March 2020 Events: CatVideoFest [1], Pittsburgh Opera Fashion Show [2], Paranormal Marketplace [3], “If Pets Had Thumbs” Day [4], Maxine Sullivan Concert [5], Champions for Children [6], Photo Section Gallery [7], Reach for a Star Gala [8], Orchid Show [9], The Path to Lebo [10], Canopy of Color [11] and Viva el Bingo [12].
Editors’ Pick: CAT VIDEO FEST
Friday, February 28, to Sunday, March 8
Get ready to laugh at the best cat content on the internet and beyond at this one-of-a-kind festival at the Rangos Giant Cinema in the Carnegie Science Center. Enjoy 80 minutes of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and internet classics with fellow feline fans, while supporting local cat charities. Tickets are $9.95 [13].
ROSES & THORNS
Monday, March 9
You’ll catch a stylish bouquet of roses (and thorns) at Pittsburgh Opera’s popular Roses & Thorns fashion show this year. Expect couture fashions by Lela Rose, Emphatics boutique, Diana Misetic and more, with a delightful operatic twist at 2425 Liberty Avenue. Cocktails at 6:30. Show starts at 7:30. Tickets start at $45 [14].
PARANORMAL MARKETPLACE
Sunday, March 15
From Bigfoot to ghosts to UFOs and psychic mediums, the Paranormal Marketplace has something for the conspiracy theorist in all of us. This free event [15] is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Center Stage, on Old Brodhead Road in Monaca.
“IF PETS HAD THUMBS” DAY
Tuesday, March 3
What if the only thing holding Mr. Meowgi back from world domination is the fact that he does not have opposable thumbs? Maybe the reason Max barks at the neighbors is because he can’t give them a thumbs up? Unless you have a pet monkey, it can be fun to imagine what your pet could accomplish if they only had a two-phalanged outermost digit. So today is the day to imagine away!
THE LADY SWINGS!
Friday, March 6
The music of Pittsburgh’s own Maxine Sullivan will be center stage at this jazz, swing and big band concert at Andrew Carnegie Free Library Music Hall in Carnegie. Vocalist Jessica Lee along with Mark Strickland on guitar and multiple Grammy-winning saxophonist Eric DeFade will honor the late singer, a Homestead native who paved the way for other legendary performers like Ella Fitzgerald. Tickets are $20 in advanc [16]e. Concert starts at 7:30.
CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN CANCELLED
Thursday, March 19
Support children experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County at the Homeless Children’s Education Fund’s Champions for Children gala [17]. Enjoy fine dining, live auction, networking, champagne toast and more at the Fairmont, starting at 5 p.m.
PHOTO SECTION GALLERY CANCELLED—Online auction.
Bidding will open on Tuesday, March 24th at 12noon EST and will run until Sunday, March 29th at 12noon EST.
Sunday, March 29
Members of the Pittsburgh Photo Section will be displaying their best images [18] at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation center from 1 to 4 p.m. Judges will award prizes to the best photographs in 12 categories, and club members will be on hand to answer questions about their photographs and the club.
EXTRA, EXTRA!
REACH FOR A STAR GALA
Saturday, March 7
The Center for Theater Arts (CTA) will host its 39th annual Reach for a Star gala at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Southpointe. The event [19] begins with a patron’s reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a cocktail hour and auction at 7. Live entertainment will follow dinner, with a chance to hear from special guests—past guests have included Broadway stars and famous composers.
ORCHID SHOW
Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15
Springtime is nearly here, so get in the spirit at the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania’s annual orchid show. Peruse enormous displays [20] of live blooming orchids, visit the repotting table, chat with an expert or buy an orchid perfect for your home and gardening ability. Open noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Fort Couch Road.
THE PATH TO LEBO
Monday, March 16
This month, the Mt. Lebanon Genealogical Society meeting will focus on locals’ unique genealogy stories—particularly how their ancestors came here. Meetings are the third Monday of the month at 1 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon Public Library. Email mtlebanongs@gmail.com [21] for more information.
CANOPY OF COLOR
Saturday, March 21, to Sunday, April 19
Spring is literally in the air at Phipps Conservatory’s Canopy of Color flower show [22]. At this reimagined show, Phipps’ signature displays will cover the ground below and the ceiling above so that guests will be encouraged to look up and look forward to the season of renewal. Note: Phipps is closed until at least March 27
VIVA EL BINGO CANCELLED—Online auction [23]. Bidding will open at noon on Tuesday, March 24 and will run until noon Sunday, March 29.
Saturday, March 28
Bingo like there’s no mañana at the Mt. Lebanon Junior Women’s Club’s 2020 annual benefit event [24]. Held at the Bethel Park Community Center, the event will feature bingo games, taco bar and auction items, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.