March 2017 events: Robots at the Warhol, Museum After Dark, St. Paddy Parade, Orchid Show, CTA Gala, Flamingo Fest, Girls Night Out, Reel to Real, Artists’ Market Applicants, Prince at the PSO, American Ballet, Disability Summit, Outreach Discussion, Fairway Swingers Luncheon, Genealogical Society, Jewish Comedy Night

The Mt. Lebanon Junior Women’s Club’s 20th Annual charity gala is Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m., at the Charles J. Dougherty Ballroom, 1015 Forbes Avenue. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, silent auctions, luxury basket raffles, entertainment and live music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Strong Women Strong Girls, with tickets starting at $90. You can purchase tickets or make a donation
at mljwc.com/home/annual-benefit.

ARE WE THE ROBOTS?

On Friday March 10, at 7 p.m. in the Warhol Theater, Illah Nourbakhsh, professor of robotics at CMU and director of Pittsburgh’s CREATE Lab, poses the question: “What if we become so manipulable…that we’re the robots?” This performance brings together literature, philosophy and technology studies as part of the Strange Times: Earth in the Age of the Human series.  Event is free.

BE THE BELLE OF THE BALL

Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s After Dark series will feature “Beauty and The Beast”  on Friday, March 10, starting at 6 p.m.  Come dressed for a grand ball (or not), grab a themed cocktail and explore the museum, or just relax and watch the 1991 animated movie with friends. This 21+ event is $15 if you register ahead.

ST. PADDY PARADE

Since St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday this year, Pittsburgh’s parade will be held the Saturday before, March 11, at 10 a.m. The parade has been billed as the second largest in the country, so you may want to make your way downtown a little early to get a good spot. www.pittsburghirish.org/parade

SMELL THE FLOWERS

The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania  will hold its annual orchid show on Saturday, March 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Phipps Garden Center. Peruse hundreds of orchids in bloom, buy an orchid or learn how to re-pot or revitalize one. The show is free and open to the public.

MEET THE PHANTOM

Center for Theater Arts (CTA) will host special guest Hugh Panaro, who played The Phantom in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, at its 36th annual gala on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Canonsburg. Panaro will perform at the Patrons’ Reception. The evening will also include cocktails, dinner, an auction, entertainment and award ceremony. Call 412-563-5080 or email info@centerfortheaterarts.com for more info.

FOR THE BIRDS

Celebrate our fashionable flamingo friends at the National Aviary on Saturday, March 18,  and Sunday, 19. Included with the price of admission, guests of all ages can meet the flamingos, enjoy flamingo-themed games and crafts and help feed the flock. www.aviary.org

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Take a glass blowing class and sip cocktails at Pittsburgh Glass Center on Saturday, March 11. Ladies can bring up to five friends per session, and each person will learn to make her own sculpted glass flower. Reservations are required. Tickets are $45.

REEL TO REAL

The Denis Theatre’s Reel to Real program will meet on Sunday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at the Washington Square Condominiums. The event includes dinner, a screening of the film Little Men and a movie discussion. Reservations are required. www.denistheatre.org/programs

CALL FOR ARTISTS

Save the date for the 2017 Artists’ Market. Saturday and Sunday,  September 23 and 24, in the Academy Avenue lot. Artists can apply at www.mtlebopartnership.org. 

THE MUSIC OF PRINCE

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s symphonic tribute to the late Prince Rogers Nelson was rescheduled to Saturday, March 4, at 8 p.m. A live band will join the PSO in performing some of his popular hits like Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Little Red Corvette, Kiss and more. Visit www.pittsburghsymphony.org for more info.

THE DIVERSITY OF DANCE

From March 16 to 26 at the August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will join forces with Dance Theatre of Harlem for a cross-company pairing celebrating the diversity of dance talent and styles in American ballet. The companies will collaborate on a featured work, in addition to performing their own signature works, and they will be accompanied by the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. Visit www.pbt.org for more information.