Annual art auction set for May 11
It’s become the premiere art auction in southwestern Pennsylvania; it’s none other than the Persad Center’s Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art on May 11 from 6-11pm at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland. Hosted by Pittsburgh broadcasting legend Lynn Cullen, the auction will feature the works of nearly 200 local, regional and international artists. For the first time ever, bidders can view the donated art before the auction by visiting www.persadevents.org.
Since its inception in 1998, the auction has raised more than $3.1 million for Persad’s Free Care Fund, dedicated to helping local people living with HIV/AIDS.
“We are amazed and grateful that Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art continues to attract such wonderful support from so many people in the Pittsburgh community,” said Betty Hill, executive director of Persad. “In addition to being a really fun event, all of the funds we raise from art and ticket sales enable us to provide free care to people who really need our services.”
For more information or tickets, visit www.persadevents.org or 412-441-8786 x226.
A sure sign of summer…
Grab your sun tan lotion and join us May 24 for the Annual Memorial Day Picnic, noon-6pm, at the North Park Lodge. Sponsored by the Delta Foundation, the picnic will feature hot dogs, hamburgers and all the beer you can drink. Don’t miss the 21st celebration of this GLBT event! Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the gate. Contact www.PittsburghPride.org.
“L” is for the way you look at me
It’s time for romance, as the Renaissance City Choir presents L.O.V.E., their spring concert, May 15 and 16 at 8pm at the Ellis School in Shadyside. Bring someone special and share the L.O.V.E. For tickets, call 412-362-9484 or visit their website at www.rccpittsburgh.org.
Get your Mojo on
Running May 29-June 14, the Pittsburgh Playhouse presents Mojo by British playwriting sensation Jez Butterworth. Set in 1958, Mojo is a hip and edgy show full of bloodshed and betrayal, all set to the driving beat of rock-n-roll. It is directed by Kim Martin. For tickets, call 412-621-4445 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.
Hollywood satirized in Four Dogs
Playwright John Patrick Shanley skewers the movie industry in his play Four Dogs and a Bone, performed May 8-22 at Off The Wall Theatre in Washington PA. Directed by Linda Haston, the play revolves around an aging actress, a bed-hopping wannabe star, an unscrupulous producer and a screenwriter and is intended for mature audiences. For tickets or information, call 724-873-3576.
Dine and dance for a good cause
The First Annual Adele Breen Dinner and Concert Benefit will be held May 31 at Sunseri’s Restaurant from 5-10pm. There will be dinner and dancing, all to benefit the American Liver Foundation. For information or tickets, call 412-992-1633.
Theatre opens thirteenth season
The Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatreopens its thirteenth season with Tom Stoppard’s Tony-Award winning play Rock’n’Roll. Previews begin May 7 with the opening night slated for May 9. Set in the former Czechoslovakia between 1968 and 1990, Rock’n’Roll pays tribute to playwright/ President Vaclav Havel and uses some of the best rock music of the period. Artistic Director Andrew Paul directs. For tickets, 412-394-3353 or www.picttheatre,org.
World premiere at City Theatre
The Pittsburgh of 1904 is the backdrop of Speak American, making its world premiere at City Theatre May 7-13. Written by Oscar winner Eric Simonson, the play examines the lives of immigrant Slovak, Bulgarian and Polish steelworkers enrolled in an English class. Speak American was commissioned by City Theatre in honor of Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary. For tickets, call 412-431-2489 or www.CityTheatreCompany.org.
Prime Timers welcome spring
Pittsburgh Prime Timers have set their events for the merry month of May. The monthly film discussion group meets May 9 at 2pm to view and discuss the gay science fiction film Socket. May 17 will be the potluck/social at 4pm, location TBA. The breakfast/brunch get together will meet 10am at Ritter’s Diner on May 23. And the group closes the month with its monthly dine out May 23. For more information or to make reservations, 412-519-04320 or www.pittsburghprimetimers.com.
World premiere at Public Theatre
Rob Zeller’s play Harry’s Friendly Service, which is set in Youngstown OH in 1977 during the steelworkers strike, will have its world premiere at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre May 28-June 28 at the O’Reilly Theatre. Zeller is best known as the co-author of The Chief. For tickets, 412-316-1600 or www.ppt.org.
Wild weekends in West Virginia
Roseland Resort in West Virginia has announced its theme weekends for May. From May 1-3 celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Renaissance weekend will be held May 8-10. In keeping with this special time of the year, prom weekend has been set for May 15-17. Memorial Day weekend will be May 21-25. Slated for May 28-31 is a special beefcake and twinkies weekend. For more information about the Roseland Resort, call 304-455-3838 or e-mail info@RoselandWV.com.
Over the river and through the woods
Situated on 29 acres in Boyers PA, Camp Davis has a busy line-up for May. May 2 will be a togas and long johns party. May 9 kicks-off flower power/hippie weekend. Armed Forces uniform weekend is set for May 16. For the Memorial Day Weekend, there will be holiday luminary May 23. On May 30 dance to the sounds of the ’70s. Camp Davis also features a dance every Saturday from 9pm-2am featuring DJ Tom Brown. Contact Camp Davis at 724-632-2404 or www.campdaviscampground.com.
March for your rights!
This year the National Equality Rally takes place May 8 at Independence Historic Park in Philadelphia. Grassroots activists, organizations and straight allies will march from the National Constitution Center to Independence Hall to rally for: passage of trans-inclusive hate crimes legislation and Employment Non-Discrimination, repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell” and the Defense of Marriage Act, support for GLBT health issues, equal benefits for same-sex marriage and same-sex marriage equality. For more information, visit www.nationalequalityrally.org.
Rossini classic takes to the stage
Opera lovers! Don’t miss the Pittsburgh Opera’s production of Rossini’s The Italian Girl May 2, 5, 8 and 10 at the Benedum Center. The comedic opera gets a 1930’s-style makeover with Vivica Genaux singing the role of the feisty Italian girl who crash lands on the Algerian Coast. For tickets, 412-456-6666 or www.pittsburghopera.org.
New Hope hosts pride weekend
The riverside art colony of New Hope PA will host its sixth annual GLBTA Weekend May 14-17. Dance parties, cabaret performances, bikes rides, a parade, family events and entertainment from comedian Ant will be just a few highlights of the event. For more information, visit www.NewHope Celebrates.com.
It’s not ‘old’—it’s an antique!
The Brandywine River Museum will host its 38th annual Antiques Show May 23-25. Located in Chadds Ford PA, the event will feature a preview party, tours of the exhibition and talks from dealers, appraisers and restorers. Proceeds from the event benefit the museum’s Art Purchase Fund, which has added more then 200 paintings, drawings and prints to the collection since 1975. For more information, call 610-388-8318 or www.brandywinemuseum.org.
Pink Frolic honors composer
The Pittsburgh CLO Guild will hold its Pink Frolic Ball May 9 at the Omni William Penn Hotel. Along with the families of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the Guild will present the 12th Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre to composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz is best known for such musicals as Godspell, Pippin and Rags, as well as the current Broadway smash Wicked. Past winners of the award include Julie Andrews, Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters and Pittsburgh’s own Rob and Kathleen Marshall. For ticket information, call 412-281-3973 x234.
Behave ’cause Sister’s back!
City Theatre is pleased to present the return of Sister Kim in ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Late Night Catechism 3 beginning May 27. The show focuses on marriage and as Sister Kim puts it, “You think you have marital woes, try being the bride of Christ for 30-some years!” The ”class room participation” series is a Pittsburgh favorite. For tickets, 412-431-2489 or www.CityTheatreCompany.org.
Women’s health help available
If you need a referral for a low cost or no cost mammogram or pap test, contact Yvonne at 412-365-1915. Yvonne is with the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh ENCOREplus Program. Also, check out Adagio Health Service’s East Liberty Office for lesbian-friendly gynecological care. Call 412-661-2900.
Shop early for Splash
Lowtide Swinwear and Apparel on Lincoln Highway in White Oak is featuring swimwear, underwear and funwear—so shop early for the best selection—and be ready for Splash! Call 412-751-4799.
Last chance to see ‘Old Blue Eyes’
May 10 will end the run of My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra at the CLO Cabaret Theatre. The show features Kristiann Menotiades, John Fredo, Karen Jeffreys and Joseph Domenic singing such classics as “Fly Me to the Moon” and “All the Way.” Tickets at 412-456-6666 or www.pittsburghCLO.org.
Find the perfect gift
To find that special gift for the special someone—look no further than A Pleasant Present at 2301 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill. Gift baskets, balloons and greeting cards galore are ready for spring giving. Be sure to check their new hours by calling 412-421-7104 or www.APleasantPresent.com.
Save now at Weisshouse
Save 25% through May 9 on upholstery, slipcovers, leather and casegoods from Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams at Weisshouse. Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams supports the gay community, and Weisshouse is proud to sell their home furnishings. Call 412-441-8888 or www.weisshouse.com.
