Future events
local Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy, formerly the CalRep Pennsylvania Summer Theatre School, will accept applications for enrollment in summer theater school, beginning Monday and ending July 28. Students ages 8 through 17 will attend classes and rehearse the musical to be performed on the evening of July 28. Call 724-938-4220 for information and an application.
Geyer Performing Arts Center announces auditions for its Aug. 10-13 production of “A Radio Show” under the direction of Mike Kreil, radio announcer on Uniontown’s WMBS radio. Auditions will be held in the second floor hospitality rooms of the Geyer Performing Arts Center, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 18 and 20. For more information, call the center at 724-887-0887 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or via e-mail at geyerpac@verizon.net.
“Amish Burlesque” featuring Goody Plenty & the Amlets continues today and July 21 and 28 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts, 27 E. Main St., Uniontown. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Call the State Theatre box office at 724-439-1360 to reserve tickets. During the show, Ol’ Jebadiah and the girls attempt bawdy burlesque the only way they know how – through song, dance and the occasional flash of a bare ankle. “Amish Burlesque,” a composite of discreet parodies and musical numbers, lampoons Broadway’s finest shows from “Gypsy” to “Cabaret,” as well as pop divas from Cher to Elton John. The cabaret was created by Brian Edward Leach, a theater arts graduate of Point Park College.Point Marion Lions Club announced that no country music shows will be held until further notice. The club is closed for utility renovations.
The Beesontown Singers of Fayette County have announced auditions for the group’s fall season. Experience vocalists are being sought to fill several vacancies and to expand the choral group’s size. Directors William Dreucci and Jim Hutchinson have set August audition dates to secure sufficient singers so that the ensemble might be expanded from 16 to 24 members. The Beesontown Singers has the distinction of being the only auditioned community choral group in Fayette and Greene counties. The group’s goal is to preserve the diverse richness of the choral arts for future generations. Auditions are by appointment only and will be conducted on Aug. 20 and 27 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Interested singers who possess an experienced background in choral singing and desire to perform a varied spectrum of choral literature are asked to apply in writing to Beesontown Singers, 20 Dunbar St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401.
A Fayette County community group, Harvest 2006, will present a free concert featuring Broken Yoke, a live rock band, on July 29 in the Fiddlers Building at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. Also appearing will be J.C. Breakers and H.K. Dramas. A mini-concert will be held at 2:45 p.m. followed by the main concert at 6:30 p.m.Gallery MD in Connellsville welcomes three artists to the gallery. Ray Forquer’s work includes original oils and pastels with a focus on Pennsylvania landscapes as well as prints of a historical nature. Maureen Ryan does portraits of historic cars. In addition to her works at the gallery, she takes commissions. Wayne Arnold works in a variety of medium, including alabaster and rare stones. His work includes jewelry and free-standing pieces. A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 26 to welcome all of the new artists. Gallery MD is open from noon to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 724-626-2117.
Touchstone Center for Crafts summer series of art auctions continues on Thursdays, beginning at 7 p.m. in the dining hall. The public is welcome at these weekly art auctions in Farmington, which feature unique works of art each week. The proceeds will benefit Touchstone, Pennsylvania’s only residential craft school. For information and directions, call 724-329-1370.The Italian Heritage Festival will be held on Aug. 13 in downtown Uniontown. The event is in its 23rd year and will feature a wide array of authentic food and craft vendors. The festival will begin at noon and proceed until 9:30 p.m. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Order Sons of Italy in America, District 11, is the sponsoring organization. Those interested in renting space for a food or craft booth may call 724-557-3295. Contracts will be accepted up to July 21.
Classic Car/Truck/Motorcycle Show will be held, rain or shine, July 23 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 180 Old Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the show will conclude at about 6 p.m. Dash plaques will be awarded to the first 200 vehicles and more than 50 trophies will be awarded. Independent judging will be held. American and Polish foods will be available and other features will include drawings, door prizes, games, a Chinese auction and D.J. Arnie Amber. For more information, call 724-438-4649, 724-439-1485, 724-439-4614, or email stjoescarshow@yahoo.com.
The Scottdale Fall Festival will hold the annual race at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Registration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. before the race. The schedule time to begin is 2:30 p.m. in front of the Elks on Broadway. There is an entry fee. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female participants from each age group. After the race, refreshments will be served to all participants. Visit the Web site at www.scottdalefallfestival.org for race rules and sign-up sheet. For more information, call 724-887-7899.
The Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority is planning the third “Arts in the City” event from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24. The authority is searching for artists, such as craftsmen, blacksmiths, weavers, quilters, stained-glass artists, metal workers, potters, silversmiths, jewelry crafters, ironworkers, painters, photographers and other artists and craftsmen. Food vendors are welcome to apply for the event. The authority also is looking for sponsorships to help with the cost of the yearly activities. Booths will be set up on Main Street from Gallatin Avenue to Pittsburgh Street, displaying the work of the artists. A total of 55 vendors displayed their talents at last year’s event. For more information, call Judy Vrabel at the Downtown Business District Authority office at 724-430-2926.
Paradise United Methodist Church will hold its second annual car show at Jacob’s Creek Ball Park across from Jacob’s Creek Dam from noon to 5 p.m. July 23. Registration begins at 11 a.m. There is a donation. There is a spectator admission charge. Children under 12 are admitted free. The rain date is July 30. All donations will benefit the Paradise Church Building Fund.
Music in the Mountains 2006 will be held Sept. 9-10 in Ohiopyle. Festivities will include Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Corvette Restorers Society, several musical acts to be announced, Ohiopyle Volunteer Fire Department’s annual triathlon, adventure race, food and artisan vendors and fireworks. For more information, call 724-329-8591 or e-mail ohiopylesp@state.pa.us.
Cruisin’ in the Park IV, a car, truck and bike show, which will be held Aug. 20 at Shady Grove Park in Lemont Furnace. There is a registration fee. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The car show will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The top 90 trophies will be awarded. The first 200 will receive 11-inch stand-up dash plaques and mugs. D.J. Terry’s Tunes will provide music. A live broadcast from Pickle Radio will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food and a 50/50 drawing will be featured. Portions of the proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. For more information, call Shady Grove Park at 724-439-3438 or 724-245-9557.
Ballet Lafayette’s auditions for “Dancing Under the Stars” on Tuesday have been canceled. No further information is available at this time. Future audition and performance dates will be available soon.
St. Therese Church Cookbook with familiar and traditional recipes “like Grandma used to make” is now available for sale. To place an order or for more information, call St. Therese Faith Formation Center at 724-437-1957 or Linda at 724-439-4036.
The “Carpathian Cookery” cookbook, now in its 11th printing, is again available for sale. There is a cost for the cookbook. To order, send a check or money order to the Ethnic Craft Club, St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 185 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401, or call 724-438-6027 for more information.
Classes are being held at The Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale for those interested in performance-related topics. Some of the courses being offered include acting, vocals, songwriting, guitar and set design. The six-week courses are arranged by age from 8 to adult. The instructors include Josh Garsteck and Matt Starry. For information, call 724-887-0887 or stop by The Geyer Performing Arts Center at 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale.
Geezers’ Book Shop, now operating as 64 Crayons at Jozart Studios, has resumed Tuesday writing workshops from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 333 Second St., California, located above the Dollar General store. Instead of concentrating on a single genre as in past years, the current group agreed that fiction, creative, non-fiction, poetry, plays, film scripts and songs may be presented for discussion. There is no charge for these sessions. For more information, call 724-938-9730 or e-mail 64crayons@jozartstudios.com.
The book titled “Abel Gray: A Romance of the National Road,” written by A.F. Hill in 1876, was reproduced by the Fayette County Historical Society in 1998 as a fictional novel with accurate depictions of the National Road.
For information on this publication, contact the Fayette County Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 193, Uniontown, or call 724-439-4422.
A cookbook with a forward by award-winning chef Joe Carei of Caileigh’s Restaurant in Uniontown is available at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown.
The cookbook is full of recipes and historic photographs of the Grand Old Lady of Main Street. They are available in the theater office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at all performances. Call 724-439-1360 to place a mail order. There is a cost for the cookbooks.
The Smock Historical Museum will open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Saturday. The museum will retain open through October. It features artifacts of the coal and coke era. Also featured is a typical patch house from the early years, Cicconi’s Union Beer Garden, a barbershop and chapel and a gift shop with homemade crafts. Donations are accepted. Special tours can be arranged by calling 724-677-2415.
The Uniontown Children’s Library will gear up for a fun summer program for children, featuring the animal theme “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales.”
Registration for the incentive reading program is now underway. Family game night will be held Monday.
To register for any summer activities or to pick up a schedule of upcoming events, stop by the Uniontown Public Library at 24 Jefferson St. or call the children’s librarian at 724-437-1165.
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Pittsburgh CLO’s 2006 season at the Benedum Center includes “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” July 18-23; “Bombay Dreams,” Aug. 1-6; and “Monty Python’s SPAMALOT,” Sept. 19-Oct 1. Tickets and subscriptions are available online at www.pittsburghCLO.org, by fax at 412-281-1150 or by calling the subscription hotline at 412-281-2822. Group sales hotline is 412-264-2560.
The Center in the Woods in California will sponsor a trip to West Virginia Public Theatre’s production of “Hello Dolly” on Wednesday. There is a cost for each person, which includes browsing and shopping at the Wharf District and dinner at Oliverio’s. The bus will depart from the center at 9 a.m. and return at about 8 p.m. For more information, call 724-938-3554.Hoedown round and square dancing, slow dancing, polkas, line dancing and clogging will be held as follows: 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Good Neighbor Days at the Brucetone Mills Fire Hall in Bruceton Mills, W.Va; 7 to 10 p.m. July 21 at the Arthurdale Center Hall in Arthurdale, W.Va.; 7 to 10 p.m. July 28 at the Haydentown Community Center; 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. July 29 at Alwine Civic Center, Old Route 66, two miles north of Greensburg. The Dave Dahl Trio will present music and figure calling. Donations will be accepted for admission.
“The Monongahela Railway, Its History and Operation, 1903-1993,” a 212-page book with more than 300 black and white pictures and 24 maps of the system, is available at Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, 325 Market St., Fayette Chamber of Commerce, Uniontown Library, Flatiron Building, Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville, New Salem and Fairchance pharmacies and Hobbies & Stuff in Connellsville.
Flenniken Public Library, 102 E. George St., Carmichaels, will offer preschool story hour every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The library is also offering after-school tutoring for students in kindergarten through high school. A state-certified teacher runs the program. Sessions are customized to fit each child’s learning style. For more information, call 724-966-5263.
The California Area Public Library will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Story hour for preschool children will be held at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Visit the library’s Web site at www.calpublib.org, and click on the “story hour” link for more information or call the library at 724-938-2907.
The summer reading program titled “Paws, Claws and Tales” will offer weekly story time and activities and encourages reading from birth to 11 years old beginning Monday and continuing through Aug. 11 at the Monessen Public Library, 326 Donner Ave., Monessen.
Transfiguration Parish, 722 W. Main St., Monongahela, will hold its 17th annual Summer Festival July 28-29. The event will feature food, games, booths and entertainment. A queen-sized quilt will be raffled. The event will also feature a Chinese auction, baked goods, craft booth, bingo, children’s and adult games. The public is invited.
The 75 annual Polish Day celebration will take place on Aug. 1, at Kennywood Park. Features will include a Polish kitchen, which opens at noon; the crowning of Miss Polonia 2006; and entertainment by the Karuzela Dancers. Kevin Solecki of the Polka Family Band will also entertain on the stage. New this year will be a bake sale featuring ethnic cakes and pastries, a Polish action and raffle.
For tickets, call Wanda Walat at 412-771-1254. For more information, call Merle Addams at 412-486-1605.