cut loose!

How loose? Footloose! The Center for Theater Arts (CTA) presents its annual high school musical at Upper St. Clair High School Auditorium, Thursday, January 26, through Saturday, January 28, and it’s something very close to CTA Executive Director Billy Hartung’s heart. Hartung, an original Broadway cast member of Footloose, is working with more than 80 students from half a dozen school districts to stage the super-energetic story of a city kid facing off with a small-town preacher who thinks dancing is Satanic.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with a 1 p.m. Saturday matinee. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at Center for Theater Arts or at the door. For more information, call 412-563-5080 or visit www.centerfortheaterarts.org.

Also, check out CTA’s annual Reach for a Star gala fundraiser, Saturday, March 11, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. Ticket prices range from $85 for admission to $175 for a private reception and concert with a special guest. More information coming in our March issue.

tropic of oakland

If you can’t make it to Martinique this winter, come down to Phipps’ Tropical Forest Conservatory the first Friday nights in February through May, and Party in the Tropics. From 7 to 11. Sip some tropical cocktails and seasonal beers; sample tropical fare and swing to the beats of a (probably tropical) DJ. Entry is free with a Phipps admission. Must be 21 or older. www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/party-in-the-tropics

cupids and canines

The 10^TH annual Cupids and Canines, a fundraiser for Animal Friends, The Animal Rescue League and the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit that provides urgent medical care funds to sick and injured dogs in need, will take place on Saturday, February 4, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Club Level in PNC Park. Light hors d’oeuvres, live music from The Weathered Road, auctions, pierogi races and casino games. Win a trip to Las Vegas, or a $10,000 grand prize. VIP cocktail hour at 6. Contact Danielle@campbowwowpgh.com for more information.

The Mt. Lebanon School District is looking for residents and Mt. Lebanon Alumni who would like to share their expertise with students. The Mt. Lebanon School District Community Speakers’ Bureau will connect teachers with individuals who have a desire to “pay it forward” by offering a presentation or sharing a skill or passion with the next generation. Teachers can access the information so every student in the district can take advantage of this collaboration. This initiative is led by the High School STEM Academy and the Global Studies Program departments. Register here.

a piece of the auction

The Mt. Lebanon and Dormont fire departments will be holding a quarter auction at 7 p.m., Saturday, February 11, at the Dormont Recreation Center, 1801 Dormont Avenue, to raise money for Relay for Life Mt. Lebanon. Never been to a quarter auction? Here’s how it works: Your donation of $15 gets you a numbered paddle, soft drinks and a dessert buffet. You can get more paddles for $5 each (this is key). All the paddle numbers go into a hopper. Bring a bunch of quarters with you and use them to bid on the more than 75 items, ranging in value from $1 to $100. Everyone who wants to bid drops quarters in a bucket, the auctioneer draws a paddle number from the hopper and the first person whose number is drawn and also made a bid gets the item. Sounds more complicated than it is. Plus they got that dessert buffet. For more info, email QuartersForACure@gmail.com.

where do you wanna eat?

Since 2011, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week has been expanding on that age-old question by spotlighting the multitudinous dining options in the city. This winter’s Restaurant Week is from January 9 to 15. Special menus and prices all week long from a growing list of participating restaurants.
www.pittsburghrestaurantweek.com