Teen sings with RCBB

A young singer who wasn't born when the River City Brass Band was founded will help conclude its 25th anniversary season.

Seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn Lusk will sing two sets of songs made famous by Judy Garland during concerts this month. The State College native has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Pops and others. In addition to singing Garland medleys, Lusk has sung in Howard Shore's "Lord of the Rings Symphony," including at the 2005 Grammys.

"Her voice is just phenomenal," said Denis Colwell, RCBB music director.

Also on the program are Bernstein's "Candide Overture," Jeno Hubay's "Hejre Kati," Jay Ungar's "Ashokan Farewell" and more.

Concerts are at 3 p.m. today, Baldwin High School; 8 p.m. Tuesday, Upper St. Clair High School; 8 p.m. Friday, Gateway High School, Monroeville; 3 p.m. next Sunday, Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, Johnstown; and 7:30 p.m. May 10, Heinz Hall, Downtown. For tickets, call 1-800-292-7222.

-- Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette classical music critic)

'Daily Show' visitor

Lee Gutkind didn't answer the call when it came, but he was still in time to agree to an appearance tomorrow on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" (Comedy Central, 11 p.m.), where he'll talk about his book, "Almost Human: Making Robots Think," about the culture of Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute.

He got a voice mail message from a publicist at W.W. Norton, publisher of his book, begging, "Please do it, please do it, please do it." Seems his cell phone had been charging and he hadn't looked at it for hours, so he didn't know what she was talking about at first. When Gutkind readily agreed, it then took the "Daily Show" five days to confirm the date.

Gutkind, editor and founder of Creative Nonfiction magazine, has been writer in residence while teaching at the University of Arizona this semester, so he'll be heading east from there.

What does he except will happen when he sits down with Stewart?

"It should be fun," Gutkind mused over the phone last week. "He's a funny guy, and robots are funny, or at least then can be."

For more about Gutkind and "Almost Human," read PG science writer David Templeton's March story.

-- Sharon Eberson

Give me your lunch money, he sang

Most bullies don't sing, but the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytical Society and Institute is going to examine one who does. On Saturday the Society will join Pittsburgh Opera for a panel examining the behavior of bullies in all aspects of society through a look at Britten's opera "Billy Budd." In it, the vile John Claggart pushes around Budd and other sailors. "From the Playground to the Boardroom" includes presenters Linda Dickerson, CEO of the National Aviary, Dr. Howard Foster and Dr. Chester Berschling.

The seminar takes place from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Opera building, 801 Penn Ave. It is open to the public, but participants can apply for continuing education credit. Fee includes a ticket for the May 12 performance of "Billy Budd" at the Benedum Center. To register, call 412-661-4224.

-- Andrew Druckenbrod

Recycled chic

Like vegan food, art made from recycled materials is leaving the alternative fold as it becomes more sophisticated.

An exhibit packed with sharp reinventions of discards, "Reduce, Reuse," is at Construction Junction, a nonprofit, recycled building material retail shop.

The works were made by students from Carnegie Mellon University's School of Design class "Design and Social Change." Among them are mood-enhancing floor lamps, a vase with Pop attitude, a wearable "junkmail jacket," a small table built from chopsticks and a zingy wall piece with shelf to incorporate a plant or flower arrangement.

The exhibit is one component of a class project to promote the value of recycling on the campus through visual and practical means.

The exhibit continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until May 30 at 214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. Proceeds from sales of the artworks will benefit Construction Junction.

-- Mary Thomas, Post-Gazette art critic