Shirley McMarlin stories, Page 76
Labor Day arts and crafts festival offers food and fun, too
Shopping more than 200 exhibitor booths is just the start of the fun at the 26th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Labor Day Festival, set for Aug. 30-Sept. 2 at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds. “In addition to the eclectic mix of arts and crafts, we have a variety of musical entertainment...
Out & About: Young artists show a hit at Greensburg Art Center
Greensburg Art Center’s inaugural Young Artists Show was hung on the walls of the center’s all-purpose kitchen-classroom. Next year, it might have to take over the main gallery. The one-afternoon show took place Aug. 25, highlighting the work of children ages 3 to 18 who took summer art classes or...
Westmoreland Historical Society plans house tour, cocktail party
The Westmoreland Historical Society is offering a first-ever inside view of the restored Hon. John B. Steel House (circa 1910-12), now part of the Westmoreland History Center at Historic Hanna’s Town in Hempfield. Two period rooms on the first floor and second-floor staff offices will be the setting for the...
Out & About: ‘Dark Planet’ glows on SAMA-Ligonier Valley grounds
Nighttime drivers on Route 711 south of Ligonier will see a glowing orb as they pass the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. It’s “Dark Planet,” a newly installed sculpture by artist David Harber of Oxfordshire, England, donated to the museum by Donald Green, in memory of his...
Out & About: Latrobe Art Center gala guests paint the town yellowVideo
Historically, being called yellow hasn’t been a good thing. But yellow was exactly what you wanted to be at Latrobe Art Center’s seventh annual Yellow Tie Gala. The event was held Aug. 23 in conjunction with the Great American Banana Split Celebration, commemorating Latrobe as the birthplace of the decadent...
Travel tip: Use common sense to avoid the ‘ugly American’ label
Want to blend in with the locals while traveling abroad? Here are a few tips for avoiding the dreaded “ugly American” stereotype: • Leave the athletic wear, sneakers, fanny packs, white socks and sandals at home. • Learn a few essential phrases in the language of the country you’re visiting....
Out & About: Real men wear pink for ACS breast cancer awareness
In case you didn’t get the memo (which actually has been out for quite a while now) — pink isn’t just for girls any more. On Aug. 22, a whole passel of pink-clad gentlemen gathered in The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg for the launch of the American...
Young artists to display their talents at Greensburg Art Center
A group of young artists will have their talents put on view from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Greensburg Art Center. “Over 100 art students, ages 3-18, were invited to participate in the Greensburg Art Center’s first ‘Young Artists Show,’” says center member Pat Majcher. “These students all took...
Tickets for TSO holiday shows in Pittsburgh going on saleVideo
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s popular annual holiday tour, “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” includes two Dec. 22 shows at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Times for the Pittsburgh concerts will be 3:30 and 8 p.m. Reserved tickets, starting at $47.25, go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 13 at livenation.com, ticketmaster.com...
Out & About: Models strut their stuff in Y thrift shop fashionsVideo
A fashion show isn’t usually an audience-participation event — unless your emcee happens to be Latasha Wilson-Batch. The YWCA Westmoreland County chose the executive director of the Best of the Batch Foundation (and spouse of former Steeler Charlie Batch) to narrate its annual Girls in Pearls: Walk the Red Carpet...
Review: Somber ‘Angel Has Fallen’ brings growth to franchiseVideo
The “Has Fallen” series, “Olympus,” “London” and now, “Angel Has Fallen,” is a curiously enduring franchise. But it seems the character of Mike Banning, a foul-mouthed Secret Service agent played with a lumpy gruffness by Gerard Butler, has filled the void of the everyman action hero, displaced by those with...
Entertainment planner: Aug. 22-Sept. 4
Thursday Aug. 22 East Coast Turnaround, TGIS free concert, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg. 724-836-8000 or thepalacetheatre.org Friday Aug. 23 Great American Banana Split Celebration, entertainment, food and activities, downtown Latrobe. Through Aug. 25. bananasplitfest.com History Happy Hour, Fort Ligonier. 724-238-9701 or fortligonier.org Rock the Quarry XIX, music, food and fun,...
‘Dancing With the Stars’ choice of Sean Spicer sparks backlash
Sorry, nice guys like actor James Van Der Beek and Karamo Brown of “Queer Eye” — you probably aren’t going to get the attention you deserve on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.” ABC has announced the cast for Season 28, kicking off Sept. 16, and the buzz...
ZZ Top, WDVE team up for Pittsburgh concert ticket offerVideo
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top and Pittsburgh rock station WDVE are celebrating their 50th anniversaries by offering two pavilion seats for $50 (plus applicable fees) for the band’s Sept. 11 concert at KeyBank Pavilion in Burgettstown. The special tickets are available in limited quantities, while supplies last,...
Comedian Bill Bellamy discusses his legacy ahead of Pittsburgh Improv showsVideo
Comedian Bill Bellamy has contributed to the popular culture with stand-up routines and numerous roles in movies and on television. But will he be best remembered for coining one of the most ubiquitous phrases in the urban slang lexicon? Bellamy, who will perform five shows Aug. 23-25 at the Pittsburgh...
The Westmoreland to host rock ’n’ roll listening session
The sounds that shaped rock ’n’ roll culture will be the focus of a listening session from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. The conversation will be led by Nwaka Onwusa, director of curatorial affairs at the Rock and Roll Hall...
Out & About: Jeannette gallery goes a little batty with new show
Things got a little batty Aug. 17 at You Are Here art gallery in Jeannette. That was the plan, though. It was the opening reception for “Bat Country,” a group exhibition of works taking inspiration from the oft-feared creatures of the night. Running through Sept. 28, “Bat Country” features works...
Out & About: Every car has a story at Mt. Pleasant Cruise Night
At a car cruise, usually the guys are the car enthusiasts and the gals are there to be companionable. Not so for at least one couple at the 33rd annual Mt. Pleasant Cruise Night, held Aug. 16 in Frick Park. “I’m the gearhead and he’s the chef,” said Marianne Caruso...
Out & About: Rugs and coverlets hook up in SAMA-Ligonier exhibit
Some hookers gathered Aug. 17 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Don’t be scandalized, though — they were rug hookers (and some other folks) attending the opening reception for “A Celebration of Texture and Pattern: Hooked Rugs and Historic Coverlets,” showing through Oct. 27. The exhibition...
Travel tip: Living history train ride portrays Civil War clash
Experience the thrills and chills of a Civil War-era skirmish aboard a train on a Northern Central Railway Steam Into History trip. Five Great Southern Train Raid excursions will depart the station in New Freedom, York County, on Aug. 24-25 for a living history ride featuring Union and Confederate soldiers...
5 decades in, Doobie Brothers still rocking ahead of Pittsburgh-area showVideo
For a band with a long history and a big catalog of hits, the trick is to give audiences what they want without getting stale creatively. Founding member Tom Johnston says the Doobie Brothers have been able to walk that fine line. The band, with hits like “China Grove” and...
Entertainment planner: Aug. 15-28
Thursday, Aug. 15 “A Celebration of Texture and Pattern: Hooked Rugs and Historic Coverlets,” Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art-Ligonier Valley, Ligonier Township. Through Oct. 27. 724-238-6015 or sama-art.org DJ Gladstone Deluxe, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh. 412-363-3000 or kelly-strayhorn.org Skull Fest, punk music festival, various Pittsburgh locations. Through Aug. 18. skullfestpgh.com...
Out & About: Pooches party at inaugural Dog Days of Summer event
On the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival, there was something approximating a Dogstock on Aug. 11 at the Twin Lakes Park Expansion Area in Hempfield. It was the inaugural Westmoreland County Dog Days of Summer, a one-stop shopping event for information on area pet adoption...
Out & About: Theater-goers enjoy signature Saint Vincent cabaret
The reviews were in at the Aug. 9 after-theater cabaret at the Saint Vincent Summer Theatre at Saint Vincent College — “Always … Patsy Cline” was a big hit! The musical portrays the true story of superfan Louise Seger’s unlikely friendship with her musical idol, starting with a chance meeting...
Out & About: Strollers come out for Ligonier classic car cruiseVideo
A traffic jam isn’t a common occurrence in Ligonier, but there was a good reason for the congestion Aug. 9. It was the night of The Stroll, the annual antique and classic car cruise, dance contest and all-around good time. Warm temperatures and clear skies brought out dozens of cherished...
