Aug 7, 2013 12 min read

The South Hills Chorale will hold auditions for all singing parts at 7 p.m. beginning Aug. 19 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon. The 75-member Chorale is the South Hills’ premier community singing group. Its repertoire ranges from popular to classical selections. The group has concerts in December and April. Rehearsals are held Monday evenings in Mt. Lebanon.

As part of its “Get Acquainted Sessions,” auditions will continue as part regular rehearsals on Aug. 26, Sept. 9 and Sept. 16. Interested singers are invited to sit in for a rehearsal to get a feel for the group. For further information or to schedule an audition time, call Elaine Moore at 412-780-9336 or email southhillschorale@gmail.com.

The Meadows Racetrack & Casino announces its entertainment line-up for August. All shows are free admission.

• Silks Lounge – 8 p.m.: Tres Lads (rock/variety), Aug. 16; Walt Sanders & the Cadillac Band (Elvis tribute band), Aug. 17; Jimbo & the Soupbones (variety), Aug. 23; Totally 80’s (retro ’80s music), Aug. 24; Ruff Creek (country), Aug. 30; Idol Kings (Melloncamp/Journey tribute band), Aug. 31.

• Pacers Lounge – 9 p.m.: AJ Fresh and a country artist battle it out, Fridays in August; AJ Fresh & his Fresh Girl-Club Music, Saturdays in August.

The South Hills Junior Orchestra will open its 2013-14 season with free-trial rehearsals on 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 17, 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, and 21 in the Upper St. Clair High School Band Room. Students from grades 5-12 are encouraged to come with their instruments and “try out” the orchestra. Directed by an all-volunteer music staff led by the recently retired public school teachers Paul Fox and Donna Fox, the Orchestra is nonprofit and non-competitive, and supports school band and string programs throughout the Western Pennsylvania area. SHJO is made possible in part by the Upper St. Clair School District, professional music educators and community volunteers donating their services, and the SHJO Booster Organization. For more information, contact Managing Director Janet Vukotich at shjorchestra-mdirector@yahoo.com, visit www.shjo.org, or call Founding Directors Paul or Donna Fox at 412-854-3459.

The Hollywood Theater in Dormont announces its August schedule:

• The Junior Chamber of Commerce Players-Pittsburgh’s official Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast-returns to the Hollywood Theater at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 to shadow cast John Water’s 1990 comedy/musical Cry Baby.

• Breakfast and a Movie, 11 a.m. Aug. 18. Sunset Boulevard, the 1950’s campy drama starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden, is ranked number twelve on the American film Institute’s list of the 100 Best America Films of the 20th century. The light breakfast begins at 11 followed by the movie at 11:30. Tickets are $15 ($13/Hollywood members) at the theater during regular operating hours and at www.showclix.com/event/breakfastandamovieaug2013. Breakfast tickets must be purchased by Aug. 15, or view the movie only for $7 at the door. Sunset Boulevard screens again 4 p.m. Aug. 18, and is the Hollywood’s August Senior Movie Matinee feature at 2 p.m. Aug. 22. Tickets for the senior matinee are $5 for all.

• The Hollywood’s So Bad It’s Good Series presents “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble,” the 1976 made-for-TV movie stars John Travolta, at 7 p.m. Aug. 21. The plot isn’t funny, but the script and production values are, thus the movie will be heckled live by The Ink & Paint Club, a Pittsburgh improv group.

The Hollywood’s Previews Series offers a one-time showing of new movies before their New York and Los Angeles theatrical openings. Movies include:

• The Trials of Muhammad Ali, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15. A documentary exploring Ali’s lifelong journey of spiritual transformation.

• TBA movie, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22. Check www.thehollywooddormont.org for details.

Sign up for the above movies at gathr.us/series/dormont-previews. A gathr membership costs $19/month or $49/three months. Tickets will also be available at the door for $7.

Schedules are subject to change. Call the theater at 412-563-0368 or check the Hollywood’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/HollywoodTheaterDormont) and website (www.thehollywooddormont.org) for updates. Unless noted, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12 and seniors. The Hollywood Theater is available to rent for parties and special events. Call 412-563-0368 for more information.

Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department will offer a day trip to “Noah the Musical” at the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, Oct. 12 for those 18 years and older.

Cost of $139 and includes dinner, show and transportation. Register by Aug. 26.

Call 412-343-3409 for information.

The Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh, a South Hills choral group, will launch its 2013-2014 season on at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 with an ice cream social for returning and prospective members. The event will take place at Brightwood Christian Church, Bethel Park. Weekly rehearsals are held at the church during the concert year.

The Harmony Singers perform a wide variety of music including Broadway, rock ‘n’ roll, patriotic and pop tunes. The group is available to perform for civic, social, church or business organizations.

The Harmony Singers are selling Macy’s “Shop for the Cause” discount tickets good for purchases on Aug. 24. They will participate in the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Day of Giving on Oct. 3. Adults 18 years and older are welcome to join the Harmony Singers. All voices are needed. Performance experience and the ability to read music are preferred but not required. For information, or to reserve the group for an event, call Bernie Komoroski at 412-381-7175 or visit www.harmonysingers.org.

The Carnegie Performing Arts Center, located at 150 E. Main Street in downtown Carnegie, announces the opening of its 38th year of dance and theater classes. The school and season opens in September with classes offered in all levels of ballet, tap and jazz including pre dance, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, drama and piano lessons. Children ages 3 – 18 are invited to attend weekly classes that go throughout the school year as well as performing in four fully mounted stage productions. Carnegie Performing Arts Center students as well as dancers from surrounding communities are invited to perform in the Carnegie Performing Art Center’s 38th season, which includes the classic Christmas tale, “The Nutcracker,” the first two weekends in December; “Peter Pan” March 21-23; and “Alice in Wonderland” April 11-13.

Catch a Rising Star, the annual Carnegie Performing Arts Center spring recital showcasing its students, will be the first weekend in June. Ballet, tap, and jazz pieces will be offered as well as choreography by teachers and graduating students.

All performances will be at the Andrew Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., Sunday performances will be at 2 p.m. Registration and open house for the school year of drama, dance, theater and music classes are being held from 5-9 p.m. August 19-21 at the Carnegie Performing Arts Center studios.

For more information, visit www.carnegieperformingartscenter.com or call 412- 279-8887 and request a fall registration packet.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will serve as the third city in the country to present an autism-friendly performance of Disney’s THE LION KING, tailored to the needs of adults and children on the autism spectrum.

The special performance is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Benedum Center. Great seats are still available and can be purchased on the Cultural Trust website at www.TrustArts.org/Autism. For additional information call 412-456-2670.

Modeled after similar performances presented by TDF (Theater Development Fund) on Broadway and The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, TX, this performance will provide a friendly and supportive environment for the audience. Slight adjustments to the production will be implemented, including the reduction of jarring sounds and the elimination of strobe lights focused into the audience. In addition, the Benedum Center lobby will offer quiet spaces and activity areas for families, while trained staff and volunteers provide encouragement and assistance to patrons. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is working closely alongside Disney Theatrical Productions, and also engaging local autism organizations and a host of local community liaisons who are expertly advising on various aspects of this project.

Pittsburgh Fashion Week is returning for the fourth year in a row, Sept. 23-29. This week of events will highlight Pittsburgh’s fall fashions and accessories, which can be found at several boutiques, specialty stores, department stores and consignment stores throughout the Pittsburgh region.

Miyoshi Anderson, executive director and founder of Pittsburgh Fashion Week, created this cultural and social event in hopes of gaining recognition for Pittsburgh Fashion for those within the industry. Ensuring New York style and high quality runway shows, VIP seating, credentialed media access and upscale promotional and after parties,

Pittsburgh Fashion Week events include:

Sept. 23: “The O.N.E” Opening Night Extravaganza – One Mission….One Vision….One Revolution!, 7 p.m., Highmark Stadium. The show’s theme is Steeltown Industry – metal, color &and fabric come together. “The Diva Chef,” Elise Wims, will emcee this event to benefit the Free Wheelchair Mission.

Sept. 24: “Pop Up Fashion” – Spotlight the Appetite for Fashion, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Market Square with Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Sept. 24: “Rediscovering Manstyle” Fashion Show, 7 p.m., Pittsburgh Winery. Honorary models are WPXI News Anchor Vince Sims, KDKA News Anchor Rick Dayton, Former Pittsburgh Penguin Rick Tocchet and more. LaMont Jones, fashion icon, will emcee this show that benefits Capacity Developers Inc.

Sept. 25: To Be Announced

Sept. 26: Tanger Outlets 2nd Annual Pink Partini & Fashion Bash Event, 6-8 p.m. KDKA’s Kristine Sorensen will emcee this fall fashion event. Proceeds will benefit The American Cancer Society.

Sept. 28: Back-to-Back Runway Show, 7 p.m. at The Art Institute, featuring fashion designs and concepts from Art Institute students.

Sept. 29: Pittsburgh Fashion Hall of Fame Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Omni William Penn Hotel. The luncheon will honor six fashion icons: Michael Barone, Jean Bryant, Tom Julian, Debbie Norrell, EB Pepper and Marianne Skiba. The Exceptional Artist Award will be presented to Jacqueline Capatolla.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pittsburghfashionweek.com.

The Neighborhood Academy and Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Paul O’Neill and his wife, Nancy, are presenting a fireside chat with author Ron Suskind on Sept. 26 at The Neighborhood Academy, located at 709 North Aiken Avenue, Pittsburgh.

A Fireside Chat with Ron Suskind and Paul O’Neill will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., continue with the fireside chat at 7, and conclude with a dessert/coffee bar and book signing at 8:30.

Among his many best-selling books, Suskind wrote A Hope in the Unseen, An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League. The book follows Cedric Jennings, a high school honor student, as he navigates life in the inner city of Washington, DC, to pursue his dream of graduating from an Ivy League college.

General admission tickets are $75; two reserved seat tickets are $250; and two reserved seat tickets and an autographed copy of A Hope in the Unseen are $500. Proceeds benefit The Neighborhood Academy.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.TheNeighborhoodAcademy.org or call 412-362-2001.

Washington Symphony Orchestra announced receipt of a $7,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments’ Small Arts Initiative to assist with the production of its Oct. 12 concert, “Space – The Final Frontier” which will take place at 8 p.m. at Trinity High School. For tickets, call 724-223-9796 or visit www.washsym.org.

The Trailer Park Boys will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 9 at The Benedum Center, Pittsburgh.

Tickets for “The Dear Santa Claus” tour can be purchased in advance from Pittsburgh Cultural Trust by calling 412-471-6070. Advance ticket prices rage from $31.25 to $56.25. Tickets are $2 more on the day of the show.

The Western Pennsylvania Division of The Salvation Army announces its fifth annual “Most Amazing Race” on Sept. 21. Combining physical, mental and creative challenges and beginning at Station Square, contestants will compete throughout the city to win part of a $5,000 prize package.

“Our goal is to raise funds and awareness for youth programs in Allegheny County,” said Major Mark Mackneer, The Salvation Army’s Allegheny county coordinator.

This year, The Salvation Army is accepting only the top 50 fundraising teams of two people, who must raise a minimum of $250 in order to qualify for the race. A total prize purse of $5,000 will be awarded, with the first place team earning $3,000; second place earning $1,500; and third place earning $500. The top five teams that raise the most money will be rewarded with valuable prize packages, including tickets to sporting and cultural events, restaurant and retail gift cards, hotel packages and more.

Teams will follow clues until the end of the race, using an approved transportation mode or their own two feet to get from place to place. Participants are required to complete physical, mental and silly challenges in order to receive the next clue.

For more information, contact Donna Fencik at 412-446-1644, or to register or volunteer for the event, visit www.mostamazingrace.org.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) announces its 28th annual Lens on Litter Photo Contest, with a deadline of Oct. 31. Use your camera to identify the worst examples of litter in your Pennsylvania community. Open to amateur photographers only. Contestants will be divided into two classes – school age children and adults. Eight prizes, four to each group, will be awarded with first place winners receiving $1,000 in cash, second place $500, third place $250 and The People’s Choice Award of a camera. The contest identifies sites, which PRC then targets for clean up through local action.

Send entries (limit three per person) to: Pennsylvania Resources Council, 3606 Providence Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073. All entries must contain the following information on the back of the photo: entrant’s name, address, telephone number, title given to photo, and location of litter site. If a school age child, the school grade and school name must be provided. Photos will not be returned and will become the property of PRC.