sp otlight Lee Camp likes his new gig as head writer and host of Redacted Tonight, a cable comedy-news show on RT America. The weekly program, which premiered in June, is Daily Show-like in format. But Camp says what disinguishes him from, say, Jon Stewart, is that Camp is an activist as well as a comedian. And at advertiserless RT, he says by phone from the RT studios in Washington, D.C., he can freely rip new ones for the likes of Monsanto, Walmart and Citibank; scorch corporate-toady politicians of either party; and take down, say, American Sniper as pro-war, anti-Muslim propaganda. “There’s very few places where I can speak my mind and have the freedom I have,” he says. Camp has even transformed his trademark “Moment of Clarity” web series (www.leecamp.net) into Redacted Tonight’s opening rant. But between taping sesssions, Camp still hits the road. This week he returns to Hambone’s Pub, where he played to an SRO room two years ago; local comic Krish Mohan opens. Does Camp find it hard, always turning a globeful of bad news into lefty comedy fire and brimstone? “I won’t deny that to read about this stuff around the world all day long, I’m very happy that I have comedy as a tool to handle it,” he says. Bill O’Driscoll 8:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 7. 4207 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $10-12. www.lchambones.brownpapertickets.com
admission ($5-10). 412-2378300 or www.warhol.org
{ART}
a retired Marine major who backs the war must come to terms with three people who oppose it: his wife; his brother, a Catholic priest and Marine veteran; and his son, back from Iraq and unable to adjust to civilian vilian life.
If you haven’t seen Penn Avenue in Garfield since the construction barriers came down, an excellent excuse is tonight’s Unblurred gallery crawl. The art, music and activities at more than a dozen venues include receptions for DeWayne Kendrick’s black-historythemed exhibition FEB. 07 APOCRYPHA, at BOOM Concepts, and S Sy Sylviane lviiane Thommy Conroy’s Diouf Valentine’s-themed show at Artisan. At ModernFormations, 12 x 12 Rewind, a big group show of works one-foot-square by local artists, honors 2009’s original 12 x 12 show. The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination opens exhibits He also has another son, still of post-modern surrealist fighting in Iraq. “My concern paintings and drawings by was to show the effect of Pittsburgh artist Rachna this on people, particularly Rajen, and of work by New people in a family,” says Hazo, York-based woodcut artist himself a Marine veteran as John Carruthers. And The well as a Duquesne University Mr. Roboto Project hosts this English professor emeritus year’s Pittsburgh incarnation and former State Poet. of international phenomenon The cast and crew for this Fun-a-Day, showcasing art by premiere production include more than 80 locals who seasoned director Rich Keitel each committed to work on and such top local actors a project, of any genre, every as Daina Michelle Griffith day in January. BO Most and Jeffrey Howell. The venues: 7-10 p.m. 4900six performances are at a 5400 Penn Ave., Friendship/ perhaps-unlikely venue: Bloomfield/Garfield. Free. Soldiers & Sailors Memorial www.pennavenue.org Hall. But the facility’s president and CEO, John McCabe, {STAGE} who waived the auditorium’s That the 2003 U.S. invasion of usual rental fee, says the Iraq was based on lies is now play is another way of little disputed. But venerable “remembering and honoring poet and writer Samuel Hazo our veterans.” BO 7 p.m. thought there was more to Continues through Feb. 15. the story. Hazo felt compelled 4141 Fifth Ave., Oakland. to write Tell It to the Marines: $5-25. 412-621-4253 or A Play for the Time at Hand. The drama is set in 2007, when www.soldiersandsailorshall.org
N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
+ SAT., FEB. 07 {MARKETPLACE} Just remembered Valentine’s Day? Need a little something to forget Valentine’s Day? East End Brewing has got yyou covered either way with its inaugural Crafts w Drafts Artist Market. &D The brewpub marks the release of its Chocolate rele Covered Cherry Stout C Cov with w free samples of the th same, but also by hosting nine local h crafters (from screenprinted T’s to fused glassware) and taste treats from Commonplace Coffee and Spak Bros. DJ MB spins the soul. Admission is free. BO Noon-5 p.m. 147 Julius St., Larimer. 412-537-2337 or www.eastendbrewing.com
{WORDS} In a Black History Month event at the Heinz History Center, author and historian Sylviane Diouf visits with her most recent book, Slavery Exiles: The Story of the American Maroons. African refugees who escaped slavery in the Americas,
FEB. 06 Mala Mala
maroons formed independent settlements. Diouf explores links with the History Center’s From Slavery to Freedom exhibit. Following a discussion, Diouf will sign copies of her book and invite listeners to view the exhibit. ZM 2-4 p.m. 1212 Smallman St., Strip District. $6-15. 412-454-6000 or www.heinzhistorycenter.org
opens today, more than 60 percent of the tropical plant life has been changed out to spotlight a variety of flora never before showcased there. The result of years of research, Tropical Forest Congo highlights some of Africa’s lushest landscapes. To celebrate, Phipps features fun activities for children, including a storytelling performance, plus a pot-aplant table, crafts, food sampling and visits from researchers. ZM 11 a.m.-
{EXHIBIT}
Phipps Conservatory gets a little more exotic. In the long-running exhibit that
FEB. 08
Veronica Lustt
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
4 p.m. Schenley Park, Oakland. $11-15. 412-622-6914 or www.phipps.conservatory.org
+ SUN., FEB. 08 {SCREEN} Life can be a drag. Maybe that’s why drag queen Veronica Lustt was once arrested for stealing corn from a farm in rural Pennsylvania. With a brand-new episode, Gay Life TV’s sketch-comedy program The Nomi Darling Show presents The Veronica Lustt Story, Part 1. Formerly available only via online subscription, Nomi is unveiling an eight-episode season for free on YouTube. The newest episode features local queen Lustt and Pittsburgh players including Cindy Crochford, Qarma Kazee, Tootsie Snyder, Shesus Khryst and rapper HollyHood. Expect both a screening and live performances from the cast tonight at Blue Moon Bar. ZM 10 p.m., 5115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. Free. 412-781-1119 or www.gaylifetelevision.com
C L A S S I F I E D S
35