Pittsburgh's Top 10 Things to Do in January
Your 10 best bets for this month.
photo courtesy the artist
Through March 24
Flying Girls
Exhibit. Brought to town as part of the 2018 Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, the Nigerian-born Flying Girls have made their North American debut at the August Wilson Center. Written by Peju Alatise, who lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria, “Flying Girls” tells the story of Sim, a 9-year-old girl who lives in two worlds. One is her reality as a domestic servant, and the other is a world of escapism where she can fly, birds and butterflies can talk and shadows are her friends.
DOWNTOWN: 980 Liberty Ave., 412/456-6666, trustarts.org
photo by Bryan Conley
Jan. 26
FEAST
As part of the 57th Carnegie International, the Carnegie Museum of Art is pairing FEAST, an immersive culinary experience, and Cinematheque, a film series, to create a dinner and a movie experience unlike any other. Each month, the event’s interpretive theme will connect the experience to artwork in the International; this month’s theme is “Children.” The chef will be Sonja J Finn of Dinette, and the movie will be “Three Sisters” by Wang Bing.
OAKLAND: 4400 Forbes Ave. 412/622-3131, cmoa.org
Jan. 19
Good Wood Barrel-Aged Beer Fest
I get it. It’s cold. Christmas is over, and the snow you wanted for the holiday is now just an icy hassle. But climb out from under your heated blanket and head to East End Brewing Co. to warm up in a different way — with some libations. The 4th annual Good Wood Barrel-Aged Beer Fest will feature Wigle Whiskey spirits and Pittsburgh-area breweries sharing their barrel-aged brews. A ticket gets you a snifter glass and beer and whiskey samples; chef Justin Severino of Cure and Morcilla will be selling food.
LARIMER: 147 Julius St. 412/537-2337, eastendbrewing.com
photo by Francis Hills
Jan. 24-Feb. 24
The Tempest
This month, the Pittsburgh Public Theater begins a month-long, fresh look at a play that’s more than 400 years old. “The Tempest,” written by William Shakespeare, has been adapted by new artistic director Marya Sea Kaminski, who will make her directorial debut at the Public with the show. Her production has an all-female cast and an original score weaved among the themes of magic, revenge, forgiveness and love. Pittsburgh native Tamara Tunie of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” fame will star as Prospero.
DOWNTOWN: O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave. 412/316-1600, ppt.org
Jan. 11
Aladdin
It’s “Aladdin,” but not Disney’s; this one is Adam Green’s. The musician, artist and filmmaker will perform a solo acoustic performance of songs from his feature film “Adam Green’s Aladdin,” his take on the classic story. After the performance, stick around to watch the immersive fantasy film that was shot entirely on papier-mache, where Green stars as Aladdin and the lamp is a 3-D printer.
NORTH SHORE: The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St. 412/237-8300, warhol.org
photo courtesy the artist
Jan. 18-19
Moon Shot
Imagine you’re an astronaut from the Apollo 11 lunar landing, squeezed into NASA’s original Mercury capsules. In case you didn’t know, it’s tight. This month, seven actors from Theater Unspeakable will re-create the journey on a 21-square-foot stage (nearly as tight as the original capsules) with nothing but their bodies and voices for “Moon Shot” at the Byham Theater.
DOWNTOWN: 101 Sixth St. 412/456-6666, trustarts.org
Jan. 27
Pittsburgh Yoga Expo
The 8th annual Pittsburgh Yoga Expo aims to celebrate wellness and mindfulness in the city we call home. With morning, afternoon and all-day sessions available, there’s an opportunity for even the busiest yogis to participate in the workshops and receive special deals from local yoga studios.
STRIP DISTRICT: Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Ave. iamyogapgh.com
photo by Matt Polk
Through Jan. 27
GAME ON
Is it a game show? Is it a musical? Plot twist — it’s a musical about a game show. In “GAME ON,” a world premiere inspired by primetime game shows, contestants compete to win a $10 million prize. Head to the Greer Cabaret Theater to be part of the studio audience for this “live” taping of the interactive musical.
DOWNTOWN: 655 Penn Ave. 412/456-6666, pittsburghclo.org
photo courtesy City of Pittsburgh
Jan. 12
Mascot Skate
If you’ve ever thought, “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun to ice skate with Pittsburgh mascots?” now’s your chance. Join Steely McBeam, the Pirate Parrot, Kenny the Kangaroo, the Eat’n Park Cookie and others for this year’s Mascot Skate at the Schenley Skating Rink. Remember to bundle up — it’s cold. But it has to be because, you know, ice melts when it’s not.
SQUIRREL HILL: 10341 Overlook Drive pittsburghpa.gov/schenley/skating-mascot
photo by R. Alan Adams Photography
Jan. 4-6
The Art of the Trio
Join the three artistic directors of Chatham Baroque as they celebrate their friendship and years performing together with a program that showcases how well they play their instruments — which is really, really well. As they enter their second decade of collaboration, the directors will bring “The Art of the Trio” to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, the East Liberty Presbyterian Church and Chatham University.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS 412/687-1788, chathambaroque.org
