The Brew House is back. The South Side's hulking old Duquesne Brewery, long repurposed as an arts co-op, was shut down in September 2009 for city building-code violations. Two dozen artists who lived or worked there were asked to leave, and Pittsburgh lost an important grassroots venue for exhibits, live theater and music. But behind the scenes, the Brew House Association, the nonprofit that owns the six-story structure, worked with the city to fix the problems. About $25,000 was raised from sources including the Heinz Endowments and the Pittsburgh Foundation for things like new smoke detectors. Now, says BHA board chair Tim Kaulen, the city is finalizing paperwork on an occupancy permit for the building's first floor -- the century-old building's first-ever such permit. Meanwhile, one BHA initiative that continued was its Distillery Program, an annual professional-development and residency program for young artists. And on March 5, the Brew House re-opens with a reception for an exhibit showcasing painting, drawing and mixed-media work by Distillery 5 participants Aimee Manion, Meghan Olson, Jaci Rice, Kara Skylling and Ryan Woodring. And phased renovations of the building continue. "We're really pleased with the newly formed relationship with the city," Kaulen says, emphasizing "how big an accomplishment it is to have our doors open to people." Bill O'Driscoll Distillery 5 show opening reception: 6-9 p.m. Sat., March 5. 2100 Mary St., South Side. Free. www.distillery5.wordpress.com
Thu., March 3 -- Art
This might be the only time you want a judge to keep you in the courthouse. The Pittsburgh Society of Artists Guild presents a juried exhibit titled The Many Sides of Pittsburgh. The judges are art fan and City Councilor Bill Peduto and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts director Laura Domencic, and the whole thing takes place in the gallery of the U.S. District Court. A few dozen artists explore what Pittsburgh means to them in paintings, drawings and photographs. All works are for sale. The opening reception is today. Lucy Steigerwald 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through May 23. 700 Grant St., Downtown. www.pittsburghsocietyofartists.org
Fri., March 4 -- Film
Hungry for learning but stuck for time? Tonight's program of nine short films at The Andy Warhol Museum, titled Art History 101 to 1974, promises "for the first time, all 3,000 years of Fine Art in 92 minutes." Courtesy of Pittsburgh's indispensable Orgone Archive, barrel from cave paintings to pop art, not forgetting medieval demons, impressionist daydreams and abstract visions. Portraits of Degas and Pollock join Michael Hugo's "Sort of a Commercial for an Icebag by Claes Oldenburg" (1969); early work by crazed animator Bill Plympton; and Nancy Thomas' 1965 short "Cheese! Or What Really Did Happen in Andy Warhol's Studio." Bill O'Driscoll 8 pm. 117 Sandusky St., North Side. Free with museum admission. 412-237-8300 or www.warhol.org
Fri, March 4 -- Art
Thirty-nine years after Peter Calaboyias' first solo exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Art comes Peter Calaboyias: A Retrospective, the first such look at the prominent sculptor's half-century career. You might know his "Silver Grid Wall," at Pittsburgh International Airport (subject of a controversial proposal to replace it with advertising). Calaboyias works mostly in bronze, casting his works at his home foundry, in Shadyside. This Gallerie Chiz show also includes paintings, drawings and works in wood, aluminum and steel. The opening reception is tonight. BO 5:30-8:30 p.m. Exhibit continues through March 26. 5831 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 412-441-6005 or www.galleriechiz.com
Fri., March 4 -- Art
The subtle, even insidious ways our buildings influence us is the subject of You Are Here: Architecture and Experience, at the Carnegie Museum of Art. The show opens tonight with a talk by French artist Cyprien Gaillard, whose drawings and videos explore the legacy of concrete-block modernist apartment buildings -- including the weekend fight clubs that take place in their shadow in St. Petersburg, Russia. Also featured is work by German photographer Candida Höfer, whose large-scale prints detail grand spaces where people usually congregate ... but without any people. BO 6:30 p.m. talk. Reception until 9 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free (cash bar). 412-622-3131 or www.cmoa.org
Fri., March 4 -- Convention
Steel City Con is in its 22nd year as Pittsburgh's biggest pop-culture convention. The show -- bringing together collectors and vendors of old toys, comics and the like -- takes place, as it did last fall, at the Monroeville Convention Center. As always, a roster of celebs (and semi-celebs) appears all weekend: Adam West, of TV's Batman series, is the featured attraction, along with an official replica Batmobile. Peter Tork of The Monkees and Mike Lookinland -- yes, Bobby Brady -- appear as well. Andy Mulkerin 2-8 p.m. Also 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., March 5, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., March 6. 209 Mall Blvd., Monroeville. $5-12; $20 for three-day pass. 412-213-0224 or steelcitycon.com
Sat., March 5 -- Food
Forget the dye-and-corn-syrup concoctions you put on your breakfast most of the year. Winter to early spring is when trees give out their delicious sap. Today, Sewickley's Fern Hollow Nature Center holds its sixth annual Pancake Breakfast and Maple Sugaring Celebration. Besides the benefit breakfast, there are various free outdoor events, including a bonfire, a sugaring demonstration and some maple history lessons. LS 8:30 a.m.- noon. 1901 Glen Mitchell Road. $6-8. 412-741-6136or www.fhnc.org
Sat. March 5 -- Rock
Lewisburg, Pa., musician Billy Kelly started his kid-rock career in 2009 with Thank You for Joining the Happy Club, a collection of songs he wrote for his two daughters (plus one Talking Heads cover). Kelly has been talked up by NPR, dueted with Davy Jones of The Monkees, and sings songs about haircuts, snowmen and springtime, with the geek-rock friendliness of Weezer and They Might Be Giants. Kelly and band The Blahblahblahs play the Pittsburgh Children's Museum Theater today. LS 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. 10 Children's Way, Allegheny Square, North Side. Free with museum admission. 412-322-5058 or www.pittsburghkids.org
Sun., March 6 -- Music
Her latest two Grammys in hand, gospel star CeCe Winans visits the Benedum Center tonight. Her Grammy co-honoree, brother BeBe, isn't coming along, but songs like "Grace," from their 2010 album Still, seem good bets. Also performing is prolific gospel songwriter and producer J Moss. The show is organized by Pittsburgh's Savoy Restaurant. BO 6 p.m. 719 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $25-40. 412-456-6666 or www.savoypgh.com
Mon., March 7 -- Stage
The new August Wilson Reading Round Table is a monthly series alternating its late namesake's classic plays with work by emerging playwrights. The free program of seated-but-directed readings with professional actors (held, naturally, at the August Wilson Center) continues tonight with Kiwi Black, Shepsu Aakhu's 2003 play about father-son conflict. Wali Jamal directs a cast including Ron Black, Leslie 2X Smith and Carter Redwood. Reviewing its premiere production, the Chicago Reader called Kiwi Black "electrifying." BO 7 p.m. 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown. Free. 412-338-8734 or www.augustwilsoncenter.org
Wed., March 9 -- Words
Mystery Lovers Bookshop, in Oakmont, is a haven for local aficionados of new mysteries. Best-selling novelist Linda Fairstein is a former real-life Law and Order: SVU-type D.A. who prosecuted some infamous '90s cases like the "Preppie Murder." She comes to MLB to talk, sign and promote her 13th novel starring her New York City assistant district-attorney character, Alexandria Cooper. Silent Mercy involves a serial killer who leaves victims at religious sites throughout NYC. LS 7 p.m. 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. Free. 1-888-800-6078 or www.mysterylovers.com
