Tickets for Melanie Martinez, Janet Jackson, Deftones, and more are now on sale
Stay up-to-date with your favorite artists and musicians coming to Pittsburgh. Each week, Pittsburgh City Paper will bring you the most recent concert announcements so you never miss a show. Rock The Rolling Stones. Tue., June 23. Heinz Field, North Side. Papadosio. Fri., May 1 and Sat., May 2. Rex Theater, South Side. Rival Sons.…
Heinz curses Valentine’s Day with big, cheesy bowls and ketchup-flavored chocolates
Look, we get it — finding fun, new ways to promote a brand is difficult. That’s why companies like the Pittsburgh-based food giant Heinz pour millions into advertising — I would assume — in the hopes that creative people come up with something that makes flavored tomato condiments seem fresh and sexy. And nothing says fresh and sexy like putting your…
Allegheny County will soon ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth
On Tuesday, Allegheny County Council voted 13-2 to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth. The practice, which is universally condemned by doctors and mental health professionals, attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, often causing lasting psychological damage on its subjects. The bill, introduced by Democrats, will ban conversion therapy outright. The expediency…
Take 5 candy bar rebranded as Reese’s, continues to be the best candy bar
During the Super Bowl, Hershey’s aired an ad for its neglected candy bar Take 5. Now marketed as Reese’s Take 5, the commercial, which featured an office employee using various figures of speech synonymous with “living under a rock” to shame her coworker, who is actually living under a rock, for not knowing about Take…
Weekly Food Truck Schedule: Feb. 12-18
Are you tired of tracking down food trucks? Welcome to the Pittsburgh City Paper food truck roundup, where we do the hard work for you. Each week, we’re compiling a list of city trucks and their schedules. (For the most up-to-date schedule, visit each truck’s website.) Asian Just Roll’d Up justrolldup.com @justrolldup Wednesday: Hitchhiker Brewing Co. 1501…
ScareHouse returns with Valentine’s Day debut of two new attractions and reopening of ‘The Basement’
Months have passed since local horror attraction ScareHouse had to postpone, and ultimately cancel, its Strip District-based Halloween happening called the Scream District. Now, ScareHouse has returned to the Strip District to terrorize Valentine’s Day with three new attractions. Beginning on Sat., Feb. 14, treat your loved ones to an outing at ScareHouse’s permanently installed…
Bloomfield community group wants ShurSave development to maintain a grocery store and include equity measures
Last week, real-estate developer ECHO Realty purchased the ShurSave grocery store site in Bloomfield for a whopping $5.78 million. Although a news release from ECHO didn’t detail any plans the developer had for the large property on the corner of Liberty Avenue and Main Street, ECHO has a history of completing substantial redevelopments and the…
Subscription grocery service Imperfect Foods expands to Pittsburgh
Have you ever passed over a vegetable or piece of fruit when shopping for produce because it wasn’t ‘pretty’ enough? You aren’t the only one placing judgment. Even before produce makes it to the local grocer, it has to meet certain aesthetic guidelines – nothing too big, too small, too curvy. But it’s impossible to…
For Sale With Baggage: Sometimes alimony comes with an antenna
Stuff can be complicated, especially when trying to get rid of it. The process can remind us that our things can have worth that’s hard to put a dollar amount on; they can call to mind other people from our lives; they can bring up memories of what they were (or weren’t) used for. For…
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/11/20
Video Archive Today is the New Hampshire primary, and that’s the first topic of discussion for Lynn and Susan. At this moment both are liking Klobuchar as a possible candidate. They are also talking about the ACLU’s Campaign for Smart Justice, which is fighting for bail reform. The Conservative Political Action Conference chairman has recently…
Report reveals Netflix removed Night of the Living Dead from Germany’s streaming services
When Night of the Living Dead shuffled into theaters in 1968, the Pittsburgh-shot film shocked audiences with its graphic violence and gore. Since then, far more bloody and gratuitous films have graced the horror genre in the U.S. and throughout the world (see, for example, the New French Extremism movement of the early 2000s). But…
Pittsburgh LGBTQ political advocacy group announces primary election endorsements
The Pittsburgh region’s biggest LGBTQ political group has weighed in on several state and federal races for the 2020 season. And in a state that consistently ranks in the bottom tier for LGBTQ rights, the decisions on which candidates who will champion LGBTQ causes are crucial. On Sunday, the Steel City Stonewall Democrats (SCSD) announced…
Two Pittsburgh coffee shops to close at the end of February
Two Pittsburgh coffee shops, Coffee Buddha and Artisan Cafe, will both close at the end of this month. Artisan Cafe, located on the bottom floor of Artisan Tattoo on Penn Avenue, has been a Garfield go-to for four years. The cafe describes itself as a “forum for honest expression of the self.” Since the beginning, Artisan…
Meet Erika Jackson, a high school student looking to change the world one story at a time
Gateway High School senior Erika Jackson hoped to get a book for her 18th birthday this year: The New Jim Crow. She learned about Michelle Alexander’s piece of nonfiction work in AP Government, when her teacher taught the class about Jim Crow laws and civil rights cases that have affected African Americans. “Through my history…
Put down that locally sourced chicken tender and grab yourself a Blooming Onion or Awesome Blossom or some other fried onion
One of Pittsburgh City Paper’s most popular sections is food, which makes sense when you consider the influx of high-end restaurants and the fact that eating is perfect for any occasion: hunger, boredom, self-loathing, etc. New, inventive restaurants are great for any community. But it’s important to not forget your roots. Pittsburgh loves roots. And…
Pittsburgh NAACP calls for Allegheny County judge to be removed following racist remarks
Last week, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on how Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli repeatedly called a Black woman juror “Aunt Jemima” following the acquittal of a man charged with drug possession. According to a complaint filed by defense attorney Joe Otte, Tranquilli made the comments in his chambers after the jury was dismissed.…
Local sandwich and beer heavyweights collaborate again for a V-day chocolate-cherry stout
This Valentine’s Day, Primanti Bros. and East End Brewing are showing their love for Pittsburgh through beer. Almost in Love, a chocolate-cherry stout, will be released by the sandwich-brewery duo in advance of the holiday on Tue., Feb. 11. The collaboration brew is a “one-of-a-kind beer experience” that Primanti Bros. senior marketing manager Jim Prezioso…
Pittsburgh LGBTQ blog’s crowdfunding campaign is reclaiming the word ‘snowflake’
Ten years ago, Pittsburgh saw one of its biggest snowstorms in history and ominously named it “Snowmageddon.” Though it caused the region to largely shut down, and gave many residents headaches that go along with having several major services struggling to operate, Sue Kerr remembers seeing beautiful things too. “It is pure coincidence that everything…
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/10/20
Video Archive Lynn is spending a bit of the show talking about last night’s Oscars. The opening number by Janelle Monae was a tribute to Mr. Rogers, and featured Pittsburgh’s own Billy Porter. In addition she is talking about Lindsey Graham’s statements defending of the firing of Alexander Vindman. Then there is the altered video…
Pittsburgh game designer combines fantasy role-play and map-building for Beak, Feather, & Bone
Local writer, designer, and dramaturg Tyler Crumrine never expected that the Kickstarter campaign for his latest project, Beak, Feather, & Bone, would far exceed its $1,000 fundraising goal. With eight days left in the campaign, the “collaborative worldbuilding tool” and “competitive map-labeling RPG [role-playing game]” has garnered over $6,000 in donations. “It’s been wild,” says…
Now Playing: Oscars edition
The Oscars (8 p.m., ABC) are this Sunday, and whether you care about it like it’s your own personal Super Bowl or couldn’t care less, there are some great movies at play that you can still catch in theaters. Parasite As a Korean film about class warfare, Parasite was the surprise hit this season (surprising…
New Music Friday: Merce Lemon, Sad Girls Aquatics Club, and Julia Capuzzi
Merce Lemon – “Moon Shots” A little over a month before the drop of Merce Lemon’s compilation tape, Ride Every Day, Crafted Sounds is giving us a sneak peek with “Moon Shots,” the 17th track on the 20-song release. “Do you think / this is love / well I don’t want to tell you what…
Class-action suit against Pittsburgh Public Schools filed following case involving handcuffing of 7-year-old boy
Last year, the mother of a student with special needs filed a lawsuit against Pittsburgh Public Schools alleging that the school district was improper in placing the 7-year-old boy in handcuffs after he acted out repeatedly in class. Filed in U.S. District Court, the suit involves several incidents spanning from 2015-2017 at Pittsburgh Liberty K-5…
The fried lobster tail is a must-have at Soul & Sea, but get a chicken wing, too
The fried lobster tail is a must-have at the South Side’s newest restaurant, Soul & Sea. Brittany Houser, who owns the East Carson St. spot with her husband, has been serving the dish since she opened the first Soul & Sea almost three years ago in Penn Hills. An entire lobster tail, shell and all,…
City Paper Live – 2/7/20
Video Archive Amanda and Ryan talk about the Pittsburgh Black Media Panel, gecko handies, and astronaut diapers. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Pittsburgh’s draft of new Bike Master Plan lays out plans to triple bike infrastructure
For years, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has taken flack for his focus on implementing bike lanes within Pittsburgh city limits. Most of this criticism appears to come from people not living within the city, as in 2017 Peduto coasted to re-election despite both of his opponents decrying bike lanes in their campaigns. But in reality,…
Where Pittsburgh’s warm winter stands among past seasons
Ten years ago this week, the Northeast was hit with an unusually large dump of snow that became known as “Snowmaggedon.” This winter has been decidedly less snowy. When it has snowed this year, accumulation has been minimal. Aside from not providing pretty white scenery, or occasional snow days (as a treat), the lack of…
Terminer examines what a ‘witch hunt’ means in the digital age
“Somewhere in the dark, a cyborg coven is performing a ritual for the future of humankind.” That’s the cryptic introduction for Philip Wesley Gates’ new play Terminer, which summons “the New England witch panic out of America’s colonial shadows and into the blue light of the digital age.” Gates, a director, performance maker, writer, and scholar, described…
New exhibit at Irma Freeman Center explores queer ecology through gay hanky code
Animals, plants, and other organisms don’t live by the same code as humans, but that doesn’t stop us from projecting it onto them in restrictive ways. This is where queer ecology comes in, a concept over 90 artists are exploring through one unexpected medium: those little squares of cloth known as hankies. “It’s looking at…
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/6/20
Video Archive Lynn is covering a bunch of topics on today’s show including the history of Rush Limbaugh, and Mitt Romney’s vote to convict during the impeachment trial. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/5/20
Video Archive Lynn is starting today with things that made her smile. Yesterday she saw a tweet about someone surprised to see JuJu Smith-Schuster in a laundromat. His response was “So just cuz I’m in the nfl I can’t use a laundromat? Smh haha.” The whole exchange made Lynn like him even more. She is…
André Costello and the Cool Minors return to Buhl Planetarium with an all-new set of material
Two years ago, André Costello and the Cool Minors debuted their sophomore album, Resident Frequencies, in a fittingly out-of-this-world way. Inside Carnegie Science Center’s Buhl Planetarium, the band, led by Costello, performed the entire record, choreographed to a laser show and 3D dome projection. On Sat., Feb. 8, they’re returning to the planetarium with a…
These Southwestern Pa. reps who support fracking have direct sources of income from fracking companies
Though natural-gas drilling, aka fracking, only really started in Pennsylvania about 10 years ago, it has gained a political hold on Pennsylvania that any industry would envy. Virtually all statewide elected officials in the Keystone State support fracking. Republicans do so enthusiastically, but even Democrats who are calling for better environmental regulations still defend the…
Free Will Astrology (2/5 – 2/12)
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): According to my analysis, the year 2020 will be a time when you can have dramatic success as you re-evaluate and re-vision and revamp your understandings of your life purpose. Why were you born? What’s the nature of your unique genius? What are the best gifts you have to offer the…
Pittsburgh Black Media Panel aims to challenge organizations to be more accountable when covering the city’s Black communities
When Bloomfield artist Tara Fay Coleman was notified that she won an award from a local publication last year, a mix of emotions followed. She knew it was a big deal; it substantiated her hard work, and she felt validated. Which made it all the harder for her to turn down the award. Coleman, who…
Be the change you want to see in your township’s traffic patterns
As the uncertainty of our democracy looms during a tenuous presidential impeachment trial (by the time you read this, I’m sure Trump will have been acquitted and free to make awkward faces and slur words once again in the highest office in the land), I ask that you take heed, my fair readers and biggest…
Holiday pop-up bar is here to stay as intimate cocktail lounge and restaurant in Market Square
Holiday pop-up bars generally follow the same pattern every season: open after Thanksgiving, close with the New Year. But The Holiday House pop-up in Market Square is breaking from tradition and setting up shop indefinitely as Emerson’s, an intimate cocktail lounge and restaurant. Emerson’s is owned by the same team behind Market Street Grocery —…
Instead of addressing their personal discomfort, men are avoiding women altogether in the workplace
At one point in my life, I had a corporate office job, where for a time I was the only female employee at my location. As the only one, I ran into strange problems that my male colleagues didn’t. Most notably, our boss wouldn’t let my colleagues work from home if he and I were…
The Local 913: The Guard Owls
When you think about places where people make a living writing pop hits behind the scenes, Nashville, Los Angeles, and New York City probably come to mind first. But for Mike Meiers, Pittsburgh has been the perfect place to hone his craft. He’s fanatic about songwriting: learning about it, teaching it, and writing music for…
Banished from Johnstown: Racist Backlash in Pennsylvania sheds light on a historic Johnstown scandal that has been largely swept under the rug
After three days of searching through boxes at the Library of Congress, Cody McDevitt, author of Banished from Johnstown: Racist Backlash in Pennsylvania, finally found what he needed on the last hour of the last day that he was there. The box contained documents regarding an official investigation into a 1923 incident by the state…
Reed & Co.’s goal as a plant-based cafe is to offer healthy, fast-casual food
Reed Putlitz, owner of the plant-based cafe Reed & Co., is not vegan, and he is not afraid or ashamed to admit it. He believes his preferences align with many Pittsburgh eaters who are looking for an easy way to eat healthy, without restrictions. This is the foundation of the Lawrenceville spot: fast-casual food, geared…
Stiff Competition injects humor and political commentary into safe sex packaging design
When scanning the condom section at a drug store, what stands out? Besides the emblematic Trojan horse, most of the small, square boxes — or, for those looking to stock up, larger rectangular ones — are a blur of sexy blacks, purples, and For Her Pleasure pinks. But Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) recognizes the…
The digital TV antenna is the ultimate escape from ‘binge-watching prison’
The best part about the streaming era of TV and movies is that there is always something to watch. The phrase “there’s nothing on TV” no longer applies. But the worst part about the streaming era is all the decision-making. I have to choose the streaming app and genre of thing to watch, and then…
Member of Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma and Pulitzer Prize finalist discusses celebrated novel There, There
Tommy Orange’s novel There, There has a unique structure. The author introduces 12 Native American characters whose lives eventually intersect at a powwow at the book’s conclusion. Their stories are diverse, and for many Americans, new. That unfamiliarity stems from a widespread obliviousness to Native culture, a predisposition to view anything about Native lives through…
