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Pittsburgh Art Events: February 12-18
Explore Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and culture scene with this week’s event recommendations, featuring burlesque, documentary premieres, original dance performances, and more!
Monday, February 12
In Our Time: Pandemic Stories from the Frontlines. The Hiawatha Project presents the first staged reading performance of an original play by Anya Martin, inspired by interviews with women ICU physicians on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic. City of Asylum @ Alphabet City. 40 W. North Ave., North Side. 7-9 p.m. cityofasylum.com
SPA Trio. A combination of light salon songs, an aria by Felix Mendelssohn, and “Wesendonck” Lieder by Richard Wagner, performed by soprano Susanna Phillips, former principal violist of the New York Philharmonic Paul Neubauer, and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott. Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University. 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. chambermusicpittsburgh.org
Valentine’s on the Moon, Baby. A night of irreverent covers and original songs, presented by Spirit, featuring The Moon Baby and Jon David Russell. Spirit Lounge. 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. 8 p.m. spiritpgh.com
Tuesday, February 13
Group Critique. Join a group art critique with acclaimed artist Tim Okamura, presented by Radiant Hall in collaboration with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Radiant Hall. 734 Thompson Ave., McKees Rock. 3-5 p.m. radianthall.org
Wednesday, February 14
Flower Arranging: Valentine’s Day Bouquet. Join horticulturist Angela Yuele for a Valentine’s Day flower arranging class. Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center. 101 Panther Hollow Road, Oakland. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. pittsburghparks.org
Dinner Detective. Interactive comedy murder mystery show where you must tackle a challenging crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just hope you don’t become one of the main suspects! Omni William Penn. 530 William Penn Place, Downtown. 7-10 p.m. thedinnerdetective.com
Acoustic Open Stage. All musicians welcome, as well as poets, spoken word artists, and comedians. Hosted by Henry Bachorski. Full Pint Wild Side. 5310 Butler St, Lawrenceville. 7-11 p.m. facebook.com
Blonde Death. Shot-on-VHS movie that explores the coming-of-age story of 18-year-old Tammy who finds love and murder at the heart of the American Dream. Little Giant Studio. 100 Asteroid Way, Allentown. 7:30-9:30 p.m. eventbrite.com
Velvet Valentine Hearts Burlesque & Torch Songs. The Velvet Hearts bring a Valentine’s Day night of Burlesque with a live performance by local jazz musician, Phat Man Dee. City Winery. 1627 Smallman St, Strip District. 7:30 p.m. citywinery.com
Thursday, February 15
Winter Intensive: Performance + Public Space with Tess Dally. Member of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s Disabled Artist Creative Cohort, Tess Dally will speak on her body of work, which draws inspiration from her experience with disability justice, advocacy work, and her 30-year background in clinical social work. Presented virtually by Shiftworks. 4-5:30 p.m. shiftworkspgh.org
Empowered Educators: Where Have We Been? This free workshop invites all educators, artists, field professionals, and museum staff to explore the intersection of art, literature, and personal writing through group conversations and guest speakers. Carnegie Museum of Art. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 5 p.m. carnegieart.org
Friends and Lovers. Art tour facilitated by curators and relationship therapists highlighting love through art and design. Tour includes sweet treats, making Valentines, and a toast with a glass of bubbly. Carnegie Museum of Art. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 6 p.m. carnegieart.org
Intermission: The Artful Happy Hour Series. Take an “intermission” from work and tour the galleries of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center as a part of this ongoing series. The August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 6 p.m. awaacc.org
Thursday Night Jazz: A Love Supreme. A free special Valentine’s Jazz concert celebrating the romance of the album A Love Supreme. Featuring Pittsburgh jazz scene legends Yoko Suzuki, Roger Humphries, Dwayne Dolphin, and Max Leake. City of Asylum @ Alphabet City. 40 W. North Ave., North Side. 7-8:30 p.m. cityofasylum.org
Friday, February 16
Light of the Masculine Divine. An exhibition featuring Yoruba artwork from the Olkes Collection and original beadwork created by Celeta Hickman for her short film project, “A Black Bead Story.” The event features a drum procession, performance art installation, and guest speaker Dr. Babatunde Lawal. Chatham University Art Gallery. 5798 W Woodland Road, Squirrel Hill. 5-8 p.m. ablackbeadstory.org
Viral Structures of Sabotage. Touchstone Cinema presents two video works that explore the possibility of virtual space as a site for sabotage. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Aria Dean and the members of New Red Order (Adam Khalil, Zack Khalil, and Jackson Polys) who will join remotely. College of Fine Arts. Room 111, Carnegie Mellon University, 4919 Frew St, Oakland. 6 p.m. cmu.edu
We Came From Space and Black Ridge. Performances by bands We Came From Space and Black Ridge. Moondogs. 378 Freeport Road, Blawnox. 8-11 p.m. moondogs.us
Saturday, February 17
Hand Drawing: Why it Still Matters for Architects in the Digital Age. This symposium explores what architects will gain from continuing freehand drawing practices in an age where proposals are predominantly drawn with design software. University Center. 5032 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 9 a.m-2:30 p.m. soa.cmu.edu
Microplastic Mania. Free event where you’ll use your creativity to convert plastic waste into art. Presented by Protect PT in collaboration with Creative Reuse. Arts Excursions Unlimited. 5125 Second Ave., Hazelwood. 12-2 p.m. secure.everyaction.com
Peppermint Swirl. A monthly dance class presented by the Cranberry Municipal Center. Join a Cha Cha lesson taught by Dmitry Demidov (Demidov Dance) and social ballroom dancing. Cranberry Municipal Center. 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry. 7-10 p.m. anc.apm.com
Sweaty Already String Band: An Evening of Bluegrass Long Songs. An anti-Valentine’s set of good ol’ bluegrass love songs. Nox's on 8. 3008 William Flynn Highway, Allison Park. 7-10 p.m. facebook.com
A Consolation: Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) by Johannes Brahms. Bach Choir Pittsburgh presents a performance of Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Brahms’ reflections on the Old Testament. The performances feature Nicole Tascarella and Graham Fandrei. Eastminster Presbyterian Church. 250 N. Highland Ave., Friendship. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Continues through February 18. bachchoirpittsburgh.org
Soul to Soul. From Jazz to Klezmer, from Spirituals to Yiddish and show tunes, SOUL TO SOUL is a rousing concert that deepens the connections and celebrates shared experiences between African-American and Jewish communities with poignancy and passion. In the Hill District's historic Kaufmann Center. Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium at the Kaufmann Center. 1825 Centre Ave., Hill District. 7:30 p.m. bethshalompgh.org
NACHMO Choreographer's Showcase. A wide variety of dance performances, from puppetry to bellydance, celebrating National Choreography Month. All pieces are under five minutes and were created for this showcase. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. 2900 Liberty Ave., Strip District. 7:30-9:30 pm. shanasimmonsdance.com
A Sweetheart Soiree. The Smokin’ Betties, Pittsburgh’s longest-running burlesque troupe, presents a Valentine’s- themed performance featuring neo-burlesque performer Cassia Lane and drag performer Danielle Attme. Club Cafe. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. 8-10 p.m. facebook.com
Proving Up. An 80-minute opera from Pittsburgh Opera that follows a family of Nebraskan homesteaders in the 1870s as they try to fulfill an “American dream as fragile as glass.” Music by Missy Mazzoli, with a libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on a short story by Karen Russell. Bitz Opera Factory. 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District. 8 p.m. Continues through February 25. pittsburghopera.org
BLEND. An integrative monthly event series for creatives, by creatives. Join workshops and performances by local musicians (including LV Dondada, Yami Tori, and Shel the Philosopher). Presented by Nightfall Records. The Bridge Music Bar. 6018 Broad St., East Liberty. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. thebridgemusicbar.com
Sunday, February 18
Capturing Your Love: A Valentine’s Day Couples Photography Workshop. Join local portrait photographer Don Orkoskey for a photography workshop with your significant other. WDO Photography Studios. 7120 Harrison Ave., Swissvale. 3-6 p.m. wdophoto.com
A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde. The premiere of the documentary film A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde by Ada Gay Griffin and Michelle Parkerson, followed by a talkback. The event celebrates writer, educator, and activist Ada Lourde on what would’ve been her 90th birthday. Carnegie Museum of Art. 4400 Forbes Avenue, Oakland. 3 p.m. carnegieart.org
Violin Fantasy. A string performance by Apollo’s Fire. A program based on Heinrich Biber’s Sonatas on the Mysteries of the Rosary along with works inspired by the baroque tradition of stylus fantasticus. Calvary Episcopal Church. 315 Shady Ave., Shadyside. 4 p.m. chathambaroque.org
Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic. A philharmonic performance of Ernest Bloch Concerto Grosso No. 1 in D minor, Igor Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms, and Bela Bartok Concerto. Conducted by Thomas Douglas. Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. 4141 Fifth Ave., Oakland. 8-10 p.m. cmu.edu
