Hootenanny: a thingamajig

I started out with a lot of clever openings to this post … and then I decided to look up the exact definition of ‘hootenanny.’  The first definition is exactly what you envision, (n.) “a social gathering or informal concert featuring folk singing and, sometimes, dancing.”  However, an older use of the word hootenanny is in fact a ‘thingumbob.’  If I was going to a thingumbob on Thursday night I figured I should find out what it was.  And there it was… the definition of thingamabob, according to Dictionary.com was thingamajig!  All confusion cleared up, I emailed a couple of friends to see if they wanted to attend a thingamajig on Thursday night where members of some of the best local bands would be performing holiday music at the Pittsburgh Opera (2425 Liberty Ave.) as Silver & Gold.  The event starts at 6:30PM – music at 7PM – tickets are $5 suggested donation along with a canned good for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and, sometimes, dancing.  I’ll see you at the thingamajig on Thursday.

Image by indoloony via Flickr

If you are a swing dancing fan or have always wanted to try swing dancing – this is the weekend for you. November 20-22, 2009 is the 9th annual PittStop LindyHop – 3 full days of swing dancing your pants off. The Pitt Stop folks have been organzing an annual swing dance weekend here in Pittsburgh since the year 2000. A reliable swing dancing source has told me that these dances are fun for swing dancers of all levels.

The weekend pass and the Sunday afternoon dance are sold out but there are still tickets available for the other dances. And check out the great line up of bands – the Boiler Maker Jazz Band is one of many Pittsburgh favorites.

• Friday Evening, 8pm to midnight
  • The Solomon Douglas Swingtet
  • Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall
• Friday Late Night (Sat. morning), 1am-5am
  • The Rick Matt Project
  • Wightman Community Center
• Saturday Afternoon, 1pm-5pm
  • DJs (to be announced)
  • St. Nicholas Greek Othodox Cathedral
• Saturday Evening, 8pm to midnight
  • Jimmy Sapienza’s Five Guys Named Moe
  • St. Nicholas Greek Othodox Cathedral
• Saturday Late Night (Sun.morning) 1am-5am
  • The Sweaty Betty Blues Band
  • Wightman Community Center
• Sunday Afternnon, 1pm-5pm
  • Dr. Zoot
  • The Edgewood Club
• Sunday Evening, 8pm-11pm
  • The Boilermaker Jazz Band
  • The Edgewood Club

On Saturday, September 12 from 3-7PM, Leslie Park swimming pool at 4700 Butler St. in Lawrenceville will thrum with activity-and not a drop of water.  The site will host Accordion Pool Party, an ethnic music and dance festival and quirky spectacle of culture and community pride.  The one-day event is a also a catalyst for a more lasting civic endeavor, Pool Planning Workshops to involve residents in shaping the future of the Leslie Park Pool site.

Accordion Pool Party involves about 20 seasoned Pittsburgh accordionists and 30 costumed folk dancers performing in the empty pool a mix of genres including Cajun, tango, polka, French, Israeli and Balkan music. Special guest Guinea West African Drum and Dance Ensemble will open the program.  The event will be emceed by Michael “Zombo” Devine.

The event will also feature refreshments courtesy of the Estelle S. Campbell Boys and Girls Club (neighbors to Leslie Park Pool), and light fare by Lawrenceville’s eclectic cafés and restaurants.  Several eateries will also host busking accordionists on the day of the event. There is a $5 suggested donation for the event.  Visit  http://www.accordionpoolparty.org/ for more information.

Attack Theatre is an award winning Pittsburgh based dance/music/video perfomance group. The Dirty Ball is their annual fundraiser that is now in its fourth year. I have not yet attended the Dirty Ball but I can say with certainty that I have heard rave reviews from many people who have attended in the past. The attire for Dirty Ball is open to your interpretation – anything from garbage bags to the more risque outfits.

Saturday, April 18, 2009
8:00pm – midnight
The 51st Street Business and Technology Center
135 51st Street, Lawrenceville

Click here to buy tickets. 

via ThisIsHappening

More on Attack Theatre…

2006 Article from PopCity Media – Raising the Barre

Here is a video interview with the founders of Attach Theatre that offers a nice overview of the group.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Where: Peters Township High School Stadium
When: Saturday, May 31st, 2008, Registration from 2-4:45 pm, The Twist Starts at 5pm.
More Info: For more details about the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Peters Township, call 1-888-227-5445 or 724-222-6911. Or go online at www.events.cancer.org/rflpapeterstwp.

Vipers Soul Club presents: THE WILD PARTY
10pm SAT. FEB 23
The Shadow Lounge – smoke-free dance floor!
5972 Baum Blvd (S Highland & Baum)

DJs Juddy & Gordy spinning 1960s R&B, Motown and Northern Soul

More Info: http://www.myspace.com/vipersoulclub

7:30 pm: doors open

8 pm: fashion show… followed by a performance by Jazzercize Troop Radical Pittsburgh

9 pm- midnight: DJ J. Malls of The Big Throwback

Craft demos and I Made It! Market throughout the evening. $5 at the door.

Must be over 21 to drink.

Partners include:
Penn Brewery, Sugar Boutique, Jupe Boutique, Jet Boy Jet Girl, Phillip Pelusi of South Hills Village Mall, DJ J. Malls of The Big Throw Back, Jazzercize Troop Radical Pittsburgh and the Brew House Association.

Visit www.myspace.com/imadeitpgh for more info. or to join the I Made It! mailing list.

Martin Luther King Junior Day Celebration
Union Project, 801 North Negley Ave, 15206
Monday, January 21st, 6pm
More Info: Union Project.org