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Soojin Park and Members of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Perform Afternoon Concert at the Carnegie Carnegie

Trombonist Reggie Watkins, percussionist Soojin Park, Bassist Paul Thompson and Dr. Alton Merrill on keyboard.   Soojin Park, percussionist, performed this evening with three members of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall in Carnegie. The percussionist was the featured artist in the Carnegie's Emerging Artist Series, which closed out the current season this evening. There'll be more to come next year. Trombonist Reggie Watkins, Bassist Paul Thompson, percussionist Soojin Park and Dr. Alton Merrill on keyboard. In concert with her were Dr. Alton Merrill on keyboard, Paul Thompson on bass and Reggie Watkins on trombone.. To warm up the audience with a holiday tune, the ensemble opened with a jazz version of "Chestnuts Roasting on an open Fire." The afternoon program was a mix of tempos and moods and included everything from Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" and Billy Strayhorn's "Rain Check" to Kenny ...
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THIS WEEK: Jazz, Holiday Cheer, Dance, and Music Legends

  This Week at the Pittsburgh Playhouse   There’s something for everyone at the Playhouse this week, and we are pleased to present some of Pittsburgh’s finest talent! Experience a stunning dance performance from our COPA Dance Company, engage with industry insights at a compelling thought leadership discussion led by a renowned music insider Rich Engler, and don’t miss our music performances - the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, and a concert of holiday classics by Joe Serafini of Disney+  High School Musical: The Musical: The Series ! See what’s happening, and we look forward to seeing  you  this week!   Contemporary Choreographers Wednesday, December 11 through Sunday, December 15 The Conservatory Dance Company presents a concert featuring works by newly-appointed, to-be-announced Point Park University dance faculty.  Featuring  Beverly Bautista, Norbert de la Cruz, Julia Erickson, and Bridget Moore. Buy Tickets! Backstage/Onstage with Rich Engler Th...

Handel’s “Messiah” Sing-along Performed Amid Splendor of Tiffany Stained-Glass Window Masterpieces

            According to Brian Burns, Pittsburgh has had a long history of “Messiah” sing-alongs.           As the music director/organist at Calvary United Methodist Church on Pittsburgh’s North Side, Burns said that years ago, a few members of the congregation thought it would be a good idea for the church to stage a sing-along of its own. The first performance of its “Messiah” included 4 string players and 25 singers. In the years since, the current program has grown to 82 singers, four soloists and close to 20 musicians who somehow comfortably fit into the church’s chancel.           “At our 125 anniversary and that of our sister church, the First United Methodist Church of Shadyside, we fit 100 singers in the chancel,” Burns said.           Now in its thirteenth annual year, save for a two-ye...

Spirit of the Season — Discover What’s Happening at AWAACC

            Monthly Update | December 2025   December Events This December, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center invites you to celebrate the season with joy, culture, and connection. From Cafe Ase’s festive pop-up and our beloved Holiday Community Day, to the landmark exhibition  Peju Alatise: I Will Belong to Only Me  and the vibrant annual Black & Bold Party, there’s something to delight every sense and spark the imagination. Wander through our galleries, discover one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from local vendors, and capture moments of cheer by the Center's christmas tree and Grand Staircase installation. Dance to the beats of DJ KB and DJ Big Phil, explore powerful art by Peju Alatise and Lavette Ballard, and immerse yourself in experiences that honor creativity, community, and the spirit of the season. Come share in the warmth, wonder, and love for art and culture! UPCOMING EVENTS AWC COMMUNITY DAY Saturday, December 13 |...