Shirley McMarlin stories, Page 27

Edward Bostedo loves “Rent” so much that he has a lyric from the musical tattooed on his leg. When Greensburg Civic Theatre needed a director for its upcoming production of the multiple award-winner, he applied right away and was accepted. Though the Delmont resident has been directing community theater for...

The Yinzer Cards Valentine’s Day line eschews the hearts and flowers of the typical Valentine’s card in favor of greetings tailored to a local audience. “They are not exactly your grandmother’s Valentine greeting card or candy,” said Pittsburgh-based comedian Jim Krenn, who started the card line in 2018 with radio...

Martin Barre, the longtime Jethro Tull guitarist, was skeptical when it was suggested he do a 50th anniversary tour for the band’s iconic “Aqualung” album. “I rejected (the idea) immediately,” he said. “Bands go out and say they’re gonna do an entire album, and essentially most albums don’t suit being...

Read his mind A few seats remain for a concert by Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot at 8 p.m. Friday at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. In a career spanning more than 50 years, the singer/songwriter has produced a string of hits including “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,”...

We know how much you love your Sheetz shnacks and shweets. Now is your chance to let the rest of the country know how good they are. The Altoona-based convenience store chain has been selected by USA Today as a finalist for this year’s Best Regional Fast Food Reader’s Choice...

During the 1950s, Andy Warhol worked as an illustrator for I. Miller, a shoe manufacturer. Shoes as a cultural symbol continued to fascinate him throughout his career. Warhol’s shoe illustrations are a point of departure for “Paola Pivi: I Want It All,” an exhibition opening April 22 at The Andy...

If you are looking for “Hamilton” tickets and are seeing the “No Availability” notice on the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website, don’t despair. “Additional seats will be made available for sale closer to the engagement,” said Marc Fleming, the Trust’s vice president of marketing, communications and Broadway programming. “We encourage people...

Guests once again will walk the red carpet as Party at The Palace returns live Feb. 26 to The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. After a digital event in 2021, the signature fundraiser of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust will sport a Winter Wonderland theme, which will be interpreted in a different...

The hit musical “Hamilton” returns to Pittsburgh for performances Feb. 22 through March 13 at the Benedum Center in the downtown Cultural District. Prospective audience members who haven’t purchased tickets yet would be well advised to do so soon, said Marc Fleming, vice president of marketing, communications and Broadway programming...

Two friends from Freeport use their complementary knowledge and talents to open a coffee shop. Two friends from Sarver push each other to develop their individual artistic talents. One of the artists and one of the shop owners also are friends, and therein lies a tale. Freeport residents Virginia Lindsay...

The man behind the camera will be in focus as the City of Pittsburgh celebrates Black History Month by showcasing the life and works of iconic photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris. An online photo gallery and monthlong display in the City-County Building lobby, entitled “Teenie Harris: The Man Behind the Lens,”...

Jazz is on its way back to the Backstage Bar at Theatre Square in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District, with the return of BNY Mellon Presents JazzLive. A winter installment of the year-round series kicks off with a performance from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday by Roger Humphries + RH Factor. It will run...

Art-making opportunity Community members are invited to participate in MadLab work sessions planned for noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 19 at Your Are Here gallery, 406 Clay Ave., Jeannette. MadLab is an art project that creates benches and mosaic planters made of recycled materials to be placed...

Postponement of his exhibition at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art turned out to be a good thing for artist Stephen Towns. It gave him time to create new works reflecting a shift in attitude. Originally scheduled to open in January 2021, “Stephen Towns: Declaration & Resistance” will make its...

Part of the mission of the Verostko Center for the Arts at Saint Vincent College is to feature work that exists at the nexus of art and spirituality, according to curator Andrew Julo. Two new exhibits, “People of the Book & the Storyboard” and “The Hoods Series,” explore that connection...

After a long road trip, “The Pigeon Comes to Pittsburgh!: A Mo Willems Exhibit” has returned to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Based on the “Pigeon” children’s book series by award-winning author/illustrator Mo Willems, the exhibit runs until May 8 in the facility at 10 Children’s Way in the North...

In February 2018, Donnie Iris played three 75th birthday shows at The Palace Theatre. Two years later, he was back for two more birthday shows. On the cusp of turning 79, he’s returning to Greensburg for concerts Feb. 5 and 19. Pittsburgh’s “King of Cool,” who was born Feb. 28,...

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concert could have been titled “The French Connection,” for the Gallic links among the featured composers, but because it will be performed near Valentine’s Day, it’s called “In the Key of Love.” The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Palace Theatre in...

The day’s arctic chill was no deterrent to attendance at Saturday’s opening reception for “Ah-Ha!”, a members’ exhibition at Greensburg Art Center. With the center’s parking lot full, attendees had to trek to the gallery after finding spaces in the surrounding neighborhood. The draw was the opportunity to view works...

Boogie (some) more Southern rock fans, don’t flirt with disaster by missing Molly Hatchet at 7 p.m. Friday at The Lamp Theatre in Irwin. Formed in Florida in 1971, the band had its heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s, releasing the platinum-selling hit records, “Molly Hatchet” in 1978,...

Some dramatic themes are relevant generation after generation. So it is with “Doubt: A Parable,” according to Jeff Johnston, who is directing a production of the play opening Jan. 28 at The Theatre Factory in Trafford and running Thursdays-Sundays through Feb. 5. “This piece calls into question a lot of...

The 51st annual Pitt Jazz Seminar and Concert will focus on a local jazz legend, the late Erroll Garner. Running Monday through Jan. 29, the event will feature performances by Pitt jazz students and faculty, a symposium on musicians’ rights, a virtual tour of the Erroll Garner Archive housed at...

An orchid that recently was awarded the American Orchid Society’s Certificate of Cultivation Excellence is among specimens displayed in “Orchid and Bonsai Show: An Ocean of Color,” running through March 6 at Phipps Conservatory. “Plants receiving this award represent the highest level of orchid culture,” said Adam Haas, interpretive program...

The moment that inspiration strikes is explored in a new members’ exhibition at Greensburg Art Center. “Ah-Ha!” will open with a reception from 2-4 p.m. Saturday in the center at 230 Todd School Road, Hempfield. Organizers of the open show asked artists to submit works that reveal moments of inspiration...