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Cartoons at CMU
Cartoons are the topic beginning at 7 tonight in Carnegie Mellon University's Porter Hall 100. Post-Gazette editorial cartoonist Rob Rogers will start things off with a lecture, "How a Cartoonist's Brain Works," in which he'll discuss his book, "No Cartoon Left Behind: The Best of Rob Rogers," recently published by CMU Press (a book signing will follow the programs). Tim Haggerty, director of the Humanities Scholars Program, will put "Rogers in Historical Perspective: A Faint Glimmer of Hope," followed by professor of art Patricia Bellan-Gillen speaking on "Thievery: Cartoons and Comics in Contemporary Art." Sponsored by Center for the Arts in Society, the event is free and open to the public; 412-268-6580.
Animal man
Jungle Jack Hanna, the saner version of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, is bringing remarkable animals and the requisite crazy stories and footage to go along with them to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.
The go-to man for talk show hosts whenever they feel like holding a bizarre or adorable animal, Jack Hanna is also the creator and host of "Jack Hanna's Into the Wild," which won an Emmy its first season.
Tickets cost $24, $30 and $34 for adults, $14, $20 and $24 for children age 16 and under. Call The Palace Theatre box office at 724-836-8000 or visit www.thepalacetheatre.org.
Artists 'Exchange'
One of the first big splashes of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh centennial year has its opening reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Gallery, 937 Liberty Ave., Downtown (free and public). The exhibition, "Exchange," brings emerging and experienced artists together to show the breadth of media and membership AAP represents. Some 70 venues will present exhibitions featuring AAP artists this year; see a complete list at www.aapgh.org.
A 'Cluster' of activity
More than 20 additional area artists will exhibit in "Cluster," opening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts ($5 at door, members free). Organized by Center and Pittsburgh Filmmakers curator Adam Welch, the artists investigate connections. Included are a mixed-media installation by Jacob Ciocci; sculpture by Dee Briggs and Will Giannotti; two-dimensional works by Connie Cantor, Bovey Lee and David Montano; and videos by Robert Lasdislas Derr and Julie Perini. Information: 412-361-0873 or www.pittsburgharts.org.
Ernie's blues
Guitar legend Jorma Kaukonen, recently in town, offered these thoughts on one of Pittsburgh's finest: "Ernie Hawkins is an important link in the unbroken chain of blues and gospel artists. His 'guitaristry' and love of the style is incomparable. From the Rev. Gary Davis into the future with his own style Ernie is one of the special ones."
On Friday 7:30 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Calliope presents Hawkins in a rare full band performance with Paul Constentino (clarinet of the Boilermaker Jazz Band), Marc Reisman (harmonica), Roger Day (tuba) and Rich Strong (percussion). Tickets are $17 ($15 members).
Got it Made
Take note, Romeos/Juliets -- V-Day is rapidly approaching. No need to be ill-fated and star-crossed this year. Ditch the boxed chocolates and roses for something cool and funky this year.
Presented by I Made It! Market Nomadic Indie Craft Marketplace, 50 local crafters offer everything from superhero capes (sweet!) to stationary to recycled jewelry.
The market is held from noon to 5 p.m. at Union Project, 801 N. Negley Ave. Vendor details at www.imadeitmarketblog.com.
On the edge
Cecil Balmond, a visionary London-based designer whose magical installation "H_edge" is at the Forum gallery, Carnegie Museum of Art, will lecture at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the museum. The installation comprises 6,000 aluminum plates, derived from organic patterns and mathematical theories, which appear to be suspended on chains but are actually free-standing. Sri Lanka-born, Mr. Balmond is deputy chairman of the international design consultancy Arup, within which he created the Advanced Geometry Unit in 2000 to pursue his interest in the genesis of form using numbers, music and mathematics. He has collaborated with contemporary artists and architects including Anish Kapoor, Rem Koolhaas and Daniel Libeskind. Free with museum admission. Information: 412-622-3131 or www.cmoa.org.
Whale of a day
Saturday is a whale of a day at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, with a series of events related to the ongoing "Whales/Tohora" exhibit.
"Do Right by the Right Whales": Lecture by Angelia Vanderlaan, winner of the 2008 William T. Hornaday Conservation Award, on conservation efforts to save the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Lecture Hall at 1 p.m.
"Out of the Deep" -- Performance inspired by the connection between gray whales and humans combines music, dance and poetry. Hall of North American Wildlife at 11 a.m.
"Out of the Deep": An In-Depth Look: Following a second performance of "Out of the Deep," the three artists who collaborated on it -- poet Rosaly DeMaios, composer David Berlin and choreographer Holly Boda-Sutton -- talk about the inspiration for the performance piece. Lecture Hall at 3 p.m.
Visitors can also learn more about conservation efforts on both the global and regional levels. Information: 412-622-3131.
Haitian player
Daniel Bernard Roumain, a classically trained violinist from Haiti, will perform at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown, Saturday at 8 p.m, but it won't be a classical concert. Rather, the violinist applies his roots to a blend of blend of funk, rock, hip-hop and classical.
The New York Times called Roumain, who collaborated with Lady Gaga on "American Idol," "about as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets." The Wilson Center will serve as a donation site for such items as baby wipes, non-liquid soap and toothpaste, and $3 from every ticket sold for this concert will be donated to Brother's Brother Foundation for Haiti relief efforts.
Tickets are $28 to $30. Call 412-456-6666 or go to pgharts.org.
Death Acoustic
Anyone who ever saw Kyuss or Queens of the Stone Age will understand that Nick Oliveri with an acoustic guitar will not sound like James Taylor.
The ousted member of QOTSA, also a part-time member of the Dwarves, appropriately called his solo record "Death Acoustic" for all the rage inside. It's anyone's guess what he'll be like live, but he'll almost definitely be wearing clothes.
The show is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 to $10. Call 412-361-2262.
Just Souper
There's only so much Super Bowl pregame analysis a person can take. Spare yourself hours of pointless speculation and check out the WYEP Alternative Souper Bowl instead.
The 11th annual Bowl features music from Meeting of Important People, Ernie Hawkins and Boca Chica and will be broadcast live on 91.3.
And it's not called Souper Bowl to be cute. Participants should bring non-perishable food items, women's deodorant, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaners, and dish soap to be donated to HEARTH, a local shelter for homeless and displaced women and their children.
The Souper Bowl is held from noon to 3 at Borders, near the corner of Centre Avenue and S. Highland Avenue. Details at www.wyep.org.
• Cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan won first prize in the 2008 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, which promotes its winners in concerts tour. His includes a stop at Rodef Shalom Congregation, Fifth Avenue, Oakland. His recital at 8 p.m. Monday in its splendid Levy Hall is part of its Music at Rodef Shalom series. The concert is free; call 412-621-6566, ext. 124, for more information.
• One of America's finest collegiate choruses returns to the city. Founded in 1912, the St. Olaf Choir is now conducted by Anton Armstrong and will come to Heinz Hall in the midst of a tour that will take it to Carnegie Hall in New York, Verizon Hall in Philadelphia and Severance Hall in Cleveland and Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh. The program will touch on sacred and secular choral works, from Bach to contemporary composers, and from Western music to global expressions from around the world, including works Argentinean composer Roberto Caamano and Norwegian composer Ola Gjeil. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Heinz Hall. Tickets $29-$35, $15 for students; 412-392-4900.
• The Pittsburgh Area Theater Organ Society pulls out the stops literally for the program of ragtime to swing at 2 p.m. Saturday at Keystone Oaks High School Auditorium, Mt. Lebanon. Tickets are $12-$15; 412-241-8108.
• Pittsburgh singer-songwriters Joy Ike and Heather Kropf will join forces with nationally touring folk-pop artist Kristen Graves for a Ladies Night show at Club Cafe tonight at 7. Tickets are $8. Go to clubcafelive.com.
First Published February 4, 2010 12:00 am
