Opening night for the next show, "Inspirational Religious Art Exhibit," will be from 7 to 9 p.m. April 3 at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.

This nonjuried art exhibit open to all artists will celebrate the common values people share and the hope for mankind faith provides.

Also, a fundraiser for AABC will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. April 2 at Elmcroft of Saxonburg, 100 Bella Court, Saxonburg.

The silent auctions will include 40 pieces of artwork featuring Stanley Iwanski's watercolors and Paul Scanlon's nature prints with bids starting as low as $15.

Two autographed Steeler jerseys will also be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the residents of Elmcroft. Call 724-352-2827.

PENN TWP — The Butler County Humane Society will host its third annual Fur Ball from 6 to 11 p.m. April 24 at the Butler Country Club.Festivities will include Yappy Hour with hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, full course dinner by Chef William K. Ward, music and dancing plus a visit from some of the shelter residents.Tickets are $100 per person; advance purchase is necessary. Evening attire required. For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Cindy Dimmick at 724-282-7568.

CENTER TWP — The fifth annual Big Band Dance at Newhaven Court at Clearview is planned for 7 to 9:30 p.m. April 17 at the center at 100 Newhaven Lane.The event is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit the American Cancer Society of Western Pennsylvania.Reservations are necessary since space is limited to 200 guests. Call 724-477-8701.

AMBRIDGE — The Old Economy Village Garden Workshop called "Preserving our Botanical Heritage" will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 at Old Economy, 270 16th St.The workshop will explore techniques gathered over thousands of years which continue to shape today's horticultural practices.Dean Norton, director of horticulture of Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, will talk about the importance and use of landscape design and horticulture in George Washington's world. Other speakers are planned as well.A tour of Economy's ornamental gardens will follow the program. Lunch is included in the registration fee of $65 for members or $75 for nonmembers. Space is limited.For more information or to register, call 724-266-4500, Ext. 101. Registration and payment is required by Friday.

PITTSBURGH — The 23-minute "Sonata for Cello and Piano" written by composer Robert Sirota in 1988 will be performed by cellist Misha Quint and pianist Svetlana Gorokhovich at 8 p.m. April 5 as part of a recital in PNC Recital Hall at the Duquesne University Mary Pappert School of Music, 600 Forbes Ave.Quint is a professor on the Duquesne music faculty, as well as the Lucy Moses School and Mannes College of Music in New York.A graduate of the Leningrad Conservatory, he made his orchestral debut at 13 after winning first prize at the Boccherini Competition in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad). Since then, he has enjoyed a fruitful career as a chamber musician and soloist, and has performed under conductors Maxim Shostakovich, Sydney Harth and Camilla Kolchinsky, among others.Admission is $10 at the door. For more information, visit the Web site, www.mishaquint.com.

PITTSBURGH — Quantum Theatre presents "Yerma" by Federico Garcia Lorca from April 2 to 26 at Art Dimensions, 6000 Penn Ave. in East Liberty."Yerma" is a deeply musical folktale, blending song and poetic text into a modern story of unbridled yearning. Quantum's production joins the long tradition of Lorca interpretations that use flamenco to express these rhythms.Curtain is at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and at 7 p.m. Sundays.Tickets range from $25 to $35; a limited number of $15 student tickets are available. Call 412-394-3353 or visit the Web site, www.quantumtheatre.com.

Kean Idol finals scheduled SundayGIBSONIA — The finals of the Kean Idol Amateur Talent Contest will take place Sunday at the Kean Theatre in Washington Place at St. Barnabas, 5847 Meridian Road.The dance finals will begin at 2 p.m. followed by the vocal finals at 7 p.m.Tickets are $10. Call 724-444-5521.

MARS — A plant grafting demonstration by Joe Stupka of the Conifer Society will take place from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 4 at Quality Gardens, Route 228.Those interested in joining the Conifer Society can get more information. The fee is $20.To register, call Dan Przybylek at 724-353-1357.