By Peter B. King, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When you think “Brazilian jazz,” you think “Pittsburgh,” right?

Well, no, of course you don’t.

Nevertheless, a case could, and will, be made for that connection Friday night at Heinz Hall, when Brazilian star Ivan Lins headlines “An Evening of Pittsburgh-Inspired Brazilian Jazz.” A sprawling cast will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild — first, with a reception/gala honoring local jazz musicians, and then, at 8 p.m., with the concert….

For the full Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08318/927445-42.stm

By Jill King Greenwood, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

…Mentoring programs that involve children in positive activities and provide role models beginning with grade schoolers are a critical component to keeping kids from going down a path toward gangs, guns and violence, said Bill Strickland, founder of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center.

For the full Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_594048.html

By Kurt Shaw, Tribune-Review Art Critic

“Reduce-reuse-recycle” might have been the mantra of the 1990s, when many recycling programs in this country and others began. But an art exhibit at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in the North Side proves that the three R’s still are with us, and here, made manifest in the most creative of ways.

From recycled and reclaimed materials to familiar images, “Altered Meanings” explores the unique art-making processes of Cat Chow and Jesse McLean. Two young contemporary artists, Chow and McLean both collect and repurpose to produce compelling and innovative works of art….

For the full Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/s_598063.html

She’s concocted stunning dresses from 1,000 shredded one-dollar bills, brightly colored tape measures and even a hundred-yard-long zipper. Now catch gifted contemporary art-seamstress Cat Chow at free artist talk and exclusive performance piece at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (MCG)….

For the full Pop City Media article:
http://www.popcitymedia.com/popfilter/catchow1112.aspx

Pittsburgh has been home to so many of the musicians, arrangers and composers that created the music known today as jazz. While most people know of Pittsburgh-born legends such as George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, Billy Strayhorn and Billy Eckstein; MCG Jazz will pay tribute to the jazz artisans that have fundamentally stayed in Pittsburgh and have kept the hometown “Jazz Scene” vibrant and world-class. These musicians have been mentors both on and off the bandstand to many generations of jazz musicians. (more…)