percussion concert
The Mt. Lebanon Percussion Ensemble will present its annual holiday concerts on Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, at the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theater. Evening concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students. The Saturday Young People’s Matinee is at 1 p.m. All tickets are $9. Special appearance by Santa. Buy tickets online at www.mtlpercussion.org/tickets [1]
holiday breakfast
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services will hold a holiday breakfast to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The breakfast will be on Friday, December 2, at the Crowne Plaza on Fort Couch Road. Tickets for the breakfast are $20 and can be purchased at the event or by calling 412-833-5405 ext. 254. Doors open at 8:30 and breakfast is served at 9:30.
what to do, what to do
Dying to do something other than watch TV now that winter’s here? At the Mt. Lebanon Public Library on Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m., Beth Geisler, author of 100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die, will discuss some holiday happenings you may not have considered and suggest fun activities to cheer you up and get you out of the house all winter long.
green light gala
The Green Light Gala, Thursday, December 1, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Sen. John Heinz History Center, is a fund-raiser for NAMI Southwestern Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization that provides support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness. The gala includes hors d’oeuvres by The Common Plea, music by Pittsburgh Move Makers Band and an auction of a painting by Pittsburgh artist Johno Prascak. For more information, visit www.namiswpa.org [2]
this pittsburgh legend walks into a bar…
That’s pretty much the synopsis of The Play: with Rocky Bleier, a one-man show that legendary Pittsburgh Steeler-turned-Renaissance Man Bleier will present at the Pittsburgh Public Theater December 20 – January 7. Written by Post-Gazette sports writer Gene Collier, The Play takes place in a bar, a setting that allows characters from all the chapters of Bleier’s life to move on and off stage with ease and chronicles his can’t-make-this-up life story that took him from Appleton, Wisconsin to Notre Dame to the Steelers to what was supposed to be a career-ending injury in Vietnam. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. Oh, and he ended up in Mt. Lebanon (unless this show takes him on the road on the regional theater circuit, which it might—who knows?). The show, which ran one night only last year at Heinz Hall, got good reviews. This year, PPT is giving The Play: with Rocky Bleier a nice long run. Find show times and ticket prices at www.ppt.org/shows/view/108 [3]. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
On Thursday, December 15, Beth El Congregation’s Stay ‘n Play will host a Winter Wonderland holiday party for children 6 and under. Crafts, music, play activities, games and snacks. Admission is $5 per child. 1900 Cochran Road, Inside Beth El Congregation. Call 412-561- 1168 for more information.
Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy will sponsor a free winter tree identification walk at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, December 4, in Bird Park. Meet at the parking lot on Bird Park Drive. Walk should last about 45 minutes. Register by calling 412-341- 7307 or emailing chrisgphillips@verizon.net [4].
Concordia of the South Hills will host a holiday bazaar featuring a variety of vendors, a basket auction and bake sale in the Independent Living Commons Area, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, December 6. The event is free and open to the community. Selections include jewelry, fashion accessories, ornaments, art work and holiday decorations. All proceeds benefit the CSH Caring Fund to provide benevolent care and assist in providing quality-of-life improvements and activities for Concordia residents. For more information or directions, call Concordia of the South Hills at 412-294-1306
Chabad of the South Hills and South Hills Jewish Pittsburgh present the Fourth Annual South Hills Lights Community Chanukah Celebration at The Galleria at 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 27. The free event will include food, Klezmer music, arts and crafts and raffle prizes. Preregistration for the event, although not required is appreciated. Call 412-344-2424, email mussie@chabadsh.com [5] or register online at www.chabadsh.com [6]
Sunset Hills United Presbyterian Church, 900 Country Club Drive, will hold a bake sale on Saturday, December 10, from 10 a.m. to noon. Fresh baked cookies, breads, pastries and a wide variety of freezable goodies will be available. Proceeds benefit deacons’ missions and outreach.
The Pittsburgh Country Dance and Song Society’s English Holiday dance is Saturday, December 10, at the Friends Meeting House, 4836 Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside. Beginners session is from 7:15 to 7:30 and the dance is from 7:30 to 10. Tickets are $10, $8 for society members and $5 for students under 25. Bring some holiday treats to share at the break. cdssp.org [7].
COMMUNITY EVENTS are available free of charge to any nonprofit. Please remember to include all pertinent information, such as time, date, place, admission fee (if any), brief description of the event and if the event benefits a group or organization. Don’t forget to include a phone number residents can call for further information. Email your events to events@mtlebanon.org [8].