BEST BETS
GROVE CITY — Author Jane Gardner Birch will sign copies of her award-winning book, "They Flew Proud," from 2 to 4 p.m. May 2 at the new Grove City College downtown store, Crimson Connection, 231 S. Broad St.
"They Flew Proud" details the Civilian Pilot Training Program at the former Grove City Airport and Grove City College.
The book is a personal look at the program where her father, Gardner Birch, was an instructor.
On May 3, Birch will be at the Experimental Aircraft Association's Oakley Kelly Day at the Grove City Airport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several of the pilots mentioned in Birch's book are expected to attend.
The book is published by Evangel Press.
SAXONBURG — Rock at Knoch will feature seven bands on Friday in the Knoch High School auditorium.Doors open at 6 p.m. with the rock and alternative rock music starting at 6:30 p.m.Bands scheduled to perform include Branded by Society, Disarray, Borderline Failure, Ozone Itch, Tenacious Three, Fight the Flow, and Nectarine Dave and the Life with Matter.Admission is $5 at the door. Concessions will be available.
The Butler Outdoor Club will hold its 12th annual Outdoor Extravaganza from May 23 to 26. The base camp will be at Breakneck Campground, near McConnells Mill and Moraine State Parks.The weekend will feature various outdoor activities: road, trail and mountain biking; canoeing or kayaking on lakes and streams; sailing; rock climbing; rafting; caving; horseback riding, and various levels of hikes.There will also be a pontoon boat tour, grist mill tour and workshops such as photography, "Leave No Trace," "Stream Stomp," self-defense and kids activities.For a registration packet, call Joyce Appel at 724-526-5407, e-mail her at joyceappel@windstream.net, or visit the Web site, www.butleroutdoorclub.com.
JACKSON TWP — The Strand Theater Initiative has announced that its fifth annual North Pittsburgh Musical Showcase will return to Seneca Valley Intermediate High School at 8 p.m. May 3.This musical invitational will feature 11 schools from the north and greater Pittsburgh regions, including Portersville Christian Academy with "Cinderella: A Fairytale Reimagined," performing segments from their spring productions in a non-competitive exhibition.Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for senior citizens and students. Proceeds will benefit The Strand Theater Initiative, which is renovating the landmark Strand Theater in Zelienople as a performing arts, education and community outreach center.Tickets are available by calling 724-742-0400 or by visiting the Web site, www.thestrandtheater.org.
NEW CASTLE — The Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts, 124 E. Leasure Ave., is celebrating its 35th Regional Juried Exhibition with 72 works from 50 artists.Making the selections for this year's show was Dr. Louis Zona, executive director at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.The exhibition continues through May 16.Alongside the 35th Hoyt Regional, the Sunroom Gallery contains an exhibition of works from Slippery Rock University's Art Seminar Class. This show features paintings, ceramics, photography, printmaking, digital media and metals.Also featured in the Blair Sculpture Walkway gallery is the New Castle Camera Club's annual juried photography exhibition. Founded in 1972, the club has more than 65 members, including some from Butler.Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call 724-652-2882 or visit the Web site, www.hoytartcenter.org.
PITTSBURGH — The Andy Warhol Museum will celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions of works by Piet Mondriand and Glenn Kaino with a the party of the year on May 3.Abstract artist Mondriand is best known for his paintings of colorful, rectangular shapes. The exhibit of Los Angeles-born Kaino's art includes 12 large-scale, recent works.To open the two shows, "The Whole Boogie Woogie Party" on May 3 takes its theme from Mondrian's love of big band music. Chicago's Ross Bon and the Mighty Blue Kings will give a reunion performance and Pittsburgh's own Zombo will spin his own mix of everything boogie woogie.The event takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight at the museum at 117 Sandusky St. as well as the adjacent Alcoa Business Services building at 30 Isabella St. Cocktails and light bites will be served. Tickets are $40 each or $69 per couple."Piet (Mondriand) in Pittsburgh" and "Transformer: The Work of Glenn Kaino" both will continue through Aug. 31.For more information or to buy tickets, call 412-237-8300 or visit the Web site, www.warhol.org.
