Future events
local music
The Point Marion Lions Club will sponsor a “Music Jamboree” every second Saturday of each month at the skating rink in Point Marion. Open stage will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. with two main events to follow from 7 to 9:45 p.m. The event will feature live music, including country, pop and gospel provided by local people and groups. The donation is $2 per person. For information, call 724-725-5737.
“Symphony on Wheels” will travel to Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 18, to attend the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert entitled “Marvin’s Wild, Wild West.” Saddle up with Marin Hamlish, the Pops and Riders in the Sky, “America’s favorite singing cowboys,” for a tribute to the great Hollywood western. The ticket cost is $41 for seating in the grand tier or orchestra level. Bus transportation from the Uniontown Mall is available at a cost of $17 for a round-trip ticket. The deadline for tickets is May 10. Call Susan at Communities in Schools at 724-437-2540 for reservations.
A spring music festival featuring the A.J. McMullen Junior Raider Band and Chorus will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the gymnasium at the A.J. McMullen Middle School near Farmington. The event is under the direction of Gail Carlins. Admission is $1.
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.
The Laurel Art Club will participate in a group show at the Frank L. Melega Art Museum in Brownsville through Sunday, May 12. The Laurel Art Club was founded in 1950. Its membership ranges from art enthusiasts to exhibiting artists. They work in various media including oils, acrylics, watercolors, photography, color pencil and ceramics. Each member could submit up to three pieces of art, any medium, for the exhibition. A “Meet the Artists” reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend. The museum is located on the second floor of the historic Flatiron Building, 69 Market St., Brownsville. A chairlift is provided for easy access. Regular hour are Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. The show may also be viewed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only. To set up an appointment or for more information about the other exhibitions at the museum, call the museum at 724-785-9331.
Nemacolin Woodland Resort & Spa will host the Hardy Family Art Collection’s third annual Art Exhibition and Sale, which is scheduled for Saturday through Sunday, May 12, to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The exhibition will consist of pieces from local, national and internationally acclaimed artists. For more information, contact Nemacolin Woodlands’ Resort Reservations at 724-329-8555 or toll free at 1-800-422-2736. For more information, visit the resort’s Web site at www.nemacolin.com.
Hopwood photographer’s Pat Thomas’ exhibit entitled “Texture and Light” opens Sunday and runs through Sunday, May 26, at 64 Crayons Cultural Center, Thompson House, third floor, 815 Water St., Brownsville. Commentary by the artist and light refreshments will be featured at Sunday’s opening from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets to the opening cost $5, with reductions to $3.50 for students and seniors and $2.50 for Geezers’ Book Shop members. A gallery fee of $1 per visitor will be charged for the run of the show, but this can be applied as a credit to the price of any book bought at Geezers’ that day. For more information, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail geezersbks@worldnet.att.net.
Art Workshops at 64 Crayons Cultural Center at the Thompson House in Brownsville include “Keeping a Travel Sketchbook” on Tuesday, May 14, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and “Creative Watercolor Techniques” on Tuesday, May 28, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. There is no charge for these workshops. For more information, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail geezersbks@worldnet.att.net.
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.
Country Line Dance Lessons hosted by the Amvets Club in Hopwood will be offered every Tuesday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Instructions will be given by Steppin’ Out. Beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons will be provided. Participants do not have to be members of the Amvets to participate. Classes will also be held at the Jefferson fire hall in Jefferson from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call 724-592-5380 and ask for Marvin or Janet.
Nemacolin Castle, which is located on Front Street in Brownsville, will celebrate the National Road Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19. Castle tours will be conducted both days, beginning at 11 a.m. The castle will offer ghost tours from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Outdoor festivities will also be offered, including a Civil War military encampment, blacksmith demonstrations, architectural demonstrations, arts and crafts and food booths. The cost for castle tours is $6 for adults and $3 for children age 12 and under. There is no charge for the entertainment on the castle grounds or for parking. There is also a shuttle bus available to take visitors to other interesting and historical sites in the Brownsville area. For more information, call 724-785-6882.
The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown announced that the 11th annual Progressive Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 18. The Progressive Dinner is one of the theater’s most important fundraising events. Anyone who would like to host a course or would like to be added to the invitation list is asked to call the State Theatre administrative office at 724-439-1360 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.
ABATE Fayette County Chapter will hold its meetings at Marty’s on Bute Road on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Officers will meet at 6 p.m., and members will meet at 7 p.m. Old and new members are welcome to participate. For more information, call Pat Mattis at 724-437-5638.
Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Country Festival will be held Friday through Monday, May 24-27, at the Fayette County Fairgrounds on Route 119 between Uniontown and Connellsville. More than 150 booths of artists, craftsmen and food vendors from 16 states will be featured. Live entertainment will be provided. Free on-site parking will be available. The event will be held rain or shine, and both indoor and outdoor displays will be offered. Tickets are $4.50 for adults, $4 for senior age 65 and older and $1 for children ages 6 to 12. Children under 6 will be admitted free. For more information, call 724-863-4577.
ARC of Fayette County will present its spring fundraiser on Friday, May 17. Premiere Entertainment will present “Bake Off,” a murder mystery-dinner theater, hosted by Becker’s Shadyside Inn. Dinner choices include prime rib, chicken cordon bleu or orange roughy. A cash bar will open at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Other events that evening will include a silent auction and a bake sale. The cost is $40 per person. For tickets, call 724-438-8416.
The 29th annual National Road Festival will be held Thursday through Sunday, May 16-19. The festival celebrates the importance the National Road played in the nation’s Westward Expansion in the days of wagon trains and stagecoaches through its use as a scenic highway in modern times by the automobile. Two wagon trains will take part in the festival – one that travels east and one in Somerset-Fayette counties that travels west. Activities will be held in communities along Route 40 during the festival.
The Independence Day Celebration & Cookoff, featuring a fireworks display, will be held on Sunday, June 30, at the Uniontown Mall. The event is sponsored by the members of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Fayette Chamber at P.O. Box 2124, Uniontown, Pa. 15401 or send a fax to 724-438-3304.
The Tamburitzans will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown. Ambassadors from Pittsburgh to the world for more than 60 years, the Tamburitzans have performed at the invitation of the State Department in Russia, Bulgaria, Greece, France, South and Central America. Their dazzling brand of the music, song and dance of Eastern Europe is enhanced by more than 80 instruments and beautiful costumes that will transport the audience to a far away land. Tickets are priced at $14, $16 and $18. Children 12 and under receive a 50 percent discount.
The annual observance of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday in St. Joseph’s Church, Uniontown. This event is sponsored by the Polish Heritage Club and includes prayers and a reading from scriptures in Polish, a reflection by the national president of the Polish Falcons of America, Druch Wallace Zielinski of Pittsburgh, a Rosary walk with Marian hymns and benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament with priest-celebrant the Rev. David Kriss of Donora, who serves as president of the Pittsburgh Polish Clergy. This event notes the contents and influence of the May 3 Constitution, which was based on the Constitution of the United States of 1783. St. Joseph Church is located on Old Walnut Hill Road off Route 119. The event is open to the public.
Fayette County Historical Society will hold its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Uniontown Public Library. The speaker will be Mary Sutton Skutt, author of two books entitled “Growing Up, By George!” exploring George C. Marshall’s early years from 1880-1901 and “George C. Marshall, Reporting for Duty,” detailing Marshall’s years in the U.S. Army from 1902-45. There will be a book signing. The public is invited, refreshments will be offered. For further information, contact Connie Kikta, president of the Fayette County Historical Society, at 724-439-2801.
Local historian and author Franklin LaCava will discuss and sign copies of his new book, “Bake Slow and Sure: Heirloom Recipes of the National Road Era” on Sunday, May 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Geezers’ Literary Book Shop, Thompson House, third floor, 815 Water St., Brownsville, in conjunction with the National Road Festival. In addition to the book, some items, based on recipes from “Bake Slow and Sure,” will be on sale at Thompson House. For more information, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail geezersbks@worldnet.att.net.
Writers’ workshops at Geezers’ Literary Book Shop at the Thompson House in Brownsville for May include “Creating Modern Sonnets,” on Wednesday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.; “The Narrator’s Voice in Short Fiction,” on Wednesday, May 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, May 16, from 1 to 3:30 p.m.; “Finding Local Feature Stories,” on Wednesday, May 22, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.; and “Writing the 10-Minute Play” on Wednesday, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, May 30, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. There is no admission charge for these workshops. For more information, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail geezers@worldnet.att.net.
The St. Vincent de Paul Store in Uniontown will participate in the National Pike Festival on Saturday, May 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The store is offering at a nominal cost inside and outside space for people to set up tables or carts in order to sell goods from people’s attics, antiques, clothes that no longer fit, birthday gifts that have never been used, tools, etc. If the items do not sell, they can be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Store. The store usually attracts hundreds of shoppers on a normal Saturday, and more shoppers are anticipated during the festival. St. Vincent de Paul will promote the festival site. Anyone interested in participating as a seller must register in advance. Space and tables are being reserved quickly. For more information, call 724-439-4908 or see Roy Sarver in the St. Vincent de Paul Store, 70 N. Mount Vernon Ave., Uniontown.
The Friends of the Uniontown Library will host a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Evelyn Hovanec at 1 p.m. Monday, May 13, at the Uniontown Public Library. Dr. Hovanec is the author of “Common Lives of Uncommon Strength: the Women of the Coal and Coke Era of Southwestern Pennsylvania 1880-1970.” She will speak about her book and also the resources available at the Coal and Coke Heritage Center on the Penn State University Fayette Campus. Copies of Dr. Hovanec’s book will be available for purchase following the meeting. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.
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 “Beau Jest,” which will be performed May 30 to June 22; “The Senior Circuit” from June 27 to July 20; and “The Murder Room,” July 25 to Aug. 18. Reservations are required for all performances except Thursday evening preview performances. They may be made by mail any time or by contacting the theater box office, beginning May 13. 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. Special subscription plans are available until June 15. A free brochure or reservations for the summer season are available by contacting the St. Vincent Theater box office at 724-537-8900.
music
Anne Murray will perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at Pittsburgh Symphony Heinz Hall. Tickets are priced at $29, $39, $49 and $90, which includes gold circle seating and a post-concert reception. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 412-392-4900 or visiting the Pittsburgh Symphony Heinz Hall Box Office at 600 Penn Ave. or visiting www.pittsburghsymphony.org.
The Canonsburg Middle School stage band will have an encore performance with the Jaggerz, best known for their hit song “The Rapper,” at 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, in the Canonsburg Middle School Auditorium, East College St., Canonsburg. The concert is open to the public. All tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. For more information, call Tony or Mary at 724-746-5930, Michelle at 724-745-6526 or Maureen at 724-942-3032.
art
The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival announces the Youth Art Contest and the Youth Poetry & Short Story Contest for 2002 will be held during the 28th annual festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 4-7 at Twin Lakes Park in Latrobe. The theme for this year’s art contest is “Heroes.” Celebrate your hero by submitting artwork of the women or men who have made a difference in your life. Poetry and short story entries may be any theme and length. Cash prizes will be awarded in each category. Contact the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival for entry guidelines. All grade levels are encouraged to participate. The deadline for entry is May 31. For more information, call 724-834-7474.
The Andy Warhol Museum announced revised dates for the 2002 summer exhibitions. “The LP Show” will be on view June 23 through Aug. 18 on the museum’s seventh floor. “Off Guard: The Photographs of Ron Galella” will be on view June 23 through 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 “The Human Condition” will be held from Friday, May 10, through Saturday, June 22, at the Greensburg Art Center Gallery, which is located along Todd School Road in Greensburg. The opening reception will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 10. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit will feature paintings, drawings and sculpture depicting the physical and emotional aspects of humankind. Many of these works by members of the Greensburg Art Club were inspired by evening figure drawing sessions held at the art center on the last Monday of each month. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 724-837-6791.
odds & ends
Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh will revive its popular Science Carnival exhibition for a four-month stay through June 2. The 5,000-square-foot exhibition contains 18 acts designed to delight the carnival lover in all of us. The colorful, highly interactive exhibit challenges visitors to experiment with a “carnival” of physical science principles, including sound, optics, magnetism, motion and balance, simple machines and energy transfer. Science Carnival is included in general admission. The cost is $14 for adults and $10 for children or senior citizens. Carnegie Science Center is located next to Heinz Field on the North Shore. For more information on times, prices, directions or programs and exhibits, call 412-237-3400 or visit the Web site at CarnegieScienceCenter.org.
Laidlaw Education Services will sponsor a bus fundraising trip to Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort in Chester, W.Va., on Saturday, May 11. The school bus will pull out of the Smithfield bus garage at 10:45 a.m. The $11 donation requested will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Each participant will receive $5 in coins and $3 in meal vouchers. For more information or to reserve seats, call Bill E. Parnham, branch manager, at 724-569-1750.
“Patterns in Time: American Quiltmaking, 1800-2000” will be presented at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg now through May 5. This quilt exhibition, comprised of both historical and contemporary examples, from the WMAA permanent collection and loans from public and private collections will examine the range of American quiltmaking styles over the past 200 years and will offer the viewer the opportunity to compare traditional versus non-traditional quilt-making methods. The suggested donation is $3. Call 724-837-1500.
West Overton Museums in Scottdale is now accepting entries for its 2002 Quilter’s Competition entitled “A Southwestern Pennsylvania Exhibition,” which will be held Tuesday, May 28, through Sunday, June 30. The show features professional judging and prizes in six quilt catergories, including pieced, applique, other techniques, collaborative, wearable quilting art and challenge quilt contest. Monetary prizes will be awarded for best of show, first, second and place place, people’s choice and best embellished embroidered item. The deadline for entries is Friday, May 10. For additional information or a 2002 rules and entry brochure for the show, contact the museum at 724-887-7910 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park is staying open every Friday until 9 p.m. Visitors can 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.
The first of four Family Archaeology Days at historic Hanna’s Town will be held on Saturday, May 18. The program, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to noon, consists of hands-on archaeology activities for the family, such as screening and washing artifacts. A tour of the Hanna’s Town site is included with the admission fee of $3 for adults and $2 children under the age of 12 years. The number of participants is limited. Call 724-836-1800 for information and reservations.