Harris Theater honors grunge music gods with Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.
For almost four decades, Dinosaur Jr. has quietly, and not so quietly, helped to lay the groundwork for the alternative rock and grunge genres, influencing generations of musicians along the way. A new documentary covers the band’s legacy, and Pittsburgh music fans can see it on the big screen for one night only at the…
Pittsburgh student to compete in Scripps National Spelling Bee
The annual Scripps National Spelling Bee allows students from across the country to flex their vocabulary muscles and compete for major cash prizes, medals, and more. This year, one student will represent Pittsburgh at the competition. Fifth-grader Jane Ross, 11, of Central Elementary School in Allison Park will compete at the Bee. A Scripps bio for Ross…
Elected officials, environmental groups call for updates to Pennsylvania’s recycling laws
At one time, Pennsylvania’s recycling program led the nation. Act 101, the 1988 state legislation that created recycling infrastructure in the commonwealth, set four major goals for the state. Starting Jan. 1, 1997, the state would recycle at least 25% of all municipal waste, produce less waste, educate people about the benefits of recycling, and…
Pittsburgh City Paper celebrates 2022 Golden Quill award wins
In fall 2021, Pittsburgh City Paper A&E Editor Amanda Waltz entered Wonderland, a Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party. It was just one of many events heavily promoted on social media by Hidden Media Network, promising “all the best virtual and live experiences in over 30 cities around the world.” She left with more questions than…
U.S. Steel fined $1.5 million and required to improve air pollution control
U.S. Steel will pay a $1.5 million penalty and “make extensive improvements” in response to air pollution violations at the Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock, according to a recent consent decree, the result of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Allegheny County Health Department’s lawsuit against the company. Earlier this year, U.S. Steel reported…
A year of free pizza, a new sushi spot, and more Pittsburgh food news
Bites and Pints 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. kennywood.com Kennywood’s food and drink festival is back. Every Thursday through Sunday from Sun., May 26 through Sun., June 26 check out chef-inspired tastings of international cuisine representing Italy, Poland, Mexico, the Caribbean, and more, as well as specialty cocktails, craft beer, wine. There will also be…
Lynn Cullen Live: Major General Smedley Butler (05/24/22)
Lynn and Susan are discussing the New York Times story on the history of Haiti. They also talk about the Supreme Court possibly overturning Roe v. Wade and women’s rights. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
New Pittsburgh Dance Council season brings exciting works to the stage and the ice
The Pittsburgh Dance Council knows audiences are hungry for live performances after going without for over two years. In a press release, Randal Miller of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust says that last season, the Council “celebrated the return to live performances in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and received overwhelming support from the Pittsburgh community.” The Council…
Tull Family Theater to premiere Pittsburgh-shot dramatic thriller Hiraeth
As Pittsburgh continues to grow as a hub for film and television production, it will also continue to grow as an epicenter for young filmmaking talent. One local filmmaker, Xayne Allen, will set out to make his mark with the debut of his latest film, Hiraeth. Hiraeth, a dramatic thriller produced under Allen’s company G.W.A. Productions, …
Jail resumes modified lockdown due to COVID; advocates renew calls to decarcerate
The Allegheny County Jail has returned to a “modified lockdown,” due to rising COVID cases, Warden Orlando Harper announced in a county press release last week. “The jail had been on a good trajectory until recently with much of our operation restored to normal, but the recent increase in COVID infections resulted in our reaching…
Sweetwater Center for the Arts hosts program for Black teaching artists
In 2021, flutist and musician Brittany Trotter and singer Lyn Starr became the inaugural residents of Unisound’s Black Teaching Artist in Residence program, which focuses on supporting the practice and professional development of Black teaching artists in Pittsburgh. The opportunity allowed them to hone their craft and share their knowledge with the community through free workshops hosted…
Where to celebrate Juneteenth in Pittsburgh
Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of Black enslaved people at the end of the Civil War, was officially declared a city of Pittsburgh holiday in 2021. This year, the holiday will be celebrated across the city throughout the month of June. 2022 Black Tie Honors Gala 6-10 p.m. Sun., June 5. Omni William…
Lynn Cullen Live: Primary Election results (05/23/22)
Lynn is catching up on the news from last week and talking about the elections and Summer Lee defeating Steve Irwin in the primary for the Pennsylvania house seat. She is talking about the age of politicians and how they don’t want to give up the power. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last…
Pittsburgh’s top concerts: May 23-29
The Commonheart. Sat., May 28. 7 p.m. Stage AE. 400 N Shore Drive, North Side. $10. stageae.com. Kick off summer right with Pittsburgh’s The Commonheart as the bluesy-rock band makes their “return home” to Stage AE for an all-ages outdoor show. With special guests Jack Swing and Limousine Beach, the night is set to be…
Now Hiring in Pittsburgh: Manager of Tourism, Advocacy Fellow, and more
We searched the web to find some of Pittsburgh’s best job openings this week. If your company is hiring, send info including a job title, description, and salary range to jobs@pghcitypaper.com. Nonprofit Advocacy, Policy, & Civic Engagement Fellow. Art, education, and social justice nonprofit 1Hood Media is seeking a part-time Advocacy, Policy, & Civic Engagement Fellow…
Summer Lee wins, paves way to becoming first Black woman from Pennsylvania in Congress
Three days after primary Election Day results were too close to call on May 17, the race for U.S. Congress in District 12 now has a proclaimed winner: state Rep. Summer Lee. The Associated Press called the results for Lee shortly after 6 p.m. on Fri., May 20, following a contentious five-way battle for the…
Introducing Brian Broome captures Black Pittsburgh creatives thriving despite obstacles
Pittsburgh filmmaker and visual artist Chris Ivey is pretty candid when talking about his friend Brian Broome, the local author who has made waves with his award-winning memoir Punch Me Up to the Gods. Ivey describes, how over the years, he would see Broome publicly struggling with substance abuse, something the now-sober author discusses openly…
Girls Running Shit to highlight women and femme performers at Speak Your Truth
Some of the most talented women and femme performers in Pittsburgh will soon gather to share their music and poetry. Girls Running Shit, a company that “empowers women/femmes to discover their passions,” is bringing the latest rendition of their ongoing performance series, Speak Your Truth, to Hazelwood Green. Speak Your Truth, first launched by GRS…
Defunctland traces weird, horny history of Kennywood ride
How did the Old Mill turn into Garfield’s Nightmare? And why did it make people so aroused?
After Hours: Natalie Bencivenga interviews Mohammed Burny
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pittsburgh City Paper (@pghcitypaper) After Hours host Natalie Bencivenga interviews Mohammed Burny, a legislative aide for Pittsburgh City Councilor, Bobby Wilson. Tune in as they discuss Tuesday’s primary election results. What surprised them? How has the political landscape shifted and what can we expect moving into…
Final tour of popular guitar exhibition stops at Carnegie Science Center
Cleveland might have the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but Pittsburgh will give its rival city a run for its money with a new musical exhibition at the Carnegie Science Center. Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World is described as being “packed with STEAM-based elements taking visitors through the science of sound and…
Pennsylvania schools double solar power use since 2020
According to a new report by clean energy nonprofit Generation180, the amount of solar installed at K-12 schools in Pennsylvania almost doubled from 2020-2022, with Pittsburgh’s Woodland Hills School District listed as one of its success stories. “I think schools being part of the shift to clean energy is really important because not only is…
Report: Western Pa. politicians among hundreds of state legislators to join far-right Facebook groups
More than 1 in 5 Republican state lawmakers across the country have joined at least one far-right Facebook group, according to a new report. Together the lawmakers sponsored 963 bills during the most recent legislative sessions, said the group that wrote the report, which describes the far-right efforts as anti-human rights. The report shows that…
On the Tahn: Dance parties at Hot Mass, Cobra, and more (May 20-22)
Fri., May 20 Bubblepop! Brillobox 10 p.m.-2 a.m. All kinds of pop will be served to you on this night from Jellyfish co-creator Formosa and UV Loop. Expect everything from SOPHIE to K-pop. 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $5. 21 and over. brilloboxpgh.com Sat., May 21 TAYLOR vs MILEY Belvedere’s Ultra Dive 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Come…
Permanent Hangover gains cult following, branding illustrated beer merch to the apathetic
The Instagram comments are flooded with disappointed but loyal customers, lamenting about missing out on the chance to purchase a St. Patrick’s Day-themed pint and shot glass combo emblazoned with “Lovely Day to Piss in the Street” and “Let’s Get Fucking Shamrocked — ur boy glassy.” It’s just another day in the life of Permanent…
Young marble players prepare for Allegheny County Championship
Last week at Phillips K-5 on Pittsburgh’s South Side, intrepid young mibsters approached a raised circular platform with fistfuls of marbles. They crouched down to examine the marbles scattered within the ring, looking for which ones might be easiest to knock out of the circle. They compared shooters, the marbles used to push the other…
Song from the Uproar recalls one woman’s incredible life with all-female cast and crew
Song from the Uproar: The Lives and Deaths of Isabelle Eberhardt will mark a few firsts for the Pittsburgh-based DEMASKUS Theater Collective. Besides being the first opera produced by DEMASKUS, it will also be the first time a Black woman will take on the lead role with the casting of Amanda Van Story. The chamber…
Pittsburgh writer Meryl Franzos on “rock ‘n’ roll coolness,” vintage, and Calder orange
Name: Meryl Franzos Pronouns: She/her Title: Stylish woman about town Job/Work: Writer, “nonprofit whisperer” Websites: merylahfranzos.com, instagram.com/theicecreamsocialistparty How would you define your style? I’ve been trying to pin it down so it falls neatly into a definitive category for years, but that hasn’t worked. I’m a chameleon who leans toward edgy, bold, rock ’n’ roll,…
Soulshowmike’s Album Picks: Robert Glasper’s Black Radio III
This month of Soulshowmike’s Album Picks revives the gradual transition to, or coexistence of, The Soul Pod, my podcast exploring conversations with musicians and music lovers. Pittsburgh City Paper has hosted several soft launch episodes over the past year, and we look forward to building this multimedia presence together. First, the meat and potatoes: Robert…
Pittsburgh’s top events: May 19-25
Thu., May 19 ART • IRL The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh continues its Performance Series with local artist and curator Tara Fay. The AAP website says Fay will present a “durational performance,” during which she will read from the 2019 “Pittsburgh’s Inequality Across Gender and Race” report while balancing a steel beam across her shoulders.…
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY: May 19-25
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “I am so beautiful, sometimes people weep when they see me,” declares comedian Margaret Cho. I would love for you to summon her level of self-esteem and bravado in the coming weeks. According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you now have the right and duty to boost your self-worth.…
