BEST BETS

March 24, 2011 Last Updated: March 24, 2011 02:52 PM Weekend Entertainment

PITTSBURGH — The Butler band Bare Branches, formerly known as Hand Drawn Mountains, has a CD release party scheduled Sunday at The Smiling Moose, 1306 E. Carson St. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Bare Branches plays at 7:15 p.m.

The new indie album “Haunts” was digitally released.

On Sunday, the group will be performing with Danielson, one of the original indie music bands.

Tickets are $12. Call 412-431-4668.

FRAZER TWP, Allegheny County — An April Star Party weekend sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will begin, weather permitting, at 8 p.m. April 8 and 9 at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Regional Park.Admission is free. Donations are accepted for the costs of operation. Call 724-224-2510 for information.

MONROEVILLE — A coin show by Sarosi's Coins and More is planned Friday to Sunday at the Monroeville Convention Center's North Wing, 209 Mall Blvd.Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission, parking and appraisals are free.Call 814-535-5766 for more information.

PITTSBURGH — Comedian Jerry Seinfeld will have two shows in April at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave., but the earlier one is nearly sold out.The shows are scheduled April 23. Only a few single tickets may still be available for the 7 p.m. show. More tickets are available for the 9:30 p.m. appearance. Tickets are $49.75 to $79.75. Call 412-456-4800 or go online at www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — One Night of Queen, a rock tribute concert honoring rock icon Freddie Mercury, begins at 7:30 p.m. April 20 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.The tribute includes Queen hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions.”Tickets are $26.25 to $45.25 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or online at www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — Smuckers Stars on Ice celebrates its 25th anniversary with a show headlined by 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek and Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen.The show is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Consol Energy Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.Tickets start at $25 and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.A portion of the proceeds benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Renaissance and Baroque Society of Pittsburgh presents “April in Paris,” a program of French inspired baroque music featuring selections from a set of quartets composed by Georg Philip Telemann.The concert will be held at 8 p.m. April 9 in Synod Hall, 125 N. Craig St., Oakland.A pre-concert talk will be at 7 p.m. in Synod Hall, and a question-and-answer session with the musicians will follow the performance.Ticket range from $10 student admission to $35 reserved seating. Visit www.rbsp.org or call 412-361-2048.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust ushers in National Jazz Appreciation Month in April with a series of concerts celebrating the art of vocal jazz.The Vocal Stylings series is a part of the Trust's regular ongoing jazz series, Jazzlive. The performances are at the Cabaret Theater and Backstage Bar in the Cultural District.The schedule is:• Benny Benack III & Friends: The Next Big Thing, 8 p.m. April 5, tickets $10.75 and $15.75.• Bobby Caldwell: Up Close and Personal, 8 p.m. April 12, tickets $25.75.• Sachal Vasandani: Downbeat Rising Star, 8 p.m. April 19, tickets $20.75.• An Evening with Karrin Allyson, 8 p.m. April 26, tickets $25 and $30.For tickets call 412-456-6666, or visit pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Opera’s 2011-12 season contains five productions, including:• “La traviata,” 8 p.m. Oct. 15 and 21, 7 p.m. Oct. 18 and 2 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave.• “The Pearl Fishers,” 8 p.m. Nov. 12 and 18, 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and 2 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Benedum Center.• “Hansel & Gretel,” 8 p.m. Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Jan. 31 and 2 p.m. Feb. 5, at CAPA Theater, 111 Ninth St.• “Tosca,” 8 p.m. March 24 and 30, 7 p.m. March 27 and 2 p.m. April 1, all 2012, at the Benedum Center.• “The Abduction from the Seraglio” 8 p.m. April 28 and May 4, 7 p.m. May 1 and 2 p.m. May 6, all 2012, at the Benedum Center.For tickets, call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.