Freedom Friday
Pittsburgh School for the Creative and Performing Arts presents Freedom Friday at 7 p.m. at CAPA Theater, 111 Ninth St., Cultural District. For more information, call 412-338-6101.
Opening
Pitt Repertory Theater presents The Gammage Project at 8 p.m. at the Henry Heymann Theatre, Pitt’s Stephen Foster Memorial, Forbes Ave., Oakland. The play is based on actual events from the 1995 death of Jonny Gammage, who died at the scene during a traffic stop by Brentwood Police. The cause of death is listed as asphyxiation caused by pressure applied to the chest and neck. The play will run through Feb. 19 and March2-4. Following every performance, Attilio Favorini or a guest will moderate talkback sessions between the audience, one or two of the cast members, and individuals who have a connection to the Gammage case. For more information, call 412-624-7529.
Friday 10
CAUSE
Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Africanamerican Urban Studies and the Economy will host its 2011-2012 Speakers Series from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the university’s Baker Hall, Steinberg Auditorium, 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Temple University Professor Bettye Collier-Thomas will speak on “The Nexus: Women, Religion, Race and Civil Rights, 1920-1965.” Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.hss.cmu.edu/cause.
Sweet Jazz
Sweetwater Center for the Arts Center presents the 8th annual Sweet Jazz series from 7-9 p.m. at 200 Broad St., Sewickley. The featured guest is Craig Davis with the timeless, lyrical music of George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, and other classic jazz composers. Tickets are $10-$18. For more information, call 412-741-4405 or visit www.sweetwaterartcenter.org.
Saturday 11
Auditions
The Carnegie Performing Arts Center presents Auditions for its production of the children’s play “Beauty and the Beast” at 10 a.m. at 150 E. Main St., Carnegie. Auditions for ages 5-12 will be held at 10 a.m. and for ages 13 and up at 11 a.m. The production will take place in April. For more information, call 412-279-8887 or visit www.carnegieperformingartscenter.com.
Sunday 12
Pre-Valentine’s Day Concert
The Tim Stevens/Leonard Johnson Project presents a Pre-Valentine’s Day Concert from 6-9 p.m. at the James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy, 422 Foreland St., North Side. The evening will include special guest Kenny Blake, popular saxophonist, along with bassist Albert “Mouchie” Weir and drummer Vince Taglieri. There is no cover charge. For more information, call 412-904-3335 or visit www.jamesstreetgastropub.com.
Monday 13
City of Rhythm
Citiparks, BNY Mellon and WAMO 100 present “A City of Rhythm: A Tribute to African American Music in Pittsburgh” Exhibit from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the City-County Building Lobby, 414 Grant St., Downtown. From now until Feb. 29 this exhibit, featuring photographs and other memorabilia to showcase Pittsburgh’s rich musical heritage and spotlight African-American musicians, will be displayed. For more information, visit www.city.pittsburgh.pa. us/parks/black_history_month.
Friday 17
Synthesis
PNC, Duquesne University and the Chuck Cooper Foundation presents the 3rd Annual “Synthesis”—A Musical Tribute to Pittsburgh’s Chuck Cooper, the first African-American Drafted into the NBA at 7 p.m. at the August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. This is in celebration of Black History Month and will feature Maurice Brown, Alex Bugnon, Poogie Bell and Angela Johnson. There will also be a reception at 6 p.m. For more information, call 412-456-6666.