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How Well Do YOU Know Your Pittsburgh Films?
Prove your yinzer worth, and test your knowledge of these Pittsburgh-based films.
Artist to watch: James Wolff
In January of 2018, 24 years of James Wolff’s moods and revelations materialized into Nite Vision at The Church Recording Studio. And now, one year later, Wolff is sharing that intimate side of himself with the world. The album, which Wolff describes as, “full of flaws and elemental human emotion,” has yet to be given a…
Jeff Verszyla weathers current tropical depression
After 23 years as chief meteorologist for KDKA, Jeff Verszyla was let go by the station on Fri., Dec. 14. Many have speculated why he was fired, and fans have expressed outrage. Jeff Verszyla was only one that nailed dry slot prediction that derailed the “massive” snow of march 2017…and he still got fired late…
Album release preview: Interview with local debut artist Tied Heart
Playing off the word anhedonia, which is the inability to feel pleasure, An Hedon, the debut album from Alex Hartle aka Tied Heart, revolves around the joylessness and indifference associated with depression. Throughout ten disparate tracks, Hartle examines his struggles with the depressive disorder and how he relates to the world around him. The dynamic,…
CP investigates The Bureau, the new East Liberty coffee shop from The Vandal
Joey Hilty and Emily Slagel, business partners behind popular Lawrenceville joint The Vandal, have branched out from dinner service to coffee. The Bureau, a new addition to the landscape in East Liberty, was incorporated into a restoration project. The 1970s-era detective’s building was revived by furniture company Schoolhouse Electric, which has headquarters in Oregon, and…
Study: Childhood asthma worsened by emissions near Mon Valley’s Clairton Coke Works
A recent study conducted by local doctors found an elevated presence of asthma among schoolchildren living near a coke facility in Clairton, Pa., according to a press release from Breathe Project, an organization dedicated to gathering information on air quality in Pittsburgh. The authors of the study, Dr. Deborah Gentile and Dr. Jennifer Elliott at…
There are two Fyre Festival documentaries — and you should probably watch them both
There seems to be no end to how much content people want on the topic of Fyre Festival, the greatest music festival disaster of a generation. On Jan. 14, four days before the Jan. 18 release of the Netflix documentary Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, Hulu made a surprise drop of Fyre Fraud,…
There Are Black People in the Future controversy inspires community artwork-in-residence program
Pittsburgh artist Alisha Wormsley received plenty of attention last year when her East Liberty billboard work, There Are Black People in the Future, was removed. It evoked outcry from those who saw the removal as an act of censorship and indicative of the gentrification taking over the neighborhood. Now, Wormsley has created a new program…
Lynn Cullen Live – 1/15/19
Video Archive Increasingly the information we have on our president is outstanding. The Russian connection just seems to be getting stronger, and more detailed. A recent article by Max Boot is what Lynn is focusing on to start of the show today. She is also discussing Ted Koppel’s article ‘Don’t expect Trump to go quietly’…
Sexist cartoons in the Post-Gazette draw ire from Pittsburghers
For the past two days, Pittsburgh readers looking for some biting satire and political laughs in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette were treated to some tone-deaf sexism instead. Two political cartoons illustrated by cartoonist Steve Kelley attempt to joke about gender relations, one actually drawing from headlines about Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ divorce. The first was printed…
After three years of social media silence, Badboxes is back
Before Wed., Jan. 2, the last time Badboxes posted anything on social media was 2016. No reposts, no check-ins, and certainly no new music. Then on that Wednesday, the “Northern pop” artist surprised fans by updating his social media photos, and on Jan. 7, dropped brand new single, “Second Son,” his first release since 2014.…
#MusicMonday Wrap-up: Jan. 14
Every Monday, CP staff writer Jordan Snowden wraps up the weekend in local and national music news with #MusicMonday. Here’s what went down in the past few days. Local What if every time you listened to a certain song you could scream, “Hey! That’s me!” to all your friends? Here’s your chance … BE ON…
Lynn Cullen Live – 1/14/19
Video Archive After getting on the wrong bus this morning Lynn is here to share the story of her adventure getting in today. She is also talking about the Great molasses Flood, which happened exactly 100 years ago tomorrow. She is saving for tomorrow with Susan the heavy stories that came out over the weekend,…
Show Preview: Vanessa Collier at Moondog’s
Don’t miss the soulful blues of Vanessa Collier this Saturday at Moondog’s Pub. The second stop on her Winter 2019 Honey Up U.S. Tour – in support of her recent album of the same name – the acclaimed singer/saxophonist weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into an extremely powerful and affecting performance. In Collier’s four…
“These are hard times. Still, the past is worse”: Historian Jill Lepore discusses her new book These Truths
In the introduction to her most recent book, These Truths: A History of the United States, historian Jill Lepore compares the founding of the country to an experiment. She then spends the next 900-plus pages trying to figure out whether the mad scientists of the American Revolution — Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and…
Lynn Cullen Live – 1/11/19
Video Archive To kick off this show Lynn is talking about the latest tweet that is out of touch from Wendy Bell. The responses really got Lynn laughing. She is also revisiting yesterday’s topic of elitist attitudes, and the different responses she’s received since the show ended. In the second half of today’s show our…
Rust Creek takes on backwoods Kentucky for a middling survival thriller
I crave action thrillers with badass female leads, so of course, I was drawn to Rust Creek, an IFC Midnight release that happens to have a woman director (Jen McGowan) and writer (Julie Lipson). McGowan and Lipson deliver a smart, resilient female protagonist in Sawyer (Hermione Corfield), a college senior who decides to forego her…
Wendy Bell wakes up in 2019, tweets
CP’s own Mr. Mom reviews Wendy Bell’s latest trip into Crazytown
Resisting arrest charges dropped against Pittsburgh activist Blak Rapp Madusa
Online videos taken in February 2018 showed Pittsburgh activist and performer Blak Rapp Madusa being arrested in North Versailles after she defended some children who were being kicked out of North Versailles Stadium 18 Theater. Madusa, real name Melanie Carter, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, defiant trespassing and failure to disperse. Officer Christopher…
“Open minds are encouraged”: Brillobox debuts open-format, monthly dance party on Saturday
New year, new dance parties. On Sat., Jan. 12, a fresh monthly dance event called Junction premieres at Brillobox. Occurring every second Saturday of the month, Junction is a true open format dance party inspired by events in Philadelphia and New York City. The addition to Brillobox’s lineup was created by Pittsburgh local DJ Shoe, who…
Lynn Cullen Live – 1/10/19
Video Archive It’s a grab-bag type of a show today. Lynn has no set theme, and is just covering a little bit of everything. First up- elevator dynamics. Lynn finds them fascinating. There are no official rules, but everyone appears to know how they are expected to behave. She is also talking about how people…
Remembering Pittsburgh Artist John Riegert
As news broke across social media that Lawrenceville artist John Riegert passed away in late November last year, we were working on Pittsburgh City Paper’s Health Issue, focusing on mental health. I didn’t personally know John, but I knew of his work. Many did. So many, in fact, that almost 250 people created portraits of…
Lynn Cullen Live – 1/9/19
Video Archive Lynn ended up watching Trump’s address last night after all. She is glad to hear that at least five Republican senators have made some sounds that they might be willing to vote to stop the shutdown, and continue the conversation over the wall in another manor. She is also discussing the National Security…
How performing is boosting Scratchy Blanket member Shannon Keating’s self-confidence
With a little confidence, anything is possible, even creating a band known for singing about cats. Just ask Shannon Keating and Chloe Hodgkins, the married duo who perform as Scratchy Blanket. The indie emo-pop group came to be on a whim. A friend of Keating and Hodgkins’ was looking for acts to perform at a…
Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ move marks new beginning for the organization
After 20 years in operation, the Pittsburgh Filmmakers building was purchased by Carnegie Mellon University in December for $3.75 million. While the university has no immediate plans to renovate or move into the property, changes are coming, including the cessation of the public programming that played a significant role at Filmmakers during its tenure. Under…
Should the Abrams House in Squirrel Hill be preserved or demolished?
The Abrams House, the eccentric postmodern residence of 1982 by architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, is either a costly and dilapidated eyesore or a masterpiece of design, depending on whom you ask. The building is tucked away off a private driveway on Woodland Road through Chatham University, but it is gaining notable visibility…
LGBTQ+ artists assert their identities for The Self, Realized: Queering the Art of Self-Portraiture
To call the art featured in The Self, Realized: Queering the Art of Self-Portraiture “portraits” would be somewhat misleading. The show, at Brew House Association through Feb. 9, defies traditional definitions of the art form to provide a more complex and multi-dimensional view of LGBTQ+ artists. Opening Jan. 10, The Self, Realized showcases 14 queer,…
Venue Guide: The Mr. Roboto Project
Heading to a venue for the first time can be anxiety-inducing or at the very least cause inconveniences. Where’s will call? Is there parking? Will you have to hide your expensive bag behind a tree because it’s too big to pass security? Pittsburgh City Paper wants to help make attending shows as easy as possible.…
After a sexual harassment case rocked the Mattress Factory in September, are Pittsburgh artists ready to embrace the museum again?
In September, the North Side’s Mattress Factory museum was rocked by several allegations of a male employee sexually harassing and assaulting his female co-workers. Even more troubling is how those involved claimed the museum’s management responded, by retaliating against critics, downplaying the severity of the allegations, and failing to take action against the accused. A…
When did we stop appreciating the simple things?
As one does, I watched Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this past holiday. I’ve watched it annually since I was a kid, but there was one part that particularly struck me this year. I noticed how excited the Cratchit kids were to receive an orange as a gift. An orange. A single piece of fruit.…
Life can’t be an Outback Steakhouse. No rules is just wrong
Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, I had the longest break from responsibility of my adult life. Work was breaking for the holidays and my wife, son, and daughter were headed to grandma’s for a visit. This was my window to eat, watch, and listen to whatever I wanted. But with great power comes great…
Free Will Astrology
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1984, singer-songwriter John Fogerty released a new album whose lead single was “The Old Man Down the Road.” It sold well. But trouble arose soon afterward when Fogerty’s former record company sued him in court, claiming he stole the idea for “The Old Man Down the Road” from “Run Through…
Bestselling mystery author Annette Dashofy shares secrets to her success
When Annette Dashofy published her first mystery novel in the spring of 2014, she had no idea what to expect. Almost five years and seven books later, she’s a USA Today bestselling mystery author and has received three nominations for Agatha Awards, the genre’s highest honor. “I had dreams and hopes, and met some and haven’t…
7 Days of Concerts
Thursday Brightside 8 p.m. Howlers, Bloomfield. howlerspittsburgh.com Friday Stone Throwers, Kiwano Sour 8:30 p.m. The Park House, North Side. parkhousepgh.com Saturday Jor 7 p.m. Refresh PGH, Friendship. dailybreadpa.com Sunday Funeral Chic, Joy, WVRM 7 p.m. The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, Millvale. mrsmalls.com Monday Twisted Pine 8 p.m. Club Cafe, South Side. clubcafelive.com Tuesday Makeout 6…
Support the Girls is a sweet and biting comedy about the service industry
There are plenty of workplace comedies that revolve around offices, suits, meetings, lunches, and high-rise buildings. Less common is the workplace comedy about the service industry, where the hours are long, the customers are mean, and the pay is menial. Support the Girls, a dramedy written and directed by Andrew Bujalski, is a funny, sweet,…
Discussing body representation with a Pittsburgh-based body-positive figurative artist
If you were paying attention to social media in 2018, you may have noticed that major platforms such as Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, and Patreon severely restricted, or altogether banned, adult content and nudity. This type of censorship has real and serious consequences to many marginalized communities. To consider why it’s important for adults to be…
Ranking Pennsylvania’s rye whiskeys
Pittsburghers love supporting their own and honoring the region’s history. It’s why we still eat church pierogis, still call the former Macy’s building Kauffman’s, and still pretend I.C. Light tastes good. But there’s one local product that deserves some more of that homegrown love: Rye whiskey. Western Pennsylvania was the hub of rye whiskey…
If Beale Street Could Talk is a mesmerizing story about love and injustice
There are rarely beautiful sex scenes in film nowadays. They’re often either raunchy, played for laughs, or shot lasciviously with the camera leering at the woman’s body. But in If Beale Street Could Talk, adapted from the James Baldwin novel, director Barry Jenkins creates a world where the sex is beautiful and loving, because the…
Backstage with Theatrical Dresser Kari Kramer
Name: Kari Kramer, Spring Hill Title: Theatrical Dresser Where? Freelance at large houses: Benedum, Byham, Heinz Hall What do you do? Before-inventory, setting costumes in place, mending, ironing, steaming. Make sure everyone has their bow ties on straight, the right earrings, tie them into a corset. During the show, changes in the dressing room and…
Storytelling event We Are The Weirdos gives a live platform to women
It’s popular, now, to say that women should have a voice, but rarely is that put into practice as much as at We Are The Weirdos, a live storytelling event created by and for women. The series, which is celebrating its one year anniversary with a Jan. 10 event at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls,…
You are never too young or too old to make healthy, scary changes in your life
Some of you may feel that your life is near perfection. That the path you laid out for yourself is clear, smooth, and that you are well on your way to a blissful future. Congratulations. For the rest of us, life is a car built in the year we were born. Of course it needs…
Break bread with your neighbors at Enrico Biscotti Company’s First Friday Dinners
When the Enrico Biscotti Company started its First Friday Dinners 20 years ago, the owners learned to listen for laughter. The series — family-style gatherings in which 30 or so strangers dine elbow-to-elbow on communal seating — can start off a little awkward, with guests unsure how to interact with their neighbors. But as soon…
Café Du Jour offers an eclectic menu that refuses to be categorized
I expected classic dishes on the menu. Instead, plates take twists and turns with Asian, Creole, and Italian flavors. Café Du Jour stays true to its meaning (“of the day”) with a mismatched, dynamic menu. Planted around 11th street and Carson, Café Du Jour has been part of the South Side since 2001. The cafe…
