Pop Filter Hot Pick: hot jazz, merry-making and the Milky Way at Carnegie Science Center

This Thursday. Dec. 15., art and astronomy will converge on the North Shore, when hot jazz, festive merry-making and the mysteries of the Milky Way fill the Carnegie Science Center for a first-of-its kind holiday happening.

You may have seen her light up the room at cabaret clubs, in museum lobbies and on opera stages, but have you ever seen local jazz superstar Phat Man Dee perform inside a planetarium? Scratch that: have you ever seen anyone perform in a planetarium? We haven't, and we think this concept is one of the most distinct we've seen yet.

Kick off your merry-making with the most rockin’ yuletide shindig this side of the Milky Way. The multi-media showcase at the Center's Buhl Digital Planetarium features two astronomy-themed productions of multicultural music performed live by Pittsburgh-based musical luminary Phat Man Dee, who will be expertly accompanied by local Latin dance group, Guaracha.

Family-friendly and over-the-top fabulous, the event includes showings at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Fusing the theatricality of jazz with the wonders of science, the one-of-a-kind collaboration is open to adults, families and kids of all ages. So forget those awkward office parties and long lines at the mall, and put a little jazzy star gazing into your week.

"Man Dee has always had a sincere love for the planetarium. She has been the agent of making this happen. She curated our events and parties during the Mousetrap exhibition, so it grew out of that relationship. She's had this concept in mind for years. We used to have events in the planetarium, so this is kind of a resurrection of that. It's a really beautiful space and Man Dee is a lover of all things cosmic," says Heather Jarrett-Montano, with Carnegie Science Center. "The early show will really engage families to experience and discover the important intersection of art and science."

Holiday rockers and star gazers alike will enjoy the local diva's interpretation of classic tunes such as “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Stardust,” and will be transported into the cosmos via the planetarium's stunning visual displays. Custom-designed for this particular performance and choreographed live, the visuals will include images culled laser and planetarium shows. The night-sky projections of nebulae, stars and galaxies will provide an out-of-the-world back-drop to Man Dee's rich captivating vocal stylings.

Each show is unique, and will feature a mix of jazz-inspired classic holiday classics and Man Dee originals.

Added bonus? Thursday's stargazers will be among the first to hear Phat Man Dee’s latest single, “Picksburgh Xmas,” a track from her upcoming holiday album which features art designed by famed editorial cartoonist Rob Rogers. CDs will be available for sale before and after each show. The event will also include a cash bar.

Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as space is limited. Advance tickets are $15 per show and $25 for both shows. Tickets at the door are $20 per show and $35 for both. Purchase tickets online now. To purchase tickets by phone, call 412.237.3400 (press 7).

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