Shirley McMarlin stories
Vicki Lawrence brings ‘Mama’ to Greensburg’s Palace TheatreVideo
Vicki Lawrence was never intended to play “Mama,” the sharp-tongued Southerner who became one of the most iconic characters to emerge from “The Carol Burnett Show” in the 1970s. The show’s writers created the part for Burnett in a one-time sketch, with the role of Mama’s long-suffering daughter, Eunice, to...
Saint Vincent College gallery to display 88 newly acquired paintings
Saint Vincent College will display a recent bequest of 88 paintings in its entirety in “Impressionist Legacies: The Michael and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Collection,” opening Sept. 7 in the Verostko Center for the Arts on the Unity campus. A public reception is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. that evening...
Check it out: Westmoreland County libraries offer 3 free museum passes
Libraries have always offered adventure in the form of books, movies and special programs. Now, the Westmoreland Library Network is offering a way for patrons to find adventure outside library walls and around the county. Libraries in the system are offering free admission passes to the Lincoln Highway Experience in...
Out & About: Bryce Glass collectors display treasures at Ligonier museum
Two collectors of Bryce Glass Co. tableware and novelties have pooled their resources for the aptly named exhibit, “The Art and Novelty of Bryce Glass,” on display through Nov. 5 at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. Harley Trice of Shadyside comes by his interest in Bryce...
Online auction precedes Fort Ligonier’s annual Cannon Ball fundraiser
Despite the name, you won’t need your dancing shoes for the Cannon Ball at Fort Ligonier. But organizers say you’ll still have a great time — a ball, if you will. The annual signature fundraiser is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Ligonier historical complex, but the...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Sept. 1-3
Celebration of labor The annual Labor United Celebration is planned for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at Northmoreland Park, 280 Markle Road, Allegheny Township. The event features carnival rides, live music, food and beverages, bingo, arts and crafts marketplace, flea market, activities...
Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks stages ‘Cleopatra’ with all-woman cast
William Shakespeare was not averse to including a ballad or two in his plays. Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks is going the Bard one better this year, adding modern dance numbers to its production of “Cleopatra & Antony.” Audience members will hear snippets of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring...
Out & About: Everyone’s an artist at The Westmoreland’s Public Art Day
With a piece of chalk and a sidewalk, anyone can be an artist. The parking lot, sidewalks and terrace were the canvas as visitors of all ages created chalk masterpieces during Public Art Day on Aug. 19 at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Erik Greenawalt, “The Chalking Dad” from...
Saint Vincent professor wins award for film on Washington County park
A small plot of land in Washington County is in the spotlight, thanks to the work of Saint Vincent College faculty member David Safin. Safin, an associate professor of digital art and media and communications department chair, recently was awarded a Bronze Telly Award for his short film, “Up on...
Out & About: WSO, SAMA-Ligonier Valley host music under the stars
It’s not the same-old, same-old when the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra collaborates with the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley for “Ligonier Under the Stars.” The musicians ditched the Bach and Beethoven for classic rock hits for the third annual benefit concert on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club...
Greensburg food scene grows with new ethnic, specialty options
Kevin and Jeanie Bock of Hempfield like to make the rounds of their favorite Greensburg-area restaurants. “My husband does say the thing I’m good at is making reservations, and there are so many choices now,” Jeanie Bock said. It’s obvious the local restaurant scene has grown and diversified in recent...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County: Aug. 25-27
Take a chance on them The SummerSounds season wraps up with music by Dancing Dream at 7 p.m. Friday in St. Clair Park, 132 N. Maple Ave., Greensburg. The ABBA tribute band plays the pop and disco songs of the Swedish vocal quartet known for 1970s hits like “Take a...
‘Their Stories’ documentary to explore lives of Sewickley’s early Black residents
Filmmaker Rueben Brock was taken by surprise when asked to direct a documentary about the early Black residents of Sewickley. “I said, ‘Wait a minute, there’s a Black community in Sewickley?’” he recalled. Those first Black settlers were important to the success of the community, and it’s high time their...
Out & About: The Stroll oldies-themed car cruise takes over Ligonier
In 1964, Chuck Berry sang, “Riding along in my automobile/My baby beside me at the wheel/Cruisin’ and playin’ the radio/With no particular place to go.” Car enthusiasts had a very particular place to go on Aug. 11, as The Stroll took over downtown Ligonier. Hosted by Ligonier Valley Chamber of...
Out & About: Westmoreland Museum ‘schools’ Art on Tap attendees
Combine “back-to-school” with rock ‘n roll trivia, and what do you get? The Westmoreland Museum of American Art turned it into “School of Rock,” the theme for the Aug. 11 Art on Tap happy hour. The event was for those looking forward to seeing the kiddos board the school bus...
Out & About: Manos Gallery showcases women artists at Tarentum Night Market
Downtown businesses and restaurants stay open late and offer deals during the monthly Tarentum Night Market. During the Aug. 10 event , The Manos Gallery hosted an open house to showcase the work of three women artists, including Sarah Hunter of Greensburg. Hunter visited with guests and talked about the...
Westmoreland Museum event promotes public art participation
A new community art resource will be unveiled during Public Art Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg. The free event also will feature artist demonstrations, chalk art activities and information from local galleries. “The Community Art Exchange Station …...
5 things to do in Westmoreland County this weekend: Aug. 18-20
Double bill Two exhibits debut Friday at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, off Route 711 south of the borough. “An Appreciation for the Familiar” features works by artist J.D. Titzel of Greenville, Mercer County. Titzel paints in watercolor and oil and also does graphite drawings. He...
Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland undergoes first major renovation, restoration
For the first time in its history, the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland is undergoing major interior restoration and renovations. The project got underway in late June and includes the installation of air conditioning and new seating, restoration of murals and the grand proscenium arch and electrical upgrades. The music...
Veteran bargain-hunters organize Lawrenceville community yard sale
Popie Levendos and her friend, an artist who goes by Lynne b., are “seasoned collectors” who want to share their love of thrifting, flea markets and rummage sales with the residents of Lawrenceville. The longtime friends have organized the inaugural Lawrenceville Yard Crawl Sale, set to take place from 10...
You Are Here is a thriving part of Jeannette’s cultural scene
When something is meant to be, it will be. Case in point: You Are Here in Jeannette. The art gallery and maker space recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, despite its founders not starting with a clear vision of what exactly they wanted to do. Jen Costello of Hempfield and Mary...
Out & About: Sculpture dedicated to former Westmoreland Museum curator
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has received the gift of a sculpture by the late Pittsburgh artist Aaronel deRoy Gruber, in honor of former chief curator Barbara L. Jones. The sculpture titled “Alumascape III” is installed outside the Greensburg museum’s north entrance and was dedicated during a program and...
Out & About: Greensburg library exhibit depicts ‘Storms and Saints’
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library isn’t just a place to find a good book, use a computer, take a class or attend a special program. It’s also a place to view art, thanks to the Picture This at the Library exhibition series featuring the work of artists from around the area,...
Out & About: Lincoln Highway SupperMarket solves dinner dilemma
It’s a summer hump day afternoon, you’re on your way home from work and you don’t feel like cooking dinner. What to do? If you’re in the vicinity of the Lincoln Highway Experience, you can stop in for SupperMarket. The weekly food and music event takes over the grounds of...
Out & About: Greensburg Art Center show contemplates humanity, nature
The current exhibit at Greensburg Art Center is called “Exaltation/Exultation.” “It’s two bodies of work joined by the idea of raising an idea up for consideration or celebrating the beauty of something,” featured artist Michael Walter explained during an Aug. 5 opening reception. The work includes a group of drawings...
