Pittsburgh’s top events: Dec. 12-18

Thu., Dec. 12

LIT • BLOOMFIELD
meTamorphosis: a queer and trans-led reading series. 7-8:30 p.m. White Whale Bookstore. 4754 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. Free. RSVP required. Livestream available.  whitewhalebookstore.com/events

MUSIC • SOUTH SIDE
Mary Gauthier with Jaimee Harris. 7 p.m. Doors at 6 p.m. Club Cafe. 56-58 South 12th St., South Side. $25. ticketweb.com

THEATER/BURLESQUE • ALLENTOWN
Vigilance Theater Group presents a Very Spooky Holiday. 7:30 p.m. Grim Wizard Coffee. 1206 Arlington Ave., Allentown. $17. instagram.com/vigilancetheater

FILM • DOWNTOWN
5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem by Daft Punk and Leiji Matsumoto. 8 p.m. Continues on Sun., Dec. 15.  Harris Theater. 809 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $15. trustarts.org

Fri., Dec. 13

FILM • SEWICKLEY
Holiday Classics at The Lindsay. 12:15 p.m. Continues  through Thu., Dec. 26. The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center. 418 Walnut St., Sewickley. $8.75-11. thelindsaytheater.org

ART • OAKLAND
BOOM Concepts pays tribute to generations of Black artists with the opening reception of Collective Legacy II at the Frick Environmental Center. Created to celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary, the exhibition highlights “over 50 years of Black arts in the region” with works ranging from mixed media paintings to sculpture and photography. Centered around a work by Carl “Dingbat” Smith, Collective Legacy II strives to localize “the essence of the Black diasporic experience.” 6-9 p.m. 2005 Beechwood Blvd., Oakland. Free. Registration required. All ages. pittsburghparks.org

PARTY • NORTH SIDE
21+ Night: Swiftie Science. 6-10 p.m. Carnegie Science Center. One Allegheny Ave., North Side. $20-25. carnegiesciencecenter.org

MUSIC • NORTH SIDE
Sounds of the Season with Zuly Inirio. 7:30 p.m. New Hazlett Theater. 6 Allegheny Sq. E, North Side. $39. newhazletttheater.org

MUSIC • LAWRENCEVILLE
La Lom with The National Reserve. 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m. Thunderbird Music Hall. 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $25. thunderbirdmusichall.com

MUSIC • NORTH SIDE
The Government Center enters its Covers Era with a special 35th birthday celebration for Taylor Swift. Taylor Fest features several local acts — The Screeching Tires Of True Love, The Swifties, Fantome Trois, and Dan Sty — playing songs by the superstar. Bring your fellow tortured poets and sing along during this anti-hero-friendly event. Donations will also be accepted for Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. 8 p.m. 715 East St., North Side. Free. All ages. thegovernmentcenter.com

PODCAST • DOWNTOWN
Drunkard’s Walk Podcast Live. 8 p.m. Arcade Comedy Theater. 943 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $15. arcadecomedytheater.com

FILM • LAWRENCEVILLE
Cult-O-Rama Holiday Special. 9 p.m. Row House Cinema. 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $16.50. rowhousecinemas.com

Sat., Dec. 14

DRAG • STRIP DISTRICT
Holiday Showdown: Drag Brunch. 12:30-3 p.m. Doors at 11:30 p.m. Kingfly Spirits. 2613 Smallman St., Strip District. $40-240. kingflyspirits.com

LIT • OAKMONT

Cartoonist Joe Wos expands on the Exploding Kittens franchise with a new release at Mystery Lovers Bookshop. Based on the hit game and animated Netflix show, the Exploding Kittens Puzzles and Activities book contains tons of mazes, coloring pages, word searches, and more, all with art by Wos, who will sign copies of the work and his other books. All guests will also be entered to win an Exploding Kittens Prize pack featuring the card game, book, and plush. 6-7 p.m. 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. Free. Registration required. mysterylovers.com

DANCE • EAST LIBERTY
Confluence Ballet presents The Jazz Nutcracker. 7 p.m. Continues on Sun., Dec. 15. Kelly Strayhorn Theater. 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. $22-35. kelly-strayhorn.org

MUSIC • MCKEES ROCKS
Pittsburgh Plays: The Cure. 8 p.m. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Roxian Theatre. 425 Chartiers Ave., McKees Rocks. Tickets start at $17. All ages. pittsburghplays.com

MUSIC • MILLVALE
Wax Jaw with Century III and Sunny Daze and the Weathermen. 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m. The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. mrsmalls.com

Sun., Dec. 15

MARKET • LAWRENCEVILLE
Pittsburgh Record Fest. 12-8 p.m. Spirit. 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. $3. All ages. spiritpgh.com

MARKET • HIGHLAND PARK
Queer Craft Market Winter Bazaar. 3-7 p.m. Union Project. 801 N. Negley Ave., Highland Park. Free. instagram.com/queercraftmarket

Mon., Dec. 16

TALK • DOWNTOWN
To Adapt or Not to Adapt: Shakespeare and Democracy. 7 p.m. O’Reilly Theater. 621 Penn Ave., Downtown. $20. ppt.org

Tue., Dec. 17

MUSIC • DOWNTOWN
Tony Martucci Earth Tones. 5 p.m. Lounge at the Greer Cabaret. 655 Penn Ave., Downtown. Free. trustarts.org

THEATER • DOWNTOWN
The Hip Hop Nutcracker. 7:30 p.m. Benedum Center. Seventh St. and Penn Ave., Downtown. $25-90. trustarts.org

Wed., Dec. 18

MUSIC • STRIP DISTRICT
A Charlie Brown Christmas with Jody Nardone Trio: A Tribute to Vince Guaraldi. 7:30 p.m. Doors at 6 p.m. City Winery. 1627 Smallman St., Strip District. $25-35. pittsburgh.citywinery.com

FILM • ALLENTOWN
Christmas Bloody Christmas: Bad Movie BINGO with Neo-Trash Video. 8 p.m. Bottlerocket Social Hall. 1226 Arlington Ave., Allentown. $5. bottlerocketpgh.com

PARTY • DOWNTOWN
Black and Bold Party: The Holiday Get Together. 8 p.m. August Wilson African American Cultural Center. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $35. awaacc.org

This article appears in Dec 11-17, 2024.