Christmas is the most wonderful time of year in Pittsburgh. The holiday lights, shows and music give you so many ways to get your cheer on. If you join me in some of these experiences, you be like Buddy the Elf and want to spread Christmas cheer by, “singing loud for all to hear.”
The Pittsburgh Playhouse Presents (PP) brings a variety of internationally renowned dance and music performances to Pittsburgh. Managing Director, Kiersha Lalama, explains that, “Pittsburgh Playhouse remains steadfast to transform lives through art that captives, enriches, enlightens and entertains.” Noche Flamenca, the first show in the Playhouse Presents series, does just that. The show has the pulse of traditional Spanish flamenco dance, adds a modern twist and explodes with passion.
The Pittsburgh Zoo is home to many exotic animals from all
over the world. The The Asian Lantern Festival takes you around the world using hundreds
of cloth illuminated sculptures throughout the zoo. These works
of art line the serpentine pathways taking patrons to the wildlife of the mountains,
African savanna, jungle and the sea in vivid shades of reds, yellows, purples, and more.
It’s a colorful vibrant trip around the world.
Rossini’s The Barber of Seville is an energized Italian comedic opera. The music will be recognizable even to opera newbies thanks to Looney Tune's pairing, “Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!” with the antics of Bugs Bunny as Elmer Fudd’s Barber. Pittsburgh Opera's The Barber of Seville, despite some unnecessary modern additions, is a block buster that will have you tapping your toes and laughing out loud.
Wholey's Fish Market and Mancini's Bakery are two business that have
been woven into the tapestry of Pittsburgh for over 100 years. Ask anyone raised
here, and they are likely to have a story about going to the Strip District for
a Wholey’s fish sandwich or savoring a loaf of freshly baked Mancini’s Italian bread.
It makes perfect sense that these two would
team up to celebrate Wholey’s 111th Anniversary with a whale of
a sandwich, 111-pounds of fish on a 200 pound bun, and then share it with
Pittsburgh.
The Titusville area, about 2 hours from Pittsburgh, will take you back to the start of the US petroleum industry in 1860’s. The Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad rides through the oil country, now Oil Creek State Park. You can bike the trail along the train tracks through the park then stay overnight in a real caboose car at the Caboose Motel. This is a place to climb aboard a history tour of where the oil rush started in America.
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| High powered telescope aimed at the the moon |
Skywatch at the Carnegie Science Center offers evening stargazing a few times a year. A
planetarium tour of the Pittsburgh sky is paired with a visit to the
observation deck to view the night sky though high-powered
telescopes. With the help of the experts, you can make a date to
explore the cosmoses and enjoy the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline. It’s an evening under the stars.
About 18 years ago I tried a stand-up paddle board (SUP) at
Lake Placid. My friend, whose middle name should be Mr. Outdoors had one before
they were a thing. I guess all those
dance classes paid off because I stood right up on the board. I was hooked and
took off exploring the lake.
The Sound of Music is one of those musicals that most have seen either in a school production, or on TV during the holiday run of the movie with Julie Andrews. The 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is a masterpiece. Even with so much play, this show never loses its appeal because it is about love, strength and hope. This CLO production hits the mark of perfection with its set, vocals, and characters, bringing Pittsburgh alive with the Sound of Music.
There is an inflatable world located in the Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. "Architects-of-Air: Daedalum," is an air-filled space that is inspired by the Greek figure Daedalus, the creator of the labyrinth. Traversing through this exhibit of only air, vinyl and natural color from the sunlight is no corn maze or house of mirrors. It is an experience that feels like you entered another universe or world-someplace that is definitely not a former Pittsburgh parking lot.
On Day 400 of blogging, I thought that I would revisit a travel experience that has become my happy place. I discovered Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (LBTS), a quaint 1.5-mile area between Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. It is a mature paradise (Day 290) with a motto, “Relax You’re Here.” That is exactly what you do when cooling off with some gelato sitting in one of the pastel Adirondack chairs that line the town square. You can stroll to town center to find many charming restaurants or snorkel/scuba dive (Day 292, Day 334 ) on the coral reefs which are swimming distance from the beach. This place will grab you and keep you coming back for more of its a perfect summer cocktail of fun and relaxation.
Drybar, a California based company, has a positive mission
to “provide happiness, confidence, and empowerment to people with all hair
types." I question if a good hair day can
do all that but when my hair looks good, I do feel better. This place claims to be the master of the
blowout: giving you that glam hair that is seen in magazines. I
wanted to try the Drybar experience to see if would make me act out Lizzo’s
song, with a “hair Toss, check my nails and feeling good ...”
I started the first few days leading up to summer with a visit to Coopers Rock State Forest, a place that requires minimal hiking effort to partake in breathtaking views of West Virginia’s plush mountains. Hiking is one adventure that you can make as easy or challenging as you desire. I especially enjoy hikes with a view. Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia, is only about 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh and boast that the canyon views will have you singing the lyrics from John Denver’s song, Country Roads: “almost heaven West Virginia.”
Eric Jones is back at Liberty Magic, a Pittsburg intimate space dedicated to the art of magic. I saw Jones dazzle the audience in 2019 (Day 234.) Jones was a top 12 semi-finalist on the television show America’s Got Talent where his sleight of hand illusions repeatedly mesmerized viewers and the judges earning the descriptions: “Brilliant” (Simon Cowell), a “Superhero” (Mel B.) and “Mind-blowing” (Heidi Klum.) He is back at Liberty Magic to show off his skills in a new show, Immaculate-Deception.”
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founded in NYC in 1960
by Alvin Ailey, was one of the first contemporary dance companies in the US. I
love the history of the company and its mission to bring dance to the community
“using the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage and other cultures
to unite people of all races, ages and backgrounds.”
It’s been 20 years since they visited Pittsburgh. This company was part of the very first season of the Pittsburgh Dance Council which is now in its 53rd year. There was excitement in the air for this anticipated Pittsburgh reunion performance of two, 2022 world premier dances, and Revelation by Alvin Ailey, created in 1992. On May 9, 2023, Pittsburgh welcomed back Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a company that brings joy and unity through dance.
Opening the play, Evan writes a letter to himself, an exercise given by his therapist to combat his low self-esteem, anxiety, and loneness. He writes, “Today is going to be a good day…” but it really is not.
During the pandemic Alvin Ailey kept the dance going with virtual "Ailey All Access." They are finally back to Pittsburgh after 20 years. Their show was cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will bring 2 new works and "Revelations" choreographed by Alvin Ailey in 1960, to Pittsburgh on Tuesday May 9, 2023. For tickets go to trustarts.org.
Point Park Conservatory Theater recently brought Men on Boats,
a tale of John Westly Powell's 1869 river exploration of the Grand Canyon, to
the Pittsburgh Playhouse. This play
inspired by Powell’s actual travel logs intertwines history and humor. It uses an all-female cast as
male explores. This twist celebrates the adventurous spirit in all of us.
Refection
Powell (Haley Holme), a one armed Civil War veteran and a motley crew of 10, navigate
4 boats through sharp turns, rapids, whirlpools and waterfalls to map out this unknow
territory. There are many punches of
humor such as hysteria ensuing when snakes are discovered in a boat and Powell climbing to safety with one arm.
Similar to the musical “Hamilton,” this play fueled my further investigation of the 1869 expedition. Fact cards about the original journey in the Playhouse lobby heightened the historic experience.
Powell’s trip was the first recorded passage of white men
entering the Grand Canyon. Men on Boats, gives
us the first women.
It is a fresh perspective to see someone, who looked like
me, conquer nature, even if that part is a fiction. What is not a fiction, are the
numerous adventurous women that I have met and who’s stories are yet to be
told. Men On Boats reminds us that the spirit of adventure and exploration is all inclusive.
(Pittsburgh Playhouse 22-23 season brings a variety of music, dance and drama to downtown Pittsburgh. The Point Park Conservatory 22-23 season ends with Sense and Sensibility - go to Pittsburgh Playhouse for tickets )
Spiritual Reflection
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ. (Galatians 3:28)
https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/index
https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events/conservatoryTheatre/sense-and-sensibility
https://playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events/index
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/canyon-john-wesley-powells-first-expedition/
Pittsburgh Dance Council, a programing division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust brought a unique outdoor dance experience to PPG Plaza on a chilly night with Le Patin Libre from Montreal. Since 2005, this group has reached the pinnacle of inventiveness by developing their own art form - contemporary skating. They combine modern dance with the ability to glide which brings a new kind of visual experience that sure is not Disney on Ice.
Pittsburgh Dance Council brings new dance experiences to Pittsburgh (see Day 263 and Day 352 ). A cold Pittsburgh night could not keep many adventurous
patrons way from this dance on ice. These
six skaters, or should I say dancers, transformed PPG Plaza into a magical world of
storytelling by combining movement, music and skating. Their
name, Le Patin Libre (French for “Free Skate”) is fitting. They were not confined
to any particular style of skating. They moved with intense speed, slow
grace and enough control to be motionless.
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| tap skating |
They called the second part of the show “pure glide.” The motion was freeing like watching the murmuration of birds in the sky with coordinated
patterns or the changing configurations of a school of fish in the ocean. At other times it was eerie when the music clamored and creaked like a sinking ship as they moved forward and back resembling a wave.
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| motion resembling a wave |
Le Patin Libre pushes the limits of dance with contemporary
skating. The excitement in seeing
something so different yet so beautiful made this "not Disney on Ice experience" super cool on a cold night (pun intended).
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| Braving the cold for Le Patin Libre |
( For more information on upcoming events from the Pittsburgh Dance Counsel go to trustarts.org or here. The next show is Alvin Ailey on May 9, 2023, see Day 376.)
Other Sources
https://trustarts.org/production/81904/le-patin-libre
https://trustarts.org/pct_home/events/series/pittsburgh-dance-council
When my son was younger, a visit to the Carnegie Science Center was more like a mad dash though the exhibits. You can take your time to explore when it's an all adult excursion. The Carnegie Science Center has so much to absorb and stimulate new knowledge even for us older folks: Sky Watch, lectures, 21+ Nights (Day 217), the Rangos Giant Theater (Day 277) and traveling exhibits. Recently, my father and I climbed aboard during the Science Center’s train weekend.
Pittsburgh joins, Chicago, New York, Nashville and Los Angles, with a club dedicated solely to the art of magic. Liberty Magic, located in the same block that Houdini mesmerized Pittsburgh audiences in 1916, pays homage to his famous Chinese Water Torture Cell illusion in the lobby. At Liberty Magic you are just feet away from famous magicians from all over the world as cards fly, coins appear and vanish, and minds are read. It’s a place to be dazzled by things seen and unseen.