OK this isn't a Pittsburgh thing, but several of my Pgh rennie friends have asked me about it, so I'm posting info here. I've been involved with the Poe birthday celebration in Baltimore, MD since the 1980's. This year will be an extra-special event because it's his bicentennial year.
This year's special guest is John Astin. Some of you may remember him as Gomez Addams. He is phenomenal as E.A. Poe.
I can't help with hotel arrangements or anything, but I know you can get some great off-season prices around Baltimore in January.
Tickets sell out every year, and they'll probably go faster than most years. Here's a link to the official information site:
http://www.poebicentennial.com/
Hope to see you there!