{IMAGE COURTESY OF CHARLES “TEENIE” HARRIS ARCHIVE, CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART}
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Charles “Teenie” Harris was a peerless documenter of black urban life; he was also amazingly prolific. So when Sean Gibson was asked to guest-curate Teenie Harris Photographs: Baseball in Pittsburgh, for the Carnegie Museum of Art, he had 700 images to choose from. Gibson’s great-grandfather, Pittsburgh-based Negro League great Josh Gibson, famously occupied some of these photos; so, it turned out, did Sean’s grandfather, Josh Gibson Jr., seen in the early ’40s as a teenage Homestead Grays batboy. The exhibit, which opens March 22 (a week before the Pirates do), includes previously unseen 16 mm film footage that Harris — who helped found the Pittsburgh Crawfords, another powerhouse club — shot of Negro League games at Forbes Field. But the focus is on the 25 still images Sean Gibson chose — and not just those immortalizing major-league legends like Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Curtis Roberts (the Pirates’ first black player). Other photos capture the scene in sandlots from Ammon Field, in the Hill District, to racially integrated Little League contests of the 1950s and women’s softball in St. Clair Village. Sean Gibson, who heads the Pittsburgh-based Josh Gibson Foundation, was deeply impressed by the breadth of Harris’ efforts. “He just took photos,” says Gibson. “That’s the great thing about his collection. He just captured everything.” Bill O’Driscoll Exhibit runs Sat., March 22-Sept. 22. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $11.95-17.95 (kids under 3 free). 412-622-3131 or www.cmoa.org
to benefit people and communities, not globo-corps, and where nature is healed rather than simply exploited. The NEWG’s Celebration of Pittsburgh’s New Economy begins today, with afternoon and evening sessions featuring nationally known neweconomy scholar, author and activist Gar Alperovitz. Tomorrow, on the Carnegie Mellon campus, there’s a day-long New Economy Market and workshops, and Alperovitz discusses “New Economy Solutions.” BO 2 p.m. (Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, Oakland) and 5 p.m. (Baker Hall, CMU campus, pus, Oakland). Also 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., March 22 (Bakerr Hall). Free. www.newpgh. pgh. wordpress.com
Copacetic Comics and Toonseum present this annual showcase for creator-owned, self-published, small-press and handmade comics and artist’s books. Nearly 60 local artists will expo, including names like Artnoose, John Peña, Lizzee Solomon and Wayne Wise. Special guests include at least one comics god — Fantagraphics founder and publisher Gary Groth — and comics goddess Trina Robbins, a pioneer in women’s underground comics (Wimmen’s Comix) turned comics historian. Local guests include Ed Piskor Rugg. there’ss and Jim R ugg. Then there
{WORDS} Leslie “Ezra” Smith is a longtime force on the local arts scene, from spoken-word performances and slam poetry y to stage acting. As co-host of the e Eargasm Open Mic Series, he also so spotlights other talented folks. But at tonight’s Eargasm, m, Smith himself is the featured guest. atured guest Of course, the program, at Homewood’s Lounge 7101, still includes open-mic slots for poets, singers, musicians and comedians. BO 9 p.m.midnight. 7101 Frankstown Ave., Homewood. $10. eargasmopenmic@gmail.com
MARCH 22 Pittsburgh Indy Comics Expo Art by Theo Ellsworth
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MARCH 22 Spring Flower Show both sight and sound at its Spring Flower Show, which shines the spotlight on flowers daffodils, tulips and like daffod hyacinths while celebrating a theme. Sculptures made musical th from refurbished instruments ref complement the flowers; compl recordings of well-loved reco tunes tun score your stroll through certain rooms; th and a plant arrangements even “mimic the rise and fall of musical notes.” The show was designed by Hays Landscape Architecture Studio. AS A 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through C April Ap 20. One Schenley Park, Park Oakland. $11-15. 412-622-6914 or www. 412 12 1 2-62 phipps.conservatory.org phipps p .co
for the artist, who leads the sculpture program at Cleveland University, takes place today. AS 5 p.m. Exhibit continues through May 16. 4523 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. Free. 412-687-8858 or www.boxheartgallery.com
+ SUN., MARCH 23 {OUTDOORS} Like other trees, maples filter the air, lower temperatures, add beauty to our surroundings
and more. But more importantly, they make syrup. Today, the Jennings Environmental Education Center in Slippery Rock celebrates the tree and its famous byproduct with a seasonal maple-sugaring event. After a presentation exploring the many benefits of trees, attendees can see a working evaporator and sample maple syrup during a guided walk through the park. The event is free but popular, so arrive early for a seat. AS 2 p.m. 2951 Prospect Road,
Newly formed Uncumber Theatrics debuts with Her Things: An Interactive Estate Sale, at ModernFormations Gallery. Audience members must learn what happened to the late Willa Ballard, a “turn-of-the-century recluse” who died under mysterious circumstances. Just as in a mystery video game, attendees can examine objects and question characters, but beware: These folks might not be sharing everything they know. The story was created by Uncumber artistic director Ayne Terceira, who worked on Bricolage’s immersive project STRATA, and the cast features local improv vets. AS 8 p.m. Continues through Sat., March 29. 4919 Penn Ave, Garfield. $18-22. 412-362-0274 or www.uncumbertheatrics.com
Art by Irina Koukhanova
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PIX guest Theo Ellsworth, a Montana-based artist whose visionary work (Capacity, Sleeper Car) also earned him a solo show at the Toonseum. The opening reception for Theo Ellsworth: Memory and Identity is Fri., March 21. BO PIX: 10 a.m-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. 10 S. 19th St., South Side. Free. www.pixcomics.com
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The Pittsburgh Indy Comics Expo — PIX to you — returns.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens features
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Slippery Rock. Free. 724-7946011 or www.dcnr.state.pa.us
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With visual art, perspective is key. Where one person sees an old urinal, another sees a fountain. Box Heart Gallery’s 2014 Artist of the Year Irina Koukhanova’s Panoptic Landscape is a collection of painting and sculpture that “captures an all-encompassing system viewed from the perspective of a human or an animal, an adult or a child, and alludes to authority, power play and the dynamics of entrapment.” A reception
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Panoptic Landscape
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