To help promote the event, download a printable flyer.

Saturday, December 5, 2009
7:30 PM

Pittsburgh Dance & Theatre Arts
4765 Liberty Avenue (Lower Level)
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

$5.00 Admission

Bloomfield Events Calendar

Thursday, November 26, 2009
4–8 PM

Courtyard by Marriott
5308 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

$24.95 per Adult
$12.95 per Child 12 and Under

Bloomfield Events Calendar

Sign up today for a very special night out with Councilman Bill Peduto — Candide Neighborhood Night!

This Friday, November 20 join Councilman Peduto for dinner and the Quantum Theatre production Candide. Before the show, enjoy a dinner with Quantum Theatre’s artistic director Karla Boos, and Councilman Peduto at Cafe Sam, 5242 Baum Boulevard. Candide follows at 8 PM at the former Don Allen Auto City, 5315 Baum Boulevard.

Tickets are $32, and district residents receive a $5 discount for this event. Mention the Neighborhood Night discount when ordering by phone (412-394-3353) — tickets must be purchased in advance! Read more about Quantum Theatre’s production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide here.

View the Cafe Sam menu for the pre-show dinner here.

This event is limited to 30 people — so make your reservation today! Please contact Jessica McCurdy at 412-255-2133 to reserve your spot!

Friday, November 20, 2009
5:45–11 PM

Cafe Sam
5242 Baum Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Former Don Allen Auto City
5315 Baum Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Tickets are $32, and district residents receive a $5 discount for this event.
Prix Fixe Dinner is $19.95 for ticket holders.

Bloomfield Events Calendar

The following is the final report from the Community Technical Assistance Center, Inc. (CTAC) regarding the BBA election held on November 17, 2009.

I have read and approved the final report.

Good news Bloomfield, there’s a new performance series in the area. The Pittsburgh Dance & Theatre Arts studio that recently moved into the space under W.G. Grinders and Starbucks has started a monthly cabaret. Saturday, November 7 was the first performance of the cabaret, with its theme of “The Psycho Go Go!” The cabaret featured performances like B movie comedy and horror by Stage Fright, the blues styling of Gypsy Piano Blues, a belly dancing performance by Sadira, hip-hop artist Lucid Music and the Psycho Go Go Dancers. The whole performance was hosted by Dr. Mirakle and Scumbelina.

“The Psycho Go Go!” cabaret drew in a crowd of around 30 to 40 people, and lasted for almost two hours. And while this crowd didn’t stop traffic like the performance that accompanied the studio’s September grand opening, it was still an amazing turnout. Next month’s cabaret will be the more family-oriented “A Christmas Tree Grows in Bloomfield” on December 5. So far, the acts participating include an accordion player, the children from the winter showcase, and their amazing African drum/dance teacher Yamoussa Camara.

Pittsburgh Dance & Theatre Arts moved into its new space in September, and they are working hard to give Pittsburgh an affordable creative outlet. “We don’t do competitions,” said Laura Hodge, the studio’s owner. “We train people in dance techniques and inspire their creativity. It’s about studying your art form and introducing yourself to other experiences.” The studio offers classes that range from belly dancing and African dance/drums to more traditional classes like ballet and tap. They truly are Pittsburgh’s most diverse dance studio. Along with offering dance classes, Hodge is looking to incorporate more ways to involve the community. “I would love to get more people interested in a yoga class here, and maybe someday creating a spa and wellness center. I’m also trying to start an adult acting class for the community.”

Another big aspect of the studio is its Junior Theatre that works with students’ acting and singing skills. The musical theatre works with children from all ages, and gets them to put on a show to showcase their skills. “One year we did A Christmas Carol,” said Hodge, “Scrooge was played by an eleven year old, and the rest of the cast was younger. It’s not just a show for children, but a show that’s put on by the children.” All of the plays that the theatre puts on are written and adapted by her husband Chris Mattick. This year’s showcase will be Babes in Toyland, Out of the Shoe. The play will focus on the Mother Goose rhymes that are in the story, and has most of the characters living in the old woman’s shoe. The show will be taking place at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty on December 13.

With classes geared for all ages and ability levels, there’s something for everyone. And because the studio is so community oriented, Hodge is always willing to help out the area by promoting businesses through donations or supporting local artists with their shows. To find out more about the classes and rates, or if you would like to help the studio by donating extra chairs and Christmas trees for their upcoming cabaret, you can visit their website or visit the studio located on the lower level of the old Plaza Theater, 4765 Liberty Avenue.

Dana from Grasso Roberto reminded me to remind you about tomorrow’s elections for the Bloomfield Business Association board of directors. The election will take place in the Courtyard by Marriott from 6–8 PM. If you’re a 2009 BBA member, please remember to stop in and cast your vote.

If you click on the event in the Bloomfield Events Calendar, you can download the ICS file directly to your calendar as a reminder.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
6–8 PM

Courtyard by Marriott
5308 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Last weekend, I got to see one of my new favorite bands in a new Bloomfield venue when The Harlan Twins played The Nerve. Click their logo to listen to “Can’t Be Blue in Bloomfield” and other tracks on MySpace.

The Nerve is a warehouse turned gallery at 500 Dargan Street, right under the Bloomfield Bridge. Nobody I spoke to knew much about the venue, which made it feel like we weren’t supposed to be there had I not gotten the address from their MySpace page.

The Nerve

The bands played in a sparsely-decorated industrial space, backed by video projections by artist Jim Mueller that added a level of atmosphere not normally found under no influence. There were no chairs, but this audience didn’t mind standing to see the bands.

Harlans James Hart on Vocals & Jules Krishnamurti on Bass

Harlan Carrie Battle

Colin and the Shots

I noticed a few Pittsburgh musicians among the fans, along with fellow social media creators Sarah from GeekStar.com and Matthew Stoff from Burgh Sounds. GeekStar took some awesome shots of The Harlan Twins and Colin and the Shots that I recommend checking out, and Burgh Sounds wrote a review of the “infrequent and undocumented” opening act that is worth reading.

All Photos © 2009 geekstar.com. See more shots of The Nerve here.

Tonight, the Bloomfield Business Association will be turning the holiday lights back on in Bloomfield! Share in the holiday spirit at 5:30 in the Fifth Third Bank Clock Courtyard.

To help promote the event, download a printable PDF flyer.

Friday, November 13, 2009
5:30 PM

Fifth Third Bank Clock Courtyard
4724 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Bloomfield Events Calendar

When I first heard that a meet-up for web geeks was happening in Bloomfield, you can imagine my emotional response: I was pissed. I was disappointed that I hadn’t heard of the event until that day, and I already had plans. Luckily, that was just Build Guild Pittsburgh‘s first monthly event, so don’t get pissed at me because you didn’t hear about today’s meet-up until just now.

What is Build Guild?

According to their website, “Build Guild is a monthly event (Occurs the 2nd Wednesday of every month) where folks in the web industry—designers, coders, project managers, hobbyists, etc.—can get together to talk web, debate industry topics, share ideas, make professional connections, land gigs, and discuss the real reasons why mustaches need to make a comeback.”

The meet-ups happen at Silky’s Pub in Bloomfield, and are very informal. If you’re familiar with the like-minded group Refresh Pittsburgh, the crowd is very similar, and you’ll probably see a few of the same folks. However, unlike Refresh, which has scheduled speakers, the only speakers you’ll be listening to at the Guild are you and whomever you’re talking to — think Geek Night or OpenCoffee Club without recruiters or venture capitalists.

And it’s in Bloomfield, which is pretty cool, or at least geeky enough.

2nd Wednesday of Every Month
6:30 PM

Silky’s Pub
5135 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Bloomfield Events Calendar