What is Going on in Pittsburgh This Week?

Check out these great events throughout the city this week.  Music, dinners, and dancing are just some of the great activities that you can look forward to throughout the week.   Keep reading to find out about all the great events below.

Monday, January 28


Interval Mondays at AVA – $3 cover

Bargain Mondays at South Side Works Cinema – $6 admission all day with concession specials

AcoustiCafe – FREE admission and drink specials

Totally Free Mondays at Steel City Improv Theater – FREE

Affordable Monday at South Side Works – Around $35 for two people

Salsa Mondays at Seviche – FREE, no cover

Storytimes Around the City – FREE

Cheap Movie Deals Around the ‘Burgh on Mondays – discounted movies on Mondays

Monday Wing Deals – wing specials in the ‘Burgh on Mondays

Cheap Burgers in the ‘Burgh on Monday – $3 or less

Cheap Monday Taco Days – taco specials in the ‘Burgh on Mondays

Tuesday, January 29


2 for 1 admission to the Clayton – purchase one admission, get another FREE

$2 Tuesdays at North Versailles Bowling Center – $2 games

Two for Tuesday at Color Me Mine – two paint for the price of one

Ceili Dance Lessons – FREE

JazzLive at the Backstage Bar – FREE

Folding Space Pay-What-You-Can yoga classes – pay what you can

Tiny Tots at Romp N Roll Skating Rink – $5.00 for food, skating and skates

Storytimes Around the City – FREE

Terrific Tuesday in the Cultural District - Around $30-$35 for two people

Tuesday Knitting Group – FREE

Cheap Movie Deals Around the ‘Burgh on Tuesdays – discounted movies on Tuesdays

Tot Tuesdays at The Aviary - 1/2 off admission for children 5 and under w/ paying adult

Tuesday Wing Deals – wing specials in the ‘Burgh on Tuesdays

Cheap Burgers in the ‘Burgh on Tuesday – $3 or less

1/2 off Wine on Tuesday – 1/2 price wine by the bottle or glass

Cheap Tuesday Taco Days – taco specials in the ‘Burgh on Tuesdays

Wednesday, January 30


Community Night at the Union Project – Donation based

Yoga on Centre Pay-What-You-Can yoga classes – pay what you can

$1 Night at North Versailles Bowling Center – $1 games, food, drink & shoe rental specials

Pittsburgh Banjo Club Open Rehearsal – FREE

Open Mic Night at Cannon Coffee – FREE

Mommy & Me Wednesdays at My Little Outback – $2 discount

Bluegrass Night at the Park House – FREE Bluegrass music

Dave & Buster’s 1/2 off game day – 1/2 priced games all day

99 cent movies all day – 99 cents

Wednesday Knitting Group – FREE

Storytimes Around the City – FREE

Cheap Movie Deals Around the ‘Burgh on Wednesdays – discounted movies on Wednesdays

Wednesday Wing Deals – wing specials in the ‘Burgh on Wednesdays

Cheap Burgers in the ‘Burgh on Wednesday – $3 or less

1/2 off Wine on Wednesday – 1/2 price wine by the bottle or glass

Cheap Wednesday Taco Days – taco specials in the ‘Burgh on Wednesdays

Thursday, January 31

PPT Mix @ Six: 1776 – $26 or less

Ceramics Open Studio at the Union Project – $10

Family Night at Schenly Ice Rink - Kids skate free with each paying adult

Entrepreneurial Thursdays at Little E’s – $5

Play Dates on Ice – $4.25

Senior discount admission at Clayton – $5 instead of $12

Thursday Matinee at the Harris Theater – $5.00

offCenter at the August Wilson Center – FREE

Roger Humphries Jazz Jam Session at CJ’s in the Strip - No cover

1/2 off Wine on Thursdays – 1/2 price wine by the bottle or glass

Storytimes Around the City – FREE

Salsa Thursdays at Bossa Nova – FREE, no cover

New Mothers Knitting Group – FREE

Pittsburgh Improv Jam Comedy Show - $3 plus $2.50 craft beer special

Folding Space Pay-What-You-Can yoga classes – pay what you can

Thursday Funday Downtown – $20 to $25 per person for an ENTIRE evening out

Cheap Movie Deals Around the ‘Burgh on Thursdays – discounted movies on Thursdays

Cheap Burgers in the ‘Burgh on Thursdays – $3 or less

Thursday Wing Nights – wing specials in the ‘Burgh on Thursdays

Cheap Thursday Taco Days – taco specials in the ‘Burgh on Thursdays

Friday, February 1

Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn – FREE

Hot Jam Open House at the Pittsburgh Glass Center – FREE

Wine Knows Tasting - $12

Irish Dance Lessons at Claddagh – $5

Sushi Happy Hour at Blue – FREE Sushi Buffet w/ a beverage purchase

Good Fridays at The Andy Warhol Museum – 1/2 priced admission

Observatory SkyWatch at the Science Center – $1

Storytimes Around the City – FREE

Friday Night Improv at Studio Theater – $3

Salsa Fridays at Cabaret at Theater Square – $5

Kinder Klimb at REI – FREE with $20 LIFETIME membership

Line Dancing lessons at Saddle Ridge – FREE

Cheap Burgers in the ‘Burgh on Friday – $3 or less

Friday Wing Deals – wing specials in the ‘Burgh on Fridays

Saturday, February 2

Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Valentine Card Holder – FREE

Observatory SkyWatch at the Science Center – $1

Saturday Nights at Swing City – $10-12

SCIT Social Improv Jam - FREE

Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show – FREE

Sunday, February 3

Free Sunday Afternoons at the Carnegie Library – FREE

Fifty Cent Sundaze at Arsenal Bowling Lanes – $.50 cent games, shoe rental and hot dogs

Starving Artist Sunday Supper at Brillobox - $6

Sunday Brunch Deals – affordable local brunches

Sunday Wing Deals – wing specials in the ‘Burgh on Sundays

Cheap Burgers in the ‘Burgh on Sunday – $3 or less

Sunday Bloody Mary Specials in Pittsburgh – ‘Mary specials in the ‘Burgh on Sundays

For more information see Living Pittsburgh.

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This Week's Family Events

This week check out these great events being held all around the city.  Carnegie Science Center to
the Children's Museum there is something for all ages.  Make sure to check out the great cultural events that are also going on around the city.



Thu., Jan. 17 — Exhibit Certain nights, Carnegie Science Center offers to watch the kids while the parents have a night out. Tonight, though, it's all about the parents — or any other adult. The Center's 21+Sports is a no-kids night for visitors to enjoy such Highmark SportsWorks attractions as the 25-foot rock wall, the bungee-harnessed trampoline and the rollercoaster simulator. You can also roam the Center's four floors and exhibits like SeaScape. Plus there's live music and a cash bar. Very adult. Bill O'Driscoll 6-10 p.m. One Allegheny Ave., North Side. $10-15. 412-237-3400 or www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

Fri., Jan. 18 — Exhibit Busy weekend at the Children's Museum. Today through Monday, visit the Makeshop to create your own DIY clock (with an $8 kit and help from a Makeshop instructor). Starting Saturday, and every weekend through January, build a "glow tree" — a sculpture of twigs and copper wire that sparkles purple and green thanks to a vacuum chamber. This Saturday and Sunday only, at 1 p.m. daily, watch scenes from visiting Enchantment Theatre Company's production of The Velveteen Rabbit. (The full show's on stage at The Hillman Center for Performing Arts on Saturday night.). And Monday, look for Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming, including storytelling by actor Greg Kenney. BO Museum hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1 Children's Way, North Side. $12-13 (children under 2 free). 412-322-5058 or pittsburghkids.org
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Fri., Jan. 18 — Words

Novelist Sarah Dessen has published 10 young adult novels, two of which were adapted into the 2003 teen drama How to Deal. Her latest novel, What Happened to Goodbye, hits stores in paperback later this year. As part of the 12th season of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures and Carnegie Library's series Black, White & Read All Over, Dessen speaks tonight at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. The event also features an audience Q&A, live music, book-signing and snacks. Jeff Ihaza 7 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave, Oakland. $15 (or two for $25 online). 412-622-8866 or www.pittsburghlectures.org

Sat., Jan. 19 — Art

"Creativity is sort of insanity," opines Tim Fabian in a press release. "My work then is my insane need to play coupled with a socially appropriate outlet." Now photographer Fabian has invited some playmates to join in his first curatorial venture, Play. It's a group show at Millvale's Panza Gallery highlighting artists and photographers whose work exhibits evidence of play. The exhibit spotlights such local names as Sue Abramson, David Grim, George Kollar, Mark Panza and William Wade. The opening reception is tonight. BO 6 p.m. Show continues through Feb. 16. 115 Sedgwick St., Millvale. Free. 412-821-0959 or www.panzagallery.com
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Sat., Jan. 19 - Stage

Paying for abuse? That might seem the dynamic in Seminar. The 2011 Broadway comedy concerns four aspiring young writers who've purchased spots in an Upper West Side writing seminar with a famous author named Leonard, only to hear him label their work "a soul-sucking waste of words," among other blandishments. But there's more to this critically favored play by Theresa Rebeck, best known for creating the NBC drama Smash. (Her plays include Bad Dates and Mauritius.) In City Theatre's production, Leonard is played by Daniel Gerroll, an acclaimed British actor who had a big role in the film Chariots of Fire. The production, directed by Tracy Brigden, also features longtime City favorite Rebecca Harris. Tonight begins a week of preview performances; opening night is Jan. 25. BO 5:30 p.m. Continues through Feb. 10. 1300 Bingham St., South Side. $15-55. 412-431-2489 or www.citytheatrecompany.org
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Sat., Jan. 19 — Words

"Having no interest in mainstream masculine activities such as sports, sports-watching, finance or alcoholism, I've had to distinguish myself through other means," writes David Matthews. "I have a postcard collection, a menagerie of anthropomorphic coconuts, and a compulsion to channel my sarcastic tendencies in a socially-acceptable way by writing." As in the introduction to his debut story collection, Meltdown in the Cereal Aisle — and with story titles like "Putting the Bi into Bicentennial" — Matthews' wields a droll, left-of-center sensibility. A fixture on the local arts scene, he's known for his publicly posted personal-ad flyers seeking romance. Tonight's launch for his self-published book will be filmed by Julie Sokolow for her documentary Aspie Seeks Love, about Matthews' late-in-life Asperger's syndrome diagnosis. Also: readings by Matthews and award-winning Chicago-based writer Erika Mikkalo. BO 7 p.m. Awesome Books, 929 Liberty Ave., Downtown. Free. www.awesomebookspittsburgh.com
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Sun., Jan. 20 — Stage

Harmontown, the fictional universe led by Dan Harmon, is a magical place. Harmon writes for NBC's Community; he and fellow comedian and co-host Jeff Davis blend the mundane and the hilarious in this often-confessional weekly podcast. The show's growing number of devoted fans — Harmonites — has led the pair to share their universe with the masses via the touring Harmontown Live Podcast Show that makes its way to the New Hazlett Theater tonight. JI 7 p.m. 6 Allegheny Square East, North Side. $20. 412-320-4610 or www.newhazletttheater.org

Sun., Jan. 20 — Music

Renowned Croatian vocal group Klapa Cambi visits with a rare offering. The group's klapa music is a form of a cappella singing dating to the 1800s, derived from liturgical styles but still part of the country's contemporary culture. (Some klapa tunes celebrate, for instance, wine.) The nine-man group's Sound of Dalmatia tour hits just five U.S. cities — all in the company of Pittsburgh's own Jerry Grcevich Tamburitza Orchestra. The show's at the Byham Theater tonight. BO 7:30 p.m. 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $31.25-45.25. 412-456-6666 or www.trustarts.org

For more information see the City Paper.

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Try Something New This Year

This year why not trying something new!  If you find yourself making the same meals every week, check out these great new meals and projects for the new year.  There is everyone from making your own cheese or cider. 
 
There's nothing better than a good project to get you through the post-holiday dog days of winter. One of these projects from the past year is bound to spark your interest. What about making a batch of fizzy sparkling cider? Or finally trying your hand at homemade pasta? Or mozzarella? Lots to do, lots to try, lots to discover!

TOP ROW
• 1 How to Make Sparkling Cider
• 2 How to Make Fresh Pasta from Scratch
• 3 How to Make Herb-Infused Honey
• 4 How to Make a Shrub Syrup
• 5 How to Make Homemade Mozzarella

BOTTOM ROW
• 6 How to Make Basic White Sandwich Bread
• 7 How to Make Basic Whole Wheat Bread
• 8 How to Fill and Shape Agnolotti Pasta
• 9 How to Make Kombucha Tea at Home
• 10 How to Make Soft, Chewy Caramel Candies

For more information see The Kitchn.

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The Penguins Are Back

Hockey is back.  The players and the NHL have reached an agreement, which was the best late holiday gift for any hockey fan.  Penguins have a lot to practice in the next week to get ready for the season.  Here are some of the burning questions that fans are worried about for the short season.

Who’s the last top six guy?

You’ve probably got Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis chained together on one line and Evgeni Malkin and James Neal attached on the other. Chris Kunitz, last year’s Malkin-Neal third guy, is expected to be shifted back to Crosby’s line, where he’s played since the Pens acquired him in 2009, barring Crosby injuries. That leaves a huge hole. Can Eric Tangradi finally make a jump to productive NHL player? Will Dustin Jeffrey be given the chance to play there? Or youngster Beau Bennett? Or a rotating group of Matt Cooke, Tyler Kennedy and who knows who else?

How will the net tandem shake out?

James Mirtle says that a 50 game NHL schedule won’t even be THAT compressed, so it’s not like the team will have 4 or 5 games every week. But still, the move to acquire Tomas Vokoun looks pretty good right now for Ray Shero and the Pens. Marc-Andre Fleury had a stellar regular season and just as dreadful of a playoff. With a goalie of Vokoun’s caliber, it’s likely at some point of this season we’re going to find a fan or media generated goalie controversy, the first true one since 2008 when backup Ty Conklin played well during a Fleury injury absence, but Fleury returned as the #1 goalie and played the best hockey of his career leading the Pens to the Stanley Cup Finals. Vokoun has a checkered injury history, but he also almost always has a higher save percentage than Fleury. Dan Bylsma’s usage of the two will be crucial, especially as the playoffs approach. Who will emerge as the go-to guy?

General Sidney Crosby head-spot question mark

It’s no fun to talk about and something that’s been beaten into the dirt a million times, but at least for now, it’s a question of how Crosby will respond to NHL game action. Hockey is a collision sport and the most famous melon in the business is bound to get hit at some point. Can Crosby put concussion/neck fears behind him or will they put him back on the shelf when he takes fairly routine hockey contact (ala the David Krejci hit that re-injured him).

Can Paul Martin bounce back?

He’s the most targeted man in the lineup due to his salary, but the Penguins will need Paul Martin to find his game pretty quickly in 2013. Though he actually had a pretty decent 2nd half of the season, Martin’s play will be analyzed and scrutinized by fans everywhere. With Zbynek Michalek gone and no obvious replacement found, Martin is going to be a huge piece of the puzzle at even strength and on the penalty kill for Pittsburgh. Can he have a bounce back season and play a solid game and chew up a lot of minutes? The team needs him to be a very steady presence.

How will life without Jordan Staal be?

As Justin showed us, Jordan Staal was asked a lot of by the Pens, and he performed spectacularly, driving possession and shifting from defense to offense. Now Staal is gone, and in his place will be a fine two-way player in Brandon Sutter. But Sutter is not Staal and won’t be used in quite the same way. Will the Pens play Crosby more in the defensive zone? Will they ask Malkin and Crosby to kill penalties even rarely? And that PK unit, one of the best in the league in the past few seasons, loses their best forward. Joe Vitale might get an increased role to join Sutter and the regulars of Dupuis, Matt Cooke and Craig Adams but how the Pens move on without Staal will shape their defensive identity.

For more information see Pensburgh.

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