Hard to believe, but it’s been 25 years since The Beehive opened.
Pittsburgh’s early arts-oriented coffeehouse/performance space will take a look back at its origins with a 25th-anniversary party starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Organizer Ryan Moore, director of events and operations for the South Side group of businesses that include The Beehive and Double Wide Grill, isn’t quite old enough to remember the coffeehouse as it was in its inaugural year. Nonetheless, he’s planning “historically accurate live performances” by some of the same artists who got their start at The Beehive, including Jenn Wertz of Rusted Root, plus Amoeba Knievel, Bingo Quixote and HellBelly, along with an art show featuring works by local artists.
Double Wide Grill is working on special food for the event, and The Beehive will offer a free small coffee to each patron all day Saturday.
Festivities also will spill into next door’s Rowdy Buck, which formerly was part of The Beehive’s space. There will be an after-party starting at 9:30 p.m. at Lava Lounge, also on the South Side.
“The Beehive was one of the early businesses especially in the South Side to help cultivate the Bohemian, artist, musical culture,” Mr. Moore said. “It helped to turn the neighborhood into what it is now.”
Information: beehivebuzz.com.
Holiday classes
Spirits for the Holidays: Learn to make four varieties of infused vodka. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Fern Hollow Nature Center in Sewickley. $40, plus bring two fifths of vodka; price includes appetizers for noshing and infused vodkas to take home. For ages 21 and up only. Reservations: 412-741-6136 or fhnc.org.
Making the Perfect Cheese Plate: Jen Lawton, East End Food Co-op cheese coordinator, teaches this holiday appetizer class. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, at East End Food Co-op, Point Breeze. Free, but reserve a spot: 412-242-3598.
Holiday events
Victorian Progressive Dinner: Four courses served in different rooms and paired with different drinks, including wassail, bubbles, wine and cocktails. 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Omni William Penn, Downtown. $89. Reservations: 412-391-1709.
Holiday Cookie Walk, Carnegie: Nut crescents, fruit-filled kolache, Ukrainian truffles, Italian rum balls, almond cookies, nut rolls, lady locks, pizzelles and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church Hall in Carnegie. Cookies are sold by the pound. Information: 412-276-2768 or 724-348-7326.
Cookie Walk, North Hills: Christmas cookies sold by the pound, plus candy, breads, gingerbread houses and more. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12 at McKnight United Methodist Church, Ross. mcknightumc.org.
Ugly Sweater Party: Don your ugliest holiday sweater and enjoy wassail, seasonal cocktails and holiday treats; ugliest sweater wins a prize of dinner for two. 10 p.m. Dec. 18 at The Commoner, Downtown. Free admission. thecommonerpgh.com.
Gift sales
All-Clad Seconds Sale: Friday through Sunday at two local stores: Crate in Scott and In the Kitchen in the Strip District. cratecook.com or shopinthekitchen.com.
Fair Trade Marketplace: Fair trade, sustainable, affordable holiday gifts, including a Chickadee’s Nest where children can shop independently for gifts under $10. Enjoy soup and baked goods after you shop. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Environmental Charter School in Regent Square. ecspco.org.
Rick Sebak Smiley Cookies: WQED’s Rick Sebak has plenty to smile about. He is Eat ’n Park’s featured local Smiley Cookie celebrity for this holiday season. Previous years’ cookies depicted Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel and Curt Wootton, better known as Pittsburgh Dad. Various gift box selections are available. Order at smileycookie.com.
Rebecca Sodergren: pgfoodevents@hotmail.com or on Twitter @pgfoodevents.
First Published: December 2, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
