(Things to do while preparing your ball for it’s big night…)
Friday, December 1
Exposure: Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., Cub Havana, Shadyside
The monthly photography show opening run by the Pittsburgh chapter of photo-sharing web site flickr shows us the work of local amateur photographer and professional social worker Todd Hrcywoin Hrwkowian Mellencamp Hryckowian. Even though he’s got a last name like line 6 of an eye chart, Todd’s work is a treat, he finds things that some of us may never even get the chance to see. His job sometimes takes him into parts of town that…
Hmmm… Well, parts of town that aren’t necessarily the garden spots, parts of town where you could end up with a bad case of lead poisoning, and that lead gets into your system at a high rate of speed indeed.
This is not an indictment of any neighborhoods that don’t exist under a different name in any other city in the world, some of them worse, some of them better. The thing is, they’re there, and they have kids in them, and those kids sometimes get into trouble, sometimes on their own, sometimes through no fault of their own, and Todd is one of the selfless people that goes in to do something about it. It’s admirable and altruistic.
And these neighborhoods sometimes have incredible scenes, incredible things painted on walls, incredible denizens who are willing to pose for Todd, and snap he does, for our benefit.
So ok, enough of that. Let me just also point out that the openings are usually pretty well attended, filled top to bottom and side to side with good techno and trance music, and lots of beer and booze. And hell, that little part of Ellsworth has a bunch of bars, so you can do your own mini-bar-crawl and never have to go more than, say hundred feet or so.
Art Opening: Tria Prima, 7:00 p.m., 5151 Penn Gallery, Friendship-ish
Painter Fabrizio Gerbino gets shown at 5151 for te next month or so, and tonight’s opening reception means what? Say it with me, just like we’re on some twisted, evil version of Romper Room: “Food/Beverages provided”.
Yeah, you know what that means, and yeah, you could just show up for the booze ‘n eats, but Gerbino’s work has been hailed as “poignant, sad and not a little beautiful,” which is kinda like that girl you dated in college who wore black all the time and just a little too much eyeliner. Not quite enough to be a goth, but within emo’ing distance of it. Anyway, the sample of Gerbno’s work that I have seen promises a good show, and I’d say check this out..
Saturday, December 2
Craft Factory, 10:00 a.m., Mattress Factory, North Shore Side
Lindsay dropped a dime on this the other day, but it’s cool so I’m re-dropping it. Handmade crafts, one-of-a-kind items, Jewelry,clothing, books and the proverbial “and more”. They’ll have hands-on activites, and when you’re done with your shopping, you can wrap your own gifts at their wrapping and stamping station. It’s perfect for the holiday season, if that’s your kind of thing. Personally, I’m getting everybody gift cards from Giant Eagle so I can rack up the bonus gas.
Because I’m cheap, that’s why. Or thirfty. No, cheap’s the right word.
Sunday, December 3
Steelers Breakdance Party/Movie Filming, Pre-Game, Gold Lot 1, Heinz Field
Yeah, all right, here’s the headline (all caps theirs):
FIX THE STEELER SEASON WITH A BREAKDANCE PARTY WITH PRIZES!
At this point, sure, why not? To quote the General with the southern accent at the end of WarGames, “I’d piss on a spark plug if I thought it’d do any good!”
No, I’m not sure what it means either, but it sounds really cool coming from Barry Corbin.
Trans Siberian Orchestra, 3:00 and 7:30 p.m., Mellon Civic Arena, Uptahn
Personally, I think they should bring the house with them on tour.
Oh, and say Hi to my mom if you see her because she’ll be there. She loves people from Siberia*.
(*Yes, I know.)
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Got an event planned? Would you like a whole flock of yinzers with disposable income to show up? Let Git Aht know by sending the electronic mail to gitaht@gmail.com.