A Hina Matsuri & Japanese Tea Party for Children will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. March 6 at the Maridon Museum, 322 N. McKean St.

Children will learn about this Japanese festival that focuses on health, happiness, and a good marriage for daughters. Children will take part in a tea ceremony (they are welcome to bring their own doll), hear stories about the festival, learn Japanese phrases and make a craft.

The event is for children from in kindergarten through fourth grade. Cost is $5 per child; an adult must accompany all children.

Reservations are required, as space is limited. Call 724-282-0123.

The Associated Artists of Butler County will offer free Saturday art classes at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St., as a preview to the spring schedule of classes.In addition to family-oriented classes for youngsters, artist Mary Kay Richardson will hold a free watercolor class for adults.The AABC will also offer two-day adult workshops in March and April.Coming on Saturday are:• Stuffed Monsters! with Allie Delaney, noon to 1:30 p.m.• Eric Carle Animals with Michele Marchak, noon to 1:30 p.m.• Wax Resist Paintings with Michele Marchak, 2 to 3:30 p.m.On March 6, the classes will be:• Paper Toys! with Uncle Mike Rehm, noon to 1:30 p.m.• The Art of Origami with Vanessa Latour, 1 to 2 p.m.• Messy Painting! with Uncle Mike Rehm, 2 to 3 p.m.Classes on March 13 will be:• Foam Fun! with Uncle Mike Rehm, noon to 1 p.m.• Paper Dolls with Vanessa Latour, 2 to 3 p.m.• 3D Painting! with Uncle Mike Rehm, 2 to 4 p.m.

BOYERS — Marion Township Youth Association will host a "Funny Fundraiser" with music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 20 at Epiphany Social Hall on Middendorf Street.Comedians will start at 8:30 p.m., as presented by SlapStick Productions.The headliner will be Matt Wholfarth from the Midlife Crisis Comedy Tour, and Nick Milton, a Funny Bone favorite.Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Call 724-282-1498, 724-290-2979, or 724-496-7828.

CRANBERRY TWP — Ellwood City resident M.E. Harper will sign copies of her book "The Wolves Within" from 2 to 4 p.m. March 6 at the Cranberry Public Library, 2525 Rochester Road, Suite 300.Harper is originally from Ellwood City, moved to Los Angeles in 1988, and now is back in Ellwood City.For information, visit the Web site, www.meharper.com.

PITTSBURGH — Aspen Sante Fe Ballet will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.The performance includes "Sue's Leg," one of Twyla Tharp's earliest commissioned pieces. Set to the music of Fats Waller, "Sue's Leg" readjusts tap and the Charleston with a scampering flavor.Tickets range from $19.50 to $42.50. Call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pgharts.org.

MONROEVILLE — Steel City Con — a toy, comic and pop culture convention — will run Friday through Sunday at the Monroeville Convention Center.Celebrity guests will include John Schneider, Matthew Wood, Mark Goddard, Lilian Garcia and Candice Michelle.Comic book artists will include Jay Fife, Sean Forney, Andrew Harmon, Kevin Leen and Josh Medors.Hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.Admission is $10; a three-day pass costs $20.For more information, visit the Web site, www.steelcitycon.com.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Cherish the Ladies at 8 p.m. March 5 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.Cherish the Ladies blends instrumental talents, vocals and original arrangements with step dancing in a celebration of traditional Irish culture.Tickets range from $20 to $32 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or online at www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — "Jesus Christ, Superstar," starring Ted Neely who played the title role in the film of the same name, will go on stage March 7 at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave. Curtain is at 2 and 7 p.m.The Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice score includes "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Hosanna," "Everything's Alright," "What's the Buzz" and "Heaven on Their Mind."Tickets range from $23 to $62. Call 412-456-6666.