Thu., March 8 — Opera
With a new production of Puccini's Tosca upcoming, Pittsburgh Opera hosts three events this week. Tonight, soprano Angela Brown — who'll sing Tosca starting March 27 — gives a ticketed concert including excerpts from her humor-infused one-woman show Opera From a Sistah's Point of View. On Saturday, the Opera's free, monthly, family-friendly Brown Bag Concert features resident artists. And at Sunday's Opera Up Close, also free, a panel of directors and performers discusses Tosca. Mariluz Orbay Angela Brown concert: 7 p.m. ($50; includes 6 p.m. reception). Brown Bag: Noon, Sat., March 10. Opera Up Close: 2 p.m. Sun., March 11. Pittsburgh Opera, 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District. Free. 412-281-0912, x225, or www.pittsburghopera.org
Fri., March 9 — Art
The ever-experimental Dave Bernabo is at it again. He and his band Host Skull — collaborators Will Dyar and Matt Wellins — have created Inhabit Host Skull, a bid to create an "open-source band." Each visitor to 707 Penn Gallery contributes a one-minute segment of sound; the "instant compositions" enter a sound bank, where they combine with the others and play in the gallery. The installation includes video and visual art. Tonight, an accompanying weekly performance series begins, featuring writer Justin Hopper and dance troupe The Pillow Project. Friday performances featuring other artists continue through April 7. Bill O'Driscoll 7 p.m. 707 Penn Ave., Downtown. Free. www.hostskull.com
Fri., March 9 — Variety
Tonight's the first of two events this week concluding Women of Color HERStory Month, New Voices Pittsburgh's tribute to women of color. At the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, the reproductive-justice advocacy group hosts Her Voice: Stories, Tales and Myths of Women of Color, with spoken-word performances by the likes of Tameka Cage-Conley, Yona Harvey, Bekezela Mguni and Christina Springer. And on March 15, New Voices marks eight years with its annual fundraiser, Living Our Legacy. The event, at the Kaufmann Center, features the saucy stylings of New York's Brown Girls Burlesque. BO Her Voice: 8 p.m. (5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty; $15). Living Our Legacy: 7-9 p.m. Thu., March 15 (1825 Center Ave., Hill District; $35-100). newvoicespittsburgh.org
Fri., March 9 — Stage
Improv musical theater? Who knew, but Pittsburgh has resident practitioners. The LuPones, six stage pros and members of Steel City Improv Theater, turn a one-word audience suggestion ("schoolyard," for instance) into a full-fledged, hour-long stage musical, complete with opening number, solos and harmony. Yes, they improvise the songs, too, with help from a pianist and percussionist. "A lot of my songs have very sad premises, but they end up being funny," says group member Kasey Daley. The next LuPones outing is tonight, at Future Tenant. You can also catch them on Sat., March 10, both at home on the North Side, at SCIT, and away, in a late show at Downtown's Cabaret Theatre. BO 8 p.m. 819 Penn Ave., Downtown. $5. www.steelcityimprov.com
Sat., March 10 — Trees
You've probably seen some of Pittsburgh's wave of new street trees. Those trees beautify neighborhoods, shade houses, soak up stormwater and clean the air. Meanwhile, they require care, like watering and pruning — and you can help. Nonprofit group Tree Pittsburgh (yes, they speak for the trees) teaches urban-forestry basics through its Tree Tender Course; the number of Tree Tenders trained is approaching 1,000. The latest day-long course is today, at Carlow University. If you can't make it, sessions are scheduled in June and September. BO 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Carlow campus, Oakland. $40 (includes meal; reduced rate available). 412-362-6360 or www.treepittsburgh.org
Sat., March 10 — Opera
André Previn returns to Heinz Hall to lead the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the world premiere of his Triple Concerto for trumpet, horn and tuba. The composer and former PSO music director has won four Academy Awards and 10 Grammys. His new work debuts with help from featured PSO soloists George Vosburgh (trumpet); William Caballero (horn); and Craig Knox (tuba). Previn will also conduct Haydn's Symphony No. 102 from the "London" Symphonies, and Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony. MO 8 p.m. Also 8 p.m. Sat. March 10, and 2:30 p.m. Sun. March 11. 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. $20-93. 423-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org
Sat., March 10 — Art
When an artist has open-heart surgery, odds are you haven't heard the last of the experience. So here's Sea Creatures & Blood Vessels, Kyle Ethan Fischer's series of sculptures and works on paper tracking treatment of the heart condition the surgeon told him might have resulted from a vascular system that's overdeveloped, like a sea-dweller's. Fischer, long a presence on the local gallery scene, attends the show's opening reception tonight, at Boxheart. BO 5-8 p.m. 4523 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. Free. 412-687-8858 or www.boxheart.org
Sun., March 11 — Words
The culinary mystery is a genre that's come of age. With Cinnamon Roll Murder, Joanne Fluke's series about Minnesota bake-shop owner-slash-sleuth Hannah Swensen, reaches 16 installments. This latest includes 22 original recipes, from Butterama Cake with Brown Butter Icing to Janet's Texas Jalapeno Pimento Cheese. Today, the top-selling author's 16-city tour brings her to the Oakmont Carnegie Library, with help from indie-bookstore stalwart Mystery Lovers Bookshop. Bring a bookmark, but leave your diet at home. BO 1 p.m. 700 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. $5 (free with book purchase). 412-828-4877
Sun., March 11 — Birds
Seasonal changes in weather and habitat force millions of birds to take flight, migrating across continents. To celebrate Pennsylvania's status as part of the Atlantic Flyway — a strategic rest stop for birds heading to areas further North, like Canada — the National Aviary brings you "Get All Your Ducks in a Row!," a lecture about waterfowl migration. The talk is followed by a walk to Lake Elizabeth, in nearby West Park, to identify visiting birds. MO 3:30 p.m. 700 Arch St., North Side. $13 ($12 children). 412-323-7235 or www.aviary.org
Tue., March 13 — Stage
Starting tonight, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and PNC Broadway Across America present six performances of the La Cage Aux Folles. This is the touring version of the Tony-winning revival of Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman's 1983 musical comedy. It follows the story of Georges, owner of a flashy nightclub in Saint-Tropez, where he lives with his partner and star drag attraction, Albin. When Georges' son brings home his fiancée's conservative parents, the families struggle to settle their differences. Georges is played by George Hamilton, known for his flawless tan and campy roles in films like Zorro, the Gay Blade. Albin is played by Broadway veteran Christopher Sieber. MO 7:30 p.m. Continues through Sun., March 18. Benedum Center, 803 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $20-71. 412-456-6666 or www.trustarts.org
