BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Events

Celtic chorus

A free concert by the Irish band Aran will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Dillweed Bed and Breakfast, Route 403, Dilltown.

Aran is a group of seven friends who perform Irish, Scottish and Celtic music.

Dillweed will have food for sale.

Bring lawn chairs for seating.

Information: 446-6465.

Mini golf outing

The Learning Lamp will hold its first Family Mini Golf Event from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at The Ranger Miniature Golf Course, 490 Locust St., Sidman.

A registration fee of $45 per foursome includes a round of miniature golf, barbecue lunch, ice cream and prizes for the winning teams.

At least one member of each foursome must be 18.

Proceeds will fund Learning Lamp programs.

If there are heavy rainstorms, the event will be held Aug. 4.

Information: 262-0732.

All jazzed up

Music lovers will have a trio of sites to hear jazz this week.

Harold Betters, known as Mr. Trombone, will bring his rhythm-and-blues style of jazz to “Jazz Along the River” from 6 to 9 tonight at St. Mary’s Pavilion, Fifth Avenue and Power Street in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

Admission is free, and food and beverages will be served starting at 5.

Jazz in Your Face Big Band will put listeners in the mood from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the gazebo in Central Park, downtown Johnstown as part of the Concerts in the Park series.

National recording artist Lou Stein will return to Ligonier for “Jazz on the Diamond” from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the bandstand.

Knitters’ niche

Knitting Nite Out will be held from 7 to 10 tonight at Knit 1 @ BlackSmith Exchange, 608 Grove Ave. in the Moxham section of Johnstown.

The event is a social opportunity combining knitting with light refreshments.

The cost is $10, and reservations are requested.

Information: 361-2049.

Novel story

Author Karl Berger will present a talk on and sign copies of his book “Clipperton” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center, 411 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

“Clipperton” is a novel set on Clipperton Island in the Pacific and shows the ability of the human spirit to overcome all odds.

Berger was born in Munich, Germany, and is a pediatrician in Johnstown.

Information: 536-5399.

Brand-new venue

A new gallery and performance venue dubbed 709 Railroad Street will have its grand opening from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday in Old Conemaugh Borough.

The former produce warehouse has been converted into a space that will cater to visual and performance arts, poetry readings, lectures and discussions.

The opening will display the works of 15 local artists and feature performances by 14 bands playing throughout the day.

The gallery is in its infancy and was founded by four Johnstown artists intent in promoting all facets of culture.

Light refreshments will be served.

Kidnapping caper

“The Ransom of Red Chief” will be presented by Nail Soup Theatre Company at 7:30 tonight and Saturday at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 531 Somerset St. in the Kernville section of Johnstown.

The play stars Nick Barber of Nanty Glo, Jim Laughrey of Johnstown and Adam Grove of Mineral Point.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children younger than 12.

Information: www.nailsouptheatre.com or 266-3016.

Crafty display

“Summer in Ligonier Arts & Crafts” will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday in Ligonier.

The show will feature paintings, wooden country pieces, candles, custom-designed hats, appliquéd denim and jewelry.

Today’s entertainment will include dulcimer music performed by Don and Betty Brinker at 1 p.m. at the bandstand.

A Celtic band will perform tonight at the Celtic Culture Shop, East Main Street.

Saturday’s entertainment will include the Westland Flute Choir at 3 p.m. on the Diamond.

Information: (724) 238-4200.

Fire it up

A workshop to complete the kiln for Art Works in Johnstown will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the lot across from the Artworks building on Third Avenue in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

Anyone who has worked with or would like to work with clay is invited.

The cost of the workshop is $50.

Information: 536-5399.

Gender bender

“Leading Ladies” will continue their farce through Aug. 5 at Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown.

Ligonier artist Ann Hewat will have a mixed media exhibition of photos, pen and ink, pastels, watercolors and oil in the Jenner Art Gallery throughout the run of “Leading Ladies.”

A first Friday wine tasting featuring “The French Riviera – Cotes de Provence and Bandol” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at Green Gables Restaurant, Jennerstown.

The cost is $20.

Information: 629-9201.

Community bandshell

Somerset Community Band will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday at Roxbury Bandshell, Franklin Street, Johnstown.

Information: www.roxburybandshell.com.

Irish melodies

Michael O’Brian Band will play Celtic tunes at 8 p.m. Saturday at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, off the Gallitzin exit of U.S. Route 22.

There is a $2 charge for adults ages 16 and older.

In case of rain, the program will be held in the park’s visitor center.

Information: 886-6150.

Brassy diamond

Allegheny Brass Band will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Ligonier Diamond as part of the 2007 Band Concert Series sponsored by Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce.

This all-brass band plays a variety of marches, light classics, solos and pop tunes.

Information: (724) 238-4200.

Fashion foibles

“Silhouettes,” a century of fashion performed in a fast and funny half-hour format, will be presented at 7 tonight and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the JFK Center on the campus of St. Francis University, Loretto.

Costume designer Bonnie Resinski has created a magical fashion dress and written the script about the major fashion trends of the late 19th century, 20th century and early 21st century, and Kenny Resinski will narrate.

A dinner theater is planned for 5:30 tonight.

Tickets for the show only are $10 and will be available at the door.

Tickets for dinner and the show are $20 and must be reserved by calling 472-3930.

All’s fair

Bedford County Fair will wind up today and Saturday at Bedford County Fairgrounds, west of downtown Bedford on Business Route 30.

One price admission of $9 includes all rides, exhibits and grandstand shows.

There will be a parking fee of $3.

Information: 623-9011 or www.bedfordfair.com.

Upcoming

Tasteful samplings

A wine tasting to benefit the auxiliary to Memorial Medical Center will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 3 at Meadowbrook School Bed & Breakfast, 160 Engbert Road, Richland Township.

There will be a casual summer sampling of wines and foods, door prizes, activities and entertainment.

Proceeds will benefit patient-care initiatives at Memorial.

Tickets are $35 per person.

Information: 534-3903.