If you have an Allegheny County library card, you have access to weekly discounted tickets or free admission to regional cultural attractions through RAD Pass. Apply for your free library card to start using your RAD Pass today!
Pittsburgh Art Events: November 13-19
Explore Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and culture scene with this week’s event recommendations, featuring a play about three small-time hustlers, circus performers tackling The Nutcracker, a family dance party, and more!
Monday, November 13
Black Barbie: A Documentary. Three Rivers Film Festival presents the Pittsburgh premiere of director Lagueria Davis’ film exploring the fascinating story behind the first Black Barbie through the eyes of three former Mattel employees. Harris Theater. 809 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 5:30 p.m. filmpittsburgh.org
Kronos Quartet. Chamber Music Pittsburgh presents Kronos’ 50th anniversary tour stop, celebrating the ensemble’s contributions to the genre with a dynamic mix of new compositions, signature pieces, and commissioned works. PNC Theatre. 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. chambermusicpittsburgh.org
Tuesday, November 14
Taxes For Artists. Doing your taxes is hard — especially for artists. Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax hosts a free virtual workshop, presented by Brew House Arts in partnership with the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and Radiant Hall, to make sure you’re getting all the information you need to do your taxes right. Streaming on Zoom. 6-8 p.m. brewhousearts.org
Wednesday, November 15
A Seat at Our Table Culinary Series with Dr. Jessica B. Harris. An exclusive culinary experience with crafted cocktails and a plated dinner curated and hosted by bestselling author Dr. Jessica B. Harris, considered by many to be one of the highest ranking authorities on the food of the African Diaspora. August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 5:30 p.m. awaacc.org
That Was Dope - Open Mic. A live open mic and jam session with a house band featuring Benji., Brandon Lehman, Eddan Sparks, Frank Cohen, and Lucas Bowman. Bottlerocket Social Hall. 1226 Arlington Ave., Allentown. 7-10 p.m. bottlerocketpgh.com
"A Sea At Dawn" Poetry Reading & Book Talk. Highlighting the works of Silvia Guerra, one of the most influential figures in Uruguayan poetry today. Hosted by translators Jeannine Marie Pitas and Jesse Lee Kercheval, featuring poetry readings and a book talk of Guerra’s newly released collection of poetry, A Sea at Dawn, published by Western PA-based small press Eulalia Books. Vestige Concept Gallery. 5417 Butler St., Lawrenceville. 7 p.m. vestigegallery.com
≈[Almost Equal To]. A funny and brutal play spotlighting a number of people who are colliding with the economy surrounding them. Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University. 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. 7:30 p.m. Continues through Nov. 19. playhouse.pointpark.edu
Thursday, November 16
Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival. Featuring 119 short films and a Filmmaker Conference jam-packed with great guests, red carpet interviews with filmmakers, and the top four scripts from Film Pittsburgh’s Script Competition read live by some of Pittsburgh’s best actors. Harris Theater. 809 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 7 p.m. Continues through Nov. 19. filmpittsburgh.org
The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra pairs a live musical score with a screening of Tim Burton’s classic holiday tale. Heinz Hall. 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. 7 p.m. Continues on Nov. 17. pittsburghsymphony.org
Art Battle Pittsburgh. Watch as talented artists battle it out in three two-minute rounds. The pieces will be auctioned off and the crowd will crown the ultimate champion of the night. Bulgarian Macedonian Cultural Center. 449 W. Eighth Ave., West Homestead. 7 p.m. artbattle.com
The Nutcracker. A story of a girl’s journey to an enchanted circus on Christmas Eve, featuring aerialists, acrobats, and jugglers. Iron City Circus Arts. 711 S. 21st St., South Side. 7:30 p.m. Continues through Nov. 19. ironcitycircusarts.ticketleap.com
Friday, November 17
Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden. Phipps Conservatory’s annual transformation into a winter wonderland features indoor displays showcasing holiday trees and floral delights, and an outdoor light exhibit. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. One Schenley Park, Oakland. 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Continues through Jan. 7. phipps.conservatory.org
Trans Day of Remembrance Mini Kiki Ball. Free Mini Kiki Ball memorializing those in our community who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and celebrating the lives of those still fighting for our cause and expressing themselves freely. Blaxk Box. 460 Melwood Ave., Bloomfield. 6 p.m. facebook.com
State of the Sky. Opening reception for artist-in-residence Luke Stettner’s two-year exhibition which features more than 10 creative collaborators. Drawing inspiration from the changing conditions of the sky in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, and by embracing the intrinsic value of collaboration, Stettner explores the complicated impact of industry on the environment and community health. Mattress Factory. 516 Sampsonia Annex, North Side. 6-8 p.m. Continues through 2025. mattress.org
Food! Food. Food? A multidisciplinary art show for anyone who eats food. Featuring artists Kate Owens, Megan Shalonis, Lindsay Miller, Liz Boyd, and Jerome Charles. Benefits 412 Food Rescue. Ketchup City Creative. 612 Main St., Sharpsburg. 6-9 p.m. Continues through Nov. 18. instagram.com/ketchupcitycreative
LABEL•LESS. Using popular music, dance and personal stories, Lachey Arts brings attention to topics in a way that everyone can understand and relate to, encouraging everyone to “walk” a mile in someone else’s shoes. Kelly Strayhorn Theater. 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. 7:30 p.m. kelly-strayhorn.org
American Buffalo. Three small-time hustlers want a bigger cut of the American dream. David Mamet's explosive drama exposes a timely American truth: The hustle and the con are two sides of the same coin. Barebones Productions. 1211 Braddock Ave., Braddock. 8 p.m. Continues through Dec. 10. barebonesproductions.com
Saturday, November 18
The Alloy School Showcase and Let’s Move! Family Dance Party. An end-of-season celebration featuring a one-hour performance from each class of The Alloy School, followed by a family-friendly dance party. KST’s Alloy Studios. 5530 Penn Ave., East Liberty. 10 a.m. kelly-strayhorn.org
The Pittsburgh Record Convention Fall Show 2023. Shop from national and local vendors selling records, CDs, cassettes, and more. West View Banquet Hall. 398 Perry Highway, West View. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. facebook.com
Diwali Event and Exhibit. Celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, while immersing yourself in art from featured artists Ravi Kamath, Rum Hansra, and Sukeshi Sondhi. Atithi Studios. 1020 N. Canal St., Sharpsburg. 4-8:30 p.m. instagram.com/atithistudios
Clara Kent Live at Light Up Night. A free performance from Pittsburgh neo-soul and hip-hop singer Clara Kent, with opening act Mani Bahia, a soulful funk-fused artist bringing tunes from her self-produced release. Benedum Lot Stage on Penn Avenue and Seventh Street, Downtown. 5 p.m. facebook.com
Pittsburgh Symphony’s Highmark Light Up Night Concerts. Experience the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for free with live music led by Assistant Conductor Jacob Joyce. Heinz Hall. 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8 p.m. pittsburghsymphony.org
I Think I’m Starting To Want To Be A Mother. A pop-punk take on a Greek Revenge tragedy, presented by the Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. The Philip Chosky Theater. 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 8 p.m. Continues through Nov. 29. drama.cmu.edu
Soul Sessions: Mumu Fresh. A performance by Mumu Fresh (also known as Maimouna Youssef), a Grammy-Nominated, Indigenous music award-winning, former elected Governor of The DC Chapter of The Recording Academy, art activist, and an ambassador of The Black Music Collective. August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 8 p.m. awaacc.org
Jerome & Buscrates, Imani Emanuel, Amanda Averell, & Surprise Guests. Sketch comedy, stand-up, and live music. Arcade Comedy Theater. 943 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 9 p.m. arcadecomedytheater.com
Sunday, November 19
Pagbabagong-Anyo “Transformation.” The Philippine-American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh presents an afternoon of Filipino Culture through dance, music, performing arts, and food. New Hazlett Theater. 6 Allegheny Square, North Side. 2 p.m. newhazletttheater.org
