January/February 2020 Events: Movie Night [1], MLK Community Day Celebration [2], World of Wheels [3], Gallery Crawl [4], Valentine’s Day Tea [5], Fermentation Festival [6], Polar Plunge [7], Scam Jam [8], Genealogy Society Meetings [9], Little Shop of Horrors [10], Illusionist Show [11], What She Said [12] and National Engineer’s Week [13].
Editors’ Pick: MOVIE NIGHT IN MT. LEBANON
Friday, February 7
Come to the municipal building, 710 Washington Road, at 7 p.m. for a free screening of Sundance Film Festival sensation The Farewell, by Lulu Wang. This playful family-friendly drama, rated PG, takes a complex look at the Asian-American experience. This is a Denis Theatre Foundation event. See what’s new at the Denis in a story on page 45.
MLK COMMUNITY DAY CELEBRATION
Monday, January 20
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Pittsburgh Glass Center [14] at 5472 Penn Avenue. Enjoy glass-blowing demonstrations throughout the day, kiln-fired pizza until 4 p.m. and hands-on activities that demonstrate the importance of teamwork, including helping the center with a special mosaic project.
WORLD OF WHEELS
Friday to Sunday, January 24 to 26
The 59th Annual Max Motive World of Wheels [15] custom car show is coming to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The show will feature celebrity guests, car-themed events and activities, and dozens of traditional and custom cars and motorcycles.
GALLERY CRAWL
Friday, January 24
Dozens of galleries, stages, storefronts and art installations covering 14 blocks will open their doors for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust [16]’s Gallery Crawl. These free quarterly events also feature live music, dance performances, hands-on activities, drinks and more, from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
VALENTINE’S DAY TEA
Saturday, February 15
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with someone special at this unique tea experience [17] at Hartwood Acres. Tour the mansion, including the Great Hall, which will be adorned with hearts and flowers in a celebration of love and friendship. Event is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration required.
FERMENTATION FESTIVAL
Sunday, February 23
Sauerkraut, yogurt, beer, cheese—some of your favorite foods are actually fermented. Celebrate these culinary delights [18] at Spirit Hall in Lawrenceville, with family-friendly activities ranging from a Fermented Foods contest to make-your-own stations. Admission is free.
POLAR PLUNGE
Saturday, February 29
A team of MLPD officers will be jumping into frosty swimming pools at Heinz Field, and they need your support! You can either join them, or, if jumping into freezing water in front of a bunch of strangers is not your cup of tea, you can donate to their team [19]. Proceeds benefit the Special Olympics of Western PA.
EXTRA, EXTRA!
$CAM JAM!
Tuesday, January 21
Win prizes, play fraud bingo and learn about the financial and investment scams that are targeting seniors. Guest speakers include the PA Department of Banking & Securities, the PA Office of the Attorney General and the Allegheny County DA’s office, starting at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Emanuel of the South Hills. Register for free at templeemanuel@templeemanuelpgh.org [20].
GENEALOGY SOCIETY MEETINGS
Tuesdays, January 21 and February 18
Learn how to organize your genealogy search at a presentation by genealogist Elissa Powell. The Mt. Lebanon Genealogy Society meets monthly at 1 p.m. on the third Monday of the month. Meetings are free and open to the public. Send an email to get more information about the club at mtlebanongs@yahoo.com [21].
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
January 23 to February 23
A bloodthirsty flower, a tender love story and ’60s music ignite Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s carnivorous carnival of fun. Single tickets start at $31, with discounts for students, seniors and military [22]. All performances are at the O’Reilly Theater downtown.
ILLUSIONIST SHOW
Sunday, January 26
Internationally known master Illusionist Ilan Smith will be coming to Carnegie Stages [23], 25 West Main Street in Carnegie. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres, followed by Smith’s program of magic, inspiration and humor. Get your tickets in advance.
WHAT SHE SAID
Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9
Mt. Lebanon High School’s all-girl ensemble, the Triple Trio, will perform in this Pittsburgh Camerata concert [24] on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Shadyside Presbyterian Church. They will join the Pittsburgh Camerata and the Pittsburgh Girls Choir for a program of music by women poets, including Emily Dickinson, Sara Teasdale and Hildegard von Bingen. Read more about the Triple Trio in our cover story.
NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK
Thursday to Saturday, February 20 to 22
Students in grades 4-12 are invited to this engineering career event [25] at the Carnegie Science Center. The fair will feature more than 40 event tables, demos, the chance to chat with industry professionals and café-style beverages. Limited capacity. Preregistration is required.