
Exhibit, “Mary Ethel McAuley: Behind the German Lines”, now through Saturday, March 28, University of Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building, 650 Schenley Dr. Pittsburgh. “In the early 20th century, Mary Ethel McAuley’s name was regularly in newspapers and on exhibition rosters. but she has been nearly forgotten today. Mary Ethel McAuley: Behind the German Lines sets out to find her again. McAuley (1882-1971) was not only one of the inaugural members of the Associated Artists Pittsburgh, she was also a journalist, author, illustrator, painter and teacher. During World War I, too, McAuley as a wartime correspondent in Germany for The Pittsburgh Post Dispatch. The set of paintings that form the core of Behind the German Lines, was created around 1919 to illustrate McAuley’s first-hand account of life in wartime Germany. From ration lines for butter and beer to the building of the railway. McAuley’s paintings depict scenes that she witnessed as an American woman. She captures the nuances of quotidian life at that time, paying special attention to women in wartime. Her paintings depict German soldiers in uniform standing alongside chimney sweeps in town squares, women shoveling coal, mothers and children alone on the streets while fathers and brothers were on the front line.” https://uag.pitt.edu/index.php/Detail/occurrences/400
Exhibit, “Power Pixels 2020”, now through April 5, Wood Street Galleries, 601 Wood St., Pittsburgh. Two works, “Oscillations 2020” and “Complex Meshes 2020” by Miguel Chevalier. “Generative and interactive virtual-reality installations.” Check it out! http://woodstreetgalleries.org/portfolio-view/miguel-chevalier/
“Allegheny Front Hawkwatch”. daily through approximately mid-May during spring migration, 9AM-4PM, Central City. Free. Entirely weather dependent. “The main purpose of the hawk watch site is for the monitoring and counting of migrating raptors, (hawks, eagles, falcons, vultures, etc.), waterfowl insects and visiting song birds. This current site was developed in 1998, but we have been conducting migration counts since 1989. Counts are made by Allegheny Plateau Audubon Society members seven days a week during the migration seasons. The Spring migration count starts in mid-February and continues until mid-May depending on weather and access to the site. The Fall migration count is conducted from mid-August to Thanksgiving weekend. This site is the western most migration counting point in PA. Raptors, (hawks, eagles, falcons, etc…), are counted as they work their way through the spine of the Appalachians. The actual amount of birds that can be seen in a day vary greatly, even from hour to hour. The flight of raptors at the site can be influenced by the weather. A wind from the East can ‘push the birds into the mountain’ so they fly over our heads giving what can be a spectacular display. Their flight during other winds is variable. Prepare as much for seeing birds as for not seeing birds.” http://www.alleghenyplateauaudubon.org/hawk-watch.php
“Community Day: Pop-Op-Apalooza”, Sunday, March 1, 11AM-3PM, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St., Greensburg. Free. Preregister: https://thewestmoreland.org/event/community-day-pop-op-a-looza/ “The Westmoreland, in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum, presents a special day celebrating all things Pop and Op. The Warhol Museum Education Team will present a variety of their most popular art activities including screen printing, blotted line, rubber stamping and make your own screen test.”
“Mountain Pie Madness”, Sunday, March 1, 1PM-3PM, Canoe Creek State Park, Wentz Education Center. “Celebrate the end of winter with some spring madness – mountain pie madness, that is! The Friends of Canoe Creek will be there with a fire, hot beverages and delicious ‘build it yourself’ mountain pies – all available for a donation. Join the fun and Friends!” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/mountain_pie_madness_4489#.XltkMRNKii4
“A Sweet Stroll Through Maple Sugaring”, Sunday, March 1, 2PM, Jennings Environmental Education Center, Nature Center Building, 2951 Prospect Rd., Slippery Rock. “Discover how sap taken from a maple tree becomes syrup on the breakfast table. This annual, free program is open to the public. Registration is not required, but come on time to get a seat for this very popular program. It all begins with an indoor presentation that unravels the mystery of how a tree functions, and considers the many benefits derived from these magnificent, perennial giants. The presentation is followed by a guided, outdoor walk, which will take you through the history of maple sugaring. See a working evaporator and get a taste of spring itself, real maple syrup. Our very own nature shop will be stocked with a variety of local maple products. What a great way to celebrate the end of winter! This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the art, science and history of our nation’s oldest industry. It is a striking demonstration of how getting breakfast was not always as easy as going to the grocery store.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/a_sweet_stroll_through_maple_sugaring#.XlsRtS3Myi4
“Guided Hike With a Park Ranger”, Sunday, March 1, 2PM-4PM, Deer Lakes Park, Anglers Shelter. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/dl-guided-hike-with-a-park-ranger/5179 “Join the Park Rangers and explore one of our scenic hiking trails. This hike will be approximately 2.5-miles across moderate terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle.”
Screening and Science Talk, “Fantastic Fungi”, Sunday, March 1, 12PM, Tull Family Theater, 418 Walnut St., Sewickley. “This year’s series kicks off with the eye-popping, mind-bending Fantastic Fungi. The film provides an incredible time-lapse journey into the mysterious and medicinal world of mushrooms and their kin, capturing their ability to heal, sustain and regenerate life. Speakers: Scientist and Past President of the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club Richard Jacob, PhD will introduce the March 1 Fantastic Fungi screening. Ann Berger, Vice President and Education Chair of the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club, shares the magic and lure of local mushrooms.” https://www.thetullfamilytheater.org/science-on-screen/
“Appropriate”, Sunday, March 1, University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning Room B70 (basement), Richard E. Rauh Studio Theater, 4200 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. $25 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students. “The Verge by Susan Glaspell (Trifles) was first produced by the Provincetown Players in the 1920s. While this non-realism play begins comedically, Glaspell quickly reveals the darker themes at work in early 20th-century society. The Verge follows botanist Claire Archer as she experiments with strange plants in pursuit of creating a new form of life. This mirrors her own need to navigate existence in a changing world, recently devastated by war and altered by women’s suffrage. Her struggle to transcend nature is complicated by her strained relationships with her family and friends, who discourage the experiments. Claire’s husband Harry is concerned that her passion for botanical experiments and her erratic behavior are troubling symptoms that Claire is descending into madness. Tensions rise and reach a tipping point when Claire’s most promising creation the Breath of Life nears its bloom.” https://www.play.pitt.edu/production/appropriate
“Signs of Spring Hike”, Sunday, March 1, 2PM-4PM, Boyce Park, Soccer Fields parking lot. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/bp-signs-of-spring/5177 “Join the Park Rangers to explore the world as it transitions from winter to spring. This hike will be approximately 2-miles across moderate terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle.”
“The Last American Hammer”, Sunday, March 1, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. “Milcom Negley, a one-man militia, rages against the tyranny of federal overreach. He is hunkered down in a rural Toby jug museum where Tink Enraught, a mannered curatrix, offers him tea and cookies. Milcom is a ‘Thirteenther’ – a conspiracy theorist who believes an obscure, would-be Thirteenth amendment negates the authority of our government. He occupies the museum because it is the only place left in his failed town to receive federal funds – a grant for the upkeep of a rare 17th-century British pitcher known as ‘Sir Oswyn’.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/62116/the-last-american-hammer
“Lunar New Year Parade”, Sunday, March 1, 12:30PM, Murray Ave. from Phillips Ave. north to Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. “The fifth annual Lunar New Year Parade in Pittsburgh will be held on Sunday, March 1, to welcome the Year of the Rat.” https://www.pennsylvasia.com/2020/02/pittsburghs-2020-lunar-new-year-parade_23.html
“Words and Pictures: Linda Sue Park”, Sunday, March 1, 2PM-3PM, Carnegie Main Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/words-and-pictures-linda-sue-park/ “Linda Sue Park is the author of more than two dozen books for young readers, including picture books, middle-grade and young-adult novels, short stories, and poetry. Among her titles are the 2002 Newbery Medal winner A Single Shard, and the New York Times-bestseller A Long Walk to Water. Along with Meg Medina and Grace Lin, Linda serves on the Advisory Board for We Need Diverse Books, a non-profit that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry. Linda comes to Pittsburgh with Prairie Lotus, a compelling, emotionally engaging novel set in 1880, a half-Chinese girl and her white father try to make a home in Dakota Territory, in the face of racism and resistance to change. A book signing will follow the program in the Children’s Department of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh–Main. Books will be available for sale before and after the lecture from City of Asylum Bookstore.”
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, Sunday, March 1, 2PM, and Tuesday, March 3, Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, 7:30PM, Slippery Rock University, University Union MPR 130, 103 Central Loop, Slippery Rock. The University Union is #42 on the campus map here: http://rockpride.sru.edu/map/index.html $15.50, or $12.50 for ages 17 and under, SRU students and faculty. Recommended for mature audiences. “Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming ‘ding’ of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius.”
“Women in the Windows Tours”, Sunday, March 1, 3PM, and Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 12PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh. Donations requested. “In celebration of Women’s History Month we invite you to learn about some of the inspirational women featured in the Chapel’s tallest windows. Thirty minute tours, given by Heinz Chapel docent Karen Sebolt, are available at noon on Tuesdays throughout March. No reservations are required except for groups larger than 15.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events
“Beyond Microtonal Music Festival: Concert and Pre-concert Symposium”, Sunday, March 1, symposium 6PM-7:30PM, and Concert 8PM-9:30PM, Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St., Pittsburgh. Advance tickets ($5 less than tickets at the door): $15, $10 students and seniors. “FretX Guitar Duo (Mak Grgic and Daniel Lippel, guitars) performs works by Agustín Castilla-Ávila, Helmut Lachenmann, Jeffrey Holmes, Dan Lippel, and Laura Schwartz. Del Sol String Quartet plays music by Wen Deqing, Ben Johnston, and Michael Harrison. Featuring video projections by artists Delanie Jenkins, Lenore Thomas and Ivette Spradlin, Scott Turri, and Michael Morrill.” https://calendar.pitt.edu/event/beyond_microtonal_music_festival_pre-concert_symposium_and_concert#.XltlDhNKii4
“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.”
“Chamber Music Pittsburgh and BOOM Concepts Present: Because She Said So . . . A Multimedia Celebration of Women and Femme Artists, Directed by Anqwenique”, Sunday, March 1, 2PM-3PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, North Wing Music Room, 2nd Floor. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.chambermusicpittsburgh.org/our-concerts/series/pittsburgh-performs/because-she-said-so Featured artists and a bio of Anqwenique on the registration page.
“Pittsburgh Police Chess Club”, Mondays in March, 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.”
“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/
“Pittsburgh Tours: Old Allegheny County Jail Museum”, Mondays in March, 11:30AM-1PM, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Family Division, 440 Ross St., Pittsburgh. Free. No cameras permitted, no weapons permitted. “A PHLF docent is on hand to share the story of the former Allegheny County Jail. Completed in 1886 to the design of Boston architect H. H. Richardson and in use until July 27, 1995, the building was renovated between 1999 and 2001 to house the Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. A portion of one of the cell blocks has been preserved as the Old Allegheny County Jail Museum. The Museum opened in 2005 and was created through a grant from The Drue Heinz Trust to PHLF, in cooperation with the Allegheny County Juvenile Court and curator Ed Urban, former Deputy Warden. Enter the Museum through one of two entrances to the Family Division: the main entrance on Ross Street, between Fifth and Forbes Avenues, or the great courtyard arch on Fifth Avenue, between Ross Street and Sixth Avenue. In both cases, you must go through security. NO CAMERAS ARE PERMITTED.” http://phlf.org/events/
“In the Workshop: Hustle and Heal with Darwin and Seven Dee”, Monday, March 2, 7PM-9PM, Ace Hotel, 120 S. Whitfield St., Pittsburgh. Free. Two workshops. “Hustle” presented by Darwin, aka Fallon MacWilliams. “In this workshop, Fallon gives advice on building up your artist profile and reviews common misunderstandings and mistakes that artists can make with promotion. She will also go over the importance of sustainability in the industry and ways to give back to music communities as an artist.” “Heal” presented by Seven Dee. “In ‘Emotional Processing Through Processed Music’ you’ll learn how to do a lot with very little. Incorporating music therapy techniques and Orff Method for experimental music, this workshop offers both constructive and abstract ways to create music that is healing, and makes the experimentation process enjoyable using library gear. This is an all levels, neuro-divergent friendly workshop!” https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/in-the-workshop-hustle-and-heal-with-darwin-and-seven-dee/
“The Technology of Making Autonomous Flying Vehicles a Reality”, Monday, March 2, 7PM, 1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Parking $5. Preregistration required; register online: http://carnegiesciencecenter.org/programs/adult-programs-cafe-sci/ Presented by Darrin Bentivegna, PhD,, Senior Robotics Engineer, Near Earth Autonomy. “Long thought of as pure science-fiction, autonomous flying vehicles are becoming a reality. But what innovative technologies are making this breakthrough possible? Discover why autonomy is essential and how it functions. Learn about LIDAR, 3D mapping, point clouds, localization, SLAM, obstacle detection, landing zone evaluation, and how they are powering the biggest leap forward since the industrial revolution. Watch real-world examples of how autonomous aerial vehicles are transforming inspection activities and creating the safe, efficient, and fast transportation and delivery systems of tomorrow.”
“Folklore, Dances, Songs and Traditions Across Slovakia”, Monday, March 2, 7PM-9PM, Mt. Lebanon Library, Meeting Room A. “Discover your Slovak heritage at the library! Open to everyone interested in learning more about Slovak culture. Andrea Sibalova, a Tamburitizan dancer from Slovakia, is tonight's speaker.”
“US Military Investments in Autonomous and AI-Enabled Weapons and Systems: Costs, Benefits, and Strategic Effects", Monday, March 2, 4:45PM-5:45PM, Carnegie Mellon University, Baker Hall, Adamson Wing, Room 136A, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/visit/maps-parking-transportation.html Presented by Dr. Margarita Konaev, a Research Fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, specializing in military applications of artificial intelligence, Russian military innovation, and urban warfare in the Middle East, Russia, and Eurasia. “In a complex and competitive security environment, the United States needs to preserve its military dominance, deter adversaries from aggression, prevent proliferation of weapons and technologies to hostile state and nonstate actors, ensure interoperability with allies, and be prepared to conduct a range of military operations, effectively and in accordance with the laws of war. Achieving these strategic objectives requires capabilities such as speed, precision, coordination, reach, persistence, lethality, and endurance – all of which can be enhanced through investments in emerging technologies, such as autonomy and artificial intelligence. This talk will present an analysis of US military investments in basic, applied, and advanced research on autonomous and AI-enabled weapons and systems, discuss the benefits, risks, and implications these technologies could have across the different strategic areas of interests, and assess strategic scenarios and operational conditions in which using autonomous and AI-enabled weapons and systems could harm US objectives.” https://www.cmu.edu/ir/cirp-policy-forum/spring-2020/mar-2-rita-konaev.html
“Figure Drawing with Genevieve and Alexx”, Tuesday, March 3, 6PM-7:30PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Classroom A. “Join us for HOW, a series of hands-on workshops for adults and teens. Learn from skilled craftspeople. Dig in and try things out in a creative, supportive environment. Join us for one or all of these free programs. Figure drawing with a fairy tale theme. Learn how to draw the proportions of the body while model Alexx poses in a fairy tale costume.”
“Book Launch for Girl at the Edge author Karen Dietrich in conversation with Rebecca Drake”, Tuesday, March 3, 7PM-8PM, Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., Pittsburgh. “We are honored to host the launch of local author Karen Dietrich's first novel, Girl at the Edge in conversation with Rebecca Drake. Girl at the Edge is a thrilling nature-versus-nurture psychological suspense about a daughter trying to deny her worst impulses and distance herself from her violent and dangerous father. Sixteen-year-old Evelyn Gibson is haunted by her father's violent crime that sent him to death row. Lost and alone, Evelyn struggles to form an identity for herself -- outside of the menacing shadow of her father's actions. As Evelyn begins to discover who she is, she finds herself terrified by her increasingly violent impulses and dangerous actions. Perhaps she is more like her father than she originally thought. Is she capable of killing without hesitation or remorse? Is she destined to follow in her father's footsteps? Or can she escape the fate that her psychological nature has laid out for her?” https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/book-launch-for-karen-dietrichs-girl-at-the-edge
“The Capture, Trial and Influence of Aldolf Eichmann”, Tuesday, March 3, 6:30PM, Cranberry Township Municipal Center, Council Chambers, 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.cranberrytownship.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=17132&month=3&year=2020&day=23&calType=0 “We are pleased to welcome Avi Ben-Hur, current Scholar in Residence of Classrooms Without Borders. A Brooklyn native residing in Israel, Ben-Hur taught in Yad Vashem's International School for Holocaust Studies and has lectured and taught in the U.S., Warsaw, Prague, Berlin, and Greece. Ben-Hur will address the capture, trial and influence of the man described as ‘the banality of evil’, Aldolf Eichmann. Presented in partnership with Classrooms Without Borders.”
“Teens: How to Tell Your Story”, Tuesday, March 3, 4PM-5:30PM, Carnegie Library of Homestead. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teens-how-to-tell-your-story-tickets-94423289601 “For Teens: This workshop will teach you about storytelling in the digital age. Get tips for composing powerful narratives from stories and data. Practice pitching a story for media attention!”
Screening, “White Snake”, Tuesday, March 3, 9:35PM, Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Pittsburgh. $11. “One day a young woman named Blanca is saved by Xuan, a snake catcher from a nearby village. She has lost her memory, and together they go on a journey to discover her real identity, developing deeper feelings for one another along the way. But as they learn more about her past, they uncover a darker plot of supernatural forces vying for power, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. (2019)” https://rowhousecinema.com/special-events/ Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCY7E0oHW6Y
“What’s Cooking?”, Wednesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 18, 3:30PM-5PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny; and Friday, March 27, 3:30PM-5PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Hill District. “Learn to feed yourself and your friends! Chop, dice and mince your way to culinary mastery — then eat what you cook! For Grades 6 – 12.”
“The Postman Always Rings Twice Movie and Discussion”, Wednesday, March 4, 6:30PM-8:45PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “In her 2018 novel, Sunburn, Laura Lippman pays homage to the master noir crime writer, James Cain. Lippmann writes, “…..to write a noir story worthy of Cain, I’d have to be willing to risk writing about people who were anything but likeable." Three of Hollywood’s most memorable films of the 1940’s bring Cain’s novels to life and Lippman’s observations that the best noir novels feature dreamers who become schemers. Join Elaine Wertheim for a viewing and discussion of The Postman Always Rings Twice. Nick Smith, a middle-aged roadside diner owner, hires a drifter, Frank Chambers, to work at his restaurant. Frank quickly begins an affair with Nick's beautiful young wife, Cora, and the two conspire to kill Nick and seize his assets. When they succeed, local prosecutor Kyle Sackett becomes suspicious, but is unable to build a solid case. However, the couple soon realizes that no misdeed ever goes truly unpunished.”
“Being Terrestrial: A Design Culture for the Anthropocene”, Wednesday, March 4, 5PM-6:30PM, Carnegie Mellon University, Margaret Morrison Carnegie Hall Room 121, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/visit/maps-parking-transportation.html “Presented by Ezio Manzini, perhaps the world's leading expert on sustainable design, with a focus on scenario building toward solutions encompassing both environmental and social quality. The Anthropocene is the geological era of the Earth in which human activities produce transformations on a planetary scale. And it is also the one in which the terrestrial ecosystem reacts to human action by changing itself in an evident way. That is, such as to create the ecological (and therefore climatic and social) state of emergency in which we find ourselves today. Therefore, in the Anthropocene, the future of the Earth, and with it that of us human beings, is also a matter of design choices. And behind them, of design culture. To tackle these issues, Bruno Latour's recent reflection is proposed as a starting point (B. Latour, Down to Earth. Politics in the New Climate Regime, Cambridge, Polity Press, 2018). In particular, the focus is on the need to abandon the idea of progress intended as a shift on the axis of modernization, which goes from the Local to the Global. And to recognize the emergence of a third pole to move towards. An attractor that Latour describes as the ‘Terrestrial’, intended as a planetary living system. The discovery of the Terrestrial therefore introduces another axis with respect to which to evaluate our design choices: that which goes from the Local-Global polarization to the Terrestrial.” https://design.cmu.edu/content/design-lecture-series-ezio-manzini
“Spring Wild Foraging in Western PA”, Wednesday, March 4, 6PM-7PM, Bridgeville Public Library, 505 McMillan St., Bridgeville. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=BRIDGEVL&curID=430696 Presented by Jen Dalke of Blue Heron Nature Skills. “Come put a little Spring in your step on Weds, March 4th at the Bridgeville Public Library, as we discuss the best Spring forageables in the region! We'll talk about foraging do's and don'ts, common mistakes people make in early spring foraging, how to properly identify the choice edibles/medicinals of the season, what to do with the plants once harvested, and anything else we can fit into the discussion! Everyone leaves with a small workbook handout to take home.”
“Ask the Clergy: Sikh”, Thursday, March 5, 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.”
“Owl Survey”, Thursday, March 5, 6PM, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Killbuck Boat Launch. “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 before driving to other access points of the park. 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#.Xlsivy3Myi4
“The Surrender of Robert E Lee in 1865”, Thursday, March 5, 3PM, Seneca Hills Village Senior Community, 5350 Satlsburg Rd., Vernona. Free and open to the public. Presented by Ken Serfass, an actor portraying US Grant. He’s really good! “The two days before Lee agreed to meet with Grant started the final act in the fighting in Virginia that would come to a head in the town of Appomattox Court House, in the home of Wilmer McClean, where the two leading generals would meet to discuss terms of surrender of that portion of the Confederate States Army, known as The Army Of Northern Virginia. An exchange of letters led to a face to face meeting between General Lee and General Grant, which influenced further surrenders and the outbreak of peace by the end of May that year. Discuss with General Grant some of the finer details of the meeting which led Robert E Lee to surrender his army, ending the fighting in Virginia during the civil war. The letters exchanged are merely the very public face of how the meeting comes about, and US Grant will be sharing some of inner workings that lead to this momentous day, along with notable anecdotes from the meeting itself and right after.” https://www.facebook.com/events/1062878040712811/
“Drawing Workshops”, Thursday, March 5 and Thursday, March 19, 6PM-8PM, Carnegie Museum of Art, Heinz Architectural Center, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Included with museum admission. Preregistration required; register online: https://cmoa.org/event/drawing-workshops/ “Join visiting artists for a series of hands-on drawing workshops! Inspired by the drawings of Lina Bo Bardi on view in the Heinz Architectural Center, this series invites you to draw how you see the world. The workshops take place in Lina Bo Bardi Draws and are part of ART TIL 8, where the museum stays open late every Thursday for 50% off admission. No drawing skills are required! Materials will be provided.
“The Sound of Music”, Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 15, Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Pittsburgh. “The final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/66261/the-sound-of-music
“Sophie: The Incomparable Mayor Masloff”, Thursday, March 5, 6PM-8PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/sophie-incomparable-mayor-masloff “Dr. Barbara S. Burstin’s new book, “Sophie: The Incomparable Mayor Masloff,” is the first biography of the “Jewish grandmother” who became one of the most beloved mayors of Pittsburgh. The book mixes anecdotes with an analysis of Masloff’s career, providing a personal and critical look at a quintessential Pittsburgher. On March 5, the Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives at the Heinz History Center will host a special evening event to celebrate Dr. Burstin’s recently released biography, featuring selections from the book and rarely seen materials from Masloff’s archive. This free program includes remarks by Mayor Bill Peduto; a panel discussion with Sophie’s finance director Jim Turner and KDKA reporter Paul Martino; a presentation from cartoonist Tim Menees; a rare exhibition of Sophie’s personal archives; and an opportunity to purchase Dr. Burstin’s book.”
“American Son”, Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, April 5, O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Mature content and language. “Kendra finds herself in a Miami police station at 4 am because her 18-year-old son, Jamal, is missing. All the rookie cop on duty will tell her is that Jamal has been “identified in an incident.” Hot off its Broadway run, this highly charged drama takes a brave look at race, gender, power, and the dangerous dynamics at play when a young African-American man intersects with law enforcement.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/61930/american-son
“Confronting Mountainous Challenges-Neither Diabetes nor the Himalayas Can Stop a Local Woman's Climb”, Thursday, March 5, 7PM-8:30PM, South Park Township Library. Preregistration required; call 412-833-5585. “Having Type 1 diabetes for 54 years is no obstacle for Ginny Barndollar. She has been trekking to remote places such as Patagonia, Nepal, Iceland and France, to name a few, while keeping her diabetes in check. Come hear her inspirational presentation about coping with diabetes while embracing her adventurous spirit! Please register.”
River City Brass Presents “Celtic Connections IV”, Thursday, March 5 through Tuesday, March 17, various venues. “Our Celtic concert is one of the hottest tickets of the season! We bridge the divide between the old world and the new, with tunes from Ireland, Wales, and Scotland alongside American country music. Expect to hear familiar tunes like ‘Highland Cathedral,’ ‘Two Irish Jigs,’ and ‘Country Roads.’ This concert will once again feature the fabulous Carnegie Mellon Pipes and Drums.” https://www.rivercitybrass.org/2019-2020season
“The United States Army Band America the Beautiful Concert”, Friday, March 6, 7PM-9PM, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, 4141 5th Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://soldiersandsailorshall.org/event/the-united-states-army-field-band-america-the-beautiful-concert-free/
“I Am A Haunted House”, Friday, March 6, 8PM, KST Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Pay what makes you happy: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/scott-andrew-jesse-factor/ “Scott Andrew is a multimedia artist, working in video, installation, performance, and new media to create speculative fantasies, otherworldly portals, and voids. Re-imagining the performance of gender, Jesse Factor creates dances that inhabit longing, queer nostalgia, and divas. The artists’ collaboration invites attendees to engage with an ever-changing composition of physical and virtual bodies.”
“Disaster”, Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 15, Comtra Theatre, 20540 Route 19, Cranberry Township. $20. “It’s 1979, and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. Also attending is a faded disco star, a sexy nightclub singer with her eleven-year-old twins, a disaster expert, a feminist reporter, an older couple with a secret, a pair of young guys who are looking for ladies, an untrustworthy businessman and a nun with a gambling addiction. What begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love that they’ve lost… or at least escape the killer rats.” https://www.comtratheatre.org/now-performing
“The Outsiders”, Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 15, New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh. Tickets are $30 adults, $20 seniors, $15 military and first responders, artists, college students and ages 18 and under. “A coming-of-age story where Ponyboy, the Greaser and Socs learn valuable lessons about belonging, friendship, family and goodness. A stage play written by Christopher Sergel based upon the novel by S. E. Hinton Directed by Scott P. Calhoon” https://newhazletttheater.org
“Global Beat with the Pittsburgh Ceili Club”, Friday, March 6, 6:30PM-8PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh. “Join your friends and neighbors for an after-hours cultural get-together! Explore a different country or region of the world each month through live music, food, dance and conversation with the artists! Join us for a rollicking evening of Irish dance and live music with the Pittsburgh Ceili Club! Ceili - (pronounced like ‘kay-lee’) The gathering of neighbors in a house to have a chat, music, dancing and a good time. You can dance or just watch while you enjoy the company. We promise you'll go home with a lighter heart!”
“SkyWatch”, Friday, March 6, 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/
Exhibition Opening, “Silica Valley”, Friday, March 6, 6PM-9PM, Gallery Tour with the Artists Saturday, March 7, 11AM-1PM, exhibit through May 24, Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “The beauty of technology often goes unnoticed because of its overwhelming presence in our day to day lives. This group of artists has developed their unique body of works with the aid of modern machines. Although the technology is integral to each of their processes; the human hand is what brings the work to life. The curated collective of artists are each experts in their fields and are leading the way in developing new and unique techniques in glass. The work showcases the fact that every robot needs a human.” https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/events/silica-valley
“3D Printing 101”, Friday, March 6, 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.”
“Hot Jam”, Friday, March 6, 6PM-9PM, Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “Join us on the first Friday of each month for an open house with live hot glass demonstrations and groundbreaking contemporary glass art exhibitions. A sign language interpreter is provided.” https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/events/hot-jam-3
“Moonlight Cross-Country Ski”, Friday, March 6, 6PM-8PM, Pymatuning State Park of Pennsylvania. “Join the park naturalist for this moonlight ski. Dress for the weather and bring a headlamp. The park has some limited-sized equipment for participants to use. Bring your own equipment if you have it. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Emily Borcz at eborcz@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 ext. 106.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/moonlight_cross-country_ski#.XlsPFC3Myi4
“Meet the Author: Barbara Burstin”, Friday, March 6, 1:30PM-3:30PM, Shaler North Hills Library Glenshaw (preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/S/SHALER/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=SHALER), and Thursday, March 26, 7PM-8PM, Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., Pittsburgh (preregistration required; register online: https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/barbara-burstin-discusses-the-legendary-sopie-masloff) “Author and University of Pittsburgh professor Barbara Burstin tells the story of 'the incomparable Mayor Masloff' Dr. Burstin has been on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University for over twenty-five years. She teaches on the Holocaust and the United States response, on Pittsburgh history and on the American and Pittsburgh Jewish experience. For Burstin, researching the life of Sophie Masloff, Pittsburgh’s first female and Jewish mayor, was a fascinating and rewarding project. She sees Masloff’s story of overcoming poverty, sexism and anti-Semitism as inspiring to everyone. It is fairly certain that Sophie Masloff never studied the writings of our founding fathers. She was a poor girl, not able to go to college, not steeped in the niceties of the American tradition, but despite this, Sophie in a very real sense, lived up to our founding fathers' standards. She might not have been the incarnation of the person they envisioned as a leader. After all, she was a woman, a Jew, not independently wealthy or with any pedigree or celebrated status. It was said by those who knew her that Sophie had three great loves - her family, the Democratic Party and the city of Pittsburgh.”
“Sunset Snowshoe”, Friday, March 6, 6PM-8PM, Forbes State Forest, Laurel Mountain. Registration is required. For more information or to register contact rmahony@pa.gov or 724-259-2201.” Join forest staff after work for an evening, 2 mile snowshoe. Please come prepared with warm layers, water, and a headlamp. If there is no snow we will hike. Hot cocoa and tea will be provided.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/sunset_snowshoe_6348#.Xlsoti3Myi4
“Old-Fashioned Skills Program Series”, Fridays in March, 6PM-8PM, Black Moshannon State Park, Environmental Learning Center. Free. “As technology continues to improve and we become more dependent on it for daily living, the skills that our ancestors used everyday begin to disappear. During this program series, we will take a look at some of the skills that people used for daily living and survival. They will include crafts, food, skills, and everyday chores. “ March 6- Cheese and Butter Making; March 13- Primitive Fire Building; March 20-Bacon and Syrup; and March 27- Cleaners (pre-registration required). Details here: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/old-fashioned_skills_program_series#.XlsWCy3Myi4
“Project Owlnet”, Fridays and Saturdays, sunset to midnight, now through March 28, Sewickley Heights Borough Park, Fern Hollow Rd. and Hallaway Rd., Sewickley. Ornithologists from the National Aviary conduct a saw-whet owl banding event twice a year during migration, and the public is welcome to come watch. Details here: https://www.aviary.org/project-owlnet
“Project Budburst”, Saturday, March 7, 12PM- 2PM, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, Succop Nature Park, and Todd Nature Store. Free. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events “Project BudBurst participants make careful observations of the timing of leafing, flowering, and fruiting phases of plants (plant phenophases) throughout the year. Spring, summer, fall, and winter phases are all valuable. Learn how scientists and educators can use the data to learn more about how plant species respond to changes in climate locally, regionally, and nationally. Free.”
“Excel Basics”, Saturday, March 7, 10:30AM and Wednesday, March 18, 2PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Job and Career Education Center. “Learn the basics of making an organized and readable spreadsheet including formula construction and basic worksheet formatting. Get extra practice after the class with instructor-guided learning. Please call 412-622-3133 to register.”
“Night Hike and Campfire”, Saturday, March 7, 7PM, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve and Succop Nature Park. $10, or $6 for Audubon Society of Western PA members. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events “Enjoy a warm campfire, a story or two, and a hike under the stars.”
“Residual Action Workshop”, Saturday, March 7, 12PM-2PM, KST Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Pay what makes you happy: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/freshworksworkshop1/ “Using improvisatory movement-based tasks and experimental visual projections, Scott Andrew and Jesse Factor lead workshop participants through an exploration of liveness and virtuality, memory and myth.”
“Elk Basics”, Saturday, March 7, 2PM, Elk County Visitor Center, 134 Homestead Dr., Benezette. “New to learning about elk? Join us for the basic breakdown as we learn about elk history, elk ecology, and elk behavior. Are you a seasoned ‘Elkspert?’ We bet you’ll learn something new, too!” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/elk_basics_7510#.Xlsmyy3Myi4
“Weaving on Harness Looms, for the Very Beginner”, Saturday, March 7, 9AM-4PM, Depreciation Lands Museum, 4743 S. Pioneer Rd., Allison Park. $40. Adults and teens. Preregistration required; register online: http://dlmuseum.org/upcoming.Weaving.shtml “Have you ever watched in fascination as cloth magically emerged under a weaver's hand? Perhaps you have watched a weaver at work at a museum or fair. Perhaps you have been lucky enough to acquire a loom of your own, and would like to know how to use it! Perhaps, like me, you have somehow, just always wanted to weave and create your own fabric arts. These day-long, hands-on classes are presented by the talented weavers of the Butler Spinners and Weavers Guild, as part of their Community Outreach program, in conjunction with the Depreciation Lands Museum. Here is the perfect opportunity to try your hand and begin weaving! The Weaving on Harness Looms, for Beginners is an intensive class where you will learn - and do - all the steps needed from the beginning of the conceptual design and planning of a project, to the actual production of a piece of woven cloth. Focusing on the multi-harness loom, you will learn about its parts, and the vocabulary of the loom, with the many colorful names which evoke the early days of weaving. For this class, we will be using the versatile 4 harness table looms. We will also talk about the best use of both the larger floor looms, and the table looms, with opportunities for you to try weaving on a foot treadle floor loom. You will learn how to plan a project and measure the warp threads. After lunch, which is provided, we will break into small groups, and you will warp a table loom, using the "front to back" method, then weave a small sample piece of cloth, which will be yours to keep. We will also talk about the books, videos and magazines which are full of ideas and teaching aides for the new weaver, as well as how to acquire a loom of your own.”
“3rd Annual Monroeville Library Holi Celebration”, Saturday, March 7, 1PM-3PM, Monroeville Library. “The celebration of Holi is a Hindu festival of color that honors the return of color with spring. Crafts, activities, stories, and our annual “color explosion” are all fun ways for families to learn about or celebrate this festival from a different culture. Wear clothes that can get colorful (we recommend a white shirt to kept as a momento). No registration is needed for this free event.”
“Full Moon Hike”, Saturday, March 7, 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!”
“Seed Share”, Saturday, March 7, 10AM-12PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. $10. Preregistration required at the circulation desk. “Sit down with us to share vegetable seeds – and your stories about adventures in gardening. We are dividing up 30 types of vegetable seeds and herbs: tomatoes, beans, broccoli, cucumbers, cabbage, lettuce, peppers, peas, basil, oregano..... and much more! Master gardeners / library garden volunteers will provide an overview on the seeds selectioned and starting the seeds.”
“Learning Circles: How to Knit” Saturday, March 7, 10:30AM-12:30PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Lawrenceville. “Learning Circles—explore new topics with your peers! Using online courses, volunteer facilitators will learn alongside participants in this new and experimental programming format. Learn the basics of knitting in this two-part, online course from Creativebug. Participants will learn all the essential skills a beginner needs to know, from casting on to binding off and troubleshooting mistakes. This Creativebug course is the perfect foundation for anyone who wants to learn how to knit or simply needs a refresher.”
“March Brown Bag Concert”, Saturday, March 7, 12PM-1PM, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “You're invited to our free March Brown Bag concert! The stage gets fiery this month to complement our production of Carmen. The performance takes place in the George R. White studio at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip. It's free and open to everyone. Bring a friend and bring a lunch! Meet the Resident Artists afterward in an informal reception.” https://www.pittsburghopera.org/calendar/detail/march-brown-bag-concert4
“The Women Gather: A Celebration of Women’s Voices”, Saturday, March 7, 1PM-5PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Homewood. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ubbcp-the-women-gather-a-celebration-of-black-women-voices-tickets-96371272069 “The United Black Book Clubs of Pittsburgh invite you bring your voice to the circle for an afternoon of sharing, discussions, readings and fun to celebrate women’s history month. Join the circle of Black Women Science Fiction writers to read, listen, write and share while enjoying a delicious meal."
“NYT Bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly Discusses Lost Roses”, Saturday, March 7, 7PM-9PM, La Roche University, 9000 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh. Free tickets required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/martha-hall-kelly-visits-riverstone-books-tickets-89939829451 “NYT bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly is coming to Riverstone! In her second novel about the fabulous women of the Ferriday family, Kelly takes readers to the end of Tsarist Russia. It is 1914, and the world has been on the brink of war so often, many New Yorkers treat the subject with only passing interest. Eliza Ferriday is thrilled to be traveling to St. Petersburg with Sofya Streshnayva, a cousin of the Romanovs. The two met years ago one summer in Paris and became close confidantes. Now Eliza embarks on the trip of a lifetime, home with Sofya to see the splendors of Russia: the church with the interior covered in jeweled mosaics, the Rembrandts at the tsar's Winter Palace, the famous ballet. But when Austria declares war on Serbia and Russia's imperial dynasty begins to fall, Eliza escapes back to America, while Sofya and her family flee to their country estate. In need of domestic help, they hire the local fortune-teller's daughter, Varinka, unknowingly bringing intense danger into their household. On the other side of the Atlantic, Eliza is doing her part to help the White Russian families find safety as they escape the revolution. But when Sofya's letters suddenly stop coming, she fears the worst for her best friend. From the turbulent streets of St. Petersburg and aristocratic countryside estates to the avenues of Paris where a society of fallen Russian émigrés live to the mansions of Long Island, the lives of Eliza, Sofya, and Varinka will intersect in profound ways. In her newest powerful tale told through female-driven perspectives, Martha Hall Kelly celebrates the unbreakable bonds of women's friendship, especially during the darkest days of history.”
“Try it Out!: Fiber Art for a Cause”, Saturday, March 7, and Saturday, March 21, 3:30PM-5PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh East Liberty. “Total newbies and pros and any level in between are welcome at this informal fiber arts meetup. We will have supplies and instructions for creating 8×8 squares to make blankets for foster youth, headed up by Pitt’s School of Social Work’s Creativity for a Cause project. A staff member with knitting and crochet experience will also be on hand to help instruct people looking to learn. You are welcome to bring your own project and supplies as well.”
“Cache Me If You Can”, Saturday, March 7, 10AM, Mingo Creek Park Office, Finleyville. Park map here: http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/3560/2017MingoCreekMap?bidId= , Free. Preregistration required; call 724-228-6867. “This is a great opportunity to discover Geocaching and learn the basics of this fun, recreational activity. Join us as we search for hidden treasures (caches) in Mingo Creek Park using a handheld Global Positioning Device (GPS). We will have a limited number of GPS units to utilize.” http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7842/program-guide-2020-web-format-1-22-2020
“Early Spring Backpacking Trip”, Saturday, March 7, 2PM to Sunday, March 8, 12PM, Raccoon Creek State Park. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/early_spring_backpacking_trip#.XlsKPS3Myi4 “Join us for an afternoon hike and campout in the park. We'll hike around 3-4 miles on Saturday, set up camp, hang out by a fire in the evening and return on Sunday morning. You'll need camping/hiking gear, food and water. Registration is required for this free program by clicking the registration button. For questions contact Environmental Educator Patrick Adams at paadams@pa.gov Details and starting location will be sent to registered participants the week before the trip.”
Concert, “Abbots Cross”, Sunday, March 8, 2PM-3PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, First Floor. “Abbots Cross is Alan Booth on vocals, guitar, and fiddle, and Mike Clancy on flute, whistles, and percussion. The combination of Alan’s rich vocals and Mike’s jazz background makes for an exciting musical experience. Their influences range from The Wolfe Tones to John Coltrane, and their set lists include traditional and modern Celtic songs and ballads, jigs and reels combined with original instrumentals and a little bluegrass thrown in for fun!” http://www.abbotscross.com/
“Inspiring Women Authors”, Sunday, March 8, 2PM, Barnes and Noble, 800 Settlers Ridge Center Dr., Pittsburgh. “Celebrate women’s history month and meet five inspiring women authors at 7PM. Jennifer and Judy Bannon, Five Ladies and a Forklift, Lillie Leonardi, In the Shadow of a Badge, Christine Mabon, Comfort Food: Amazing Friends and the Everyday Stories that Happen Around Food, and Mary Grace Museneggi, Single Steps, Strategies for Abundant Living.” https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062132334-0
“Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale”, Sunday, March 8, 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
“Pass the Syrup”, Sunday, March 8, 2PM, Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector. Free. “Nights below freezing and days above mean something very special in the world of sweet stuff: maple syrup! Join us as we explore the art of maple sugaring. We will learn a bit about the history and the process, and then we will get to see it in action!” https://carnegiemnh.org/visitor/powdermill-nature-reserve/
“Trailblazers of the Suffrage Movement – Celebrating 100 Years”, Sunday, March 8, 5:30PM-9PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. General admission free. VIP reception $25. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.wifmpit.org/event/trailblazers-of-the-suffrage-movement-celebrating-100-years “On International Women’s Day, join the Heinz History Center and Women in Film and Media Pittsburgh for the premiere of a new documentary honoring the 100th anniversary of the suffragist movement. Imagine living in the United States as a woman in the early 1900s and not having the right to vote, own property, drive a car, or have a job. ‘Trailblazers of the Suffrage Movement – Celebrating 100 Years’, a new documentary created by Women in Film and Francis Rocks Productions, illustrates the hardships women faced as they fought for the right to vote and kickstarted the movement for gender equality. During this special evening program, experience the premiere of this powerful documentary and hear from the descendants of those who spearheaded the suffrage movement – their stories, photos, and documentation. A VIP reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. The documentary screening will begin at 7 p.m., followed by the Amy Lamb Scholarship presentation and a Q/A session.”
“Rhythm of the Dance”, Sunday, March 8, 4PM, Palace Theater, 21 West Otterman St., Greensburg. “Take A Trip To The Emerald Isle! This two-hour dance and music extravaganza contains a wealth of talent derived from all areas of Irish life. The show includes the same large cast of step dancers, live musicians, amazing Irish singers and a sean-nos dancer. The Rhythm of the Dance tour will feature new choreography, new costumes, new music, fresh multi-media. Returning audiences will be delighted. The new show is an inspiring epic, still reliving the journey of the Irish Celts throughout history with a new script. Using the traditional and modern arts of dance (ballet, modern dance, jazz) and music, this richly costumed show marries the contemporary and the ancient. Combining traditional Irish dance and music with the most up to date stage technology, the show is a thousand-year-old story executed with all the advantages of the modern day stage show.” https://www.thepalacetheatre.org/concerts-events/rhythm-of-the-dance/
“Holi Festival”, Sunday, March 8, 10:30AM-3:30PM, Hindu Jain Temple, 615 Illini Dr., Monroeville. https://www.facebook.com/events/903409363421054/ They don’t have details listed yet, but typically there is a lovely meal first in the community center for a small charge (definitely worth it- and you can see them in the back making fresh bread by hand for the feast!), followed by a cultural program (traditional classical Indian dancers and Bollywood dancers of all ages). Then everyone goes outside to decorate each other with brightly colored powder! It’s super fun and very welcoming to all. Wear clothes you can stain (white is traditional). The perfect celebration of the arrival of spring!
“How Many? An Organ Concert of Women's Compositions”, Sunday, March 8, 3PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public. “In honor of International Women's Day, Regina Kettering presents organ works by women. The concert includes pieces from the 1500's to present day. Regina briefly introduces each composer before performing a selection of compositions, in an introduction to ‘how many’ organ solos by women are available.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/how-many-an-organ-concert-of-womens-compositions
“Tea Time and Travel”, Sunday, March 8, 2PM-4PM, Fort Ligonier, 200 S. Market St., Ligonier. $20, or $15 for members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.fortligonier.org/event/tea-and-time-travel/ “Sip a cup of tea and learn about how Dr. Erica Nuckles crossed paths with 18th century military leaders General John Forbes and General Edward Braddock during her research trip to the United Kingdom.”
“Charter Day Celebration”, Sunday, March 8, 12PM-4PM, Bushy Run Battlefield, 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeanette. Free. “Celebrate Pennsylvania’s 339th Birthday with Free Admission to Bushy Run Battlefield. Join the Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society for our 3rd Annual Charter Day Celebration! Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. Once each year, the Pennsylvania State Archives exhibits the original document to commemorate this momentous occasion. To help celebrate, Bushy Run Battlefield and other state-owned historical sites join in this celebration with their own Charter Day festivities. Enjoy free admission to the museum, guided tours of the battlefield, and unique demonstrations by historical reenactors. Children’s games and crafts and a basket raffle will also be offered accompanied by a special appearance from William Penn himself! Bushy Run Winery will be joining us this year, and additional light refreshments will be available.” https://bushyrunbattlefield.com/charter-day/
“Full Moon Hike”, Monday, March 9, 8:30PM-8:30PM, Frick Environmental Center, 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.pittsburghparks.org/park-events “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.”
“Charcoal Drawing”, 3 sessions, Mondays, March 9, 16 and 23, 10AM-12PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Learning Lab Classroom. Preregistration required; register online: “Charcoal is a versatile material with the ability to create amazing three dimensional effects and detail. Learn how to maximize the properties of the medium, practice with the corresponding materials and create multiple unique artworks. This material is messy so wear clothes that you feel comfortable getting dirty. Please bring a black and white image for inspiration. Images will be provided for those who do not have one. Jena Schieb has created programming for children, teens, families and adults at Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts as Director of Studio Arts for six years. She is a teaching artist with a Master's Degree in Education, providing art education for students at every age and level in schools and community and cultural organizations like the Carnegie Museum of Art. Registration required. This is a three-part class March 9, 16 and 23. Plan to attend all sessions and register below for all sessions. Materials provided.” https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/rocketsearch/rs_event.cfm?curOrg=MTLEB&tfem=false&eID=6373112
“Full Moon Hike”, Monday, March 9, 6:30PM, Keystone State Park, Beach House. “Gear up for spring with an easy walk around the lake while enjoying the full moon. Meet the park naturalist at the beach house and we'll enjoy a moderate hike on Lakeside Trail. Along the way we'll observe the full moon and learn how it formed, how it impacts wildlife and us, and more.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/full_moon_hike_6627#.XlsO7C3Myi5
Author Talk, “Esi Edugyan”, Monday, March 9, 7:30PM, Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Tickets $15- $30, $10 for students. “Prize-winning novelist Esi Edugyan’s Washington Black is an epic adventure about a boy who rises from the ashes of slavery to become a man of the world. Named a 10 Best Books of 2018 by the New York Times, this “lush, exhilarating travelogue reminiscent of Jules Verne” (New Yorker) asks, what is true freedom? George Washington Black, or ‘Wash’, an eleven-year-old field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is terrified to be chosen by his master’s brother as his manservant. To his surprise, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a world where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning–and where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human. But when a man is killed and a bounty is placed on Wash’s head, Christopher and Wash must abandon everything.” https://pittsburghlectures.org/lectures/esi-edugyan/
“Fossil Fishes of Bear Gulch Montana”, Monday, March 9, 12PM-1PM, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Earth Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “Interested in learning about scientific discoveries directly from scientists? Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on a wide variety of scientific topics at the free R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Series. Seminars are free and no registration is required. Each seminar begins at noon in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater and lasts about an hour. Visitors attending solely for the seminar are asked to check in at the front desk. Speakers: Richard Lund and Eileen Grogan. “The Bear Gulch Limestone, a Montana Mississippian lagerstätte, has produced an array of fossils of virtually unparalleled quality and content. The deposit preserves what was a small tropical marine bay, with major taxonomic groups of fish represented. Yet, many of the 150+ recovered Bear Gulch species are entirely new. The abundance and diversity of Osteichthyes and Chondrichthyes contrast with today’s marine environments. The Chondrichthyes were much more adaptively diverse. Their range of diversity precludes many from classification as either Elasmobranchii (sharks, skates and rays) or Holocephali (chimaeroids), as modern fish are. Within Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii and Sarcopterygii differ principally in fine functional and morphological parameters. Some select taxa are more highly derived than otherwise expected for this age. Information relating to prey items, ontogenetic and sexual variation, and reproductive history are available for many. Laboratory and field data allows analyses of the fish habitats and community structure across the bay. They reveal Mississippian fish had well-defined ecological guilds based upon feeding, swimming, reproductive and life history distinctions. We know this only because the Bear Gulch lagerstätte provides this rare glimpse of the scope of evolutionary radiation accomplished within 37-53 million years after the end-Devonian mass extinction.” https://carnegiemnh.org/visitor/things-to-do/rw-moriarty-science-seminars/
“YA Book Club”, Monday, March 9, 6PM-7PM, Panera Bread, 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BRIDGEVL/ekp.cfm?curOrg=BRIDGEVL#6320796 “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 Aristotle and Dante Discover the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. We will have the books for the book club at both Bridgeville and South Fayette Libraries.”
“Botany in Ohio: More Than Just Buckeyes”, Monday, March 9, 7:15PM-9PM, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Ford Mateer Classroom (reached through the Portal Entry), 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. This is a meeting of the Botanical Society of Western PA and the public is welcome. “Mr. Kyle Filicky will present, ‘Botany in Ohio: More Than Just Buckeyes’. This is an overview of Kyle's favorite places to botanize in Ohio. He will talk about some of the rare habitats and the species associated with them.” http://www.botsocwpa.org/calendar.php
“Understanding Climate Change”, Monday, March 9, 7PM-8:30PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “Join us for an evening discussion of the climate crisis affecting all of us. Learn about what is happening and what we can do to create the change we desperately need. Dr. David Lampe of the Dept. of Biological Sciences at Duquesne University will discuss the latest climate science and where the Earth is heading, the current psychology of the climate crisis, and a look at social movements and the solutions they present.”
“The Chieftains: The Irish Goodbye Tour”, Monday, March 9, 7:30PM, Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “After fifty-seven years of making some of the most beautiful music in the world, The Chieftains remain as fresh and relevant as when they first began. The six-time Grammy Award winners have been highly recognized for reinventing traditional Irish music on a contemporary and International scale. Their ability to transcend musical boundaries to blend tradition with modern music has notably hailed them as one of the most renowned and revered musical groups to this day. Come see them perform at what will be a memorable evening of music, song and dance on this final journey.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/62724/the-chieftains-the-irish-goodbye-tour
“Teen Time: Penny Hammering Workshop with Lindsay Huff”, Tuesday, March 10, 3:30PM-5PM, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh Hill District; and Wednesday, March 11, 3:30PM-5PM, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh Knoxville. Grades 6-12. “Find a penny, pick it up, smash a penny, gain good luck! Transform humble pennies (or other pocket change!) into wearable jewelry as you passively learn about the properties of various metals and very actively use hammers, anvils, and steel stamps to make designs, patterns, words, and names permanently onto and into pennies. Necklaces, keychains, earrings, and bracelets can be created during this fun (and loud!) workshop for tweens and teens.”
“The Band’s Visit”, Tuesday, March 10 through Sunday, March 15, Benedum Center, 7th St. and Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “The critically acclaimed smash-hit Broadway musical The Band’s Visit is the winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, making it one of the most Tony-winning musicals in history. It is also a Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Theater Album. In this joyously offbeat story, set in a town that’s way off the beaten path, a band of musicians arrive lost, out of the blue. Under the spell of the desert sky, and with beautiful music perfuming the air, the band brings the town to life in unexpected and tantalizing ways. Even the briefest visit can stay with you forever. The cast of world-class performers is led by award-winning Israeli actor Sasson Gabay, star of the original film and the Broadway production, and Chilina Kennedy, known best for her historic run as Carole King in Broadway’s Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. With a Tony- and Grammy-winning score that seduces your soul and sweeps you off your feet, and featuring thrillingly talented onstage musicians, The Band’s Visit rejoices in the way music makes us laugh, makes us cry, and ultimately, brings us together.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/63010/the-bands-visit
“Basic Handsewn Books and Pamphlets”, 4 sessions, Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 24 and 31, 10AM-11:30AM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room Ages 12-adult. $5. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MTLEB/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=MTLEB “Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh member Kitty Spangler will teach you how to make small, handsewn books using basic materials: paper, card stock, ruler, knife, bone folder, awl, and thread (no paste or glue). We'll cover the 3-hole pamphlet stitch, concertina book, Japanese stab binding, and more. Class meets Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 24 and 31. No special skills are necessary, and all materials and supplies are provided. For adults (ages 12 and above). Registration required. $5 suggested donation.”
“Sound for Film featuring Michael Andreas”, Tuesday, March 10, 7PM, Duquesne University, Mary Pappert School of Music, Room 109/109A, 408 Magee St., Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public. “Exploring the Mix with Music, Dialogue, and Foley. Our favorite Hollywood composer is back with insights as to how our production engineers can fine tune the soundtrack mixes of music written by our composition majors.” https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/calendar-of-events
Screening, “Struggles in Steel”, Tuesday, March 10, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/struggles/ “Filmmaker Tony Buba will introduce the film, and lead the audience in a Q/A after the screening. When a local television station did a program about the closing of the major steel mills in the Pittsburgh region, Ray Henderson, a former mill worker who had worked in the mills for 18 years, couldn’t help but notice that not one black worker was shown. This despite the fact that African-American workers had formed a critical part of the labor force in western Pennsylvania for 125 years. With his old friend and independent filmmaker Tony Buba, Henderson set out to collaborate on a history of African-Americans and their contributions not just to the steel industry, but to the labor movement itself. Through eloquent living witnesses and revelatory archival footage, Struggles In Steel presents a striking counterpoint to the stereotypical black male image. Struggles In Steel premiered at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival, has played in major festivals in the United States, and screened at FESPACO in Burkina Faso in West Africa – the largest African film festival in the world. In addition, Struggles In Steel was awarded a 1999 Silver Baton, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award. Featuring interviews with over 70 African-American workers, Struggles In Steel: A Story of African-American Steel Workers documents the shameful history of discrimination against black workers and one heroic campaign where they won equality on the job.”
“Maple Sugaring”, Tuesday, March 10, 7PM, Succop Nature Park; and Thursday, March 12, 7PM, Todd Nature Store. Free. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events “Learn the chemistry of Maple Sugaring! This session will cover the entire process and teach you how to make this regionally specific product from your own trees.”
“Revolting Radio”, Tuesday, March 10, and Tuesday, March 31, 3:30PM-5PM, Sewickley Library. Grades 6-12. “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 in grades 6-12. No registration required!”
“Bookface Photo Sesh”, Tuesday, March 10, 6PM, Butler Area Library. Are you a teen with an interest in photography? If so, we invite you to Bookface. Together we will explore perspective and composition by blending books covers with real people and objects. A collection of books with faces or bodies on the cover will be available to choose from, but teens are also welcome to bring their own books. A camera will also be provided. Teens grades 7-12 are welcome. Please contact Tristyn at tparker@bcfls.org to register.”
“Teens Cook Create and Celebrate: Irish Soda Bread”, Wednesday, March 11, 6:30PM-7:30PM, Baldwin Borough Library. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/B/BALDWIN/EK.cfm?zeeOrg=BALDWIN Grades 5-12. “Join us once a month for a new, creative baking class that celebrates an event or an occasion celebrated within that month. Please see supply list below for items to bring to class. March 11: Irish Soda Bread - Please bring the following items to class: Whisk, pastry blender (if you have one), large mixing bowl, small mixing bowl, measuring cups, measuring spoons, wooden spoon.”
Screening and Panel Discussion, ”I Am the Revolution”, Wednesday, March 11, 6:30PM-9PM, Chatham University Eddy Theater, 1 Woodland Rd., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.chatham.edu/locations/shadyside-campus/chatham-shadyside-map.pdf (Note that the map is oriented with south at the top and north at the bottom… go figure!) Free and open to the public. Preregistration required, register online and learn more about the panelists: https://www.chatham.edu/events/details.cfm?eventID=26305 “I Am The Revolution is an inspiring documentary about three women fighting for freedom and gender equality - Selay Ghaffar, Rojda Felat, and Yanar Mohammed- while living in three of the worst countries in the world for women: Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. Each country reflects the groundswell of feminist revolutions: political revolution in Afghanistan, armed in Syria, and grassroots activism in Iraq. Taking a journalistic approach, the film challenges the images of veiled, silent, and timid women in the Middle East and instead shows the strength of women rising up on the front lines, in remote villages, and in city streets, to claim their voice and their rights. The film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q/A session.” Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIAhHWimlHY
“Driving the Disenfranchised: On the Road to Suffrage”, Wednesday, March 11, 7PM-8:45PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “Kim Cady, assistant curator of the Car and Carriage Museum at the Frick Pittsburgh will examine the role automobiles played in furthering the cause of women’s suffrage in the United States, particularly during the Progressive Era (1890–1920). The automobile’s central role was to provide a mechanism for women’s identity—a means not only to free themselves from social and geographical limitations but also to go beyond prevailing gender stereotypes about their inherent mechanical naiveté and ineptitude. Female drivers challenged the notion that women ought to remain sequestered in the home. The automobile became an integral part of the suffragist enterprise. Serving as a stage it became the focal point of speeches and a platform for the cause. By the 1920s automobiles would be viewed as the dominant cultural emblem of women’s modernity, independence, and mobility. Presented by the Historical Society of Mount Lebanon.”
“Watercolor for Beginners”, 6 Wednesdays, March 11 through April 15, Northern Tier Library Gibsonia. $75. Preregistration required; call 724-449-2665. “Have you always wished you could paint, but didn't think you had the ability? With proper instruction, you'll be surprised! An introductory watercolor painting class will be offered on Wednesdays, March 11-April 15, from 1:30-3:30 PM. No drawing or painting experience is required, and all of the materials you need to get started - high quality paints, brushes, and paper - will be provided. By the time you have finished this six week class, you will quite likely have at least one painting you will want to mat and frame, and maybe a new interest. This class will be taught by Marilyn Myers, who has a degree in Art and Art Education from Carnegie Mellon University. Space will be limited to 12 people, and a fee of $75 will be charged for the series.”
“Khūrākī 2020”, Wednesday, March 11 through Saturday, March 14, 8PM, Capital Cathedral, 200 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $50 and $60. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.artful.ly/store/events/20067 “In March, a group of Afghan female refugees will take a step together into the American Dream. RealTime Interventions is proud to present our re-mount of Khūrākī, a theatrical/ cultural/ culinary celebration of Afghanistan in Pittsburgh. We're celebrating the launch of our Afghan co-creators' new catering company-- the first Afghan food business in Pittsburgh. Created collaboratively by Molly Rice and a group of female Afghan refugees in 2019, Khuraki's initial run was sold out. This re-staging opens the show's doors to Pittsburghers who missed the original run, inviting them to get to know the newly-resettled Afghans who share this city. Khūrākī (meaning “eat” or “meal” in the Afghan language Dari) challenges the perception of Afghanistan as a place of violence and war, emphasizing the beauty of the country through "theatrical portraits" of five strong women who will forever be Afghan, but have recently become Pittsburghers as well. The March show centers on traditions of the Afghan new year, Nauruz (March 21) and the refugees' reflections on “home.” You'll experience Afghan food served directly to you, prepared by the women whose stories you'll hear; live Afghan and classical music selections, based on the women’s descriptions of home; and moments of immersive cultural experience. The evenings will include talkbacks featuring the creative team and their partners, including the Afghan women. Audiences are limited to 70 per night.”
“Adagio Health Power-Up presents Cooking Around the World”, Thursday, March 12, 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.”
“City of Asylum”, Thursday, March 12, 7PM, Zelienople Area Library. $8 adults, $3 ages 14 and under, free for students of Seneca Valley School District. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zelienople-library-presents-tickets-43630061689 “City of Asylum director will be speaking on the mission of City of Asylum and Alphabet City, as well as one of the authors in residence will be discussing their work. Q/A to follow.”
“Sassy Science Workshop- Gene Scene”, Thursday, March 12, 1:30PM-3:30PM, Shaler North Hills Library Glenshaw. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/S/SHALER/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=SHALER “Want to know the science behind the natural world? Adults can explore biodiversity and the world of nature with these fun HANDS-ON workshops. March 12: GENE SCENE: Learn more about how our genes work and the diversity that surrounds us. What’s the secret to the black squirrel? And watch for Field Trips this summer to Fall Run Park! Led by certified Master Naturalists/Educators. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to explore.”
“CHUTZ-POW! Superheroes of the Holocaust, Vol. IV South Hills Launch”, Thursday, March 12, 6:30PM, JCC South Hills, 345 Kane Blvd., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://hcofpgh.org/events/ “Join us in celebrating the publication of CHUTZ-POW! Volume IV: Women’s Stories. These stories highlight the resiliency and strength shown by a diverse array of women in one of the darkest periods of history.”
Concert, “Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra”, Thursday, March 12, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/pittsburgh-symphony-orchestra-7/ “Join Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and renowned violinist Alina Ibragimova for an evening celebrating ‘Fierce and Female’ voices in the arts, featuring poets Clare Welsh and Kizza. Guest soloist Alina Ibragimova will play and talk with host Christine Hestwood about her experiences and career as a fast-rising female artist and one of the most accomplished and intriguing violinists of her generation. She has established a reputation as a violinist who is both virtuosic and facile, excelling equally in modern and period instruments and repertoire. Of her playing, The Guardian said ‘The immediacy and honesty of Ibragimova’s playing has the curious ability to collapse any sense of distance between performer and listener’.”
“Geocaching at Dusk”, Thursday, March 12, 5PM, Mingo Creek Park, Shelter 1, Finleyville. Park map here: http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/3560/2017MingoCreekMap?bidId= , Free. Preregistration required; call 724-228-6867. “Get off the couch and discover geocaching! Join the Washington County Parks and Recreation staff as we search for hidden treasures (caches) in Mingo Creek Park using a handheld Global Positioning Device (GPS). This program is limited due to a limited number of GPS’s. Please dress for moderate hiking and weather.” http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7842/program-guide-2020-web-format-1-22-2020
“The Haunted Smile: The Story of Jewish Comedians in America”, Thursday, March 12, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “Join us for a review and discussion of Lawrence Epstein's The Haunted Smile, led by Monroeville resident Skip Davis. The book tackles a subject both poignant and delightful: the story of Jewish comedians in America. For the past century and more, American comedy has drawn its strength and soul from the comic genius of Jewish performers and writers. An incomplete listing of names makes the point: The Marx Brothers, Jack Benny, Fanny Brice, George Burns, Milton Berle, Jackie Mason, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Brooks, Alan King, Mort Sahl, Buddy Hackett, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer, Jerry Seinfeld. These men and women, among others, form the canon of Jewish-American comedy.”
Screening, “Glenn Murcutt- Spirit of Place”, Thursday, March 12, 6PM-7:30PM, Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Ave., Wilkinsburg. $15. Preregistration required; contact Mary Lu Denny: marylu@phlf.org or 412-471-5808 ext. 527. “Glenn Murcutt— Spirit of Place explores the life and work of Australia’s most internationally recognized architect. Murcutt’s extraordinary reputation rests on the beauty and integrity of his buildings. With numerous awards (including the 2002 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the 1992 Alvar Aalto Medal and the 2009 American Institute of Architect’s Gold Medal) Murcutt has literally put Australian architecture on the world map. Murcutt’s focus has been the creation of energy-efficient masterpieces perfectly suited to their environment and his breakthrough designs and teaching have influenced architects around the world. Murcutt has long eschewed publicity preferring to let his work speak for itself. Despite this, he agreed to allow filmmaker Catherin Hunter to explore his most seminal houses and follow him as he embarks on his most challenging project to date— a mosque for the Newport Islamic community in Melbourne.” https://phlf.org/event/architecture-documentary-screening-glenn-murcutt-spirit-of-place/
“Words and Pictures: Jarrett J. Krosoczka”, Thursday, March 12, 7PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: https://pittsburghlectures.org/lectures/jarrett-j-krosoczka/ Springdale Library will be livestreaming it (call the library to reserve a seat at 724-274-9729). “New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and a deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores. First published at the age of twenty-three, Jarrett has more than thirty published books to his credit. Titles include several picture books, his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, and the Platypus Police Squad middle-grade novels. Jarrett became a National Book Award finalist with Hey, Kiddo, a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction, and finding the art that helps you survive. Jarrett has given two TED Talks which have collectively accrued more than two million views online. He is also the host of The Book Report with JJK on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live, a weekly segment celebrating books, authors, and reading.”
“Teen Gender and Sexuality Alliance”, Thursday, March 12 and Thursday, March 26, 5PM, 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.”
“Teen Writer’s Club”, Thursday, March 12, 6:30PM-7:30PM, Cranberry Library Franklin Station North. “Do you like to write short stories, poetry or prose? Come share your work and get feedback from other writers like you. There will be optional writing prompts and activities and snacks will be provided. For teens in grades 6-12.”
“Pippin”, Thursday, March 12 through Sunday, March 22, Pittsburgh Playhouse PNC Theatre, 350 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. “With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated circus-inspired version of Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world. Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. He seeks it in the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power (after disposing of his father, King Charlemagne the Great). In the end, though, Pippin finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day. Presented in the grand PNC Theatre, Pippin's message is universal and will connect with audiences across the age spectrum.” http://www.pittsburghplayhouse.com/current-season/conservatory-theatre-company/pippin
“The Sky is Calling”, Friday, March 13, 4:30PM-6PM, Carnegie Mellon University, Breed Hall, MMCH 103, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/visit/maps-parking-transportation.html “Physics Department lecturer Diane Turnshek fights the creep of light pollution in the world, hoping that everyone can someday look up and see the Milky Way from wherever they live. The International Dark-sky Association gave Turnshek a Dark Sky Defended Award for bringing public awareness to the issues of light pollution. Do you realize that humanity substantially increases the world's carbon footprint and wastes billions of dollars a year producing light that does nothing more than travel up into the sky? Light pollution causes a degradation of nighttime ecosystems, negatively impacting plants and animals, and well as endangering human health and safety. Excess light at night robs us of dark skies full of stars, a loss for lay people and astronomers alike. The view of objects in the heavens is diminishing more rapidly than ever, due to the advent of LEDs. The talk is part of the Earth Day 50th Anniversary Lecture Series.” https://www.cmu.edu/events/
“North Woods Walk”, Friday, March 13, 6PM-8PM, Forbes State Forest, North Woods. Registration is required. For more information or to register contact rmahony@pa.gov or 724-259-2201. “Explore the North Woods of Forbes State Forest on a 2 mile snowshoe trek to the Schafer Run warming hut. Please come prepared with warm layers, water, and a headlamp. If there is no snow we will hike. Hot cocoa and tea will be provided.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/north_woods_walk_7787#.XlspIi3Myi4
“Swing”, Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, 1 Lincoln Park, Midland. “Two thirds rhythm and one third soul… Swing is more than a type of music- it is a state of mind! Featuring spectacular dancing, a live swing band on stage, and chart-topping hits, Swing! explores and celebrates the musical movement that swept the nation.” http://www.lincolnparkarts.org
“Nightwatch”, Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 22, McKeesport Little Theater, 1614 Coursin St., McKeesport. $15 adults, $10 students. “A mystery/thriller. Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine’s terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body—this time a woman’s—but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium for treatment. From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved—Elaine’s old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga—all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax.” https://mckeesportlittletheater.com/2018-2019-season/
“A Pathological Discussion with Dr. Cyril Wecht”, Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15, The Lamp Theater, 222 Main St., Irwin. https://www.lamptheatre.org/cyril-wecht Dr. Cyril Wecht is a forensic pathologist. More here: http://cyrilwecht.com
“Sunstar Festival: Women and Music”, Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, KST Alloy Studios, 5530 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Pay what makes you happy: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/sunstar-festival-women-music/ “KST Presents welcomes back the annual Sunstar Festival: Women and Music. The 2020 festival begins Friday, March 13 at 8:00pm with Classically Intimate, an evening of classical music curated by Pittsburgh’s own Anqwenique! Festivities continue on Saturday March 14 at 1:00pm with Sisters Are Doin’ It, a brunch and conversation hosted by Girls Running Sh**’s Markeea ‘Keea’ Hart, Janita Kilgore, and Mia Marshall. The powerhouse-media podcasters lead the conversation around the various realities of being a Black woman in the Pittsburgh music scene. Sunstar 2020 concludes on Saturday, March 14 at 8:00pm with Mic Check, a showcase of Pittsburgh based women and non-binary artists working in Rap, R and B, Hip-Hop and Soul styles. Mic Check features Clara Kent, INEZ, Rhyme, and Britney Chantelle.”
“YA Book Club”, Friday, March 13, 7PM, Barnes and Noble stores. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/young-adult-book-club “Join us every second Friday of the month to discuss these compelling stories and characters with our booksellers and fellow YA fans. This month we're reading “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson. Pip can’t believe her childhood friend killed his girlfriend, and makes it her senior project to prove his innocence. We loved this addictive whodunit with the true-life investigative verve of Serial and a sharp-eyed narrator you won't soon forget. Come to discuss with us and receive our exclusive swag giveaway, in stores only at YA Book Club.”
“Pittsburgh Electronic Music Record Fair”, Saturday, March 14, 1PM-6PM, Ace Hotel, Ballroom 2nd Floor, 120 S. Whitfield St., Pittsburgh. Free. “Vendors selling records, plus CDs, tapes, gear and memorabilia. All styles of electronic music welcome. We currently have about 17 vendors, both collectors selling one crate, to former shops selling a large number of crates! https://www.facebook.com/events/2664235293696785/
“Maple Harvest Tour”, Saturday, March 14, 10AM and 1PM, Laurel Hill State Park. Preregistration required; call Kimberly Peck 814-352-8649. “Sugar camp is open! Explore the history of maple syrup from the days of discovery to modern day evaporation. Taste our award winning syrup and purchase a bottle to take home.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/maple_harvest_tour_7494#.XlsqPi3Myi4
“Citizen Science: Tree Measuring”, Saturday, March 14, and Thursday, March 19, 9:30AM, Ohiopyle State Park, Visitors Center. Ages 16 and up. Preregistration required; contact rbando@pa.gov. “Join us to help measure and inventory the tall trees of Ferncliff. No previous ability required. We will provide instruction and all the equipment that we need.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ohiopyle_state_park/calendar/month/2020/3
“Eagle Tour”, Saturday, March 14, 9AM-1PM, Pymatuning State Park of Pennsylvania, Environmental Learning Classroom. “Celebrate National Wildlife Week and our nation's symbol. Join the park naturalist for a driving tour to eagle hotspots around the park. The park has a limited number of binoculars to borrow. Bring your own binoculars if you have some. Dress for the weather and bring your lunch. Meet at the Environmental Learning Classroom, Marina Drive, Jamestown, PA 16134. For more information, contact Emily Borcz at eborcz@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 ext. 106.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/eagle_tour_6261#.XlsPcC3Myi4
“Spring Gardening Seminar”, Saturday, March 14, 8AM-1PM, Washington County Fairgrounds Building 4, 2151 N. Main St., Washington. $25. Preregistration by March 9 required; register online: https://extension.psu.edu/spring-gardening-seminar “A new year means prepping for a new growing season! Join Master Gardeners at a Spring Gardening Seminar in your area to learn about current gardening methods and new tips to have a successful gardening season this year.”
“Woodpecker Wander”, Saturday, March 14, 10AM-11AM, Canoe Creek State Park, Wentz Education Center. “Take a walk through the woods to learn about the diversity of woodpeckers that live here. We’ll talk about their seasonal habits and look and listen for these incredible birds.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/woodpecker_wander_4872#.XlsVGC3Myi4
“Local Author Fair”, Saturday, March 14, 11AM and 1PM, Barnes and Noble, 100 West Bridge St., Homestead. “Join us on the second Saturday of every month for our Local Author Fair! We feature new authors each month, and you don't want to miss out on meeting some of Pittsburgh's best! Seatings will be at 11AM and 1PM.” https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062131869-0
“Winter Weeds Walk”, Saturday, March 14, 1PM-3PM, Moraine State Park, South Shore Office. “Even in earliest spring, the remnants of last year’s plants can add beauty to a walk by the lake. Join others as we start at the office and walk to the Sunken Garden Trail for an easy 1.5-mile hike along Lake Arthur looking for dried grasses, seedpods, and other treats of nature. Learn about native plants and bringing the beauty of nature to your home. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. Meet at the South Shore park office, 225 Pleasant Valley Rd, Portersville, PA 16051.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/winter_weeds_walk_283#.XlsQnS3Myi4
“Maple Sugaring Workshop”, Saturday, March 14, 10AM-5PM, Raccoon Creek State Park. $20. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/maple_sugaring_workshop_4783#.XlsKoS3Myi4 "Ever wonder what real maple syrup taste like or how it's made? Find out during this day long workshop covering the collection of maple sap, boiling process and the processing of syrup into candies and sugar. The workshop focuses on small scale evaporation methods. The day will conclude with a pancake dinner sampling a variety of whole grain pancakes and fresh maple syrup. Cost is $20 payable in advance. Pre-registration required by March 1 by clicking the green register tab. Once registered, workshop details, location and payment information will be emailed. For questions contact Patrick Adams at: paadams@pa.gov.”
Concert, “Blackwater”, Saturday, March 14, 7:30PM, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Hillman Center for the Performing Arts, 423 Fox Chapel Rd., Pittsburgh. $20. “Blackwater's high-energy brand of Celtic music blends folk, classical and contemporary influences into a unique and dynamic sound. The band's striking vocal harmonies, intricate fiddle styles, multi-instrumental talent and penchant for compelling rhythms ensures there's something for every Irish music lover!” https://www.thehillman.org/shows/hillman-performing-arts-series/blackwater
“St. Patrick’s Day Parade”, Saturday, March 14, 10AM. Parade route here: http://www.pittsburghirish.org/parade/route/index.htm
“Maple Sugaring: Sugarbush Tour and Breakfast”, Saturday, March 14, every half hour between 9AM-1PM, Mingo Creek Park, Shelter 6 and Park Office, Finleyville. Park map here: http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/3560/2017MingoCreekMap?bidId= $2 per person. Preregistration required; call 724-228-6867. “Join the Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation staff for a tasty tour of Mingo Creek Park’s Sugarbush. Discover techniques used to turn maple tree sap into 100% pure maple syrup. Historical demonstrations, modern day sap collecting methods and evaporation secrets will be shared. The program will conclude with a pancake breakfast served with pure Mingo Creek Syrup, sausage and a drink at the Park Office. Tours begin every 1⁄2 hour. Group size is limited to 20 per tour. Tours begin at Shelter 6. Breakfast is served at the Mingo Creek Park Office after the tour.”
“Intro to Weaving”, Saturday, March 14, 10AM-12PM, Prototype PGH, 460 Melwood Ave. Ste 208, Pittsburgh. $10. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-weaving-tickets-94915682361?aff=efbeventtix “This workshop will explore the basics of tapestry weaving. Students will learn how to warp a loom, beginner weaving techniques, and methods of finishing a small wall hanging. Above all, they will be encouraged to tap into their creativity and go where the yarn guides them! Students are invited to bring their own yarn, if they feel particularly inspired by something they have at home (lots of yarn will be provided!) or anything else they feel they might like to put in a weaving (fabric scraps, plant matter, etc.).”
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Presents “Irish Rhapsody”, Saturday, March 14, 7:30PM-9:30PM, Palace Theater, 21 West Otterman St., Greensburg. “Travel to the Emerald Isle with Dublin-born composer Charles Stanford’s charming Irish Rhapsody. Known for her 'exceptionally rich and vibrant tone' (Washington Post) Lorna McGhee, principal flute for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays CPE Bach’s virtuosic Flute Concerto. Bach composed the work in 1748 while at the court of the flute-aficionado King Frederick the Great. The concert also includes Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 'Spring' that first premiered with conductor Felix Mendelssohn.” https://www.westmorelandsymphony.org
“MuseumLab Transformation: Free Guided Walking Tours”, Saturday, March 14, 3PM-4:30PM, MuseumLab, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; contact marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527. “This walking tour is intended for adults who have memories of visiting the former Allegheny Regional Library and are eager to see its transformation into MuseumLab, a museum for older youth created by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. You’ll hear how the Richardsonian Romanesque landmark from 1890, first renovated in the 1970s and then vacated in 2006, has become a vibrant, dynamic, nurturing, and sustainable educational center. You’ll see the colorful ‘Over View’ installation in the Grable Gallery, created by FreelandBuck and inspired by the original stained-glass ceiling. You’ll find a steel beam in the Tech Lab stamped with the word ‘Carnegie’, an amazing climbing structure winding through library stacks, original arches, columns and ceilings revealed, and a 36-foot-long mural extending over a doorway in the Manchester Academic Charter Middle School. After exploring major areas on all floors of the former library building, the tour will end outside, where your docent will highlight the architectural significance of three more architecturally distinctive buildings that complete the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s campus on Pittsburgh’s North Side. With the opening of MuseumLab on April 27, 2019, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh became the largest cultural campus for children in the nation. This free guided walking tour does not include admission to MuseumLab, and participants will not have time to explore the exhibits.” https://phlf.org/event/museumlab-transformation-free-guided-walking-tours/
“Introduction to Fold3”, Saturday, March 14, 10:30AM-12PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Job and Career Education Center. “Fold3 is a valuable resource to research your ancestor’s military records – and more! Join Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society to learn more about this online resource available at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, what records are included, and how to navigate the site for your own work. Fold3 provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. The records at Fold3 help you discover and share stories about these everyday heroes, forgotten soldiers, and the families that supported them. This session is free and open to the public.”
“Opera Up Close- Carmen”, Sunday, March 15, 2PM-3:30PM, Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5 at the door. “Join Robert Boldin, Artistic Administrator, and special guests from the production, for an in-depth look at Carmen. Admission is $5; the event is free to members of FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera, New Guard and donors at $50+. No reservations needed, except for handicapped parking in the Pittsburgh Opera garage.” https://www.pittsburghopera.org/calendar/detail/opera-up-close-carmen
“Paranormal Marketplace”, Sunday, March 15, 11AM-5PM, Center Stage, 1495 Old Brodhead Rd., Monaca. “Come shop vendors of everything paranormal, from Bigfoot to ghosts to UFOs and aliens, new age, psychic mediums, tarot readers, authors, investigative and research groups and much more!” https://www.facebook.com/events/517333648825259/
“Exploring Aquatic Life”, Sunday, March 15, 2PM-4PM, Settlers Cabin Park, Dog Off Leash Parking Lot. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/sc-exploring-aquatic-life/5192 “Join the Park Rangers to discover more about the animals that call our waterways home. This hike will be approximately 2-miles across moderate terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle.”
“Creative Conundrum Lab: Birdhouse Workshop”, Sunday, March 15, 3PM-5PM, Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, 214 N. Lexington St., Pittsburgh. “Could it be? Is it really almost spring?! The return of warm weather can mean only one thing: birdhouses! Give your neighborhood birds a spot to rest (and maybe enjoy a snack) by building them a house out of reclaimed materials. Join talented Creative Reuse teaching artists to make a beautiful one-of-a-kind birdhouse out of old media like CDs, VHS tapes, floppy disks, and more. Then bedazzle it with all sorts of lovely accessories. As always, this drop-in workshop is free and open to the public, including kids of all ages!” https://www.facebook.com/events/617279199109147/
“Quinta Voce”, Sunday, March 15, 3PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public. “More women are composing and arranging works for woodwind quintet today than ever before! The Quinta Voce Wind Quintet, in conjunction with Heinz Chapel's celebration of Women's History Month, will make their Heinz Chapel debut featuring timeless and newly published works by women. Featured will be the effervescent Suite for Wind Quintet by Amanda Harberg, Pastorale by Amy Beach, Three Nature Walks by Alexandra Moldar-Suhajada, along with Argentine Tangos and African-American Spirituals arranged by prominent women composers. Born of a univocal passion for chamber music and a desire to inspire, the five women of the Quinta Voce Wind Quintet are dedicated to sharing with all audiences a variegated repertoire of music from the Renaissance and Classical periods, newly published works, jazz and pop transcriptions, sacred, and holiday music.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/quinta-voce https://www.quintavoce.com
“Antler Shed Hunting”, Saturday, March 15, 2PM, Elk County Visitor Center, 134 Homestead Dr., Benezette. “Are you curious about how to find shed whitetail and elk antlers? Everyone has their own method when scouting the woods for sheds; join us here at the Elk Country Visitor Center as we discuss some of our most effective methods. Also learn why antlers drop each year and the difference between antlers and horns. After the presentation, test your new skills by trying to find some antlers we have hidden for practice.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/antler_shed_hunting#.XlsnJy3Myi4
“Hike with a Naturalist: Songs of Spring”, Sunday, March 15, 6:30PM-8:30PM, Frick Park parking lot, 1200 Lancaster Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.pittsburghparks.org/park-events “Spring is full of changes that happen seemingly in the blink of an eye. As the snow melts and the temperatures rise, many animals come out of dormancy or migrate to new habitats. These changes are often reflected in the sounds heard throughout our city. Join Naturalist Educator Stephen Bucklin for a hike to listen for the songs of spring and learn more about what changes are happening in nature. 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 meets in the Lower Frick Lot off of Lancaster Ave in Regent Square. An approximate address is 1200 Lancaster Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15218.”
“Mosses and Moss Gardening”, Monday, March 16, 7PM-8:30PM, Mt. Lebanon Library of Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MTLEB/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=MTLEB “How native mosses can be used in the garden, how to collect mosses, and the ecology of mosses. Includes handouts and display of native mosses. Presented by Phipps Garden Center speaker Cyndi Fink.”
“Choreographer Dean Moss: Excavated Movements”, Monday, March 16, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/excavated-movements-choreographer-dean-moss/ “Choreographer Dean Moss will explore the experience of assimilation with gentle twisted dances, in this performance work titled Your marks and surface. Choreographed and performed by Moss, the various dance solos feature music from acclaimed composer, sound artist, and long-time collaborator Stephen Vitiello, and a live reading of original poetry by Sandra Liu.”
“Author Chat: Cody McDevitt - Banished From Johnstown”, Monday, March 16, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “In 1923, in response to a deadly shooting spree, the mayor of Johnstown ordered every African American and Mexican immigrant who had lived in the city for less than seven years to leave. They were given less than a day to move and were forced out at gunpoint. An estimated two thousand people uprooted their lives in response to this racist edict. Join us as author Cody McDevitt discusses his book on this shocking and under reported event in Pennsylvania history.”
“Introduction to the Glowforge”, Tuesday, March 17, 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.”
“Maple Tapping and Sugaring”, Thursday, March 17, 6:30PM-7:30PM, Northern Tier Library Gibsonia. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NTRL/EK.cfm?zeeOrg=NTRL “Want to learn to make your own delicious maple syrup? Tony Miga, Director of Chatham University's Eden Hall Farm, will lead a discussion on maple tapping and maple sugaring. Topics covered will include tree identification, basics of tree tapping, sap collection, and syrup making. This workshop will be geared to home-scale or very small-scale farm production. Anyone with an interest in producing their own maple syrup or learning more about the process is encouraged to attend. Registration is required.”
“Pitt Men's Glee Club Hosts Harvard Men's Glee Club”, Tuesday, March 17, 8PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public. “The Harvard Glee Club and the University of Pittsburgh's Men's Glee Club are delighted to present a free concert at 8:00pm on Tuesday, March 17th, at Heinz Chapel. The performance is part of the Harvard Glee Club's Heartland Tour to New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, the heartland of industrial America. The Harvard Glee Club will share folk and college songs as well as music by Schubert, Komitas, Palestrina, Rachmaninoff and others. The Pitt Men's Glee Club will sing works by Michael Haydn, Manolo Da Rold, Stephen Foster and Leonard Bernstein. The two groups will combine to sing popular Irish Folk song settings in honor of St. Patrick's Day.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/pitt-mens-glee-club-hosts-harvard-mens-glee-club
“Irish Geneology Workshop”, Tuesday, March 17, 9AM-4:30PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. $40, or $30 for History Center members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/irish-genealogy-workshop-2020 “Irish genealogy experts Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast are back for the sixth annual Irish Genealogy Workshop featuring new topics and a robust networking session for connecting with fellow attendees and local genealogical societies. This in-depth, day-long workshop will explore new insights into a myriad of historic records and electronic resources to advance your genealogical research in Ireland.”
“Latodami Project Bluebird Box”, Tuesday, March 17, 6PM-8PM, Latodami Nature Center, North Park. Free. Ages 10 and up. Preregistration required; email Ken.knapp.latodami@gmail.com to register. “Calling all citizen scientists - join our Bluebird box team. You will learn all about Bluebirds and how you can assist us in preparing the North Park bird boxes for the spring breeding season. Participants will also learn they can adopt a group of boxes that can be monitored for activity throughout the summer. Dress well for outdoor weather and bring work gloves.” https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/np-latodami-project-bluebird-box/5270
“Pennsylvania’s Borders: Why is the Commonwealth Shaped the Way it is?”, Tuesday, March 17, 6PM-8PM, Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Ave., Wilkinsburg. $15. Preregistration required; contact Mary Lu Denny: marylu@phlf.org or 412-471-5808 ext. 527. “For the second lecture in the Engineering Pittsburgh Lecture Series, we will explore how Pennsylvania arrived at its current borders. We will explore which native American tribes historically inhabited the region; and how over time and numerous disputes with and amongst settlers, some turning violent, the Commonwealth took the shape we know today. We will also discuss the history of land surveying and how their tools and techniques have evolved over time.” https://phlf.org/event/engineering-pittsburgh-lecture-series-2/
Author Talk, “Bernardine Evaristo”, Tuesday, March 17, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/bernardine-evaristo/ “Reading, discussion, and book signing with winner of the 2019 Booker Prize Bernardine Evaristo! Winner of the 2019 Booker Prize and finalist for the Gordon Burn Prize, ‘Girl, Woman, Other” is a celebration of the diversity of Black British experience from Bernardine Evaristo, one of Britain’s most celebrated writers of color. Moving, hopeful, and inventive, this extraordinary novel is a vivid portrait of the state of contemporary Britain and the legacy of Britain’s colonial history in Africa and the Caribbean.”
Screening, “I Am Patrick: The Patron Saint of Ireland”, Tuesday, March 17, 6:30PM, Cinemark Monroeville Mall, AMC Classic South Hills Village, and Cinemark Robinson Township; and Wednesday, March 18, 6:30PM, Southside Works Cinema, Cinemark Monroeville Mall, and AMC Classic South Hills Village. I Am Patrick is a feature-length docudrama that peels back centuries of legend and myth to tell the true story of Saint Patrick. Through historical re-enactments, expert interviews, and Patrick’s own writings, experience the journey from man to saint. In the 5th century, the Roman Empire was collapsing, and barbarians threatened civilization. In Britain, a teenager named Patrick was living a comfortable life as the son of a government official. Despite being part of the Roman Catholic Church, his faith didn’t mean anything to him until he was kidnapped by pirates at the age of 16 and enslaved at the edge of the known world - Ireland. For 6 years, Patrick was forced to work as a shepherd and was driven to the brink of starvation. It was there that he turned to his Christian faith and through divine intervention managed to escape. He was reunited with his family in Britain only to have a prophetic dream calling him to take Christianity back to the land of his captivity. Against the wishes of his family and the Church, Patrick returned as a missionary bishop to Ireland and converted thousands to Christianity. He opposed slavers, Irish kings, and possibly druids but nothing compared to the hostility he faced from his fellow Christians. After a close friend exposed a dark secret of Patrick’s, it is believed he was ordered to leave his mission and return to Britain. Patrick had to choose - obey God or obey man?” https://www.fathomevents.com/events/i-am-patrick
“America’s First Women Ambassadors”, Wednesday, March 18, 6:30PM-7:30PM, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh Lawrenceville. “Celebrate Women’s History Month! Philip Nash, Associate Professor of History at Penn State Shenango, examines the careers of the first of the six women to run U.S. embassies overseas, including Perle Mesta, US Minister to Luxembourg (1949-53), who had a strong connection to Pittsburgh.”
“Plant Centered Diet: What is it and how can it work for me?”, Wednesday, March 18, 6PM-7PM, Cranberry Library, Franklin Station South. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.cranberrytownship.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=17060&month=3&year=2020&day=23&calType=0 “Feeling bloated or struggling with digestive issues? Have brain fog or a difficult time focusing? Keep trying diets and continue feeling unhealthy or struggle to get the weight off? Have you heard of the term plant-based but feel too uninformed or overwhelmed to give it a try? Join us for a 45 minute workshop, where you'll learn the basic principles of a plant-centered approach to eating, and how it could work for you. Presented by Sarah Kaminski, who has 10+ years in the field of Health and Wellness as an educator, Certified Health and Life Coach, Pilates Instructor and Plant-Based Recipe Developer through The Veg Out Project.”
“True Crime for Teens”, Wednesday, March 18, 6PM, Butler Area Library. “True crime is all the rage these days. Every month at the library, the Teen True Crime Club will meet to discuss unsolved true crimes and the theories that surround them. Fans of Buzzfeed Unsolved will surely enjoy this group. Teens grades 7-12 are welcome. Please contact Tristyn at tparker@bcfls.org to register.”
“Cenozoic Magnatism: A Key to the Dramatic Landscapes of the Colorado Plateau”, Wednesday, March 18, 7:30PM, Cefalo’s Banquet and Event Center, 428 Washington Ave., Carnegie. Presented by Dr. Kendra Murray, Department of Geosciences, Idaho State University. 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
“Notable Women of the Keystone State”, Wednesday, March 18, 7PM-8PM, Northern Tier Library Gibsonia. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/N/NTRL/EK.cfm?zeeOrg=NTRL “2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. The Senator John Heinz History Center will share the story of Pennsylvania women who have impacted or changed the course of history in the past 200 years.”
“Nature at Night: Moonlight and Snow”, Wednesday, March 18, 7PM, Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector. Free. “With Spring right around the corner, sunlight is lingering on the tops of trees a bit longer. The stillness of the evening lets us listen to wind whispering in the still-bare branches, an owl hooting in a nearby tree, or the distant yip of coyotes. Come join us for one more winter hike and listen for the forest to come alive as night settles in around us. Bring your flashlight or headlamp, jacket, boots, and gloves, and hit the trail with us at night.” https://carnegiemnh.org/visitor/powdermill-nature-reserve/
“The Human Element: A New Vision of Nature”, Wednesday, March 18, 4:30PM, Carnegie Mellon University, Cohon University Center, McConomy Auditorium, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/visit/maps-parking-transportation.html Presented by James Balog, photographer, filmmaker and climate change researcher.“People are a force of nature. We alter earth, air, water and fire, which in turn causes those elements to push back and change the terms of our own lives. This feedback cycle is the most important environmental issue of our time. James Balog reveals these issues in a captivating multimedia presentation, providing a fresh look at the human impact of California wildfires, melting glaciers, sea level rise, hurricanes and altered air while celebrating the amazing beauty of the world.” https://www.cmu.edu/uls/ Trailer for his film here: https://thehumanelementmovie.com
“Mildred Pierce Movie and Discussion”, Wednesday, March 18 6:30PM-8:45PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “In her 2018 novel, Sunburn, Laura Lippman pays homage to the master noir crime writer, James Cain. Lippmann writes, “…..to write a noir story worthy of Cain, I’d have to be willing to risk writing about people who were anything but likeable." Three of Hollywood’s most memorable films of the 1940’s bring Cain’s novels to life and Lippman’s observations that the best noir novels feature dreamers who become schemers. Join Elaine Wertheim for a viewing and discussion of Mildred Pierce. When Mildred Pierce's wealthy husband leaves her for another woman, Mildred decides to raise her two daughters on her own. Despite Mildred's financial successes in the restaurant business, her oldest daughter, Veda, resents her mother for degrading their social status. In the midst of a police investigation after the death of her second husband, Mildred must evaluate her own freedom and her complicated relationship with her daughter.”
*First Day of Spring, March 19, 2020. Hooray!*
*First Day of Spring, March 19, 2020. Hooray!*
“Women’s Voices; Hear Them Speak; Silent No More!”, Thursday, March 19, 11AM-12:30PM, Carnegie Library Pittsburgh West End. “Join us as the West Pittsburgh History Club celebrates Women’s History Month! Women have made significant contributions to our region…but their actions and achievements are often forgotten or ignored. Come hear the stories of twelve amazing women whose voices and actions have made an impact in the lives of millions of women, men and children locally, regionally and nationally. The speaker, JoAnn R. Forrester is the President of the Pennsylvania Women’s Hall of Achievement. PA WHOA is an organization dedicated to bringing to life and giving voice to the contribution of women’s achievements contributions in our region and state. JoAnn is a well-known business leader, editor, author, and speaker on a wide range of subjects. Her passion is history and sharing the stories of women who have helped make our region a great place to live and work.”
“Vernal Equinox Hike”, Thursday, March 19, 7PM-9PM, Hartwood Acres. $15, or $10 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028048/ “Spring is finally here! Celebrate the sun’s position over the equator with a night hike around Hartwood Acres. We will wind our way along the wooded trails and view the star-studded sky while enjoying the first spring evening of the year.”
“Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival”, Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, April 5, Carnegie Mellon University, Cohen University Center, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.cmu.edu/visit/maps-parking-transportation.html “Welcome to the CMU International Film Festival! We are so excited to bring some of the world's most innovative cinema here to Pittsburgh. We will show seventeen films that come from a range of countries including: Syria, Lesotho, the UK, China, Chile, Norway, Germany, and so many more! Each film will be accompanied by an interactive activity that is meant to deepen your understanding of the film. Many of these activities will be led by the filmmakers themselves or local community leaders. There will be a reception after each screening catered by local Pittsburgh eateries featuring the cuisine from the film's country of origin.” https://www.cmu.edu/faces/
“Debut Novelist Gabriel Bump”, Thursday, March 19, 7PM-8:30PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/debut-novelist-gabriel-bump/ “Join us for an evening of reading and discussion with debut novelist Gabriel Bump. In his alternately witty and heartbreaking debut novel ‘Everywhere You Don’t Belong’, Gabriel Bump portrays the life of a young everyman. Claude McKay Love isn’t dangerous or brilliant—he’s just an average kid coping with abandonment, violence, riots, failed love, and societal pressures as he steers his way past the signposts of youth: childhood friendships, basketball tryouts, first love, first heartbreak, picking a college, moving away from home. Bump’s assured narrative is driven by fierce energy and percolates with an astute awareness of the ironic contradictions of our times. As a young black man trying to keep his head above water in the urban vortex, Claude is fundamentally searching for a place where he can fit. Raised with principles by his civil rights-era grandmother, he tries to escape issues of race when riots consume his neighborhood. But leaving Chicago for college, he discovers he can’t escape his own skin. There is no safe haven for a young black man in this time and place called America.”
Screening and Discussion, “Women of Steel”, Thursday, March 19, 6PM-9PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. $15, or $10 for History Center members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/women-of-steel-film-screening-and-discussion “The Heinz History Center and the Women’s Press Club of Pittsburgh invite you to explore the changing role of women in the workforce and the power of video storytelling through excerpts from the locally-produced documentary ‘Women of Steel’, followed by a panel discussion with local filmmakers, historians, and women in skilled trades. Produced by Mon Valley Media in 1985, ‘Women of Steel’ is an eye-opening look at the lives of Pittsburgh women working in the mills who lost their jobs when the mills shut down. They candidly share their diverse perspectives as women working in a largely male-dominated field. Watch the film, discuss how things compare 35 years on, and explore the Women’s Press Club archives held by the History Center.”
“Lara Putnam, Caroline Tervo and Theda Skocpol discuss their book Upending American Politics: Polarizing Parties, Ideological Elites, and Citizen Activists from the Tea Party to the Anti-Trump Resistance”, Thursday, March 19, 7PM-8:30PM, Riverstone Books, 8850 Covenant Ave., Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.riverstonebookstore.com/events/lara-putnam-amp-theda-skocpol-discuss-their-book-upending-american-politics “We are thrilled to welcome contributor Lara Putnam and co-editors Caroline Tervo and Theda Skocpol. Dr. Skocpol is the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology at Harvard University. At Harvard, she has served as Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (2005-2007) and as Director of the Center for American Political Studies (2000-2006). Dr. Putnam is the Chair of Department of History, University of Pittsburgh Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.” More about the book here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/upending-american-politics-9780190083533?cc=us&lang=en&
“Running for Life”, Thursday, March 19, 7PM-8:15PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MTLEB/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=MTLEB “Learn the life long benefits of starting a running program incorporated with proper nutrition and diet, which can help you gain control over negative health effects on your body, such as stress and weight problems. Courtney McKay received her degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland. She was a long-distance runner while in school and later coached cross-country teams. She currently works in the physical therapy field and has participated in ten marathons in various states including Pittsburgh.”
“Pysanky Egg Demonstration”, Thursday, March 19, 6PM, Springdale Library. Preregistration required; call 724-274-9729. “This program has become one of our favorite programs. Join us March 19 at 6:00 PM for a delightful evening as Marilan Caito demonstrates her beautiful art of making Pysanky Eggs (Ukrainian Eggs). Her passion is sharing her love of this traditional folk art and its rich history. One egg is completed from start to finish while lecturing on the tools, techniques and history of the art. The egg is then awarded to an audience member by random drawing. Dozens of beautifully decorated eggs are displayed as part of the demo as well. Registration is required!”
“The Beneficial Animals in Your Garden”, Thursday, March 19, 7PM-8:30PM, Sewickley Library. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/S/SEWICKLEY/ek.cfm “Did you know that even snakes and wasps have a place in a healthy garden ecosystem? As gardeners, we hear a lot about beneficial insects. They help keep the balance between the good, the bad, and the ugly insects lurking around our plants. But insects aren't the only beneficial creatures that help our gardens thrive. A healthy garden depends on a strong, interconnected ecological system. Come learn about animals that are beneficial for gardens and how to entice them into your plot and other ways to create a balanced system within your garden. Presented by Edward Schroth, biology, water ecology and environmental science educator.”
“Enigma - Decipher Victory: The Polish Role in Helping the British Break the Enigma Code”, Thursday, March 19, 7PM-9PM, Duquesne University, Gumberg Library, 4th Floor, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.duq.edu/assets/Images/about/_images/Campus-Map-Legend-9-19-large.jpg Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://bacpgh.z2systems.com/np/clients/bacpgh/event.jsp;jsessionid=1CC4722D14510E6CD5468F916A55C8A3-n1?event=1151 “Join us for this special program, reception and exhibition sponsored in partnership between Duquesne University, the Polish Cultural Council of Pittsburgh, and Britsburgh spotlighting early Polish successes in breaking the Enigma code, the German Military Command's encoded strategic messages, and the strong British-Polish collaboration before and during the War. Many people are aware of the success of Alan Turing and other British codebreakers at Bletchley Park in breaking the German Enigma code, a vital breakthrough that is believed to have shortened the war by as much as two years, saving innumerable lives, and ultimately helping to secure Allied victory against the Nazis. Less well known is the role of Polish mathematicians such as Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Rózycki and Henryk Zygalski, before and during the war, in cracking the code. In the early 1930s, the Polish codebreakers actually achieved success in deciphering an early version of Enigma, which had been invented by a German engineer towards the end of the First World War. Just before the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, by which time the Germans had developed a more sophisticated version of Enigma, the Poles passed their knowledge on to their British allies. This information played a crucial part in the ultimate success of the Bletchley codebreakers in breaking the now more complex Enigma code. The strong British-Polish collaboration in deciphering Enigma extended into other aspects of the war, including Polish fighter pilots taking part in the Battle of Britain and Polish troops in the North African, Italian and Normandy campaigns and the battle for Berlin, The evening's program consists of the opportunity to see the special exhibition, ‘Enigma-Decipher Victory’, from the Republic of Poland on loan from the Embassy of Poland in Washington, DC in cooperation with the Polish Cultural Council, Pittsburgh and the Polish Cultural Institute, New York City. Kim Szczypinski of Duquesne University and Britsburgh's History Society will give an introductory talk about the history of British-Polish cooperation during the war. Special guest Dr. Roman Sznajder, Professor of Mathematics and Graduate Program Coordinator in Applied and Computational Mathematics at Bowie State University, will give the main presentation on, ‘The Role of the Poles in Breaking the Enigma Code’. In addition, guests will be able to view a sampling of World War II intelligence, propaganda, publications, and artifacts from the Gumberg Library's James F. Clarke Collection on display in the Library's first floor Archive. In 1942, Clarke headed the Balkan section of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the CIA, and from 1943-1945 Clarke also directed the Balkan, Central, and South-East European sectons of the Office of War Information (OWI). Stationed in Cairo for much of the war, Clarke's linguistic background was essential to his work in research, planning, and policy concerning Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. A reception and additional time to peruse both exhibitions will follow the talk.”
“Personal and Powerful”, Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22, New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, Pittsburgh. Tickets are $25 presale, $30 adults, $25 seniors, artists, and students. “Texture Contemporary Ballet is excited to end their 2019/20 season with a collaboration with local choreographer Shana Simmons and new work by Texture dancer Alexandra Tiso, showcasing the enduring power found within women. The performance will also include world premieres by Artistic Director Alan Obuzor and Associate Artistic Director Kelsey Bartman.” https://newhazletttheater.org
“Springtime Shuffle”, Friday, March 20, 6PM-8PM, Forbes State Forest, Mountain Streams. Registration is required. For more information or to register contact rmahony@pa.gov or 724-259-2201. “Celebrate the first day of spring on a moderate 2 mile hike and look for signs of spring in the forest.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/north_woods_walk_7787#.XlspIi3Myi4
“Laser Cutting 101”, Friday, March 20, 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.”
“Flight of the Woodcock”, Friday, March 20, and Friday, March 27, 7:15PM, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Killbuck Boat Launch. “A sure sign of spring are the ritualized display flights of the American Woodcock. Join us as we discuss what makes this bird so odd, and then take a walk to look for them take taking flight at twilight. This will be an easy walk along park roads. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring a flashlight.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/flight_of_the_woodcock_1808#.XltvthNKii4
“Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival”, Friday, March 20 through Thursday, April 2, Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Pittsburgh. Some really terrific looking films! Details here: http://jffpgh.org
Screening, “Extreme Job”, Friday, March 20, 6PM-9PM, Cathedral of Learning, Room 332, Free and open to the public. Pizza and refreshments provided. This was the highest grossing film of 2019 in Korea. “A narcotics squad takes over a rundown fried chicken joint for a stakeout. In an unexpected turn of events, their recipe hits the jackpot and they start to rake it in. Will they remain committed to their undercover mission?” https://www.pennsylvasia.com/2020/02/extreme-job-mal-mo-e-secret-mission-at.html Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Hu3Xocc-g
“Nature Calligraphy and Early Spring Natural History”, Saturday, March 21, 2PM-4PM, Boyce Park Nature Center and Greenhouse. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/bp-nature-calligraphy-early-spring-natural-history/5198 “Enjoy the wonders of spring on a walk with a Park Naturalist. Reconnect with nature and tour the natural history museum and living classroom/greenhouse. Stay and share your interpretive experience through expressions of art therapy writings, readings, and drawings.”
“Ornamental Grasses”, Saturday, March 21, 1PM-2PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MTLEB/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=MTLEB “Join Phipps Garden Center speaker Carol Chernega to learn how to incorporate the natural grace and beauty of ornamental grasses in your own garden. Planting and care requirements will be covered, along with grass selection.”
“Steel City Reptile Expo”, Saturday, March 21, 9AM-3PM, Printscape Arena, 114 Southpointe Blvd., Canonsburg. Adults $6, free for kids 4 and under. Free parking. “The Steel City Reptile Expo brings thousands of reptiles from dozens of top breeders to the Printscape Arena (formerly IceoPlex) at Southpointe six times a year. Join us to learn more about reptiles and amphibians through our live animal encounters, seminars, and Free reptile petting zoo. Our Expo is the best place to buy reptiles, amphibians, and all the supplies you need direct from the experts at prices better than you will find anywhere else!” http://steelcityreptileexpo.com
“Buds, Barks and Branches”, Saturday, March 21, 10AM-12PM, Raccoon Creek State Park Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center, 482 US 30, Clinton. Free. “Identifying trees without leaves can be challenging, but not impossible. Join park educator on a short 1 mile hike, and learn some tricks and tips to identifying leafless trees by buds, barks, and/or branches. Free Program.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/buds_barks_and_branches_6281#.XlsLJy3Myi4
“Welcome Spring Hike at North Park”, Saturday, March 21, 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 “Join us as we celebrate the first weekend of spring with this brisk hike through North Park.”
“Making the Most of Your Piece of Nature”, Saturday, March 21, 8AM-12:30PM, Butler County Community College, Succop Theater, 107 College Dr., Butler. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://makingthemostbutler2020.eventbrite.com “Spend a morning learning how you can care for your ‘Piece of Nature’. With the increased prevalence of development and urban sprawl, learn how you can transform your property into a refuge for native birds, pollinators, and wildlife. Experts will be on hand to inform and answer questions along with an assortment of vendors that can help you to bring your vision to life.”
Workshop for Teens: “Little Decisions Feed Big Ideas with J. Albert Mann”, Saturday, March 21, 2PM-4PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.alphabetcity.org/events/youth-author-series-j-albert-mann/ “Join us for a explorative workshop designed for young writers (13+) with author J. Albert Mann entitled Little Decisions Feed Big Ideas: Tools of the Writing Process. J. will read from her forthcoming middle grade novel, The Degenerates, discuss her creative process, and workshop your drafts in progress. Audience Q/A will follow. Please bring a draft and writing materials!”
“New Castle's Kadunce Murders: Mystery And The Devil in Northwest Pennsylvania”, Saturday, March 21, 1PM, Barnes and Noble, 700 Mall Circle Dr., Monroeville. “Dale Richard Perelman will be in store from 1PM-3PM signing copies of his latest book New Castle's Kadunce Murders: Mystery And The Devil in Northwest Pennsylvania. This book is perfect for true crime and history fanatics alike! The author will also have copies of his other books Steel and Road To Rust available at this event.”
“On the Make: Maker Day at the Frick”, Saturday, March 21, 11AM-3PM, Frick Art Museum, 7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh. “Stop by the museum to meet local jewelry artists and hear their stories, then stay for a 3:00 p.m. panel discussion with a diverse group of artists on what it means to be a maker today. Registration and payment required for panel discussion only. $12 members; $15 non-members and guests; $10 students.” https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/Event-On-the-Make-Maker-Day-at-the-Frick
“Drawing the Inside Out”, Saturday, March 21, 4PM-6PM, Prototype PGH, 460 Melwood Ave. Ste 208, Pittsburgh. $10. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/drawing-the-inside-out-with-georgia-webber-tickets-92415644681?aff=efbeventtix “In this workshop, comics artist Georgia Webber poses the question “Why do we write about ourselves?” and invites you to join her investigation. Georgia’s comics work has intuitively described her anxiety, chronic pain, and health crises, demonstrating how she uses story to navigate health and the self. Though this workshop will not require its participants to share any personal details, we will see that when we explore our personal language of health and art, discoveries of the self inevitably emerge. Participants will engage in listening exercises, drawing games, and group discussion of how we translate our inner experience to the outer world, and how we value those translations for the connection and understanding they inspire.”
“Book Launch for the Guardians by Charlotte Dancisin”, Saturday, March 21, 4PM, Barnes and Noble, 800 Settlers Ridge Center Dr., Pittsburgh. “Join us for a book launch for a new writer, Charlotte Dancisin! Her book, The Guardians, is a romantic horror story. The story of a boy meets girl, but the boy happens to be a gargoyle. Is this mismatched pair of lovers star-crossed? Can their love that brings them together protect Charity and James from forces of good and evil? Is no one safe in the battle of angels and demons?” https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062132391-0 https://www.destinyoftheguardiansbycharlottedancisin.com
“Scottish Clans and the Jacobites Lecture”, Saturday, March 21, 2PM-3PM, University of Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building Auditorium, 650 Schenley Dr., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.map.pitt.edu “The Scottish Nationality Room is hosting a lecture on Saturday, March 21st, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. Paul Thompson, President of the St. Andrew's Society of Pittsburgh will give a presentation on "The Scottish Clans and the Jacobites." A highland dancer will guest perform during the lecture. A question and answer session will happen right after the lecture. All are welcome to attend!” https://calendar.pitt.edu/event/scottish_clans_and_the_jacobites_lecture#.Xlh7WC3Myi4
“Kennywood Behind the Screams: Rick Sebak and Brian Butko”, Saturday, March 21, 12PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Did you grow up screaming on the Jack Rabbit? Do you remember riding the Steel Phantom? Relive some of your favorite Kennywood memories and learn about the park's history in a discussion with author and historian Brian Butko and WQED documentarian Rick Sebak. Brian Butko has been researching and writing about popular history since the 1980's including diners, roadside attractions, Isaly's dairy and its Klondike bar, the Lincoln Highway, and Kennywood Park. He is also the editor of Western Pennsylvania History magazine and designer of the Society for Commercial Archeology Journal. Rick Sebak makes unusual television programs. His slightly wacky documentaries celebrate various aspects of modern American life and the unexpected charms of Pittsburgh. Audiences have learned to recognize his friendly narrative style and the unusual topics that he obviously loves. PBS stations around the country often rebroadcast Rick's programs because audiences respond so favorably to the quirky blend of Americana, places and personalities.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68532/kennywood-behind-the-screams-rick-sebak-and-brian-butko
“Maple Madness”, Saturday, March 21, Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve and Saturday, March 28, Succop Nature Park, every half hour beginning 10AM-1PM, $10, or $6 for Audubon Society of Western PA members. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events “Last seating for pancake brunch is at 1:00 pm. Last guided hike leaves after the 1 pm brunch group has finished their meal. Experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Maple Sugaring as you take a trip through the history and science of maple syrup. Enjoy a pancake brunch, too! Registration is required, with brunch seatings every 30 minutes. Last seating for pancake brunch is at 1:00 pm. Last guided hike leaves after the 1 pm brunch group has finished their meal. Cost: $6 per member, $10 per nonmember.”
“Vernal Pool Hike”, Saturday, March 21, 10AM-11:30AM, Canoe Creek State Park, Wentz Education Center. “Enjoy the change of seasons as we take a muddy walk into the woods to investigate the pools where salamanders and frogs go to breed in spring. We’ll learn about their food, communication and survival habits. Wear boots!” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/vernal_pool_hike_234#.XlsVfy3Myi4
“Janis Joplin: Her Life and Music”, Saturday, March 21, 1:30PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Holly George-Warren is one of the most highly regarded chroniclers of American music history. Her latest work is a blazingly intimate biography, illuminating the Queen of Rock and Roll as a true rule-breaking musical trailblazer and a complicated, uncompromising artistic revolutionary. Unprecedented access to Janis Joplin’s family, friends, band mates, archives, and long-lost interviews yielded this complex, rewarding portrait of a remarkable artist finally getting her due. Holly George-Warren is a two-time Grammy nominee and the award-winning author of sixteen books, including the New York Times bestseller The Road to Woodstock (with Michael Lang, Ecco, 2009) and the new biography Janis: Her Life and Music (Simon and Schuster, 2019).” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68547/janis-joplin-her-life-and-music
“Life Underground”, Saturday, March 21, 2PM-4PM, South Park, Oliver Miller Homestead Parking Lot; and Sunday, March 29, 2PM-4PM, Harrison Hills Park, Environmental Learning Center. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search “Join the Park Rangers to explore the secret world that exists under our feet! This hike will be approximately 2.5-miles across moderate terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle.”
“Becoming a Queen”, Saturday, March 21, 1:30PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Pittsburgh Drag Queen, Kierra Darshell, will discuss her journey as a drag performer and her efforts to make drag mainstream in Pittsburgh. Kierra Darshell celebrates a distinguished career that has lasted three decades. As Pittsburgh’s First Lady of Drag – Ms. Darshell: leader, role model, innovator in the local drag community, and mentor for drag performers. In 1993, she created the Miss Tri-State All-Star Pageant, an annual drag competition that entertained local audiences and nurtured drag performers for 25 years. Ms. Darshell hosts monthly Sunday Drag Brunch currently in its 4th year, Outrageous Bingo, and has performed at numerous community and corporate events. Among her many career highlights, she was the opening act for Patti Labelle at the 2011 Pittsburgh Pride Fest, she has graced the covers of numerous magazines and first drag queen featured in The Icons of Pittsburgh annual magazine.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68554/becoming-a-queen
“Dance Maker: Blackness in White Spaces”, Saturday, March 21, 3PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Staycee Pearl will discuss creating meaningful opportunities in movement and art residencies, classes and workshops for pre and professional artists of color through her work as a dancer, choreographer, and artist director. Staycee’s experiences working with predominantly white dance companies and organizations inspired her to create a path for artists of color with programs designed specifically to be more inclusive.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68557/dance-maker-blackness-in-white-spaces
“Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die”, Saturday, March 21, 4:30PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die is a primer for all Americans to talk more honestly about health care. Beginning in the 1950s when doctors still paid house calls but regularly withheld the truth from their patients, Jonathan D. Moreno explores an unprecedented revolution in health care and explain the problem with America’s wanting everything that medical science has to offer without debating its merits and its limits. The result: Americans today pay far more for health care while having among the lowest life expectancies and highest infant mortality of any affluent nation.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68634/everybody-wants-to-go-to-heaven-but-nobody-wants-to-die
“Climate Storytelling in Film”, Saturday, March 21, 4:30PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “One of the documentary filmmakers from the Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival, Jared P. Scott, will discuss his work, The Great Green Wall, featured in the 2020 Festival. Scott is an Emmy nominated writer/director and New York Times Bestseller.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68567/climate-storytelling-in-film
Concert, “The US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors”, Saturday, March 21, 7:30PM, Shady Side Academy Senior School, Hillman Center for the Performing Arts, Richard E. Rauh Theater, 423 Fox Chapel Rd., Pittsburgh. Free tickets required; tickets here. “The Greatest Generation is a tribute to the men and women of World War II. Audiences will enjoy many of the classic Big Band Era songs while the story of the war is told through pictures and videos. Focused on the American sentiment, resolve, and unity that defined this generation with narration that features wartime correspondence and famous quotes from Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
“Cook Forest Hike”, Sunday, March 22, 10AM-4PM, Cook Forest State Park. $15, or $10 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028045/ “Discover the old growth stands and "Forest Cathedral" of Cook Forest as we hike 8 -9 miles through this beautiful, 8,500-acre PA State Park. We'll cover moderate terrain at a steady pace while taking in the natural beauty of the area. There will be some large climbs along the way. We'll stop for lunch and periodic breaks.”
“Elk 101”, Sunday, March 22, 2PM, Elk County Visitor Center, 134 Homestead Dr., Benezette. “Learn all about elk, how they are managed in PA, their behavior, anatomy, and biology and get the chance to ask any question about elk to the PA Game Commission’s Environmental Educator.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/elk_101#.Xlsnpi3Myi4
“Predicting Elections: Trump’s Chances of Winning in 2020”, Sunday, March 22, 12PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “On November 3, 2020, will there be a 70% chance of rain and a 52% chance Trump will win re-election? How can data and statistical analysis put President Donald Trump’s chances of winning re-election at something like 52% (plus or minus 3%)? Professor Jonathan Woon will examine the ways pollsters, social scientists, and data scientists harness the wealth of information available to them. His talk will assess the reliability of the data and methods election prognosticators use as well as the challenges they face as the technologies they use become increasingly sophisticated at the same time human behavior seems to be increasingly unpredictable.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68618/predicting-elections-trumps-chances-of-winning-in-2020
“Life Sentences: The Amazing Journey of Walking Out of an American Prison”, Sunday, March 22, 3PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Robert “Faruq” Wideman will discuss his collection of essays and other writings Life Sentences: The Amazing Journey of Walking Out of an American Prison and his amazing journey of walking out of prison after 44 years. Included will be moments of joy after reuniting with family and the trials and struggles of reintegrating into life outside of prison after so many years of being incarcerated. He will recount memories and experiences like locking the door when he took a shower after being released and the outpouring of love that was so lavishly and sincerely given by family and friends.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68628/life-sentences-the-amazing-journey-of-walking-out-of-an-american-prison
“Cookie Activism: Using Sugar as a platform for Social Justice”, Sunday, March 22, 3PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. $5. “Jasmine Cho will discuss her work as a baker based in Pittsburgh and how she uses the art of cookie making and decorating as a therapy and to promote Asian American representation. She creates intricate, hand-drawn cookie portraits of Asian American figures as a way to increase representation and raise awareness of Asian American history and identity.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68637/cookie-activism-using-sugar-as-a-platform-for-social-justice
Author Talk, “Jeffrey C. Parker”, Sunday, March 22, 2PM-4:30PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Squirrel Hill. “Jeffrey Parker is a local author who has also been a resident of Squirrel Hill for more than 50 years. Jeff is a social worker and addiction specialist who will discuss his experiences with epilepsy, alcoholism and mental health diagnoses. All are welcome to hear his personal story of recovery. The event is free and no registration is required. Mr. Parker’s books will be available for purchase at the conclusion of the Author Talk session.”
“Amanda Little: Climate Change at Home”, Sunday, March 22, 4:30PM, TrustArts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.trustarts.org/event/19411-2020/amanda-little-climate-change-at-home “Climate models show that global crop production will decline every decade for the rest of this century due to drought, heat, and flooding. Water supplies are in jeopardy. Meanwhile, the world’s population is expected to grow another 30 percent by midcentury. So how, really, will we feed nine billion people sustainably in the coming decades? Amanda Little, an award-winning journalist and professor, spent three years traveling through a dozen countries and as many US states in search of answers to this question. The Fate of Food: What We'll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World tells the fascinating story of human innovation and explores new and old approaches to food production while charting the growth of a movement that could redefine sustainable food on a grand scale. It’s a fascinating, compulsively readable travelogue that remains approachable and optimistic despite its dark subject matter.” Highly recommended!
“Blair Imani: Making Our Way Home”, Sunday, March 22, 7:30PM, Greer Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. $16.25. “Over the course of six decades, an unprecedented wave of Black Americans left the South and spread across the nation in search of a better life--a migration that sparked stunning demographic and cultural changes in twentieth-century America. Through gripping and accessible historical narrative paired with illustrations, author and activist Blair Imani examines the largely overlooked impact of The Great Migration and how it affected--and continues to affect--Black identity and America as a whole. In her talk Making Our Way Home Blair explores issues like voting rights, domestic terrorism, discrimination, and segregation alongside the flourishing of arts and culture, activism, and civil rights. Imani shows how these influences shaped America's workforce and wealth distribution by featuring the stories of notable people and events, relevant data, and family histories. The experiences of prominent figures such as James Baldwin, Fannie Lou Hamer, El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X), Ella Baker, and others are woven into the larger historical and cultural narratives of the Great Migration to create a truly singular record of this powerful journey.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/68435/blair-imani
“World Water Day”, Sunday, March 22, 1:30PM-3PM, Point State Park. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/world_water_day#.XlsT2i3Myi4 “Join park staff on March 22 to celebrate international World Water Day. We will test river water from the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers and compare/contrast the results with local tap water. We will also learn about how humans have used and changed Pittsburgh's Three Rivers throughout history. This program is free, but space is limited so pre-registration is required. Meeting location will be emailed to you after you register. This program may be cancelled due to inclement weather (such as an ice storm). Please email our education staff at ra-pointenved@pa.gov if you have any questions.”
“B’nai Israel: Past, Present, and Future”, Sunday, March 22, 10:30AM-12:30PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events/bnai-israel-past-present-future “The B’nai Israel synagogue on Negley Avenue in East Liberty is one of the architectural gems of Pittsburgh. It is beloved by the thousands of people who worshiped there and marveled over by the thousands more who pass it daily. On Sunday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m., the Rauh Jewish History Program and Archives and Rodef Shalom Congregation will be co-hosting a special symposium on the history and future of the building.”
“Downtown History Hike and Fort Pitt Museum Tour”, Sunday, March 22, 10AM-12PM, downtown Pittsburgh. $15, or $12 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028060/ “Explore downtown Pittsburgh and the Fort Pitt Museum on this half day adventure! We'll start with a 2 to 3 mile hike through the downtown area to learn more about Pittsburgh's past, and present. Afterwards, we'll take a guided tour of the Fort Pitt Museum, where we'll learn about Western Pennsylvania's role during the French and Indian War and American Revolution as well as the establishment of Pittsburgh.”
“Black Holes, Beakers, and Books: A Popular Science Book Discussion Group”, Sunday, March 22, 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. March’s selection is: 'The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World' by Jeff Goodell. An acclaimed journalist uses fact, science, and on-the-ground reporting to provide an account of the coming new age of great flooding, due to rapidly rising sea levels that promise to inundate our coasts and transform existing landscapes.”
“Greater Harmony Chorus”, Sunday, March 22, 3PM, Heinz Memorial Chapel, S. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public. “Greater Harmony Chorus (GHC) is a women’s chorus that performs four-part a cappella music. We sing in the barbershop style as well as other harmony styles. GHC was first organized in the town of Harmony, PA, in 1974, and received its official charter from Sweet Adelines International in 1976. Our current rehearsal location is at the PYCO Music School in Wexford, and we presently have 59 members. GHC loves to entertain at every opportunity, but we are also a competitive chorus, regularly scoring in the top five of the 22 choruses in the region. In 2018, the chorus was invited to the international competition held in St. Louis, MO, and in 2020 will again be competing internationally in Louisville, KY. Any member will tell you--spending an evening with Greater Harmony is making beautiful music with wonderful friends.” https://www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu/events/greater-harmony-chorus
Screening and Discussion, “The War That Made America”, Sunday, March 22, 1PM-5PM, Fort Necessity National Battlefield Interpretive and Education Center, 1 Washington Parkway, Farmington. Free. https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=E92CD9B6-D85B-0419-035D7ECEDBCF735C “Join us as we present the PBS documentary that tells the story of the French and Indian War and its significance in American history. A panel of historians will discuss the film and provide commentary.”
“Eldora Park Walking Tour”, Sunday, March 22, 1PM, Donora Smog Museum, 595 McKean Ave., Donora. $12. Preregistration required; please email donorahistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 724 -823 -0364 to RSVP. Eldora Park (1904-1946) was a “trolley park”, an amusement park built at the end of an urban trolley line in order to give workers a reason to use the trolley lines on weekends. Another local trolley park was Kennywood, which survived while Eldora Park faded. “Our Eldora Park Walking Tours will start at the Smog Museum in Donora with a photo and newspaper-article presentation titled Eldora Park: The Mid-Mon Valley’s Trolley Park Retreat, 1904-1946. You can also see our two century-old Eldora Park panoramic photos, newly acquired in 2017 as donations from Mon Valley residents. The presenter is Smog Museum curator and archivist Brian Charlton. After the presentation, we'll drive the three miles to conduct the Walking Tour portion in the Eldora section of neighboring Carroll Township to the historic Wickerham farm, retracing the trolley line and ending up at the Park site to describe, among the few remaining ruins, where the Park amenities once existed. One of the Wickerham descendants will accompany the walking tour to help share stories. The cost is $12 per person and you should allow at least two hours for the presentation and walking tour.” https://sites.google.com/site/donorahistoricalsociety/eldora-park-walking-tour
“Financial Education Workshop: Understanding How to Manage Debt and Raising Your Credit Score”, Monday, March 23, 6PM-7PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Allegheny. “This workshop helps individuals learn how to manage debt, what impacts your credit score and what actions you can take to raise it. Presented by Citizen’s Bank.”
“Latodami Beaver Hike”, Monday, March 23, 6PM-7:30PM, North Park, Gold Star Shelter. Free. Preregistration required; email ken.knapp.latodami@gmail.com to register. “Learn all about one of nature's greatest engineers, the Beaver. Meet up at the Gold Star Shelter for a brief overview of one of our coolest park residents and then hike through the wetland to a beaver lodge. Dress well for outdoor weather including waterproof boots.” https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/np-latodami-beaver-hike/5276
“Franci’s War: A Woman’s True Story of Survival During the Holocaust – a Book Talk by Helen Epstein”, Monday, March 23, 6PM-7:30PM, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, 826 Hazelwood Ave., Pittsburgh. $5 donation requested. Preregistration required; register online: https://hcofpgh.org/events/ “This event will feature a book talk by Franci’s daughter, Helen Epstein. Helen Epstein is the author, co-author or translator of ten books of literary non-fiction, starting with Children of the Holocaust (1979), one of the first books to examine the inter-generational transmission of trauma. Her most recent book is the memoir The Long Half-Lives of Love and Trauma (2018). Copies of Franci’s War will be for sale at the event and Helen will conduct a book signing after the talk. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door; free for Holocaust survivors and students.”
“Life Sentences: Writings from Inside an American Prison”, Monday, March 23, 7PM-8:45PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MTLEB/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=MTLEB “Life Sentences: Writings from Inside an American Prison is a collection of poetry and prose by six incarcerated men, a hybrid of prison memoir, philosophy, history, policy document, and manifesto. The six authors—Fly, Faruq, Khalifa, Malakki, Oscar, and Shawn—met at the State Correctional Institution in Pittsburgh and came together in 2013 to form the Elsinore Bennu Think Tank for Restorative Justice. The men met weekly for years, along with writers, activists, and political leaders, and bonded over the creation of this book. Centered around the principles of restorative justice, which aims to heal communities broken by criminal and state violence through collective action, Life Sentences is more than a literary collection. It is also a how-to guide for those who are trapped inside any community and a letter of invitation, asking readers to join with the incarcerated and their families so we can all continue to fly over walls, form loving connections with each other, and teach one another to be free. Life Sentences will be available to purchase from City Books at the event.”
“Understanding Addiction: Addiction Awareness and Prevention Seminar”, Monday, March 23, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “Presented by Jade Wellness Center, this program featuring addiction psychiatrist Dr. Gina Goszinski will focus on the biology of addiction, shattering its stigma and prevention strategies.”
“Botanical Drawing Class”, 6 Mondays, March 23 and 30, and April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 6PM-8PM, Shaler North Hills Library Glenshaw. $50. Payment due upon registration. Register and pay at the library: cash, check, credit card or Library PayPal on the website. “Spring is here! Come and learn to draw in colored pencil with teacher and botanical illustrator, Robin Menard. No experience or special skills are needed, just the desire to capture the beautiful colors of the season. Bring a graphite pencil and a set of 12 Prismacolor pencils to the first class. All other supplies will be provided.”
“Ecology and Empire on the Yellow River”, Monday, March 23, 12PM-1PM, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Earth Theater, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free. “Interested in learning about scientific discoveries directly from scientists? Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientific research staff and invited speakers discuss their latest findings on a wide variety of scientific topics at the free R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Series. Seminars are free and no registration is required. Each seminar begins at noon in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Earth Theater and lasts about an hour. Visitors attending solely for the seminar are asked to check in at the front desk. Speaker: Ruth Mostern. “This presentation introduces Ruth Mostern’s forthcoming book Yu’s Traces: The Imperial and Ecological History of the Yellow River. The book tells a five-thousand-year history of the relationship between people, water, and sediment in the Yellow River basin of North China. This is a macroscopic book. Covering a very long timeframe, it reveals how gradual changes (for instance in climate and population) intersect with sudden cataclysms (such as wars and floods) in the history of the river. Interweaving the history of the river’s moist floodplain with that of the erosion region in the semi-desert Loess Plateau hundreds of miles away, it demonstrates that social and political transformations can have unintended ecological consequences very far away from the locations where they transpire. The book combines maps and timelines with historical documents, archaeological information, and environmental science. The talk will describe this novel and interdisciplinary methodology and will include numerous images: maps designed by the author, historical diagrams, and photographs of the Yellow River’s diverse landscapes.” https://carnegiemnh.org/visitor/things-to-do/rw-moriarty-science-seminars/
“It Happens. Period.”, Tuesday, March 24, 6PM, Butler Area Library. “Tweens, teens, and their parents or guardians are invited to a very special library program where we will talk openly, without fear or stigma, about periods. We will provide informational resources, a period care package, and refreshments to all who attend. Additionally, each tween or teen will get to make their own DIY heat pack. Registration is required for this program. To register, or for more information, contact Tiffany at tharkleroad@bcfls.org, or Tristyn at tparker@bcfls.org. Note: all attendees must have an adult with them or with their group.”
“Dr. Preston and Preston Park”, Tuesday, March 24, 1PM-3PM, Moraine State Park, Region 2 Conference Room, 195 Park Rd., Prospect. “Local historian and author, Polly Shaw, will present the life and work of Dr. Frank W. Preston and his explorations with Ned Arthur which led to the creation of Moraine State Park. The program includes a picture tour of Preston Park, both Preston Laboratories and the English Garden that he created. From Prospect exit off 422, go north on 528 only about 50 yards, turn left onto Park Road.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/dr_preston_and_preston_park#.XlsQ7i3Myi4
“Cooking Classes with Chef Carol: Spring Brunch”, Tuesday, March 24, 6PM-9PM, Northern Tier Library Gibsonia. $40. Preregistration required; call 724-449-2665. “Vegetable Frittata, Brunch Potato Casserole, Ham with Mustard Glazed Fruits, Ginger-Apricot Muffins with Crunchy Orange Topping. Chef Carol Nardello has worked in restaurants, owned a catering business, collaborated on three cookbooks, and taught at three cooking schools. Most recently, while living in Hawaii, she worked as a Chef Instructor at the Culinary Institute of the Pacific. She and her husband now live in Wexford.”
“Fake News and Information Literacy Workshop”, Tuesday, March 24, 5:30PM-7PM, Carnegie Library of Homestead. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fake-news-and-information-literacy-workshop-tickets-96157600973# “In today's world of increasingly partisan and vitriolic politics, the words ‘fake news’ get thrown around a lot. But what does that mean? Who creates it and how does it spread? How can you know what you're hearing and reading is accurate and true? From Soviet propaganda to message boards like 4chan, this class will take you inside the wild, devious world of fake news, of present and past, and give you the tools you need to fight it.”
“Lecture: Classicism in Contention”, Tuesday, March 24, 6PM-7:308PM, Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Ave., Wilkinsburg. $15. Preregistration required; contact Mary Lu Denny: marylu@phlf.org or 412-471-5808 ext. 527. “American tradition has treated classical architecture as an emblem of democracy, stability, and cultural achievement through a few centuries and recurring cycles taste. Very recently, with a proposed presidential order mandating classical architecture for all large federal buildings, a public debate has erupted that would be simply fascinating were the edict not so disturbingly authoritarian. This lecture will review familiar civic uses of classical architecture as a means to both affirm and critique the public symbolism of these styles, contrasting historical movements with the present. The draft executive order will be subject of discussion, with a review of the advantages of key contemporary buildings and a cautionary against the authoritarian uses of architecture. It will conclude with an endorsement of informed architectural criticism”.
“Write or Die: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing and Critique Group”, Tuesday, March 24, 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.”
“Cooking Without a Kitchen for Teens”, Tuesday, March 24, 4PM-6PM, Mars Area Library. “Join us as we make chips and dips!”
“Nuts and Bolts of Gig Economy Work”, Wednesday, March 25, 6PM-8PM, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Penn Hills. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/event/nuts-bolts-of-gig-economy-work/ “Come join us at the Penn Hills Library to learn about the logistics of side hustles and gig economy jobs. Discussions will include information regarding taxes, insurance, and other topics related to working as an independent contractor.”
“Seed Starting Workshop”, Wednesday, March 25, 5:30PM-7:30PM, Garden Dreams Urban Farm and Nursery, 806 Holland Dr., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://extension.psu.edu/farm-walk-kitchen-talk-seed-starting-workshop “Join the PA Women's Agricultural Network (PA-WAgN) for Farm Walk Kitchen Talk: Seed Starting Workshop! This event is part of the Farm Walk Kitchen Talk series which highlights women farmers across Pennsylvania and focuses on creating connections between urban and rural growers across the state. Learn the skills and tools that you need to start your own seedlings at home this year.”
“Electricity: Songs from the Time of Tiffany”, Wednesday, March 25, 7PM, Frick Art Museum auditorium, 7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh. $30, $25 students, $20 members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/Event-Music-for-Exhibitions-Electricity-Songs-from-the-Time-of-Tiffany “Join us for an evening of music and conversation with the engaging trio of Michael Lasser (narrator), Cindy Miller (vocals), and Alan Jones (piano/vocals) featuring a concert of songs charting the dominant themes of the era of designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.”
“Rocio Molina”, Wednesday, March 25, 8PM, Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Pittsburgh. Contains partial nudity. “Spanish choreographer Rocío Molina has coined her own artistic language based on a reinvented traditional flamenco style which respects its essence, but embraces the avant-garde. A graduate of the Royal Dance Conservatory in Madrid, Molina was awarded the National Award for Dance by the Spanish Ministry of Culture at age 26. In Caida del Cielo (Fallen From Heaven), Molina contrasts light and darkness, celestial and savage. Accompanied by a live band, Molina’s dancing goes deep into her roots while pushing the norms of movement and gender, making a loud declaration that flamenco is an expression of freedom that cannot and should not be domesticated.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/65260/rocio-molina
“From the Mind of Mozart: Significant Scenes from the Composer's Mature Operas”, Wednesday, March 25, 7PM, Duquesne University, PNC Recital Hall, 408 Magee St., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://duq.edu/about/campus/map-and-directions $10 general admission at the door. “Come along with us on a journey into the mind of the iconic composer as he narrates and introduces some of the most pivotal scenes of his operatic output, from Idomeneo to La Clemenza di Tito and important works in between.” https://www.duq.edu/academics/schools/music/calendar-of-events
“Dare 2B Tick Aware”, Wednesday, March 25, 6PM-8PM, Venture Outdoors, 33 Terminal Way, Ste. 537A, Pittsburgh. $5. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028024/ “Did you know that in 2018, Allegheny County ranked sixth in the state for the most confirmed cases of Lyme disease? Learn how to prevent and spot the signs of tick borne illness with this Lyme Tick Prevention Seminar presented by PA Lyme Resource Network. Topics covered include: Tick prevalence and risk in PA, tick diseases in PA, tick ecology, personal prevention strategies, property management, avoiding tick habitat and how to remove a tick. This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant.”
“Anti-Racist Activisms at the Intersection: When Race and Gender Collide”, Wednesday, March 25, 1PM-2:30PM, Duquesne University, Power Center Ballroom, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh. Free and open to the public. Campus map here: https://duq.edu/about/campus/map-and-directions “Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman teaches constructive theology, ethics, and African American religion at Yale University Divinity School. Her keynote address, ‘Anti-Racist Activisms at the Intersection: When Race and Gender Collide’, will illuminate this year's DLSO theme, ‘Rising and Thriving: Healthy Anti-Racist Activism for 2020 and Beyond’. Rooted in social justice, Dr. Turman will offer valuable insights for civically engaged students, staff, and faculty alike. In addition to several journal articles and book chapters, Dr. Turman is the author of, ‘Toward a Womanist Ethic of Incarnation: Black Bodies, the Black Church, and the Council of Chalcedon’. Her current book project is tentatively titled, ‘Black Woman's Burden: Male Power, Gender Violence, and the Scandal of African American Social Christianity’. This talk is part of the 6th Annual Day of Learning and Speaking Out, and is free and open to the public.” https://www.duq.edu/events/anti-racist-activisms-at-the-intersection---when-race-and-gender-collide
“Science Fiction Book Discussion Group”, Wednesday, March 25, 7PM-8:45PM, 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 Shadow of the Torturer” by Gene Wolfe. Short Fiction: “The Last Flight of Doctor Ain” by James Tiptree Jr., “The Clockwork Soldier” by Ken Liu.
“Documentary and Discussion: The Souls of Black Girls”, Wednesday, March 25, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “Join us for a screening and discussion of The Souls of Black Girls, an award-winning documentary film that raises the question of whether or not women of color may be suffering from a self-image disorder as a result of trying to attain the standards of beauty that are celebrated in media images. The film features interviews with young women discussing their self-image as well as social commentary from rapper/political activist Chuck D, actresses Regina King and Jada Pinkett Smith, cultural critic Michaela Angela Davis and others.” Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehn7jxTmTMw
“Rainbow Reads”, Wednesday, March 25, 3:30PM-4:45PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room B. “Join us for the next meeting of Rainbow Reads! We will discuss the book while enjoying complimentary snacks and drinks. Please contact Miss Katie to reserve a copy of the book. Books will be available a month in advance. New members are always welcome!”
“Rainbow Reading Group: An LGBTQIA+ Discussion Group”, Thursday, March 26, 6:30PM-8PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, Director’s Conference Room. “Join us to discuss contemporary and classic LGBTQIA+ fiction and nonfiction. March’s book selection is 'Mostly Dead Things' by Kristen Arnett – Taking over her family’s failing taxidermy shop in the wake of her father’s suicide, a grief-stricken woman pursues less-than-legal ways of generating income while struggling to figure out her place among her eccentric loved ones. Discussions are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. We will have copies of the current month’s book available for you to check out at the Ask a Librarian desk on the First Floor. Discussions are held monthly in the Director’s Conference Room on the First Floor of the Main Library on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 PM.”
“Latodami Over The Log Nature Crafts: Natural Dyes”, Thursday, March 26, 4:30PM, North Park, Latodami Nature Center. $10, or $8 for Allegheny County residents. Preregistration required; register online: https://apm.activecommunities.com/alleghenyparks/Activity_Search/np-latodami-over-the-log-nature-crafts-natural-dyes/4774 “Come and learn about a centuries old tradition that signifies the coming of spring and new life while we work with natural plant materials to color both cloth and eggs. All individuals attending the program must be registered. A parent or guardian must accompany their children.”
“Gardening for Challenging Spaces”, Thursday, March 26, 7PM-8:30PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. “Wondering what to plant on that steep hillside or which plants will work in an area that is always saturated with water? Learn how to beautify difficult landscape sites with adaptable native plants that also help birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Presented by the Audubon Society of Western PA.”
“Percival and the Magic Pocket Watch”, Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28, $8 adults, $5 students. “Absurd air pilots, dodgy dragons, sensational swordplay, and more in this perilous flight of fantasy! The Greatest Adventurer of All Time, Percival, along with Captain Catfish and his crew of air pilots will set out on a quest to defeat the Evil Doctor and take back the Magic Pocket Watch before time runs out in Percival and the Magic Pocket Watch: A New Theatrical Experience; presented by Lincoln Park's student produced new-works project, Ensemble Immersion.” http://www.lincolnparkarts.org
“Raising a Girl of Steel”, Thursday, March 26, 5PM-7:30PM, Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://promo.post-gazette.com/townhall “5-6 p.m. Tour the museum and see robots in action; 6 p.m. Panel. “One of the great conundrums in American life is the fact that female students' test results in math and science are on par with those of male students but they continue to be underrepresented in those professional fields. To examine this pheonomenon and to seek remedies to the disparity, the Post-Gazette has assembled a distinguished, all-female panel of experts for a provocative conversation on women in science and engineering and on the continued loss of American domination in those vital 21st century fields.”
“5 Steps to Preserving Your Personal History with Photographs”, Friday, March 27, 2:30PM-4PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “Everyone has a story to tell, and this program is designed to show you 5 easy steps to turn your photographs (and other memorabilia) into a special personal history book that can be shared with your friends, family, and future generations. Join photo and personal history enthusiast Jody Shapiro for a 90-minute program and discussion where she will guide you through the process of assembling your own personal history.”
“Signs of Spring Hike”, Friday, March 27, 5:30PM-7:30PM, Forbes State Forest, Blue Hole. Registration is required. For more information or to register contact rmahony@pa.gov or 724-259-2201. “Vernal pools, trees budding, birds chirping… these are all signs that spring is right around the corner! Look for these signs and more during this moderate, 3 mile hike at Blue Hole.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/signs_of_spring_hike_8990#.XlspzC3Myi4
“Owl Prowl”, Friday, March 27, 8PM-10:30PM, Raccoon Creek State Park. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/owl_prowl_5513#.XlsLky3Myi4 “Venture with us along the dark paths to hear and maybe see some of the nightlife in the park. Along the way, attendees will learn about the owls that reside in the park on this 3-mile hike. This free program requires registration. For questions, please contact Shane Miller at shanemille@pa.gov or 724-899-3611.”
“Vinyl Cutting 101”, Friday, March 27, 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.”
Screening, “Mal-Mo-E: The Secret Mission”, Friday, March 27, 6PM-9PM, Cathedral of Learning, Room 332, Free and open to the public. Pizza and refreshments provided. Japanese colonialism went from bad to worse in the 1940s; Korean people were banned from speaking their own language, and members of the Korean Language Society devote their lives to the mission of publishing a Korean dictionary.” https://www.pennsylvasia.com/2020/02/extreme-job-mal-mo-e-secret-mission-at.html Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGmwcnvcpwM
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Presents “Petrushka”, Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29, Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “The popular ‘Petrushka’ is an early masterpiece. Along with his ballets ‘The Firebird’ and ‘The Rite of Spring’, ‘Petrushka’ helped Stravinsky define the sound of the last century. This tale of a puppet’s unrequited love would be danced by no less than Nijinsky. Now more than a century on, it is Stravinsky’s score more than its story that still inspires, sounding as fresh and brilliant today as it did in 1911.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/62265/petrushka
“Southside Fish Fry Walk”, Friday, March 27, 4PM-6:30PM, Southside Riverfront Park, Pittsburgh. $15, or $12 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028084/ “Enjoy a 1-2 mile stroll through Pittsburgh's Southside Riverfront trail. The walk will conclude at Holy Assumption of St. Mary Orthodox Church. From there we will get a tour of the church from their parishioners and get to spend time at their yearly fish fry. The tour should end around 5:45 PM, then the time is yours to experience all the tasty food they have to offer. Fish Fry Food not included in registration cost.”
“C.A.M.P. Coin Show”, Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, 10AM-6PM, and Sunday, March 29, 10AM-3PM, Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Blvd., Monroeville. Free admission. “Nearly 100 quality dealers from around the country. Daily gold coin giveaway, hourly $10 door prize.” http://www.sarosicoinshows.com
“Adventurous Hike”, Saturday, March 28, 10AM-3PM, Raccoon Creek State Park. $12, or $8 for Venture Outdoors members. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/events/752028061/ “Break away from the trail to explore past history of Raccoon Creek State Park. We will hike the 4-mile Forest-Lake Trail loop, which crosses four streams and has an elevation change of 300 feet. From time to time, we will stop to explore historic remnants, including an old CCC incinerator, cistern, stone quarries, small red brick building, foundations of an old barn and homesteads, and a two-story springhouse dating to 1846. This hike is dog-friendly!”
“Wild for Waterfowl”, Saturday, March 28, 2PM, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Conference Room (rear of park office). “Glendale Lake is a fantastic place to see all sorts of waterfowl in the spring. Join us as we talk about, and look for, a variety of ducks, geese, swans, and other water-loving birds. We will start with a presentation discussing how to identify them, before driving around the lake seeking them out. Some of binoculars and field guides will be available to borrow.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/wild_for_waterfowl_3943#.XlskBi3Myi4
“Bookish in the ‘Burgh Free Teen Day”, Saturday, March 28, 8AM, TrustArts Education Center and Harris Theater, Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh. Preregistration required; register and see all details here: https://www.trustarts.org/event/19358-2020/bookish-in-the-burgh-free-teen-day For both teen readers and teen writers. “The Bookish in the 'Burgh Teen Day is FREE. Attendees will enjoy panel sessions themed around diverse topics including LGBTQIA+ representation, paths to publication, fantasy world building, the importance of representing people of color in teen literature, and more. A pop-up bookstore will be open on-site from Festival sponsor Riverstone Books, and there will be free hands-on activities for teens throughout the day. The day will culminate in an Author Signing Party in the evening. Event locations: Trust Arts Education Center (807 Liberty Ave.) and Harris Theater (809 Liberty Ave.).”
“Owl Prowl”, Saturday, March 28, 7:30PM, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Muskrat Beach Access #2 Pavilion. “Join the park naturalist as we go round listening for the various owls that call the park home. We will begin with a short talk about owls and then go for a walk on our service roads in hopes of hearing a hoot or two. Be sure to dress for winter weather, including proper footwear, and bring a flashlight.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/owl_prowl_7467#.XlskkS3Myi4
“Nature Journaling”, Saturday, March 28, 1PM-4PM, Raccoon Creek State Park. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/nature_journaling_5203#.XlsL-C3Myi4 “The Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park have teamed up with Naturalist Betsy Bangley to bring you “Nature Journaling". Betsy will cover the fundamentals of recording observations and sketching in nature. An ideal class for beginners. Please dress warmly for nature walks and bring a notebook/sketch pad.”
“Pysanky Workshop”, Saturday, March 28, 11:30AM-2:30PM, St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie. Preregistration required; contact Michael at 412-527-5359. “General class: make a traditional Ukrainian Easter Egg using beeswax and dyes. Open to all ages. Advanced class: Learn the art of Egg Etching using beeswax and acids. These class will be limited in size.” There are smaller pysanky workshops offered in March as well. Details here: https://orthodoxcarnegie.org/files/General-Infomation/General-Info-2020/Workshop-Flier-2020.pdf
“Eagle Watch”, Saturday, March 28, 8:30AM-12:30PM, Cook Forest State Park Office, 113 River Rd., Cooksburg. Free. “Please bring your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Park Office for a driving tour to eagle hotspots along the National Wild and Scenic Clarion River. This is the prime time of the year to view bald eagles on their nests and find new nesting sites. Expect a long car-pool and aggressive hike to some of the better areas, but the rewards will be worth it. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available at the Park Office to warm us up.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/eagle_watch_2516#.Xlrk_i3Myi4
Pittsburgh Opera Presents “Carmen”, Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 5, Benedum Center, 7th St. and Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. “Set in 1830 Seville, Spain, Carmen is a roller-coaster of lust, deception and murder. Fiery free-spirit Carmen, who lives her life to the fullest, can have any man she wants. But when she seduces naïve Corporal Don José, she gets more than she bargains for. Carmen works in a cigarette factory. When a knife fight with another employee leads to her arrest, she charms Corporal Don José into letting her escape. Like a moth drawn to a flame, Don José forsakes his military career and the innocent peasant girl Micaela for a life on the lam with Carmen and a band of smugglers. Never one to settle down, the passionate Carmen gets bored with Don José and becomes involved with the glamourous, testosterone-filled bullfighter Escamillo. Left with nothing, Don José decides that if he can’t have Carmen, no one can. Full of magnetic melodies, colorful costumes, and tragic twists, you’ll fall in love with George Bizet’s one-and-only Carmen.” https://www.trustarts.org/production/61902/carmen
“Owl Prowl and Woodcock Watch”, Saturday, March 28, 7PM-10PM, Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Rd., Slippery Rock. “Join members of the Bartramian Audubon Society and Jennings staff for this owl prowl and woodcock watch. After a brief indoor presentation the group will venture out onto the prairie area trails in hopes of hearing owls and seeing the male woodcocks demonstrating their courtship display. This is a field trip offered by the Bartramian Audubon Society, a free experience and no pre-registration is required.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/owl_prowl_and_woodcock_watch_bartramian_audubon_society_field_trip_4726#.XlsSPS3Myi4
“Bigfoot Crossing”, Saturday, March 28, 9AM-1PM, Frank Sarris Library, Canonsburg. “Bigfoot is coming! Join us as we welcome researcher and author Doug Waller from the Southeastern Ohio Society for Bigfoot Investigation. The Bigfoot fun doesn’t stop there! Join us as we welcome author and researcher Stan Gordon where he will present a fascinating lecture called, ‘Strange Encounters of Pennsylvania’.”
“East Coast Masters”, Saturday, March 28, 10AM-6PM, Ace Hotel, 120 S. Whitfield St., Pittsburgh. “Pittsburgh's Premiere Yo-yo Contest. The Third Annual East Coast Masters at the Ace Hotel in Pittsburgh PA. 1A and X Division Yo-yo Contests with cash prizes and lots of vendors.” https://www.facebook.com/events/573380053240500/
“Pymatuning Bird Outing with Audubon”, Saturday, March 28, 12PM, meeting at the Wildlife Learning Center, 12590 Hartstown Rd., Linesville, PA. Free. Preregistration required; register online: http://aswp.org/events/8825 “Pymatuning State Park represents one of the best places in Pennsylvania to observe migrating waterfowl and raptors like Bald Eagles. Participants will meet at the Wildlife Learning Center on the Linesville side of the park, just up from the spillway. Contact Chris Kubiak at ckubiak@aswp.org for more information. Free.”
“Mavra by Igor Stravinsky”, Saturday, March 28, 8PM and Sunday, March 29, 2PM, University of Pittsburgh, Wesley W. Posvar Hall, Global Hub, 230 South Bouquet St., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.map.pitt.edu Pay what you can. This is a one-act comic opera, approximately half an hour long. “Parasha is in love with her neighbour, Vassili, a young hussar, but they find it difficult to meet as her mother would not allow it. Vassili sneaks in through the window, but must leave as they hear Parasha’s mother approaching. She is lamenting about the difficulty of finding a new maid-servant after their prior maid-servant dies. The mother orders her daughter to find a new one. Parasha comes up with a scheme to smuggle Vassili into her house disguised as Mavra, a female maid-servant.” https://www.facebook.com/events/837561090001077/
“Origami Paper Crafts Workshop”, Saturday, March 28, 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.”
“FrogWatch USA Training Session”, Saturday, March 28, 9:30AM-12PM, Pymatuning State Park of Pennsylvania, Environmental Learning Classroom. “Are you interested in helping protect our native frog and toad populations? Become a FrogWatch USA volunteer and learn how to identify the various calls of our local frog and toad species, how to identify a good wetland to monitor, and how to record and enter your data into the FrogWatch USA online database. No experience is necessary. Meet at the Environmental Learning Classroom, Marina Drive, Jamestown, PA 16134. Registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, contact Emily Borcz at eborcz@pa.gov or 724-932-3142 ext. 106.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/frogwatch_usa_training_session#.XlsPti3Myi4
“Seven Years' War Symposium”, 2 days, Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, Fort Ligonier, 200 S. Market St., Ligonier. Students $25, adults have various member/nonmember options for single-day or two-day admission. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.fortligonier.org/event/seven-years-war-symposium/ “Don't miss this gathering of diverse scholars! The 2020 symposium will focus on ‘The Global Art of War’. Fort Ligonier is excited to host the 3rd Annual Seven Years' War Symposium. The theme, ‘The Global Art of War’ will include speakers from Germany, Poland, Missouri, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. A fascinating array of topics from archaeology and immigration to military material culture and the British Navy, will be presented in the Center for History Education.”
“Beginner Belly Dancing Classes”, Saturday, March 28, Castle Shannon Library. $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Preregistration required; call 412-563-4552. “Coupons are available at the Library that save you $5 off the “register in advanced price of $15”. Stop in to get a coupon or mention it over the phone when signing up. Join Sourie Iskbah for belly dancing classes at the Library. All ages are welcome to attend! Classes are from 11am-12pm on the Last Saturday of the month. No experience necessary. Build confidence, muscle, stamina and knowledge while getting a full body workout. Register by calling or stopping in the Library.”
“Steel City Grand Slam”, Sunday, March 29, 6PM-8PM, Alphabet City, 40 W. North Ave., Pittsburgh. $10. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/steel-city-grand-slam-2020-tickets-84632336597 “The Steel City Slam is bringing the city’s top 13 poets together to battle it out at City Of Asylum in Pittsburgh’s historic Northside. This is the poetry show we wait all year for! The top 4 scoring poets from this annual Grand Slam show will create a team to represent the Steel City in our regional tournament - Rustbelt. The Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam is a 2-day poetry competition bringing poets from around the country to the Midwest to share poetry and camaraderie. This year’s event is June 2020 in Cleveland OH and Steel City Team plans to bring the heat! This is your chance to see first-hand the amazing and diverse performance poets Pittsburgh has to offer! Seating is limited and nearly always a sell out! Get your tickets early for the low low price of $10.”
“National Take a Walk in a Park Day: Hike at North Park”, Sunday, March 29, 1PM-3PM, North Park, 10400 Babcock Blvd., Corner of Babcock Blvd. 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 “Join us as we celebrate National Take a Walk in a Park Day with this leisurely hike through the trails at North Park.”
“Frog Songs”, Sunday, March 29, 5PM, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Conference Room (rear of park office). “Spring is fast approaching, which means the choruses of frogs will soon turn our wetlands into opera houses! Join us to learn how to tell our frogs and toads apart just by their song, then we will visit a nearby wetland to look and listen for them in action! Proper dress and footwear is recommended.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/frog_songs#.XlslFC3Myi4
“Soul Line Dance Class”, Monday, March 30, 7PM-8:30PM, Monroeville Library Gallery Space. “Join instructor Phyllis Jackson for a soul line dance class in the Gallery Space. Instruction will be given on several of the most popular line dances, including the Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Detroit Shuffle, Michael Jackson Shuffle, Wobble, Slide On, Ms. Jody's Thang and more. Bring a few friends and learn some new dances!”
“Free Movie Mondays: Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator”, Monday, March 30, 6PM-9PM, The Oaks Theater, 310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. 6PM: doors open, 7PM main feature. “Each week we’re giving you a classic movie experience for free! The doors open with comedy shorts, cartoons and serials playing as you enter. Written, Directed, Produced and Starring Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator is both a masterpiece of comedy and one of the greatest pieces of political satire of all time. Featured Serial: Dick Tracy - Come every Monday to see every exciting episode!” https://www.theoakstheater.com/event-listings
“How to Work a Room: Preparing for Career Fair Success”, Tuesday, March 31, 6:30PM-8PM, Carnegie Main Library Oakland, South Wing Reading Room. “This session will focus on how to get the most out of attending a Career Fair, including the Career and Community Resource Fair on April 3rd. Learn strategies on how best to prepare, make an impact, and maximize your potential exposure to valuable company representatives.”
“Addicted to Dahlias”, Tuesday, March 31, 7PM-8:30PM, Mt. Lebanon Library Pittsburgh, Meeting Room A. Preregistration required; register online: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/M/MTLEB/EKP.cfm?zeeOrg=MTLEB “A presentation on the history, growing, and types of dahlias. The Greater Pittsburgh Dahlia Society is a local chapter of the National American Dahlia Society. A non-profit organization founded for the purpose of stimulating interest in, disseminating information about, and promoting the culture and development of the dahlia. Drew Graham is the current president of the Greater Pittsburgh Dahlia Society. He and his wife, Cindy, owned White Oak Florist for 20 years. Drew spent 15 years growing dwarf evergreens and Japanese maples. 2019 saw Drew win the Lynn B. Dudley medal for his dahlia introduction ‘Netherton Cindy’. In addition to the GPDS, Drew is a member of North American Rock Garden Society. Ron Berman is the current vice president of the Greater Pittsburgh Dahlia Society. Ron and his brother ran a hardware store for 30 years. He is also a member of the North American Rock Garden Society.”
“Cathy FitzGerald: An Evening of Audio Storytelling”, Tuesday, March 31, 7:30PM-9PM, University of Pittsburgh, Frick Fine Arts Building, 650 Schenley Dr., Pittsburgh. Campus map here: https://www.map.pitt.edu “Cathy FitzGerald is a writer, radio producer, and documentary maker based in London, England. Her radio documentaries and podcasts have been featured on BBC Radio 4, the BBC World Service, and international broadcasters. Her first radio documentary, ‘The Magic Carpet Flight Manual’, received the Radio Academy Production Award in 2010, and she has since received awards from the Third Coast International Audio Festival, Whicker’s World Foundation, and Prix Marulic. FitzGerald is the founder of Strange and Charmed, a school for audio storytelling. She has a doctorate in English literature from the University of Sussex focusing on the works of Charles Dickens. Radio Times has called her ‘one of radio’s most original voices’.” http://www.pghwriterseries.pitt.edu/events/cathy-fitzgerald-evening-audio-storytelling
“Conversation with CHUTZ-POW! Volume IV Creators”, Tuesday, March 31, 5:30PM, East End Cooperative Ministries, Entrance A, 6140 Station St., Pittsburgh. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://hcofpgh.org/stone-and-roses/ “Join us at the Stones and Roses exhibit for a conversation between Repair the World, Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, and creators of the CHUTZ-POW! comic series. CHUTZ-POW! SUPERHEROES OF THE HOLOCAUST is an acclaimed and ongoing comic-book series created and published by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. Each volume is an anthology by award-winning creative collaborators, telling true-life stories of heroic survivors, rescuers, and upstanders. The latest volume in the series features the stories of women and gender non-conforming people during the Holocaust. Their portraits are featured in Stones and Roses. Stones and Roses is a multimedia exhibition featuring artwork and displays of community resilience in response to violence. The works presented share Black, Jewish, and intersectional solidarity, coming together through ritual, art-making, collective grieving and organized action.”
“Flight of the Timberdoodle”, Wednesday, April 1, 7:30PM, Mingo Creek Park, Shelter 10, Finleyville. Free. Park map here: http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/3560/2017MingoCreekMap?bidId= Preregistration required; call 724-228-6867. “Tag along as we search for a most unique bird, the American Woodcock in Mingo Creek Park. Woodcock are also known as timberdoodle, bog sucker and big-eyed snipe. As dusk approaches we will be listening for the ‘insect-like’ calling of the male woodcock and watching the evening sky to observe its amazing courtship flight. Dress for the weather and moderate hiking. Weather permitting.” http://www.co.washington.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7842/program-guide-2020-web-format-1-22-2020
*********Road Trips**********
Buffalo
“Golden Mummies of Egypt”, now through June 21, Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humbolt Parkway, Buffalo, NY. Special exhibition timed tickets are $19 adults, $16 children ages 2 and up, seniors, students and military with ID. “Glittering gold and mysterious mummies are among Ancient Egypt’s most enduring attractions. Golden Mummies of Egypt examines hopes and fears about the afterlife when Egypt was part of the Greek and Roman worlds (c. 300 BC-200 AD). Wealthy members of this multicultural society had their mummified bodies encased in gold in hopes of joining the gods after death. The exhibition consists of over 100 key objects from the Manchester Museum’s world-class collection, including eight mummies, as well as masks, coffins, jewelry and sculpture. Blending Egyptian, Roman and Greek imagery, the strikingly lifelike painted mummy portraits are among the most haunting images from the Ancient World. Using interactive CT scan technology, Golden Mummies of Egypt reveals stories hidden beneath the wrappings, but also questions why we are fascinated by mummies and what they might tell us about ourselves.” https://www.sciencebuff.org/exhibits/golden-mummies/
“Fort Niagara's Women of Distinction”, Saturday, March 21, 2PM-3:30PM, Old Fort Niagara, 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, NY. Admission $15 adults, $10 ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under. “Meet four women from Old Fort Niagara's history, portrayed by living history interpreters. Learn about their lives and material culture. The program will discuss Madame Contrecoeur, wife of Fort Niagara's commandant, Isbella Graham, a British surgeon's wife, Molly Brant, an inflential Mohawk woman, and Betsy Doyle, an American heroine from the War of 1812. Refreshments will follow the presentation and attendees will be able to go behind the scenes to tour Old Fort Niagara's costume shop, where historically accurate period clothing is manufactured. The program will be held at the Fort Niagara Officers Club and an admission ticket is required.” https://www.oldfortniagara.org/event/100204/fort-niagaras-women-of-distinction
“Sweet Tooth Festival”, Sunday, March 29, 12PM-2PM and 3PM-5PM, Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St., Buffalo. $35. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweet-tooth-festival-2020-tickets-89802131593 “The sweetest day of the year is back! On Sunday, March 29, 2020 Western New York's best dessert makers and sweet shops will come together once again for the ultimate dessert competition. Plus the event is hosted by Step Out Buffalo and The Cheesecake Guy, so you know it's gonna be good. Picture it: Every sweet and treat you can imagine all under one roof for your indulging pleasure. Taste the best delectable treats from across WNY, enjoy a Bubbly-Bar and candy-inspired cocktails, fun on-stage contests, artisan vendors, a concession stand with food for purchase, and so much more. This year everyone's a Judge! All tickets will include a bite-sized sample from each dessert vendor (don't worry, you'll also get a take-home box for treats you don't finish) so you can try 'em all then vote on your favorites. Dessert vendors will be competing for the titles of "Best Overall Dessert" as well as the all-new "Best Presentation" and "Opposites Attract" awards, of which the latter will be given to the dessert vendor who you think is best as combining opposite ingredients and concepts ie. sweet and salty, hot and cold, crunchy and soft, etc.”
Erie
“Bald Eagle Update”, Sunday, March 29, 1PM-3PM, Presque Isle State Park, Tom Ridge Environmental Education Center, 301 Peninsula Dr., Erie. “DCNR, Tamarack Wildlife Center, and PA Game Commission will provide natural history information, population statistics, and project updates about the Bald Eagle. The talk will take place at the TREC. Recommended for adult audience. No fee or registration required.” https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/bald_eagle_update#.XlsaBC3Myi4
Harrisburg
“Ice and Fire Festival”, Saturday, March 7, 11AM-8PM, Downtown Harrisburg. “The City of Harrisburg and M and T Bank present the 3rd annual Ice and Fire Festival! The event will feature FREE ice skating (skates provided), dozens of ice sculptures, ice slide, Artist Market, glass blowing workshops, firepit and smores area, food trucks, Urban Churn ice cream eating contest and more! Local school choirs, bands and dance groups will perform throughout the day and professional fire dancers will perform at 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.” http://harrisburgpa.gov/iceandfire/
“Charter Day”, Sunday, March 8, State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg. Free admission to the museum this day. At 2PM there will be a special lecture on the history of the murals in the State Capitol: http://statemuseumpa.org/event/charter-oakley/ “The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will celebrate the commonwealth’s 339th birthday on Charter Day. This special day offers visitors to The State Museum of Pennsylvania the rare opportunity to see William Penn’s original 1681 Charter. England’s King Charles II used the Charter to grant the land that is now Pennsylvania to founder William Penn. This document is sometimes referred to as Pennsylvania’s ‘birth certificate’ and was Penn’s personal copy. The Charter will remain on display through 12 noon, Friday, March 15. For the remainder of the year, the Charter is safeguarded in a special vault within the Pennsylvania State Archives. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 15th Amendment, the Pennsylvania State Archives will also exhibit two rarely seen documents: Pennsylvania’s Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery (1780) and the state’s ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1869), which ensured the right of Americans to vote, regardless of ‘race, color, or previous condition of servitude’. Admission to The State Museum is free on Charter Day, Sunday, March 8, and includes visits to the Planetarium, the Curiosity Connection and galleries. Free admission to the Planetarium and Curiosity Connection is limited. Timed tickets are available at the Front Desk.” http://statemuseumpa.org/event/charterday/
Maryland
“Logan Visionary Eco-Conference 2020: The Secret Life of Earth”, Sunday, March 22, 1PM-4PM, American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD. Free. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/logan-visionary-eco-conference-2020-the-secret-life-of-earth-tickets-93962058045 “In complement to the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM's) 25th original (and freakishly timely) mega-exhibition, "The Secret Life of Earth," you are invited to the free-to-all Logan Visionary Eco-Conference generously sponsored by The Revada Foundation. The conference commemorates the 50th anniversary of the original Earth Day celebration and features presentations by globally-respected climate scientists, researchers, agronomists, and impassioned earth activists. Our special keynote speaker is filmmaker and famed time-lapse photographer Louie Schwartzberg, who will also be recognized with AVAM's very highest honor, the Grand Visionary Award. The full speaker lineup is: 1pm Rebecca Hoffberger AVAM Founder, Director, Curator; 1:10pm Louie Schwartzberg (Keynote Speaker and AVAM's Grand Visionary Award recipient): Nature's foremost time-lapse photographer, award-winning producer, director, cinematographer and earth activist; 1:40pm Julia Butterfly Hill: Famed environmental champion, author, visionary eco-futurist; 2pm Tamara Toles O'Laughlin: Advocate for people and planet. North American Director at 350.org; 2:15pm Steven Kaii-Ziegler: Anne Arundel County head of Office of Planning and Zoning gives a Maryland climate change impact update; 2:20pm Earth Prayer Intermission and Cosmic Stretch with Judy Tallwing, Apache Elder and Sacred Artist; 2:30pm Pablo Suarez: Red Cross Climate Center's Associate Director for Research and Innovation and master collaborator uniting global artists and leading climate scientists; 2:55pm Liliana Jaramillo: Scientist, founder of Nativus Vegetación, and UN Young Champions of the Earth awardee.”
Ohio
“Orchids”, now 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/
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
“Wizard World”, Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, 300 Lakeside Avenue E, Cleveland, OH. Celebration of all things pop culture: https://wizardworld.com/comiccon/cleveland
“Salamandering at Windsor Woods”, Saturday, March 21, 7:30PM-10:30PM, Trumbull County, OH. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://1023.blackbaudhosting.com/1023/Salamandering-at-Windsor-Woods “The sights and sounds of spring should be peaking at Windsor Woods. Join us for a nocturnal foray as we explore the vernal pools and wetlands at this new Museum preserve located in Trumbull County.”
“Explore Cowles Creek Wetlands”, Tuesday, March 24, 11AM-2PM, Ashtabula County. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://1023.blackbaudhosting.com/1023/Explore-Cowles-Creek-Wetlands “Geneva Swamp is a jewel of the Museum's Natural Areas Division. The newly acquired Cowles Creek Wetlands Preserve within Geneva Swamp adds to its splendor. Join us as we explore and learn about the nature of this site. Vernal pools should be particularly active at this time of year!”
Philadelphia
“Philadelphia Flower Show”, now through Sunday, March 8, Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Sts., Philadelphia. “The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show is the nation's largest and longest-running horticultural event and features stunning displays by the world’s premier floral and landscape designers. Started in 1829 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the show introduces diverse and sustainable plant varieties and garden and design concepts. In addition to the major garden displays, the Flower Show hosts world-renowned competitions in horticulture and artistic floral arranging, gardening presentations and demonstrations, special events, and the citywide Bloom Philly pre-Show celebration. The Philadelphia Flower Show has been honored as the best event in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association, competing with events such as the Kentucky Derby Festival, Tournament of Roses Parade, Indianapolis 500 Festival, and other international celebrations.” https://theflowershow.com
“Candytopia”, tickets on sale currently through Sunday, March 15, 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”, now through Sunday, 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
West Virginia
“Tracking and Woods Lore Weekend”, Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8, Twin Falls State Park, Mullens, WV. “Presented by Trails, Inc., this outdoor and discovery weekend takes a step back in time to the 18th century, when American Indians and European Americans lived closer to nature. Learn some skills that were necessary for everyday life and learn of the cultural sharing that has made our modern lives richer. Enjoy nature, drama, tracking, and history in outdoor and indoor settings.” https://wvstateparks.com/event/tracking-and-woods-lore-weekend/
“Woodcock Walk”, Saturday, March 21, 7PM-8:30PM, West Virginia Botanical Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd., Morgantown WV. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.wvbg.org/programs/events/ “LeJay Graffious will lead a search for American Woodcocks displaying over the old reservoir from sunset to dusk. Come join us to witness this amazing spectacle! Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. All ages. Free for WVBG and Audubon members, $15 for non-members.”
“Drawing Flowers in Graphite”, Saturday, March 28, 1PM-4PM, West Virginia Botanical Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd., Morgantown WV. $35. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.wvbg.org/programs/events/ “Join artist/illustrator Linda S. Gribko to learn to draw expressive and realistic flowers using simple graphite drawing techniques. You’ll learn how to recognize the simple shapes that make up an alstroemeria bloom, how to block out your drawing, and use shading to render form and volume. Then add the small details and personal flourishes that make a botanical drawing unique and lively. Most suitable for beginners and intermediate artists, although more advanced artists are also welcome. Basic drawing materials and flowers will be provided, or bring your favorite supplies. You will go home with at least one drawing and an illustrated step-by-step guide to creating more. Best for 14 years and older. $25 for WVBG members, $35 for non-members.”
“Weltand/Amphibian Walk”, Sunday, March 29, 2PM-4PM, West Virginia Botanical Garden, 1061 Tyrone Rd., Morgantown WV. $15. Preregistration required; register online: https://www.wvbg.org/programs/events/ “WVU Professor Jim Anderson will lead us to and acquaint us with the frogs, toads, and other amphibians found in a variety of wetland habitats. Be prepared to get your shoes muddy. All ages. Free for members, $15 for non-members.”
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