Butler Little Theatre will present "Almost Maine" Jan. 22 to 24 and 26 to 30 at the theater at One Howard St.

In the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine, this play inventively explores the mysteries of the human heart, touching audiences with laughter, heartbreak, and hope.

The cast includes Alison Carey, Whitney Ann Jenkins, Jim Kasparek, Michelina Pollini and Aaron Zimmerman.

Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Jan. 14 and are available by calling 724-287-6781 weeknights from 7 to 9 p.m. and during performances. Members should check their newsletter for advance reservation dates. Tickets cost $10.

Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, at 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays (no more Sunday evening performances).

The Butler County Symphony Association will have its 31st annual Young Artist Competition on Jan. 17 in Swope Hall at Slippery Rock University.The contest is open to any high school-aged musician who lives within a 25-mile radius of Butler, or any high school-aged musician in a PMEA District 5 school. The winner will perform as a soloist with the orchestra at its March 13 concert.For information or an application, call 724-283-2402 or send e-mail to butlersymphony@zoominternet.net.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents stepping performers Step Afrika! at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.Step Afrika! is the first professional company in the world dedicated to this type of dancing called stepping, a tradition created by African-American college students.Tickets range from $20.50 to $32.50. Call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center will offer another free Omnimax film preview, "Extreme," at 8 p.m. Jan. 16. Registration is available on www.carnegiesciencecenter.org."Extreme" captures some of the best athletes in the world as they challenge nature.This is the second of three free previews being shown in January at the Science Center's Rangos Omnimax Theater. The third will be "Wildfire: Feel the Heat" at 8 p.m. Jan. 30.The preview is free but online registration is required.Call 412-237-3400 for more information.

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre celebrates Valentine's Day as well as its 40th anniversary season as it presents Paul Taylor's "Company B" and Twyla Tharp's "In the Upper Room" Feb. 12 to 14 at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave.These works demonstrating contemporary ballet are set to the tunes of the Andrews Sisters and Philip Glass's rhythmic score."Company B," making its Pittsburgh debut, takes audiences on a journey that captures the feelings and emotions of World War II America."In the Upper Room," also making its Pittsburgh premiere, is Twyla Tharp's work taking dancers and the audience through energetic scenes.Performances begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 14.Tickets range from $20 to $88. Call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pbt.org.

PITTSBURGH — "The Artistic Furniture of Charles Rohlfs" will be shown Jan. 30 to April 25 in Heinz Galleries B and C at Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave.Featuring more than 40 pieces of furniture and related objects, "The Artistic Furniture of Charles Rohlfs" is being called the first major museum exhibition to bring together this designer's body of work. Rohlfs' (1853¿1936) designs stand alongside those of better-known contemporaries such as Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright.On view at the Museum of Art at the same time is "Gods, Love, and War: Tapestries and Prints from the Collection," running through June 13 and featuring highlights from the museum's 16th- and 17th-century tapestries and prints.For more information, call 412-622-3131 or visit the Web site, www.cmoa.org.