I was out with Venture Outdoors this weekend on an art and wine walk, and we stopped at Fraley’s Robot Repair, one of Pop-Up Pittsburgh’s projects.

If you have a chance, head down to the cultural district and check out the shop, and to see what the robot is up to, he’s a busy guy.  We had a chance to talk with the artist (and even pose for a picture as satisfied customers).  We had an awkward moment when we realized some kids were checking it out, and we all hoped they hadn’t realized we were talking about it as if it wasn’t real.

If you want to check out my other photos from the event, you can see them here.

A new project on Kickstarter has popped up, a documentary about the fight to save the Braddock Hospital.

The project itself has already had a lot of help, but they need a little extra push to finish up some video and sound editing, as well as mastering and DVD production.

Levels of giving come with a variety of goodies, including copies of a series of five documentaries about Braddock, all by Tony Buba.

To support the We Are Alive! project, or to learn more, check it out here on Kickstarter.

Now available for purchase (starting today, actually), Target will be selling special-edition cans of Campbell’s tomato soup in iconic Warhol colors and with quotes from the artist.  Check out the article from High Snob here.

h/t to Man Made DIY

The PG’s blog City Walkabout has a write up about the nomination of Calvary Church to be added to the list of National Historic places, based on its architecture significance.

I belong to Calvary, and it is a beautiful church.  I’ve never had a chance to take one of the architecture tours, although I do want to.  A book that explains a lot of the beauty of the building is available in the bookstore, and here are a few links to learn more.

In the meantime, stop by any time, it’s a welcoming church in Shadyside at the corner of Shady and Walnut.

A Johnstown area school district, Richland, pulled their scheduled performance of the play “Kismet” (which I’ve never heard of by the way), because there are Muslim characters in the play and the performance was going to be near September 11.

The superintendent cited the fact that they are near Shanksville as the reason for pulling the play.

I’m going to let a quote from the article speak for itself:

Ahmed Rehab, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that literature and the arts are some of the best ways to bridge gaps between people.

“And those in education ought to know that more than anyone,” Rehab said. “We’re a country of immigrants. It’s doesn’t stand true to our legacy as a nation. I think they need to reinstate the play.”

Head on down to the Cultural District for tonight’s gallery crawl: Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh.  Afterward, starting at 9 at the Bally’s Building is the part, including live entertainment, dancing and drinks.

I have a friend who is down there as we speak, and his Facebook updates have been pretty awesome, so head on down to Liberty Ave and collect your passport stamps as you see some awesome art!

Dancers from Attack Theater discuss the show as they sit on the winding stage

Quantum Theatre recently invited me out to a special preview of their latest show, “Maria de Buenos Aires,” and all I can say is this: go see this show.

Sometimes I forget how much of a sucker I am for good strings (and good cymbals), and the live orchestra during just the little bit that I saw kept me transfixed, even to the point of occasionally ignoring the singers.  Not to say the singers were not amazing, because they were, but the live orchestration kept me enthralled.

“Maria” is about the history of tango, and the theme that form must die to be reborn.  The entirety of the show: the dialogue, dance, music, set design, even location, all explore that theme.  Karla Boos, Quantum Theatre’s artistic director said that ”Maria” really is a big experiment, and she’s anxious to hear from the patrons what they liked and what they didn’t.  I certainly appreciate the dialogue, and am happy for that.

East Liberty YMCA. It doesn't look like it, but for now, it's a theater.

During our preview, we became part of the blocking, as two of the dancers from Attack Theater made sure they could move one of their props through the audience without hitting anyone in the head (spoiler alert: no injuries, plenty of room).  The preview that I saw, was also the first time the orchestra and actors were together in the performance space, so it was like every other musical rehearsal I’ve ever been at or seen, which was comforting.  Also, every single musical makes the same face when a note is played out of tune: it’s nice to see universals like that.

I only have one bit of criticism, and it’s not even about the show itself.  Later in April Quantum will be doing a “Women Only” evening.  Now granted, I’m not a woman, and I don’t think this is their intent, but I refuse to believe that women can be so weak or scared that they need a night all to themselves.  Yes, it can be nice to meet in a setting and already have something in common, but I come from the Joss Whedon school of thought, so I view my feminism through a lens of actual equality and strength.  But hey, if it fills the house, more power to Quantum, I can’t argue with economics.

“Maria de Buenos Aires” opens tomorrow and runs through April 17.  Find out more, including local dining partners and directions (it’s just a short walk from the East Busway!) at Quantum’s website.  Check out all my photos here (just be warned, I am not a good photographer!)

Coming up later this week, I’m heading to East Liberty for a special preview of Quantum Theatre’s latest production, “Maria de Buenos Aires.”

Quantum has been gracious enough to once again reach out to local bloggers and invite them to a preview of their 2010-2011 season which features their neighborhood initiative.  I’m looking forward to it, and think I’ll be taking a few trips on the East Busway to do it this time, so I’m sure that will provide an entertaining post as well.

Check back later this week for (hopefully) some pictures and a write up of the East Liberty YMCA and Quantum’s latest production.