Future events
local stage
Flatwoods Productions will present “Drop Dead,” a comedy about a group of has-been actors trying to revive their careers when a murder takes place. The show will be performed on March 18-20, with the Friday and Saturday show at 8 p.m. and the Sunday show at 2 p.m. “Annie,” America’s favorite red-headed orphan, will take the stage April 1-3 and April 8-10 with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m. at the Curfew Grange, located at the corner of Route 201 and Buena Vista Road, Flatwoods. For reservations or more information, call 724-785-6896.
California Area High School’s Class of 2005 will present Abe Burrows and Joe Swerling’s “Guys and Dolls” Wednesday through Friday, March 2-4. First produced at the 26th Street Theatre in November 1950, “Guys and Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway,” ran 1,200 performances, becoming one of Broadway theater’s greatest successes. For information, call Claudia Bennett at 724-785-5800, extension 1131.
“Mame,” a musical comedy presented by the Uniontown High School students, will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 17-19, in the Margaret A. Emelson Auditorium. The event is based on the book by Patrick Dennis and the play by Lawrence and Lee. Music and lyrics were written by Jerry Herman, who also penned “Hello, Dolly.” Tickets may be purchased at the box office, located in the front hall opposite the main office or at the door.
Laurel Highlands High School Theater Department will present Irvin Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6. This musical is the story of a na?ve girl turned celebrity after her amazing sharp-shooting skills are noticed by a local hotel owner. Annie soon joins Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and falls in love with the pompous star of the show, Frank Butler. Tickets may be purchased at Laurel Highlands High School between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. The Academic Foundation will sponsor a “Sweet Theatre” (desserts) before the performance on Saturday in the high school cafeteria. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Sarah Biancardi at 724-437-2821, extension 1010. Call 724-437-4741.
“Brigadoon,” a whimsical musical fantasy, will be presented at Brownsville Area High School Friday through Sunday, March 11-13. “Brigadoon” is a musical set in a magical village in Scotland that comes to life every 100 years and disappears after a single day. Performing lead roles are Travis Neil, Heidi Kaufman, Travis Demo, Melissa DeSimone, Toni L. May, Andrew Basile and Jordan Sealy. For ticket information, call 724-785-8200.
Actors and Artists of Fayette County will present “Nunsense” April 1-3 and April 8-10 at Scottdale Showtime Theatre, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale. Marlena Solomon and Jim Overly will co-direct the production. For more information, call 724-331-7886 or 724-887-6814.
The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown will present the following shows during its 15th anniversary season. “My One and Only,” a musical comedy featuring Gershwin classics, will be presented Saturday. The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s production of “All the Great Books (abridged)” will be presented April 2. “Steel Magnolias,” a story that takes place in Truvy’s Beauty Shop, will be presented April 10.
Paul Consentino and The Boilermaker Jazz Band will serve up jazz, swing and old-time ballads in New Orleans style on May 7. For more information on the shows, call the theater at 724-439-1360 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
music
The Grove City College Choir will perform at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of Morgantown and Fayette streets in Uniontown, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Under the direction of Dr. Douglas Brown, the program will feature ensemble and solo selections drawn for the full sacred choral repertoire. The concert is free and open to the public. Call 724-437-2709.
The Monongahela Trio will perform on the Asbury Recital Series at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Asbury United Methodist Church. The group consists of Dorothy Skidmore, flute; William Skidmore, cello; and Carol Beall, piano. Tickets will be available at the following locations: The Fayette Chamber of Commerce offices, Main Street; Ellis Music Store, Morgantown Street; Judy’s Do Re Me Music Shop, South Beeson Boulevard.; and Amend’s Jewelry Store, Lebanon Avenue, Uniontown. Tickets will also be sold before the performance on March 13 at the Dunbar Street entrance of the church, located at the corner of South Beeson Avenue and Dunbar Street. A meet-the-performers reception will follow.
odds & ends
An Irish celebration is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19, on Main Street, Uniontown. The festival will feature Irish singing and dancing, an Irish-themed, bake-off, spirits and a March Madness Basketball Competition for children. The Fayette Progress Council is planning the festival.
The council is looking for bakers, vendors and volunteers. For more information about the event, call Cindy Digga at 724-437-1750.
A Longaberger Basket Bingo sponsored by Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services Inc. Adolescent and Children’s Partial Hospitalization Program – New Directions – will be held on Saturday, April 16. Anyone who is interested in making a donation is asked to send it to New Directions, P.O. Box 306, Perryopolis, Pa. 15473. Please note “Longaberger Basket Bingo” on the envelope and return it by March 11 or call New Directions at 724-736-0764.
A Sports Card and NASCAR Show will be held at the Uniontown Mall from Friday through Sunday, March 4-6, during mall hours.
Former Pirate Kent Tekulve will sign autographs at the card show at the Value city end of the mall from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5.
There will be dealers from three states with all the newest products as well as older items.
For more information about the upcoming event, call 724-592-5038.
Uniontown Senior Citizen’s Monthly Dance titled “Hearts and Flowers” Valentine’s Dance will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday at the Uniontown VFW Post 47 on West Main Street. Music will be provided by the Dave Dahl Orchestra. Refreshments and door prizes are planned by the committee. For information, call 724-437-6050, extension 227.
St. Cecilia Church in Grindstone will hold its annual spring spaghetti dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the church hall. The menu includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, Italian bread, cake, coffee or tea. There is a cost for adults and children. Take-out orders will be available all day long. Call 724-785-2792 for any information on the day of the dinner and to place take-out orders.
Uniontown Senior Center Variety Fair Indoor Flea Market Store, 137 N. Beeson Ave., Uniontown, will hold a grocery bag sale of all clothing, shoes and purses beginning Feb. 23 through March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit programs for the aging. For information, contact Kassie DeWalt, chairperson, at 724-437-6050, ext. 227.
Carmichaels Senior Center will host a fish fry every Friday through March 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. Dinner will include fish, fries or baked potato, cole slaw, roll, cake and coffee or tea. Fish sandwiches are also available.
“The Magic of the Night,” a spring prom fashion show sponsored by the Uniontown High School Post Prom Committee, will be held Thursday in the Margaret L. Emelson Auditorium at the high school. Tickets are available at the Uniontown High School office or at the door the evening of the show. A Chinese auction and bake sale will also take place that evening. For information, contact Mary Anne Coffman at 724-438-1847.
California University of Pennsylvania welcomes national political correspondent and author Juan Williams to the Performance Center of the Natali Student Center at 7 p.m. Thursday. The lecture, sponsored by the university’s Noss Lecture Series and presented as the annual Frederick Douglass Institute’s Black History Month speaking engagement, will have a question- and-answer session and book-signing following the presentation. The lecture is free and open to the public.
The Lion Ambassadors and the HDFSA Association will host the annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 9 a.m. at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Age groups will be 0-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. This event will be held rain or shine. Activities prior to the egg hunt will include face painting, coloring page activity and photos with the Nittany Lion. There will also be various Easter basket drawings. The event is free for those who pre-register by March 8. Those not pre-registered will be charged a fee per child at the door. For more information or to register, call 724-430-4130 or e-mail ejk5013@psu.edu.
California University of Pennsylvania will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with several events. They include speakers Brenda Jo Searcy, representing the Mon Valley Branch of the NAACP, who will speak about Sojourner Truth; Dr. Nicholas O. Akinkuoye; former Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive back J.T. Thomas, whose speech will be “The Millennium Slave;” and Juan Williams, national political correspondent and author; along with other activities. For a complete list of all Black History Month-related events taking place at Cal U, check the Web site at a href=”http://www.cup.edu/academic/frederickdouglas/events.jsp http://www.cup.edu/academic/frederickdouglas/events.jsp end
.
The Red Hatters will hold a weekend event at the Uniontown Holiday Inn March 11-13. The event will include three days and two nights. Reservations must be made by calling Carol at 437-3411 or Pat at 724-437-5434.
Expanding Horizons hands-on educational classes will be available through April 1 at the Center in the Woods in California. Classes being offered include Adult CPR, Beginning Fiddling, Bread Making for Beginners, Calligraphy Experiences, Chair Caning, Cooking Less Tender Cuts of Meat, Cooking Terms Demystified, Dream Catchers, Front Running Feminism, Fly Tying for Beginners, Gardening in Winter, Golf Swing Made Perfect, Great Bread Secrets, Hatha Yoga, Intro to Learning the PC, Making Memories, Mandolin for Beginners, Moffit’s Mill/Grinding Feed on the Pike Run, Nature Print Workshop, New Look at Fresh Vegetables, Oil Painting, Pastry Making, Pet First Aid, Starches for Any Meal, Valentine Card Making and Your Psychic Potential. For more information or to complete registration, visit the Center in the Woods on Route 88 between California and Brownsville, which is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 724-938-3554. Classes are open to anyone, with those 60 or older receiving preference when class size is limited.
West Overton Museums in Scottdale has announced the 2005 winter Parlor Talks lecture series will be held on Sunday, March 20 and April 17. The presentations will be held in the distillery theater at 2 p.m. and will feature area experts on a wide variety of historical subjects. 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 hours.
“Fayette County: A Video History,” an educational video of more than 90 minutes about the history of Fayette County, is available at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Coal & Coke Heritage Center at the Penn State Library or from the Fayette County Historical Society by calling 724-439-4422. Produced under the guidance of the Fayette County Historical Society, the video is filled with hundreds of photographs, interviews with historians and residents from the county, plus profiles of many towns and communities. The book, “Abel Gray: A Romance of the National Road,” written by A.F. Hill in 1876, was reproduced by the historical society in 1998 as a fictional novel with accurate depictions of the National Road. For information on these and other publications available, contact the Fayette County Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 193, Uniontown, or call 724-439-4422.
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook, now in its 11th printing, is again available for sale. The 330-page cookbook now features a protective plastic cover and includes sections on Christmas customs and recipes and Easter customs and recipes, traditional Rusyn foods, other ethnic dishes and many recipes of St. John’s parishioners. Many paska and kolachi recipes, as well as meatless dishes and Lenten recipes suitable for the pre-Christmas fast as well as the Great Fast, are included. There is a price for the cookbook. Call 724-438-6027 for more information.
Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site have announced winter hours. The Gallatin House Visitor Center at Friendship Hill and the Fort Necessity Visitor Center will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Mount Washington Tavern, Jumonville Glen and picnic areas are closed for the winter. All other areas of the parks, including hiking/skiing trails, will remain open sunrise to sunset seven days per week through the winter. Roads and parking areas will not be plowed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call Fort Necessity National Battlefield at 724-329-5512 or Friendship Hill National Historic Site at 724-725-9190. Information is also available at ParkNet, National Park Service place on the Web at www.nps.gov
.
64 Crayons Cultural Center, located in the Thompson House, 815 Water St., Brownsville, continues to offer free playwriting workshops from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and poetry, fiction and non-fiction workshops from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The Tuesday workshops concentrate on one-act plays in conjunction with 64 Crayons Cultural Center’s Spring Short Play Festival. For additional information, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail begin Geezersbks@att.net Geezersbks@att.net end
.
area
Live buegrass msic will be presented at The Indian Creek Valley Community Center, located on Route 711/381 between Connellsville and Donegal (Exit 9) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 5. Seating will be provided with good food and hot coffee being sold. For information, contact Bill Springer at 724-455-3919.
The ninth annual Brendan Foley Memorial Concert – “Irish Night” will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Carlow University’s Antonian Hall, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh (Oakland). This evening is a tribute to the memory of Brendan Foley, a 15-year-old Central Catholic student from Forest Hills, who was killed in 1996, and the things he loved – family, music, dancing, rowing and those wonderful Irish treats. The proceeds from this event will benefit Central Catholic’s Performing Arts Program and the Rowing Club. For ticket information, call Denise at 412-829-8052.
Country music will be featured Saturday at the Sagebrush Round-Up on Bunner Ridge near Fairmont, W.Va. Acts include Granny Blosser & Bill Murray with Friends, Robbie Country and Country DJS. Country music will begin at 6 p.m. with the open stage. The house band “Stagecoach” will back single acts and new talent. The scheduled portion of the show will begin at 7 p.m. and will continue until 11 p.m. There is a cost for adults. Children under 12 are admitted free. The Sagebrush Round-Up is located six miles east of Interstate 79 at Exit 139 on Bunner Ridge near Fairmont W.Va. For more information, call 304-292-5854, 304-363-4864 or 304-986-2158.
Streets of Gold, a non-profit ministry promoting southern gospel music concerts in western Pennsylvania, will present a concert April 1-2 at the Four Point Sheraton in Greensburg. The concert is expected to attract people from all over Pennsylvania, as well as West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Delaware.
St. Vincent College in Latrobe is currently holding auditions for the choral programs, including the St. Vincent Camerata and the Voices of St. Vincent. The choruses combine to perform Handel’s complete Messiah in December and another large work each spring. Rehearsals are held weekly. Community members of all vocal parts are welcome to audition for the choruses by calling Joseph Bronder at 724-805-2123.
The St. Vincent College Concert Series invites the public to celebrate its 33rd season. The artists appearing this season are Yin Cheng Zong on March 12; and Kyung Sun Lee on April 16. All concerts are held at 8 p.m. in the Science Center Amphitheatre of St. Vincent College in Latrobe with the exception of December’s Messiah performance, which will be held in the St. Vincent Archabbey Basilica. For more information on tickets and available entertainment packages, call 724-537-4565.
The Washington Community Arts Choir resumed its Monday rehearsals at 7 p.m. at Faith United Presbyterian Church, 97 E. Chestnut St., Washington. The group will be working on arrangements for its June 4-5 concert titled “Nostalgia,” which will feature music from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Singers interested in joining the choir are invited to attend a rehearsal. Both current and prospective members are urged to come early for music distribution. For more information, call Eileen Davis, membership secretary, at 724-222-2777. Visit the Web site at www.wcac-sing.org.
odds & ends
“Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Spring Fever Festival,” a craft show, will take place Friday through Sunday, March 18-20, at the Montgomery Ward Building, Charleroi (near Belle Vernon) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday with more than 150 booths, all indoors. Participants will enjoy crafts and food and bring the kids to see the Easter bunny. For admission information, call 724-863-4577.
The Dave Dahl Trio will perform at the Waynesburg Moose, Waynesburg on Friday, March 7, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 12 in Core Senior Center, located on Route 7, west of Morgantown, W.Va. from 7 to 10 p.m.; and on Friday, March 18, at the Arthurdale Center Hall in Arthurdale, W.Va., from 8 to 11 p.m.; and on Saturday, March 19 at the Ohiopyle Community Center, Ohiopyle, from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. There will be an admission fee, with children under 12 admitted free.
The Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s Spring Fest ’05 is seeking vendors, crafters, artists and performers. Featuring a bridal/wedding and spring theme, as well as a Greensburg Garden & Civic Center open house and tour, SpringFest ’05 will be held Saturday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is sponsored by Elegant Tents and Catering, Youngwood. Businesses, human service organizations and individuals are encouraged to participate. Musical entertainment, comedians and other performers are also being sought to perform in the 319-seat auditorium. For details, call 724-836-1123 to place a reservation.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh will begin a dynamic new exhibit, “Dinosaurs in Their World” on Monday, March 14. The last day to see the historic hall in its current state will be Sunday, March 13. “Dinosaurs in Their World” is an expansion and renovation project that will create new exhibits, which, for the first time, will integrate dinosaurs into the environments of their spectacular “first day” attraction for the region. The museum can be enjoyed Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. and Mondays between July 4 and Labor Day, President’s Day and the Monday between Christmas and New Year’s from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 412-622-3131 or visit www.CarnegieMNH.org
.
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will host an open house on Sunday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, March 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to fill seasonal staff positions. Applicants must be 16 years or older. Those unable to attend the open house may fill an application at the Education Complex and day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit the Zoo’s web site at www.pittsburghzoo.com
for more information. For additional information, call 412-365-2534.
The Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts Mothers Day Festival will take place at the Pittsburgh ExpoMart in Monroeville, from May 6 to 8. Applications are now being taken. For information, call 724-863-4577. The festival is being produced by Family Festivals Association Inc.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium announces a change in hours and admission rates effective this winter. During January, February and March, the zoo will close one hour earlier. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with admission gates closing at 3 p.m.
The Gordon-Roberts House, 218 Washington St., Cumberland, Md., will celebrate seasons and holidays, with special events for children. An Easter Egg Roll and Egg Hunt will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on March 19. The celebration of spring will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 30 with a May Day event, which includes making miniature maypoles, dancing and a spring tea party. Through the summer months, history camps are offered at the Gordon-Roberts House for children of all ages. For additional information on events, camps or tours at the Gordon-Roberts House, call 301-777-8678.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will present “Medicinal Plants: Earth’s Pharmacy” through April 3. This is a rare chance to see the basic, essential elements used in everyday remedies as they grow in nature. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 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. and Friday until 9 p.m. Phipps is closed Monday. Phipps Garden Center, located at 1059 Shady Ave. in Mellon Park, is a horticultural education center offering classes, workshops and the gift boutique, “Shop in the Park.” For more information, call the conservatory at 412-622-6914.
The Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) and MountainFest LLC have announced the Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally, scheduled for next July 29-31 in Morgantown, W.Va. The three-day rally, set for the last weekend of July every year, is expected to attract 15,000 visitors to Morgantown in 2005, with potential future attendance expected to exceed 100,000. For more information, contact Jay Redmond at 1-800-458-7373.
Greene County Department of Recreation will offer aerobics and step aerobics classes. Aerobics classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Step aerobics classes are held on Saturday at 9 a.m. and Wednesday at 1 p.m. Aerobics classes are held at the Greene County Fairgrounds 4-H Building.