PITTSBURGH — Starting today the Silver Eye Center for Photography, 1015 E. Carson St., will be presenting "A Map of Latin American Dreams," featuring 18 black-and-white portraits by Fellowship 2008 award recipient Martin Weber.

Weber's social documentary photographs use words and handwriting on blackboards to portray individuals as anchored to their own narratives.

Also, 10 honorable mention photographers are exhibiting one piece each.

An opening reception will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the center. Admission is free.

Regular gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Call 412-431-1810.

PENN TWP — Sing Hosanna! presents a holiday celebration of dinner and a show on Saturday at Penn Christian Academy on Airport Road. Seatings are at noon and 5 p.m.The evening includes the staging of a play called "Snow Child," a one-hour adaptation of a Russian folk tale. Cast members are: Laurel Wain, Scott Shearer, Stephanie Kobil, Adam Stock, Becca Bly, Hannah Sarvey, Ruby Shearer and Alexa Birckbichler.The full course dinner menu includes soup, lasagna, salad, applesauce, bread and butter, cake and a beverage.Tickets are $20 for adults and $7 for children age 10 and younger. Tickets will be available through noon Friday at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St.

BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College will host its annual Light Up Night tonight in celebration of the upcoming winter solstice.The free community event includes horse drawn wagon rides through the luminary-lit campus, seasonal music, refreshments, and crafts and games for children in Founders Hall. Activities are from 6 to 9 p.m. at the main campus. Santa Claus will visit at 6 p.m. Call 724-287-8711, Ext. 8216.On Friday, the Pittsburgh Philharmonic will perform in the Succop Theater as part of the Performing Arts Series. Tickets are $18 in advance and $22 at the door; students pay $10. Call 724-284-8505 or order online at www.bc3.edu/theater.

PITTSBURGH — Four area youths will have parts in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre production of "The Nutcracker."Caroline Ciocco, Cranberry Township, Shirlann Harmon of Evans City, and Madeline Hoey and Rachel Thomas, both of Mars, will be among more than 130 students from the PBT school taking part in this traditional holiday show."The Nutcracker" will open Friday and continue through Dec. 28 at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave.Tickets range from $20.50 to $88.50 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or by visiting www.pbt.org.

FORD CITY — The Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center will host a Star Party at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, the longest night of the year.Amateur astronomer Larry Curcio will provide an introductory lesson on astronomy. Weather permitting, participants will use telescopes and binoculars to observe some of the major stars, constellations and other heavenly phenomena visible this time of year.Some telescopes and binoculars will be available for use, or guests can take their own. Dress for the weather.Admission is free, but donations are accepted.The center is at 142 Kerr Road, off Crooked Creek Dam Road. Call 724-763-6316.

PITTSBURGH — Area folk artists who have been taking part in the Cracow Creche Workshop art education project will display their work from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Cloister of the Frick Fine Arts Building on the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.Szopka, or Cracow Creche, is a folk craft that transforms simple materials such as cardboard, wood, ribbon and foiled paper into elaborate miniature architectural constructions.Also featured will be the inaugural presentation of "Poles in Pittsburgh: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," an exhibition that will travel throughout Western Pennsylvania in 2009.