FREE EVENT: Sat., Nov. 16 - Health Care
Heard any good health-care stories lately? Two free events this week mean to clarify various ongoing attempts to make sure everyone's got health coverage. On Sat., Nov. 16, there's HE-HO: Artists' Health & Housing Fair for the Community, which is open to everyone (not just artists). HE-HO brings local health-care and housing experts to the Kingsley Association for a day of health screenings, workshops and more, including live music. The fair, sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, includes afternoon sessions on how to get the most out of the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare). There are also home-buying workshops. And advocacy group Health Care 4 All PA will discuss the sort of health-care reform many activists favor: single-payer, universal coverage, resembling the plans in other developed countries that cost less and get better outcomes than our hodgepodge system. Health Care 4 All is also sponsoring a separate, Nov. 19 talk about the single-payer bill now before Pennsylvania's state legislature. The Single-Payer Healthcare Talk, by University of Massachusetts-Amherst economics professor Gerald Friedman, takes place at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh and includes his analysis of how the legislation could save the commonwealth $17 billion and create 100,000 jobs. Bill O'Driscoll HE-HO: Noon-6 p.m. Sat., Nov. 16 (6435 Frankstown Ave., Larimer; www.pittsburghartscouncil.org). Single-payer talk: 7 p.m. Tue., Nov. 19 (605 Morewood Ave., Oakland; www.healthyartists.org).
Fri., Nov. 15 - Art
You might know the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh from its big shows at the Carnegie. But even when the AAP occupies a smaller venue, the show feels pretty big. For instance, the regional organization's new group exhibit, at Lawrenceville's Framehouse Gallery, includes work by more than 40 artist members. Contributors include Kathy Boykowycz, William DeBernardi, Tom Estlack, Tim Fabian, Adrienne Heinrich, Cara Livorio, Terry Shutko and Hisham Youssef. The show, juried by Kathleen M. Miclot and Liz Reed, opens tonight with a reception. Bill O'Driscoll 6 p.m. 100 43rd St., Unit 107, Lawrenceville. Free. www.aapgh.org
Fri., Nov. 15 - Dance
Bodiography Contemporary Ballet has seen some changes in recent years, from becoming the resident dance company for La Roche College's performing-arts department to a big expansion of its own Squirrel Hill studio. But Multiplicity remains a constant. The company's annual showcase at the Byham Theater, tonight and tomorrow, includes premiere works by company members and guests, with select performances by La Roche dance majors. Founding artistic director Maria Caruso performs her most recent work, "Lux Aeterna" (with the Westmoreland Choral Society), and Nancy Goldsmith's "Ave Maria." BO 8 p.m. Also 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 16. 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $35-55. 412-456-6666 or www.bodiography.com
Fri., Nov. 15 - Dance
Kyle Abraham has yet to perform here since winning his MacArthur genius grant earlier this year. But you can see a work by this Pittsburgh native in one of eight performances this week and next of Contemporary Choreographers. Point Park Conservatory Dance Company's eclectic annual showcase for cutting-edge choreographers features Abraham's "Continuous Relation," blending street and classic modern styles. The other choreographers, all Chicago-based, include Randy Duncan, Brian Enos and Hubbard Street 2 director Terence Marling, whose "Fatum Inflictum" was choreographed for the Company. BO 8 p.m. Show continues through Nov. 24. George Rowland White Performance Studio, 201 Wood St., Downtown. $7-20. 412-391-8000 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com
Sat., Nov. 16 - Outdoors
Pittsburgh's recent environmental success stories include Nine Mile Run. The urban creek is part of an ongoing restoration effort that includes renewed wetlands and the return of long-vanished fish and insects. While the restoration is a work-in-progress (pollution remains), you can take its measure on today's Nine Mile Run Hike, led by Venture Outdoors. The seven-mile day trek traverses Frick Park to where the creek empties into the Mon. That's followed by lunch on the riverbank and the hike back. BO 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Frick Park. $12. 412-255-0564 or www.ventureoutdoors.org
Sat., Nov. 16 - Comics
One of Pittsburgh's resident comics madmen has a new graphic novel. With works like last year's American Barbarian (Adhouse Books) and Image Comics' Godland series, Tom Scioli is known for his riffs on the dynamic style of Old Master Jack Kirby. Now, Scioli has self-published Final Frontier about the rock band who are "The Beatles of Superheroes." The story plays out in a universe with distinct echoes of Marvel's pantheon and an off-the-wall parodic sensibility. Scioli holds a release party tonight at Copacetic Comics. BO 7 p.m. 3138 Dobson St., Polish Hill. Free. www.copaceticcomics.com
Sat., Nov. 16 - Stage
Aquila Theatre is a New York-based company with London roots and a nationally touring presence. The troupe, praised by the New York Times as "an extraordinarily inventive and disciplined outfit," is now on the road with Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The comedy, with its shipwrecks, duels, cross-dressing disguises and character names like Malvolio and Sir Toby Belch, is a favorite among the Bard's works. Aquila mounts it tonight only at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts, as part of the Hillman Performing Arts Series. BO 7:30 p.m. 423 Fox Chapel Road, Fox Chapel. $10-25. 412-968-3040 or www.thehillman.org
Sun., Nov. 17 - Stage
When they say Hand Made Theatre, they mean it. This 10-member Russian troupe's puppetry consists of interlocking and weaving together their hands and arms to create trains, boats, ticking clocks, flocks of birds and more. The group has opened Italy's Carnival of Venice and played Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Starting tonight, Hand Made Theatre brings its show Time for Fun (also meant literally, we presume) to town for nine Pittsburgh International Children's Theater performances, starting with today's, at the Byham Theater. BO 2 p.m. (101 Sixth St., Downtown). Show continues through Nov. 24 at five area schools. $9-11. 412-456-6666 or www.trustarts.org
Sun., Nov. 17 - Stage
Musical Theatre Artists of Pittsburgh is a new group fostering collaboration between musical theater artists and promoting new musical theater. Led by Stephanie Riso (a co-founder of Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre and Cabaret Pittsburgh), the group seeks aspiring or established composers, lyricists, librettists, performers and anyone interested in developing new musicals. Meanwhile, there's tonight's free reading of a new musical in development, at Pitt's Studio Theatre. Off With Her Maidenhead, by Amy Claussen and James Rushin, is an irreverent send-up of Disney "princess" movies, whose heroine is a "mute ... beautiful, ethnically ambiguous, disabled orphan who lives ina nunnery" ... but turns the tables by remaking the place as a brothel. BO 7:30 p.m. Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. Free. [email protected]
Mon., Nov. 18 - Screen
"Who is looking out for the American worker?" asks Robert Reich in Inequality for All. Answer: "Nobody." Our distribution of income is the most unequal of any developed nation - and the most unequal here since just before the Great Depression. Jacob Kornbluth's documentary about Bill Clinton's old Secretary of Labor making his case for change is in theaters. But tonight, a special screening on the Carnegie Mellon University campus includes a Q &A featuring Reich himself, via Skype. The free event is organized by activist and CMU English professor Kathy M. Newman; sponsors include the Make It Our UPMC campaign. BO 6:15 p.m. McConomy Auditorium, CMU campus, Oakland. [email protected]
Tue., Nov. 19 - Art
Martin Creed: More and Less is an exhibit of works by the award-winning but sometimes controversial British artist, organized by students in a University of Pittsburgh museum-studies class. Works include "Work No. 960" (a row of cacti, in arranged in descending height) and the self-explanatory "A crumpled ball of paper in every room." Tonight, students in the class (taught by Nicholas Chambers, an Andy Warhol Museum curator) speak about Creed's work in University Art Gallery. BO 6-8:30 p.m. Exhibit continues through Nov. 26. Frick Fine Arts Building, 650 Schenley Plaza, Oakland. Free. 412-648-2423
Wed., Nov. 20 - Stage
All seven Harry Potter books in under 70 minutes? For any Potter fan who has poured hours into those volumes, that sounds both offensive and amazing. But that's Potted Potter — The Unauthorized Harry Experience: A Parody by Dan and Jeff. The touring two-man spoof — written and performed by former BBC television hosts Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner — was a New York Times "Critics' Pick," and if The Sorting Hat could pick a show, it would place you here. Tonight is first of eight performances at the Byham Theater, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Brett Wilson 7:30 p.m. Continues through Sun., Nov. 24. 101 Sixth Street, Downtown. $45-75.412-456-6666 or www.TrustArts.org
