Future events
local stage
Stagecoach to the Stars Productions will present “The Odd Couple” on Friday, Aug. 16, at Becker’s Shadyside Restaurant, 999 N. Gallatin Ave. Extension, Uniontown. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. with the show following at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, call 724-438-0931.
West Virginia Public Theatre will hold auditions for its upcoming production of “Annie” on Saturday, Aug. 10. “Annie” will be performed at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown. Rehearsals begin Sept. 23, and performance dates are Oct. 11 and 12. Adults and children are encouraged to audition. Those auditioning are asked to prepare 16 bars of an upbeat tempo or ballad song and to bring headshot and resume. Call backs will also be held the same day for reading and dance. Auditions are by appointment only. For more information and to schedule an audition, contact Marla Freeman at 304-598-0144.
music
Diane Bish, renowned organist and host of “The Joy of Music” television series, will perform on the two-manual, 22-rank Schantz pipe organ at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Uniontown at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. For tickets or additional information about the concert, call St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 724-437-9000.
“Symphony On Wheels” will travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Sept. 11, to attend a special memorial benefit concert by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. “A Concert for Heroes – Mahler: Resurrection Symphony” will be conducted by Gilbert Kaplan and will include Esther Heiderman, soprano; Stacey Rishoi, mezzo-soprano; and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh with Robert Page as director. The musicians and conductor will be playing for no pay so that net proceeds benefit the Somerset County Flight 93 Memorial Fund. Ticket purchases will help reach the goal of $100,000. Ticket cost is $50.25 for all seats. Bus transportation from the Uniontown Mall is available for a charge of $17 for a round-trip ticket, which will leave for Heinz Hall at 4 p.m. Call Susan at Communities in Schools at 724-437-2540 for reservations.
art
The Flatiron Building in Brownsville houses two museums. The Heritage Center tells the story of the two major eras of history relating to the making of America. The Westward Expansion (National Road era) and the Coal, Coke, River and Railroad (Industrial era) offer changing exhibits every two months. For more information, call 724-785-9331. The Frank L. Melega Art Museum located in the upper level of the historic Flatiron Building offers Melega’s original art of many mediums focusing on the industries of the area. Reproductions and limited-edition reproductions are available for sale in the gift shop.
Members of the Albert Gallatin Art Department have works of art on display at the National City Bank in downtown Uniontown until the end of August. All instructors are members of the Uniontown Art Club and their works are located in the club’s center window in the bank’s main hallway. Artists/teachers will display their works. Sharon Sementa-Bunyan, who teachs art 1 and 2 at the high school, works in three-dimensional mixed media on paper. Madelyn Cindric, who teachers art 2, 3 and 4 and ceramics/sculpture, has pieces displayed in her medium of choice, watercolor, as well as original hand-colored, dry-point etchings. Joe Jordan, the photography and arts/crafts teacher, displays an assortment of black and white as well as colored photographs. Also displaying with the teacher group is Joe Materkowski, this past school year’s student-teacher for the art department. His medium of choice is drawing, but he also has various other media on display, including paintings, prints and ceramic pieces. The show runs during bank hours and a portion of sales from this exhibit benefit the Uniontown Art Club. For further information concerning this show or sale, contact the school’s art department at 724-564-2027 or Sharon Bunyan at 724-437-6335.
Frank L. Melega Art Museum, which is located on the upper floor of the Flatiron Building Heritage Center, 69 Market St., Brownsville, will celebrate local history month with an exhibit by Charles S. Kovach entitled “A Window in Time – The Early Years.” The exhibit will open Saturday and continue through Sunday, Sept. 29. An opening reception will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Heritage center hours are noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 724-785-9331.
odds & ends
The book, “Point Marion … From the Beginning,” is currently for sale. The 490-page volume that includes the genealogy and history of the area begins with the Indians and ends with the year 1999. It details not only the borough of Point Marion, but also the surrounding area because Point Marion was once located within the boundaries of Springhill Township in the former state of Virginia. The book is available at The Book Store in the Cherry Tree Plaza, Smithfield Pharmacy in Smithfield, Kendall Floral, Clar-Mac Sales and the Point Marion Hardware in Point Marion, New Geneva Pottery in McClellandtown and Riverrun Books and Prints in Greensboro.
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook, now in its 10th printing, is again available for sale. The 330-page cookbook now features a protective plastic cover and includes sections on Easter customs and recipes (and Christmas customs and recipes), traditional Rusyn foods and other ethnic dishes and many other recipes of St. John’s parishioners. Many paska and kolachi recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes, are included. The price of this cookbook is $13 plus $2 postage and handling. To order, send a check or money order to Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 185 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401 or call 724-438-6027 for more information.
The Center in the Woods in California will offer Special Summer Expanding Horizons 2002 classes for people of all ages through Friday, Aug. 23. These learning opportunities are offered in the morning, afternoon and evening, depending on the class at various registration costs. For more information, call the center at 724-938-3554.
Phantom Cruisers Super Cruise, a parts flea market, vehicle sale corral and car show, will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Fayette County Fairgrounds, which is located on Route 119 between Uniontown and Connellsville. Fees are $35 for parts flea market, $15 for car corral and $35 for food vendors. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Car show registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fee is $8. Dash plaques, hats and ribbons will be awarded to the first 100 cars. D.J. Charlie Apple will spin records. A total of 60 trophies will be awarded, including five special award trophies that will be awarded by the judges. An all-out competition will be held for stock and racecars, motorcycles, pickups and open class for new vehicles. There will be a 50/50 drawing, games, door prizes and a Chinese auction. A special appearance will be made by Resurrection Wear Sublimination Printing, which will offer hats, plaques, T-shirts, etc. The event is sponsored by Pepsi. Portions of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Patty Lovat at 724-245-9557 or George Frank at 724-785-3503.
“Legends Along the Braddock Road” will be presented at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-10, at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, which is located along Route 40 in Farmington. The program will begin at the visitor’s center. Many stories and legends linger about the historic road since it was abandoned. Staff members will share these stories as they guide visitors through the meadow and along the trace of the road. The program is limited to 30 people per tour and three tours per night. An interpretive fee of $1 per person will be collected the night of the program. Advance registrations are required. Call 724-329-5805 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, on the grounds of Mount Macrina Manor. The fun begins at 11 a.m. Festival organizers are currently seeking craft vendors, including individuals and groups. For additional information or to reserve a table, contact Missy at 724-430-1134.
Dog Days of Summer, an outdoor barbeque and music festival, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Stone House restaurant, which is located along Route 40 near Farmington. The event will feature the Povertyneck Hillbillies and Big Guns. Participants are asked to bring a blanket or chair. The event will be held rain or shine, and tent seating will be available. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. General admission is $8 for advanced tickets and $10 for tickets at the door. The event will feature barbeque ribs, corn and hog roast, hot sausage sandwiches and more food and beverages. No coolers or bottles are will be permitted on site.
St. George Maronite Church in Uniontown will sponsor a Las Vegas Night on Friday, Aug. 9, from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets, which are $3, include food and beverages.
The New Salem Presbyterian Church, 27 S. Mill St., New Salem, announces its third annual Presby Peach Fest will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for either a ham barbecue or hot dog meal that includes baked beans, chips and choice of peach dessert and a drink. Tickets will be sold at the door. A face-painting clown will entertain, and games for children will be held during the serving hours. Those purchasing meal tickets will have the opportunity to win door prizes that will be awarded on every half hour. A sidewalk sale beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing throughout the day will round out the event. All proceeds will benefit the “Operation Christmas Child” mission project and other church mission endeavors.
Becker’s Shadyside Restaurant, 999 N. Gallatin Ave. Extension, Uniontown, will host an oldies dinner/dance by Jeff Allen of Power 104 FM on Saturday, Aug. 24. The buffet dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. with the entertainment following from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The dinner/dance package is $16.95 per person or a $5 cover charge for the dance only. Reservations are required. Call 724-438-9031 for reservations, information or directions.
Point Marion Ford, located on the corner of Broadway and Main streets in Point Marion, will once again host an antique car show this summer. Proceeds benefit the Point Marion Public Library. In addition to viewing dozens of vintage automobiles, the event will feature barbecued sandwiches, bake and book sales, oldies music, games and raffles. The show is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Owners of antique vehicles may pre-register by contacting Point Marion Ford prior to the event at 724-725-5214. Show day registration will be $10 and begins at 10 a.m. Trophies in 18 categories will be awarded at 4 p.m. Dash plaques and gift packets will be awarded for the first 100 entries. The show is free to the public. For more information, call Brenda Quertinmont at 724-725-5214.
A Pool Party will be held at Shady Grove Park for under 21, on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. D.J. Chaz will entertain. The snack bar will be open. Rain date will be set for Saturday, Aug. 16. For more information, call 724-439-5630.
area
stage
The Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont recently announced its 2002 summer schedule, which offers dramas as well as comedies. This season’s highlights include the male and female versions of “The Odd Couple,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Taffetas” and “Picnic.” Apple Hill Playhouse is a restored barn that has been converted to a 175-seat performance space. Dinner-theater packages are available with the nearby Lamplighter Restaurant. Apple Hill is located about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh in Delmont. For more information, call 724-468-5050 or visit www.applehillplayhouse.org.
St. Vincent Theatre will present three productions during the upcoming summer season, the 34th for the professional theater produced by the Rev. Thomas W. Devereux, OSB, and directed by Joseph Reilly. The schedule includes “The Senior Circuit” through Saturday; and “The Murder Room,” through Sunday, Aug. 18. Reservations are required for all performances. They may be made by mail any time or by contacting the theater box office, beginning Monday. Individual tickets are $7 for preview performances; $15.50 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings; $17 on Friday or Saturday evenings; and $12.50 for matinees. Special theater party rates are available for groups of 20 or more. Senior citizens, who are 62 years of age or older, may also request a discount of $1 per ticket on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays only. A free brochure or reservations for the summer season are available by contacting the St. Vincent Theater box office at 724-537-8900.
The Pittsburgh CLO will “The Wizard of Oz” through Sunday. Tickets are on sale now online at www.pittsburghCLO.org at the Benedum Center box office or by calling 412-456-6666. Single ticket prices range from $12 to $44. Groups of 20 or more should call the Group Sales Hotline at 412-263-2560 to enjoy special discounts. For more information about the Pittsburgh CLO, log on to the Web site at www.pittsburghCLO.org.
music
Evening on the Summit: “Heartstrings – Celtic and a Touch of the Classic” will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Outdoor Amphitheater, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, 110 Federal Park Road, Gallitzin, (at the Gallitzin exit of Route 22). Heartstrings performs “Celtic-inspired American music.” This Hollidaysburg-based band features violin, hammered dulcimer, guitar and vocals. Admission is $2 for those 17 and older. Children are admitted free.
art
The Andy Warhol Museum announced revised dates for the 2002 summer exhibitions. “The LP Show,” which will be on view through Sunday, Aug. 18, on the museum’s seventh floor. “Off Guard: The Photographs of Ron Galella” will be on view through Sunday, Sept. 1, on the museum’s sixth floor. “The LP Show” will feature more than 2,000 LP covers that have been taken from 50 collections. Ron Galella, who has been photographing fame for more than 30 years, is America’s original paparazzi photographer. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The museum is closed on Monday. Admission is free to members, $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $4 for children and students. The Warhol Store and The Warhol Caf? are free. Located in Pittsburgh, the place of Andy Warhol’s birth, The Warhol is one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world. The Andy Warhol Museum is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Additional information about The Warhol is available at www.warhol.org.
An exhibit entitled “Vistas of the Laurel Highlands” is offered at the Mountain View Inn in Greensburg. This exhibit is a result of collaborative work between the Westmoreland Photographers and Vance and Vicki Booher, owners of the Mountain View Inn. The public is invited to view this permanent limited-edition collection of vistas from various locations in Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. Featured will be Fallingwater, Cucumber Falls, Cedar Creek, Twin Lakes, St. Michael’s Church in Rector, Rolling Rock, Linn Run, Four-Mile Run, Ligonier, Sugarloaf, Barronvale Covered Bridge and more. The photographers of this collection are Anne Bernstein, Tracy Ekovich, Ann Hewitt, Shireleah Kujawa, Kern Little, Jim Miller, Lois Odendahl and Lorie Womack. Professional framer Cathy Hayden of the Nature Nook and Malloy’s Camercade assisted with the project. For information, contact Kujawa at 724-219-9355.
odds & ends
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park is staying open every Friday until 9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy an evening stroll through the entire conservatory, then sit and relax in the Palm Court where cappuccino, expresso and desserts will be available. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardents, the 13-room Victorian glasshouse and gardens in Schenley Park, is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phipps is closed Mondays. Phipps admission rates are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and older, $4 for students with ID and $3 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 and Phipps members are admitted free. For more information about the conservatory, call 412-622-6914 or visit online at www.phipps.conservatory.org.
Hoe-down square dancing, slow dancing, polkas, waltzing, line dancing and clogging will be held on the following dates: from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Ohiopyle Community Center in Ohiopyle; 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Brownfield Community Center in Dawson; and 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at the Arthurdale Center Hall in Arthurdale, W.Va. Music and figure calling will be provided by the Dave Dahl Trio.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPA Aquarium has switched to its summer-season hours of operation. The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with admission gates closing at 5 p.m.
Compass Inn in Laughlintown is celebrating its 30th anniversary and opened for the summer season. A 90-minute tour of the restored 1799 stagecoach stop includes the restored inn, reconstructed cookhouse, blacksmith shop and barn. All of the buildings are authentically furnished with period pieces. Special weekends are planned throughout the summer. Living History days are scheduled for Aug. 17-18. History will come alive as skilled craftsmen demonstrate a variety of 18th-century and 19th-century skills and crafts. The museum is located along Route 30 in Laughlintown about three miles east of Ligonier. There is no admission charge. For more information, call 724-238-4983.