LOCALPittsburgh: Uncovered Weekends – December 6-8

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Since Pittsburgh is in full swing holiday mode, there is lots to do this weekend to help you get your jingle on and also make some progress on the holiday shopping list.

Unique Holiday Shopping 

15th Annual Handmade Arcade, (Friday, 5:30 pm – 8 pm))  and Saturday (11 am – 7 pm), December 6 & 7, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Boulevard.  It has arrived!  The much loved, premier holiday craft market will feature the creativity of over 250 vendors, featuring jewelry, clothing items, bath & body products, ceramics, food items and more.  Admission on Saturday is free from 11am to 7pm, but those wanting to get an early peek and get first dibs on the artisan items for sale can purchase a ticket ($20) for the Friday evening Preview Party. The Saturday early bird ticket to get in an hour early (at 10 am) are already sold out. This market is obviously popular and one not to miss.  You are sure to score some out-of-the-ordinary gifts and maybe even find a fun something for yourself.

 

 

Gifts of Hope Fair Trade Shopping, Saturday, December 7, 10 am – 2 pm, East End Cooperative Ministry, 6157 Harvard Street.  Purchase gifts this holiday season and benefit the lives of those living in third world countries, helping artisans there earn a fair wage and lift themselves out of poverty.  Handbags, pottery, toys, accessories, home decor, etc. will be sold by 15+ vendors representing Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, El Salvador and more.  Ten Thousand Villages, SERRV, Ornaments 4 Orphans, Global Mamas and Project Have Hope are among the organizations/vendors.  If you can’t make it to the sale Saturday, check out the Ten Thousand Villages shop (5820 Forbes Ave.) in the Squirrel Hill business district for fair trade items from around the world. Admission is free.

 

Avant Garde Art and Craft Show, Saturday, December 7, 10 am – 5 pm, Teamsters’ Local Union 249, 4701 Butler Street, Lawrenceville.  If you’re looking for something a bit more quirky, shop this Lawrenceville show for unusual, memorable gifts made by local artists.  Admission: $3.

 

Holiday Theater

 

Yinzer Scrooged, Friday – Sunday, December 6 – 21, 8 pm, Bricolage Theater, 937 Liberty Avenue, Tickets: $25 – $35.  Set in present day Pittsburgh, this comedy is a parody based on the classic Charles Dickens classic, including visits from Pittsburgh legends and celebrities appearing as the Christmas ghosts of past, present and future.  Curious who may make an appearance?  It should be a laugh-out-loud tribute to both the holidays and our fair city.

 

 

The Night Before Christmas, Friday – Sunday, December 6 -21,  10 pm, Arcade Comedy Theater., 943 Liberty Avenue, Tickets: $20. Described as a “F***ing Christmas play for grown-ups,” this comedy is not your typical holiday bedtime story conjuring sugar plums dancing in your head.  Is the elf they captured Santa’s helper or a burglar?  What is the addictive stuff giving him the “Christmas spirit”?  Discover the answers to these questions and some holiday laughter at this fun show.

 

Music

 

We Want The Funk Festival, Friday & Saturday, December 6-7, August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue.  Take a break from all the holiday tunes and get funky!  Funk bands, The Fatback Band and The Ohio Players, take the stage on Friday night, followed on Saturday by 3 time Grammy-nominated funk royalty, The Average White Band at 8 pm. Tickets  $48.75.

 

“A Good Life: The Joe Grushecky Story” – Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Saturday, December 7, 8 pm, Club Cafe, 56 S 12th Street, Southside.  Pittsburgh’s own Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “Love So Tough” album, playing it from start to finish.  Tickets: $20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Joyful Celebration:  Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, December 7, 7:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, 120 East Swissvale Avenue, Tickets: $15.  If you are looking for a more classic approach to holiday music, the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra will play some favorites, among them Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” Mascagri’s “Ave Maria” and Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.”  The evening will conclude with a holiday sing-along, sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

 

Holiday Community Events

 

 

The Joy of Cookies: Cookie Tour, Friday & Saturday (10 am – 6 pm), Sunday (10 am – 5 pm), Butler Street and beyond, Free.  Stroll through the Lawrenceville business district and visit 40 businesses for a sweet treat and shop for holiday gifts and goodies.  A map of participating locations is available at the event website.  Make a day of it and grab lunch, dinner or a holiday beverage at one of the many restaurants, coffee shops and bars along the route.

 

 

Uncover Squirrel Hill Holiday Wine Walk, Saturday, December 7, 4 pm – 8 pm, Forbes and Murray Avenues, Squirrel Hall.  Sample 20 wines while you stroll and shop.  Tickets are $30 or $55/couple and available at the Everbright.

 

 

Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House, Sunday, December 8, 12 pm – 4 pm, Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Oakland, Free.  Explore the holiday celebrations around the world as the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh open their doors to display traditional holiday decorations and share cultural celebrations. Costumed guides will provide insight into the holiday celebrations of the countries represented by the 31 classrooms.  The commons area in the Cathedral will host music and dance performances, as well as food sales.