It's that time of year again for Be My Neighbor Day! This free event celebrates a community in Pittsburgh and the kindness we all share. This year, it is in McKees Rocks, where the organization Focus on Renewal is a big part of connecting everyone in the community.

Arts Coordinator at Focus on Renewal and author Tamika Huffman, and WQED Learning Neighborhood Manager, Abha Vaishampayan, talk about the activities available on March 22nd.

Tamika shares FOR's mission, and what they do for their McKees Rocks community. With services for children, families, and the community, FOR is a pillar of kindness. Abha discusses what Be My Neighbor Day is all about, and where you can find Daniel Tiger. There will be hands-on activities, including painting cookies, interactive theater, and line dancing lessons. You can also find a historical exhibit showcasing the McKees Rocks neighborhood by the Historical Society.

Come celebrate kindness on March 22nd from 11 am to 1 pm at Focus on Renewal's Father Ryan Arts Center and the McKees Rocks Borough Council Building.

You can find more information at https://www.wqed.org/bemyneighborday/.

Also, find more about Focus on Renewal at https://forstorox.org/.

Be My Neighbor Day is supported by PNC Grow Up Great and Fred Rogers Productions. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

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Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is coming to Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Public Theater!

Director of the show and regular director with PPT Pamela Berlin talks about the show. Older couple, Martha and George, invite a younger couple Nick and Honey, to their house for after party drinks. What follows is a night of drunken truths, bitterness, and shocking reveals.

It is the first time Pamela is directing this show, even though it has always been a dream of hers to do it. She talks about the challenges of the show, which entailed finding the best actors for the roles that had great chemistry together.

She also talks about reading "The Feminine Mystique" in preparation for this production, to better understand women during the 1960s. Pamela hopes people come to the show to understand the complexities of a long term relationship over the years.

It is a theater classic you don't want to miss!

You can see "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the Pittsburgh Public Theater from March 19th to April 6th.

Visit https://www.ppt.org/production/94415/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf to learn more and find tickets. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

The Andy Warhol Museum and The Carnegie Mellon University School of Art MFA program are collaborating in a new exhibition.

Associate Registrar of Exhibitions and Loans at The Andy Warhol Museum, Katie Briski, and Director of the ICA Pittsburgh, Elizabeth Chodos, talk about the exhibition "Holding Still, Holding On". Elizabeth describes the exhibition, which features the CMU School of Art MFA Class of 2025. Students Frankmarlin, Izsys Archer, Tingting Cheng, Chantal Feitosa-Desouza, and Max Tristan Watkins, created immersive and diverse work.

Elizabeth highlights the incredible work the students have been doing since August of 2024 in creating these works for a professional museum. Katie talks about how the partnership came to be with the Miller Gallery on CMU's campus closed. It will move to the new Richard King Mellon Hall of Sciences in 2027.

Both share the process of training students in creating art for museums. Both are excited for the public to see the culmination of the students work.

Today, March 14th, you will be able to visit The Andy Warhol Museum for free from 5 pm to 10 pm! Meet the new Executive Director, Mario Rossero for his 50th birthday and see the museum!

You can see "Holding Still, Holding On" on the second floor of The Andy Warhol Museum from March 14th to April 21st.

Visit https://www.warhol.org/exhibition/holding-still-holding-on/ to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

Beth Corning is back in studio to talk about Corningworks upcoming 15th season of Glue Factory Projects!

Beth describes what the Glue Factory Projects are, and why she started them after moving to Pittsburgh. Her upcoming show is entitled "Stand By - an allegory" and will run March 28th to April 6th. Beth talks about the idea behind the project, how we as humans deal with mortality, and working with an amazing cast, including world renowned puppeteer, Tom Lee.

She talks about how the dancers interact with each other and with the puppet. Tom will be using Japanese Kuruma Ningy or Cart Puppetry throughout the show to bring the puppet to life. Beth describes the human nature of the puppet, even when Tom isn't using it.

She hopes people will come out of their houses to see this show, and other art around the city. The show will be funny, meditative, and make the audience ponder many things as they leave the room. With only 45 seats in the theater per night, it is an intimate and personal story to behold.

You can see "Stand By - an allegory" at the Carnegie Stage in Carnegie from March 28th to April 6th.

Visit https://www.corningworks.org/ to learn more and book your tickets in advance. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

Belle Voci is celebrating Women's History Month with music by African American women!

Artistic Director of Belle Voci, Lorraine Milovac, talks about their upcoming concert "United in Purpose" on Saturday, March 15th. She talks about the program, which features words by poet Maya Angelou. She also talks about the other choral groups in this concert, including the Heritage Gospel Chorale and the University of Pittsburgh Men's Glee Club Panther Rhythms. Music Directors, Rev. Dr. Herbert Jones and Richard Teaster will join in conducting the choirs. The group joins the Belle Voci and Solo Voci choirs.

Lorraine also talks about her journey to Belle Voci, and why people should come to this magnificent concert.

You can hear "United in Purpose" on Saturday, March 15th at 3 pm at the Pentecostal Temple Church in East Liberty.

Visit https://www.bellevocipgh.com/ to learn more and find tickets! Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

The Edgewood Symphony Orchestra is celebrating local composers with their upcoming concert!

The Symphony's Music Director Walter Morales, principal flutist Peggy Greb, and local composers Robert Schultz and Andrew Kohn, discuss the upcoming concert on March 15th.

Walter talks about the entire program, which starts off with Bach's "Air on the G String". The other two pieces paired with Robert and Andrew's compositions are "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1" by Greig, and Brahms' "Symphony No. 4". Robert talks about his piece, "Terraces", and why he named it after the musical sequence in the piece. Andrew talks about his piece, "Sparks Fly Upwards". The piece is the fourth movement of a larger orchestral piece called "When Dreams Increase".

Peggy highlights her work with Robert Schultz. She looks forward to hearing the piece with a full orchestra behind it. She loves the musical sequences throughout the piece that bring out the flute's colors.

You can hear the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra's upcoming concert "Brahms" on Saturday, March 15th at 7:30 pm at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.

Visit https://www.edgewoodsymphony.org/march-15---brahms.html to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

It is time to sing with a special event by the Mendelssohn Choir!

Music Director, Daniel Singer, spoke with Jim Cunningham live on the WQED-FM morning show about their upcoming concert on March 30th.

Daniel talks about how the event is the first self-produced concert of the choir this year. Most choirs associated with Symphonies across the US do not program their own concerts. Mendelssohn is breaking the mold!

Daniel talks about the program of the concert, which celebrates the fact that everyone sings, no matter who they are. Singing also brings people together throughout the ages. The program includes historical composers like Bach, and Copland, with more contemporary voices like Hailstork and Abbie Betinis, with poetry of Walt Whitman and others.

Daniel also talks about his other work in Cleveland, Ohio. The sports rivalry between the two cities doesn't phase him in the least!

You can hear the Mendelssohn Choir's concert of "We All Sing" on March 30th at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church at 3 pm.

Visit https://www.themendelssohn.org/choir/we-all-sing/ to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

It's already halfway through Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures season, but there still is plenty more events coming up!

Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Sony Ton-Aime, talks about the rest of the 2024-2025 season, and what authors are coming to Pittsburgh.

He first recaps the immense success of the first Western Pennsylvania Book Read with Antonia Hylton and her book "Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum". Together, the book read reached nearly 450 readers across the Pittsburgh region. Sony highlights the success, and how much Antonia was gushing about it afterwards. He is already planning to do another Book Read next year.

Sony talks about the rest of the events, including Percival Everett in late March, Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel with The Secrets of Lovelace Academy, and many more!

To learn more about all the events, visit https://pittsburghlectures.org/. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Harpist, Gretchen Van Hoesen, talks about her upcoming performance for the Tiffany Concert Series at Calvary United Methodist Church.

She talks about the program for the concert, which includes two U.S. premieres! She and Yevgeny Faniuk (flutist), George Sakakeeny (bassoonist), and colleague at the PSO Jeremy Branson (percussionist), will perform the U.S. premiere of Bridal Veil Falls by Elizabeth Raum. They will also perform the U.S. premiere of Trio by Howard Blake.

Other highlights of the program include The Book of Goddesses by Robert Paterson. There will also be two shorter pieces, Woofin' the Cat Suite, and A Chloris.

Gretchen also talks about her work at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and why she is performing in the Tiffany Concert series again this year.

You can hear Goddesses and Waterfalls on Sunday, March 16th at 4 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church. Allegheny Historic Preservation Society hosts.

Visit https://ahps-pgh.org/event/goddesses-and-waterfalls-for-flute-harp-bassoon-and-percussion/ to learn more and find tickets. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.

At the intersection of music and technology, there is Ego.

Director and composer, Ramin Akhavijou, actress Hazel Leroy, and lighting designer Rianne Lindsey, talks about their work together for New Hazlett Theater's next Community Supported Artist Series work, Ego.

Ramin discusses the main theme of a journey through the intersection of identity, music, and technology. He talks about his inspiration for the piece coming from his interest in Freud's psychological theories. The dynamic between Id, Ego, and Superego, is something that he wanted to explore further with dance, projections, and music.

Rianne talks about her work as a lighting designer, and the tight timeline she has to bring some color into the world. Plus, she shares her excitement about working with Ramin and the director, Melissa Cardello-Linton.

Hazel talks about her role as Ego, and describe her interaction with the dancers that embody Id and Superego. She highlights the wonderful atmosphere Melissa and Ramin have made in creating this piece.

You can see Ego at the New Hazlett Theater on March 20th at 8 pm, and on March 21st at 10 am and 8 pm.

Visit https://newhazletttheater.org/events/ego/ to learn more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted

source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate

about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here

to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene.

Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and

performing arts insights from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania

region. 

Subscribe and follow to stay connected with the vibrant voices shaping

Pittsburgh’s creative community. Visit https://www.wqed.org/ to see what

else WQED is doing in our community. Until next time, keep supporting

the arts and keep listening to Voice of the Arts.