“HOLDING STILL, HOLDING ON” AT THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM. | PHOTO COURTESY OF CARNEGIE MELLON SCHOOL OF ART MFA CLASS OF 2025

BEST BET

“Holding Still, Holding On”

March 14-April 21 | The Andy Warhol Museum

What does it mean to hold space? How does one’s sense of memory and belonging shape them as a person? The “Holding Still, Holding On” exhibit, held at The Andy Warhol Museum, explores these concepts with new works by the CMU School of Art MFA Class of 2025 — Frankmarlin, Izsys Archer, Tingting Cheng, Chantal Feitosa-Desouza and Max Tristan Watkins.

Each artist commands storytelling through mediums from photography and painting to sculpture and film, bridging the gap between personal and collective histories. “The film installation I’ll be showing at The Warhol is dedicated to all who believe in a brighter future for public education, especially at a time in Pittsburgh when so many schools are at risk of closing,” says Feitosa-Desouza. “My project invites viewers to join ongoing conversations of education justice and see the power that public memory can have over disappearing sites.”

It’s also a fitting partnership between The Warhol and the school (then Carnegie Tech) where Andy Warhol earned his degree.

THEATER

“Birthday Candles”

March 8-30 | City Theatre Company

SAIGE SMITH, PART OF THE CAST OF CITY THEATRE COMPANY’S “BIRTHDAY CANDLES,” PERFORMS IN THE THEATER’S 2024 PRODUCTION OF “POTUS.” | PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY THEATRE

Birthdays. That annual marker that usually prompts reflection on our past, present and future … with cake. “Birthday Candles” follows Ernistine through her life, one birthday at a time. Spend 90 minutes celebrating rituals and pondering your place in the universe.

IMPROV

“The Winner’s Circle Part 2”

March 28 | Arcade Comedy Theater

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARCADE COMEDY THEATER

Select Start (Pittsburgh City Paper’s two-time Best Comedy Act), Latchkey Kids (celebrating their third Pittsburgh Magazine win) and Chi Chi de Vivre (City Paper’s Best Drag Performer) are joining forces like a Pittsburgh comedic Avengers for “The Winner’s Circle Part 2.” Treat yourself to a night of fast-paced, short-form improv as well as ’90s nostalgia and an iconic drag performance.

MUSIC

Masta Killa

April 13 | Mr. Smalls Theater

Named for the 1978 kung fu movie “Shaolin Master Killer,” Masta Killa has rocked the mic with the legendary Wu-Tang Clan since the mid-’90s. Like the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan, the “36th Chamber of Shaolin” has also kept up a prolific solo career.  Even as the only member set to take the stage that night, he will still bring the ruckus.

DANCE

Dragonfly Dawn

April 24-25 | New Hazlett Theater

What happens when a violin-playing cricket entices a swan to join him in a mystical forest lake? They dance, obviously, but there is so much more to this enchanting tale. Written by Joanna Abel, Dragonfly Dawn is a dance concert set with fierce battles and soaring aerial displays. It’s a mystical tale of good and evil worth getting lost in.

John Waite

April 26 | Pittsburgh City Winery

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY WINERY PITTSBURGH

Whether it was with The Babys, Bad English or his solo career, John Waite has a single that’s essential to your ’80s playlist. His 40-year career catalog includes songs like “Missing You,” “Isn’t It Time” and “When I See You Smile.” Revisit those power-ballad classics with Waite in this intimate performance.