Feb 13, 2013 6 min read

ToonSeum, located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, will hold an opening reception Feb. 16 for “Drawn to Peace: The Art of Atila Ozer,” featuring Deniz Cil, the niece of Atila Ozer.

The exhibit displays Turkish cartoonist Atila Ozer’s impressive collection of peace-themed cartoons.

The exhibit runs through March 8. Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children ages 11-6, and free for children under 6.

Music Director Manfred Honeck will lead the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) in a concert at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle, showcasing Russian powerhouse pianist Denis Matsuev performing Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, Piano Concerto No. 2.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 16.

Tickets, ranging from $16-$59, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 1-800-743-8560, or by visiting the PSO online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org. As part of an education program developed for the community, a special package for families with children up to high school age is available. Children may get free tickets if accompanied by a parent. Both the free ticket and a discounted ticket for the parents are available by calling 412-392-4819. Also, pre-concert dinners at the Scottish Rite Cathedral begin at 6 p.m. before each concert. Call 724-654-6683 for reservations.

There will be shuttle service in New Castle for the concert. The shuttle costs $1 for a round trip, and begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Parking Garage, before stopping at the Washington Center parking lot and Clen Moore Church.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Music Director Manfred Honeck returns to Heinz Hall for a weekend of BNY Mellon Grand Classics concerts showcasing Russian pianist Denis Matsuev performing Serge Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, Piano Concerto No. 2.

The concerts will begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 15 and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Tickets, ranging from $20 to $85, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900, or at www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

Washington City Mission’s 19th annual Sweet Sunday Family Dessert Festival will be held from 1-6 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. Planned are desserts, ticket auction, entertainment and family fun.

The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) South Campus, in conjunction with the Office of Institution Diversity & Inclusion, will hold events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month. Two of the events, “Please Keep Your Seat: A Conversation with Rosa Parks” and “Leadership from all Perspectives” are free and open to the public.

Using dramatic interpretation, actor Greg Kenney explores the life and times of the famous civil rights activist in “Please Keep Your Seat: A Conversation with Rosa Parks.” The presentation will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 20 at CCAC’s Washington County Center.

Chaz Kellem, diversity manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will present “Leadership from All Perspectives” at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 at CCAC-South Campus in the Tiger’s Lair. Kellem will talk about the value of including historically marginalized voices in day-to-day leadership.

For more information, call 412-469-6243 or visit www.ccac.edu.

Tickets are currently on sale for comedian Daniel Tosh’s “The June Gloom Tour” at Heinz Hall.

The star of Comedy Central’s “Tosh.0” will perform two shows, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. June 12.

Special guest Jarrod Carmichael will also perform.

Tickets, ranging from $49.50-$75, can be purchased by calling the Heinz Hall box office at 412-392-4900, or visiting www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents an explosive performance from DRUMLine Live at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Benedum Center. Continuing its fourth U.S. tour, DRUMLine Live’s energetic cast has honed its precision and energy with years of training in marching band programs across the southern United States.

Experienced in a wide range of music and dance, DRUMLine Live takes on contemporary hip hop, R&B, classic Motown tunes and the traditional marching band brass sounds in its musically diverse shows.

Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square on Penn Avenue, by calling 412-456-6666 or online at www.trustarts.org.

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

• Silks Lounge: Savannah Jack (back from Nashville), Feb. 15; No Bad Ju Ju (Dance/Pop), Feb. 16; Dueling Pianos, Feb. 22; and Velveeta (Penn State Party Band), Feb. 23. All shows begin at 8 p.m.

• Pacers Lounge: Hewlett & Anderson (Variety Duo), Feb. 15-16; Walk of Shame (Variety Duo), Feb. 22; and DJ Michael Joseph, Feb. 23. All shows begin at 9 p.m.

Plans are underway for the 12th Annual Taste of the Township fundraiser for the Peters Township Public Library in April 2013, with a new twist for ticket sales to the festivities. This year, the committee organizing the event is now offering advance tickets at an early bird price of $45 each, a savings of $5 per ticket.

“We decided to kick off ticket sales at a special price available until Feb. 15, 2013,” said Taste of the Township Chairperson Margaret Verlato.

The event will be held April 19. Tickets can be purchased now at the library circulation desk.

Renaissance & Baroque will present the Pittsburgh debut of La Donna Musicale’s “All Around Love” at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at Synod Hall in Oakland.

Tickets range from $20-$35, and student tickets are $10. Discounts are available for seniors and groups of eight or more.

For details and tickets, call 412-361-2048 or visit www.rbsp.org.

Point Park University’s Conservatory Theatre Company presents “Chess” Feb. 21-Mar. 3 in the Rockwell Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

In the midst of the Cold War, Freddie Trumper of the United States and Anatoly Sergievsky of the Soviet Union, face off in a world championship chess tournament. The two men, with the reputations of their countries at stake, prove weak in the face of love and loyalty.

“Chess” will have a preview performance at 8 p.m. Feb. 21 with tickets available at a discounted rate of $12. There is also a “Pay What You Wish” matinee performance at 2 p.m. Feb. 23 (tickets subject to availability).

Shows take place at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets are $18-$20 (special student and group rates are available) and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or visiting www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.