Ronald K. Brown/Evidence’s One Shot: Rhapsody in Black & White
Charles “Teenie” Harris was the artist as photojournalist and vice-versa. The Hill District native might have spent his working life doing studio jobs and, more famously, on assignment for the Pittsburgh Courier. But his workaday documentation was also a huge — perhaps unparalleled — statement about a diverse and vibrant community. Many of the shots…
Peelander-Z at Howler’s Tuesday night
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: a Japanese power-pop band that dresses up in Power Rangers-looking superhero costumes and sings about stuff like having a karaoke party. Don’t believe me? Check out Peelander-Z here (the end of the karaoke party song actually features some pretty painful key changes, but you get the idea from…
MP3 Monday will return May 11
Our regular MP3 Monday feature is taking a break this week — we’ll be back next week with brand-new music by local faves Ben Hardt & His Symphony. Until then, take advantage of these free downloads by recently featured local musicians: David Bernabo + Assembly James Armstead Brown Mariage Blanc Nicole Reynolds Allies Good Night,…
End of Week Wrap Up: News on Dowd’s ambitions and more
First off, a little something for the political junkies. I hope to be posting more about the mayoral debate City Paper co-sponsored this week. But here’s one item worth noting: In a written question, some obvious Ravenstahl plant in the audience* noted that Dowd had a penchant for running for office, and that he wasn’t…
Tonight: WYEP show in the park
Under the big top in Schenley Plaza tonight, you can check out Jennifer O’Connor, the Brooklynite singer-songwriter, along with ubiquitous locals Donora. It’s a release show for YEP’s newest Live & Direct comp, an anthology of recordings from live performances from the past year. The show is open to everyone in case you’re a freeloader;…
Short List: Week of April 30 – May 7
Local troupes have staged many fine versions of August Wilson’s works. But for artistic quality plus dedication, the crown lately might go to little Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Co. Working on a shoestring in an unassuming Downtown loft, artistic director Mark Clayton Southers and crew continue their mission to stage each play in Wilson’s century-spanning “Pittsburgh…
Fading Print
In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about how paid journalists will be put out of business by bloggers and other online sources. But at least one group of people isn’t buying it: the bloggers themselves. “I don’t have high hopes for bloggers adapting to the role of mainstream journalism,” says Bram Reichbaum,…
Pressing a Cause
Journalism, the critics say, is dying. The model of news reporting that has dominated the United States for most of the past century — big, well-funded outfits paying reporters and editors to choose and produce what the public reads or views — is crumbling. The main culprits are media consolidation and corporate cutbacks, but the…
d’Vine Wine Bar and Lounge
A lively, yet urbane suburban outpost, with inventive small plates and a spot for all comers
Sin Nombre
Cary Joji Fukanaga’s film is a hybrid — part gang story, part coming-of-age tale (with a smidgen of romantic awakening) and part docu-drama about the arduous journey illegal immigrants from Latin America undertake to reach the U.S. The film follows two teen-age protagonists whom later circumstances intertwine. Willy is a member of a violent gang…
Battle for Terra 3D
This animated 3-D space adventure comes with the goofy glasses but seriously, it should come with a bong. See, somewhere in outer space there is a planet inhabited by tadpole people, who swim through the air above a perpetual snow storm. They live in Myst-like tree-houses, and seem very mellow, into cool fabrics and wooden…
Absurdistan
In a not-quite-real country between Europe and Asia lies a small village inhabited by just 14 families, all of whom rely on one creaky water pipe. Poor plumbing leads to an all-out war between the town’s men and women. Veit Helmer’s film — shot in Azerbaijan, with an international cast — is a whimsical fable…
The 2009 Russian Film Symposium
A dozen new films from Russian highlight this week of screenings and discussions
Everlasting Moments
Jan Troell’s film is a temperate drama with the redolence of the familiar — part Ibsen, part Bergman. In the tale, Maria is married to Sigfrid, a laborer and a mean drunk, and living in his native Sweden in the early 20th century. But in between raising her family, Maria takes photos, and Everlasting Moments…
The Soloist
Directed by Joe Wright, and based on a true story with an only partially happy ending, The Soloist features strong performances, tight storytelling and a social conscience that takes on several themes at once. The film centers on the remarkably sad life of Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a mentally ill musical prodigy who lives anonymously…
This Just In: April 30 – May 7
Highlights from the local TV news: Soldiering on with Whirl.
Swamp Baby
The story’s surprise still comes at the end, but getting there is a bit of a mishmash.
A Moon For the Misbegotten
Slezak’s naturalness and remarkable subtlety can touch you where you live.
Disinfecting Edwin
The couldn’t-be-bettered cast of Sharon Brady, Chris Cattell and Ken Bolden play with vivid, almost scalding commitment.
A review of Nobody Move, the new novel by Denis Johnson, who speaks at Carnegie Mellon this week.
Johnson’s sympathies seem to be with Gambol, a bad man who isn’t so much seeking redemption as having redemption thrust upon him.
Pittsburgh is the model for another post-apocalyptic landscape in another video game
From the skyline down, the game’s view of a dark fictional future is eerie.
Acclaimed choreographer Ronald K. Brown and company Pittsburgh-premiere a work honoring Teenie Harris and Pittsburgh Jazz.
“I love how Harris captured the mentoring of young people and their relationship with elders — something I feel is lacking in today’s society.”
Sussing Sustainability
Picking the better of two environmentally bad choices doesn’t make you sustainable.
Running Map
Organizers hope small course change won’t have big impact on marathon
The Wrestler
Veteran local grappler gets pros to lace up their boots for charity
Hablando de Inmigración
Pittsburgh starts talking about the importance of immigration to the region
Electro duo Adult. proves it’s no ‘clash-in-the-pan
Detroit band Adult. was one of the harbingers of the turn-of-the-millennium electro and post-punk revival.
Toad the Wet Sprocket cuts costs and soldiers on
How does a has-been act with no plans to create any new material manage to avoid day jobs?
Once, a Young Nuyorican Professor
A poem by Deena November
Japanese psych collective Ghost returns to the Warhol
“You don’t need any drug with us.”
Philly merrymakers Man Man open for Cursive at Diesel this week
“I started playing music on the side as sort of a therapy,” frontman Honus Honus says. “Then I made some poor life decisions and it became my full-time thing.”
Pub and Grub in Dormont
Day or night, this South Hills community is worth a stop
This Friday, get locked in with cutting-edge dance music from Berlin … and Pittsburgh
The main attraction is a super-rare appearance by Berlin-based techno pioneer Stewart Walker.
Savage Love
Please stop using the word “retarded” as an insult, Dan. I know it can be hard to break a verbal habit, but please make an effort. Perhaps you should have a “retard jar” on your desk that you put a dollar in every time you use the word. When the jar is full, send the…
A pair of exhibits highlight printmaker Naoko Matsubara’s contributions to the form — and her ties to Pittsburgh.
Matsubara treated Pennsylvania winters, Mount Washington precipices and Westinghouse assembly lines with the same gravitas she brought to iconic places of worship.
Sonic Boom of Spacemen 3 tonight at the Warhol
When CP’s Andy Mulkerin wrote about space-rock pioneer Sonic Boom’s 2007 Pittsburgh performance with his group Spectrum, he noted, “Given that the chance of a Spacemen 3 reunion anytime soon is slim, it’s an enticing opportunity to see one of the founding fathers of the second generation of space rock.” While no reunion, tonight’s Spectrum…
