Future events
local stage
Albert Gallatin High School Drama Department will present the play “Crenshaw Family Reunion” at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the high school auditorium. Tickets cost $2 per person and can be purchased at the door.
Becker’s Shadyside Restaurant & Banquet Facility, 998 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown, will hold a dinner-theater performance on Friday, Jan. 17, beginning at 6 p.m. The “Beverly Hillbillies,” a popular 1960s television show, will be presented by Stagecoach to the Stars Productions, starting at 7 p.m. The cost is $25 per person, and reservations are required. Becker’s Shadyside will also feature the child’s play “Beauty and the Beast” on Saturday, Jan. 25, at a cost of $6 per person. A light meal will be included. For more information on either event or to make reservations, call the restaurant at 724-438-0931.
music
The Point Marion Lions Club will host a “Music Jamboree” fund-raising event at the skating rink in Point Marion every second Saturday of the month. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will feature an open-stage portion from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A feature group or band will play from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. These events will continue every second Saturday of the month through June 2003. There will be music from the staff band and unexpected guests. There is a $2 donation at the door. The kitchen opens at 5:30 p.m. To participate in the open stage, book a band or perform in the feature portion, call 724-725-5737 or 1-304-599-0795.
The Greater Uniontown Chorale will begin rehearsals again on Monday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church on the corner of Fayette and Morgantown streets in Uniontown. Rehearsals are held from 7 to 9 p.m. The chorale will be rehearsing Mozart’s “Requiem” for presentation on Palm Sunday, April 13, in conjunction with the Asbury Festival Choir Series. For rehearsals, singers should enter the church via the lower right front door. Rehearsals are held in the social room of the church. Parking is available in a lot across from the church. For more information, call Joanna Ball at 724-628-3382.
Auditions for professionally trained soloists will be conducted by the Asbury Festival Recital Series and the Greater Uniontown chorale from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Asbury United Methodist Church, which is located at the corner of Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street, Uniontown. Four soloists are being sought for roles in W.A. Mozart’s “Requiem,” which will be presented on April 13, as the fourth concert in the Asbury Festival Recital Series. The soloists will perform with the Asbury Festival Choir and the Greater Uniontown Chorale and orchestra. Soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices are needed. Qualified soloists are asked to come prepared to sing solo selections from the “Requiem.” Soloists are asked to provide a current resume. An accompanist will be provided. To schedule an audition, call 724-557-1119.
Jazz legand Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band will be in concert on Monday, Feb. 17, at the Belle Vernon Area High School along Route 201 South in Belle Vernon. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each. The event is sponsored by the Belle Vernon Lions Club. Call 724-328-4637 for tickets and information.
“Symphony on Wheels” will travel to Pittsburgh on Saturday, March 8, to attend “A Tribute to Henry Mancini.” The concert will feature Academy Award-winning conductor, Bill Conti, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as they pay tribute to one of the city’s favorite sons – Henry Mancini. The legendary songwriter has been part of the American soundscape for generations with hits like “Moon River,” “The Peter Gunn Theme” and “The Pink Panther Theme.” The deadline for purchasing tickets for this concert will be Friday, Feb. 28. Ticket cost is $42 for seating in the grand tier or orchestra level. Bus transportation from the Uniontown Mall is available for a charge of $17 for a round-trip ticket. For reservations, call Susan at Communities in Schools at 724-437-2540.
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.
odds & ends
The book, “Point Marion … From the Beginning,” is currently for sale. The 490-page volume includes the genealogy and history of the area beginning with the Indians and ending 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.
Geezers’ Writing Workshops have been moved to Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The workshops are free, but individual-tutoring sessions for writers may be arranged for other times at reasonable rates. These will also be held at Geezers’ Literary Book Shop, which is located on the third floor of the Thompson House in Brownsville. For more information, contact Dr. Fred Lapisardi at 724-785-9010 or e-mail Geezersbks@worldnet.att.net.
The Friends of the Brownsville Free Public Library are currently selling packets of note cards. A hand-drawn sketch of the library is displayed on the front, with the inside left blank. One packet includes 12 note cards for $5. They can be purchased at the library or from any member of the organization. The organization is also conducting a membership drive. The group meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the library. For more information concerning the note cards of the “Friends,” contact Barry Blaine, librarian, at 724-785-7272.
Rich Farms Lightscape Festival of Lights will be held through Wednesday along Route 857 south of Fairchance. Hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The festival will showcase a two-mile drive through of holiday scenes and forests with live actors performing parts in scenes such as a Nativity, the North Pole and Dickens Village. At the end of the tour, a bonfire, Christmas music, hot chocolate and a sound and light show await. Horse and carriage rides are available from the festival area. Prices to enter festival grounds are $5 per carload. For directions to Rich Farms or for additional information on the festival, call 724-564-7644.
West Overton Museum in Scottdale announces the beginning of the 2003 winter Parlor Talks lecture series. The four presentations will be held in the distillery theater on Sundays at 2 p.m. The first lecture on Sunday, Jan. 19, will be on the “Wonderful Worlds of Ferroquinology” with the Rev. Robert McKie. Each lecture is free and includes a question-and-answer session followed by light refreshments. Reservations are requested, but walk-ins are welcome. For complete series information, call 724-887-7910 during regular business hour. West Overton Museums is located on Route 819 between Scottdale and Mount Pleasant.
An inspirational dance class will be held at the Uniontown Area YMCA, beginning Monday. The classes will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Mondays and 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Thursdays. The class will be taught by Nancy McChesney. The classes will include a warmup, stretching and simple dance steps. The class provides a low-intensity and low-impact workout. The participants do the dance movements to Christian music. Call Bill Poninsky at 724-438-2484 for more information.
area
stage
Pittsburgh CLO will hold auditions for the 2003 Mini Stars on Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, at Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater, which is located along Penn Avenue Place in Pittsburgh. The group is seeking young performers between the ages of 10 and 16. To schedule an audition time, call 412-281-2234.
Tony-award winning production “A Chorus Line” will help to raise money for the Pittsburgh Musical Theater from its ticket sales. The show will take place from Wednesday, Jan. 15, through Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Byham Theater. Specific show dates and times are: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Call 412-456-6666 for tickets and additional information.
music
The Voices of St. Vincent are currently holding auditions for all sections of the chorus. Rehearsals are every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. in the St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica in Latrobe. Rehearsals are required. For additional information or to schedule an audition, call Joseph Bronder at 724-532-6600.
A benefit concert featuring top-rated Elvis Presley impersonator Elvis Wade will be presented on Friday, April 25, at Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, W.Va. Wade, his band and long-time Presley backup vocalists, The Jordanaires, will present one performance at 8 p.m. The concert will be preceded by a Memphis barbecue at a location to be announced. The event will benefit the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. Ticket prices range from $10 to $100. Tickets to the concert are available at the symphony box office, 1025 Main St., Wheeling, or by calling 724-232-6191 or toll-free at 1-800-395-9241.
Chinese pianist Yin Cheng Zong’s visit to the St. Vincent College Concert stage will take place Saturday, March 22. The concert will be held at 8 p.m. in the Science Center Amphitheatre. To inquire about this concert or other future performances in the 30th season of the St. Vincent College Concert Series, contact the box office at 724-537-4565.
The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival will present Ernie Hawkins in an interactive blues workshop at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art located at 221 N. Main St. in Greensburg. An acoustic blues guitarist, Hawkins has been noted by Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour for his performances that “consist of dazzling rags, souful ballads, gospel, African instrumentals and anecdotes of blues history.” The event is meant to encourage one-on-one activity between audience and performers. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. It is free to the public. For additional information, contact the festival office at 724-834-7474.
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra will present the classical music concert “January Thaw,” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in the Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Dr. Carl Iezzi will hold a 7:05 p.m. pre-concert lecture in the Intermission Suite of the Palace Theatre. The pre-concert lecture is open to all ticket-holders. Ticket prices range from $10 to $36. Call 724-837-1850 for ticket purchases. In addition, Morrie Brand, executive director of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, will hold “Classical Chatters” at the Greensburg-Hempfield Area Library at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, and at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Greensburg at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Call 724-837-1850 for more information.
art
Greensburg Art Center Gallery at 230 Todd School Road, Greensburg, will feature its own instructors in an exhibit entitled “Teachers in Our Midst.” The show will continue through Feb. 8. This is an off-the-wall show, which means paintings purchased can be removed immediately. Gallery 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. Saturday. For directions or information, call the gallery at 724-837-6791 or visit the Web site at greensburgartclub.org.
Chromatic Journey, a senior exhibition by Amber Wirth, will be presented Monday through Friday, Jan. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery at Waynesburg College. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 724-852-3274.
The Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery will host “Angels and Other Creatures,” an interactive community project showcasing the large-scale sculptures by artist Cheryl Capezzuti and the works of Pittsburgh community residents. The show runs through Feb. 14 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, or by appointment on Saturdays. Call the Three Rivers Arts Festival at 412-281-8723 for additional information on this exhibition.
The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh announces its January program listings. The murals and stained glass window work of former Carnegie Mellon University design teacher Robert Lepper will be on display until Saturday, while “Americanisms: Shaping Art and Society in the 1950s” will be displayed until July 20. For more information, contact the Andy Warhol Museum at 412-237-8300 or visit the Web site at www.warhol.org.
The 2003 Merrill Lynch Young Artists Competition, held by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, has an upcoming Tuesday, Jan. 21, registration deadline for taped auditions. The competition is open to vocalists and instrumentalists, who are residents of Westmoreland County and who are not yet high school graduates. Musicians and vocalists will compete for the opportunity of future performances and cash rewards. For more information, contact the Westmoreland Symphony Office at 724-837-1850.
Photographer Harry Corbett’s exhibition “People of Chinatown, San Francisco” will be displayed in Washington & Jefferson College’s Olin Gallery daily from 12 to 7 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 7. An opening reception for the event is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. today. For more information, call W&J at 724-223-OLIN (6546).
odds & ends
Sesame Street Live’s “Everyone Makes Music” will be presented Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 15-19, at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Tickets start at $12. On opening night, all seats are $10, excluding premium seats. Charge by phone at 412-323-1919. For more information, visit the Web site at 222.seseamestreetlive.com.
Hoe-down square dancing, slow dancing, polkas, waltzing, line dancing and clogging will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Ohiopyle Community Center in Ohiopyle and 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at the Arthurdale Center Hall in Arthurdale, W.Va. The Dave Dahl Trio will provide music and figure calling. The donation is $4 per person. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
The 102nd Greensburg Antiques Show and Sale will be held from Friday through Sunday, Jan. 17-19, at the Mountain View Inn, which is located on Route 30, about four miles east of Greensburg. Show hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The show will feature more than 50 exhibitors from nine states. It will feature books, oriental items, medical and nautical, art glass, textiles, teddy bears, dolls and toys. The show is managed by Ruth’s Antiques Inc. of New York. Call 716-741-8001.