A close up with a miniature snow covered tree in focus and a cozy fire in the background

 

A Gift Guide for the Arts Lovers in Your Life

Thu, Dec 4, 2025

Written by: Andy Sharfman

 

Have you been feverishly scouring through the internet in search of the perfect gift? Well, stress no more! We put together a gift guide of Cultural Trust shows for every kind of person in your life. 

For the ones who always bring the laughter:

Aries Spears poster

 

Aries Spears

Sunday, January 18 | 5 pm | Byham Theater

Aries Spears’s quick wit, charisma and ferociously aggressive style of comedy have earned him critical acclaim, high accolades, and above all, a busy schedule. Can you fit him into calendar?

 

Two men posing

 

Dary & Jer

Monday, February 9 | 8 pm | Byham Theater

This duo is funny and relatable. Join them as they riff on their neurodiverse relationship, tackle parenting, and explore their life as an average middle-aged couple.

 

A black and white image with four headshots of women.

 

Ladies of Laughter

Saturday, May 19 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater

You can say you saw them first. The Ladies of Laughter tour has jump-started the careers of dozen of women in comedy, including Amy Schumer, Mellisa Rauch (Big Bang Theory), Tamy Pescaltelli, and Michelle Buteau to name a few.

 

For the ones always dancing around the living room:

Three women in long black dresses leap into the air.

Photo by M. Sherwood

Martha Graham Dance Company

Wednesday, January 8 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater

Watch history unfold as the oldest dance company in the United States celebrates their 100th anniversary with a breathtaking performance.

 

Black dancers in dressy costumes dance on stage with five works of art behind them.

Photo by Teresa Castracane

Step Afrika!

Friday, February 13 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater

Experience a pivotal moment in U.S. history, brought to life through dance and visual art. Step Afrika’s signature work charts the story of African Americans moving from the rural South to the industrial North to escape Jim Crow, racial oppression, and lynchings in the early 1900s.

 

A group of dancers cluster together in multi-colored leotards and colorful makeup.

Photo by Carrie Schneider

A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham

Saturday, May 9 | 7: 30 pm | Byham Theater

Contemporary dance company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is considered “one of the most consistently excellent troupes working today” (The New York Times). See Abraham, a Pittsburgh native, showcase an evening of his work and that of Andrea Miller.

 

For those who have waited in the cold at Stage Door (even if you’re not entirely sure what that means):

Glinda in a pink ball gown and Elphaba and in black dress and witches sit with one another.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Wicked

January 14 – February 15 | Benedum Center

Come hear all your favorite numbers on stage! From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, WICKED—the untold true story of the Witches of Oz—transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story.

 

Patti Lupone, wearing a silver sparkling dress, sings into the microphone.

 

Patti Lupone: Matter of the Heart

Tuesday, March 3 | 7:30 pm | Benedum Center

Ready to see a Broadway legend in action? Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone celebrates the 25th Anniversary of her acclaimed theatrical concert Matters of the Heart, which she performed for extended runs on Broadway, London’s West End, as well on tour nationally and internationally.

 

Three actors in Elizabethan garb look at the camera, mouths open.

 

Shit-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet

March 12 -14 | Greer Cabaret Theater

Laugh, drink, and be merry! Shakespeare’s greatest work gets the full boozy treatment in Shit-faced Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

 

For those who could use a little magic:

A man in a suit and black tie sits cross legged, holding up one hand in the air and the other, he's pierced a knife through a card. He sits around a pile of books, a rope, a cup and ball trick, and a card.

 

Paul Vigil in Doors of Deception

January 8 – February 1 | Liberty Magic

Paul Vigil—a multiple-time nominee and winner of the “Magic Trick of the Year Award”—has performed in front of distinguished guests and events all over the world and in every Las Vegas Casino. Meet him at his next stop: Pittsburgh, PA.

 

A man stands in front of a hot pink background. He's reaching into his suit jacket for cards.

Photo by Martin Vercera

Ondrej Psenicka in 52 Lovers

February 5 – March 1 | Liberty Magic

Perhaps a magic show in the cards for you and your Valentine’s Day date. 52 Lovers is a romantic and ridiculous exhibition of heart-stirring sleight of hand.

 

A man at green casino card table throws a coin up into the air.

 

Jonathan Levit in Reality Reinvented

March 5 – 29 | Liberty Magic

Jonathan Levit, hailing straight from his mesmerizing show "Legerdemain" at the Venetian Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, brings over 40 years of magical expertise to the stage. Get ready to rethink reality as we know it in this showstopper.

 

For the kids (and the ones that will have to drive them):

An Asian family - two adults, one boy, and one girl, sit at a table and look at the camera. Behind them are clothes hung up on a clothes line.

 

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

Saturday, March 14 | 2 pm | Byham Theater

Join Freddie and Ivy alongside their grandparents, Po Po and Kung Kung, as their Chinese New Year celebrations take a turn from dumpling-making to discovering the incredible origin story of the Chinese Zodiac!

 

A woman on stage climbs up a dumpster that has a cartoon animal on the front. She's holding a small, round, metal robot.

Photo by Bill Conroy

Robot Song

Saturday, March 21 | 2 pm | Byham Theater

When eleven-year-old Juniper May receives a petition signed by her entire class stating that she is "the most hated person in the school" her life is thrown into complete meltdown. See how she overcomes it all with creativity and love.

 

A woman with multi-colored, rounded sunglasses and a crocheted vest turns her head off stage. A man with star-shaped sunglasses and a headband with horns attached look down and to the side. Behind them in a painted sky background and long grasses made of wood.

 

Hare & Tortoise

Sunday, April 19 | 2 pm | Byham Theater

Two unlikely friends, the Hare and the Tortoise, meet for the greatest race on earth! Ready? Steady? It's time to GO!

 

For those you don’t mind handing the aux to:

A graphic of four musicians performing in different spaces. Each one holds a guitar.

 

International Guitar Night

Saturday, March 7 | 7:30 pm | O’Reilly Theater

International Guitar Night returns with a dynamic lineup of rock, flamenco, classical, Baroque, and contemporary guitar. And, for the first time ever, a ukelele is joining the mix!

 

A man in a blue suit and dark shades plays an electric guitar.

 

An Evening with Joe Bonamassa

Saturday, March 7 | 8 pm | Benedum Center

Hailed internationally as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and cited by Guitar World Magazine as “the world's biggest blues guitarist,” Bonamassa is not a musician you want to miss.

 

A concert with musicians on stage and green lights with the backs of the audience in the foreground.

 

Tartan Terrors

Thursday, March 12 | 7:30 pm | Byham Theater

What better way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day than with a Celtic band? The Tartan Terrors are storming the Byham, blending the energy of a rock show with humor and stepdance.