Having a nice time at Daughters’ first show in Pittsburgh in 12 years
Alexis Marshall, the frontman of Rhode Island’s experimental-noise rockers Daughters, isn’t big on expectations. Asked what Pittsburgh fans can expect for the upcoming show at Rex Theater on June 14, he says, “We’re going to play some songs. Some singing and dancing. Having a nice time hopefully.” Last year, he told Consequence of Sound, “We appreciate people…
Pittsburgh Grooveline: June 6-June 12
Each week, the City Paper compiles a list of Pittsburgh dance parties for you and your crew to bust loose to the best bangers, EDM, pop hits, and more. (All events are 21 and over unless otherwise stated.) Fri., June 7 Pride Happy Hour and Block Party at 5801 Video Lounge & Café. 6-11 p.m.…
At Pittsburgh’s new pop-up Mesa|Terra, Mediterranean and Eastern U.S. cuisines combine for an unlikely, winning combination
When it comes to their menu, Jessie Nowicki and Matthew Manowski have no rules. The co-founders of Pittsburgh’s newest pop-up, Mesa|Terra, don’t limit themselves to a single cuisine. Rather, Manowski describes it as “somewhere between Mediterranean/Middle Eastern and U.S. regional East.” That’s may sound like quite a range, but Mesa|Terra keeps it focused on six…
Great bars for drinks, dancing, and karaoke during Pride Month or any month
Pride weekend kicks off in Pittsburgh June 8. For folks heading into the city to celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of some of the ‘Burgh’s best LGBTQ bars. Whether you need a place to relax, mingle, or are simply looking for a partially mapped out bar crawl, these spots hit the mark. If none of…
Pittsburgh author Taylor Grieshober delivers quick punches to the gut in her debut fiction collection, Off Days
Taylor Grieshober assembles her short stories from brief notes written to herself. Sometimes she handwrites them on paper and sometimes she collects them in a Google Doc. They range from experiences in the service industry, to personal anecdotes, to encounters with friends or strangers. The stories can take months or longer to finish from her…
A Remembrance of Bingo O’Malley: 1933-2019
The magnitude of Pittsburgh actor Bingo O’Malley’s career is easy to measure, represented in year-in-review lists, online databases, Pittsburgh film histories, and the archives of nearly every theater producing in the past several decades. It is well-documented information, factual and quantifiable. If there was a movie made in Pittsburgh, Bingo was in it. If there…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/4/19
Video Archive James Holzauer has finally lost on Jeopardy!. He was defeated by Emma Boettcher, a 27 year old librarian. Boettcher never saw Holzhauer play before taking him on since the show was taped months ago. This loss leaves Ken Jennings as the longest winning streak, and largest amount won on the game. In addition…
Pennsylvania Dreamers paid $43 million in taxes, study says
The U.S. House will soon vote on the American Dream and Promise Act — a bill that would provide permanent protection to those taking advantage of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs. As the vote approaches, some of the bill’s supporters want to emphasize the economic reasons…
Black Forge Coffee House takes espresso to the next level with its Black Hole drink
As we pulled onto Arlington Avenue to go to Black Forge Coffee House, I asked my boyfriend, Mike, “Are you ready?” I had convinced him to try the Black Hole at Black Forge, too scared to try it myself. The drink is from their new specialized espresso menu – six beverages all priced at $6.66.…
Lynn Cullen Live – 6/3/19
Video Archive Trump is currently in the UK, and he started off the trip by insulting the mayor of London. His visit overseas is the first topic of discussion today. Lynn is also talking about the new Axios interview with Jared Kushner. In many cases Kushner refused to answer questions including ones on birtherism, and…
Summer Guide Events: June 3 – June 9
Mon., June 3 [Film] Experience the “Master of Suspense” at Row House Cinema. For one week, the theater honors Alfred Hitchcock, with a bill of four classics: The Birds, The Wrong Man, Foreign Correspondent, and North by Northwest. Various times.Continues through Thu., June 6. 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $8-10. rowhousecinema.com Tue., June 4 L7 [Music]…
How State Rep. Summer Lee’s UNITE PAC swept the 2019 primary election
After state Rep. Summer Lee (D-Swissvale) scored an upset victory in 2018 over a 20-year incumbent, she wanted to help other candidates like her: lacking political connections, unapologetic, progressive, passionate. She formed the UNITE political action committee (PAC) in January to build a coalition of candidates who can advocate and speak genuinely on issues like…
A beer for every neighborhood, the closing of a beloved Pittsburgh restaurant, and more food news
The Sioux Chef What is an indigenous food system? This is the question asked by Chef Sean Sherman, founder of The Sioux Chef and author of The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, who will present “The (R)evolution of Indigenous Food of North America” tonight at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. Tomorrow, the chef showcases…
Lynn Cullen Live – 5/31/19
Video Archive The surprise announcement from last night on the new import tax on goods coming from Mexico is the first topic of discussion today. Many believe this will cause more difficulties for many Americans since Mexico is the country’s largest trading partner. The auto industry especially will be hit since a large portion of…
Pittsburgh City Paper wins three honors at 2019 Golden Quill awards, including best-in-show for photography
Last July, Jared Wickerham approached our editorial team with the idea of photographing the Pittsburgh Pirates with a Polaroid camera soon after he was hired as Pittsburgh City Paper’s full-time staff photographer. It turned out to be an award-winning idea. On Wed., May 29, he was awarded with two Golden Quill awards from the Press…
Darkest Dark puts heavy metal music on paper at 707 Gallery
Currently on view at 707 Gallery is Darkest Dark, an ongoing series of large-scale charcoal drawings inspired by heavy metal music. Artist Oreen Cohen created the thirteen works on display while listening to metal and striking the surface of the paper in time to the music. These charcoal drawings contrast broad strokes and thick lines…
Port Authority says it will implement mobile fare payments by next year
Port Authority riders have long been able to map their transit routes and track buses with their smartphones. Soon, customers will be able to pay for their fare on their phones, too. The mobile ticketing system Port Authority plans to implement early next year will allow passengers to pay transit fares directly from their smartphones.…
Billy Kidd enchants audiences at Liberty Magic
Kicking off her magic show at Liberty Magic, magician Billy Kidd addressed the audience with one of her favorite catchphrases. “Good evening you old babies,” Kidd said. This comment roused some chuckles from the audience and was only the beginning of an interactive evening of “oohs,” “ahhs,” and more laughter. Kidd, who is based out…
Thundercat celebrates his friend Mac Miller in powerful show at Roxian Theatre
Before he had even reached the microphone, the crowd at Roxian Theatre in McKees Rocks erupted. Thundercat emerged from backstage with his pink dreadlocks tucked under a dad hat, adorned in a Pittsburgh Pirates jersey with “MAC MILLER” in the name plate, the number 92 (Miller’s birth year) on the back of the jersey. “Thanks,”…
Lynn Cullen Live – 5/30/19
Video Archive Robert Mueller gave a ten minute statement yesterday, and it was a bit of a let down. He spoke in lawyer jargon, and in a monotone voice. Ultimately Mueller said read the report. In addition to Mueller’s statement, Lynn is talking about the covering up of name USS John McCain while Trump was…
For Shani Banerjee, a queer woman of color, the punk rock community is a safe haven
Icelandic fjords don’t usually figure into origin stories of bands in Pittsburgh. Yet, it was while Shani Banerjee was working on the island nation during a photography residency in 2015 that she received an email from drummer Dave Rosenstraus asking her to join a punk band back home in Pittsburgh. Rosenstraus — whom Banerjee knew…
Lynn Cullen Live – 5/29/19
Video Archive After another stressful day of travel Lynn is back. She is talking about the New York Times Sunday magazine, which she was able to read from cover to cover during yesterday’s trying travel experience. Robert Mueller has announced that he will be making a statement today right after the show, and it’s sure…
‘Centre District’ development must be more than anonymous and shallow work
In the storied 28 acres of the Lower Hill, no new building has been constructed since the Civic Arena was completed in 1964 (and even that building was razed). The once thriving neighborhood — bounded by Centre and Bedford, Crawford and Washington Place — became mostly parking lots and, eventually, nothing but. Anything on this…
Freshen up how you shower beer with these time-tested tips
Nothing epitomizes relaxation like the image of drinking wine in a bubble bath. Or better yet, a hot tub. If, like me, you’ve never had an apartment with a usable bathtub, then a shower beer is the next best thing. You heard me! I said drink your beer in the shower. Shower beers get a…
Free Will Astrology
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I prefer live theater over movies. The glossy flawlessness of films, accomplished by machines that assemble and polish, is less emotionally rich than the direct impact of live performers’ unmediated voices and bodies and emotions. Their evocative imperfections move me in ways that glossy flawlessness can’t. Even if you’re not like…
Lindsey Kaine must use both sides of her brain for her role at Attack Theatre
Name: Lindsey Kaine, East Liberty Work: Production and artistic coordinator, Attack Theatre What do you do at work? I work with the company dancers and artistic directors Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope, especially when we have productions, commissions, or collaborations. Are you in rehearsals? I normally sit in with a laptop: taking notes,…
We’ve come a long way since the first International Masturbation Month
This week marks the close of International Masturbation Month. Dedicating time to celebrate masturbation may seem trivial, but the month has political roots that are particularly significant given the current attempts to repress sexual freedom and bodily autonomy. In 1994, after a speech at the United Nation World AIDS Day, then-Surgeon General, Dr. Joycelyn Elders,…
Stephen Markley’s 9/11 novel implores readers to ask ‘Is what’s going on right and justified?’
Stephen Markley was in a high school social studies class in Mount Vernon, Ohio as the attacks of 9/11 unfolded. Someone came into the classroom and insisted the television be put on; the social studies teacher initially resisted. “The TV goes on just in time to see the second plane crashing into the second tower,”…
Fiberart International weaves its way back into Pittsburgh with new partnership and textile works
Defining fiber art can be difficult. It’s a blanket term that can encompass processes like weaving and knitting, and materials like glass, fabric, and paper. At its core, the field is about texture and physical space, but its meaning is consistently being challenged and reimagined. And it’s sure to be expanded again when the 23rd…
How and why iconic sign disappeared from Downtown’s renowned hot dog haven
The red neon glow of the Wiener World sign could be seen everywhere. For decades, it was a landmark on Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh, casting pink hues on the “Two Andys” mural that rested just above its perch on Strawberry Way. The sign could be spotted during car chase scenes in Hollywood blockbusters like…
Wife and husband bandmates draw from classical training, SIA, and church for debut album
Genres collide and combine in intriguing ways on the self-titled debut from Hell’s Oasis. The two-piece — married couple Ginger and Alexis Polozoff — borrow openly from funk, folk, and grunge, and more subtly from trip-hop and Celtic rock. “Don’t Blame the Rain” opens the record with Ginger’s airy, haunting vocals and a slow-burning, minor-chord…
Hamilton parody is pure, absurd fun
Lin-Manuel Miranda wants a revolution, but not the kind that builds democracy in America. The bright-eyed, idealistic Miranda of Spamilton is fighting on the battlefield of Broadway. Spamilton: An American Parody lampoons Miranda’s smash hit Hamilton with a winking reverence. Author Gerard Alessandrini’s imagination is on full display in the satire, producing wild musical mashups…
Bodiography Spring Concert shows off star dance students
The Bodiography Center for Movement presents its annual Spring Concert as a way to provide its students — some as young as 6 years old — an opportunity to dance on a professional stage. Bodiography founding director Maria Caruso believes it also demonstrates how much dancers’ skills evolve, showing the progression from beginners to older,…
Picklesburgh, table for one please
Could this be the summer I break out of my shell? In the weeks before I stopped seeing my therapist, I told her I was worried that I was isolating myself from humanity. She wasn’t too concerned because she felt that it was a response to the amount of high energy and intensity I project…
Carnegie Science Center heads back into the woods for Blair Witch Project 20th anniversary screening
Any hardcore horror geek remembers their first encounter with The Blair Witch Project. For me, it was a full-page ad in Entertainment Weekly heralding the “totally true story” of three student filmmakers disappearing in the woods of Maryland — to make matters spookier, I read it while staying at my friend’s cabin in middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania.…
Roger Rafael Romero refuses to fall into the sexy-sax category
Roger Rafael Romero, a saxophonist who recently started recording music under the name Feralcat, doesn’t want the baggage that often comes with his instrument. “There’s a certain expectation that I’ve been trying to subvert for years on the saxophone,” says Romero. “You go up on stage, you thrust your hips, and you play whatever pop-gunk…
Wife-Husband team continue big year by producing weeklong dance festival
It’s been a big year for Staycee and Herman “Soy Sos” Pearl. The husband and wife duo behind the STAYCEE PEARL dance project and PearlArts Studios recently won awards, mounted several successful productions, and have been commissioned by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre to create a work for next season. Now the Pearls are embarking on one…
North Side vs. Everybody
“Why is this event all the way over here?” “All the way over here” was central North Side, a three-minute drive from Downtown, a 15-20 minute walk. I explained how close North Side is to Downtown, only to be told by my East End friend that, “No one goes Downtown anymore. They should have had…
