

Weekly Food Truck Schedule: Sept. 11-17
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.) AFRICAN Kilimanjaro Flavour @kilimanjaro_flavour Thursday: 700 Technology Drive, Oakland…
Choose Your Own Adventure: Two shows, one day
It’s Friday! And the start of Labor Day weekend, which means there are a lot of events happening in and around the city for you to choose from. Music is always a great option, so here are two of CP’s favorite shows taking place tonight in the ‘Burgh. Choose your own adventure! City Paper Live…
Afro American Music Institute celebrates 37th anniversary with Frank McComb
On Sat., Aug. 31, the Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) celebrates its 37th anniversary with a fundraising event at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, featuring a performance from Frank McComb, a world-renowned soul, jazz, R&B, singer-songwriter, pianist, producer, and recording artist. McComb has collaborated with top artists and musicians such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Will Smith, Najee, Branford…
Getz Drunkz on Sheetz Brewberry Muffinz
Sheetz beer is back. The convenience store is releasing its second brew, Project Brewberry Muffinz, this afternoon at 4 p.m. Earlier this year, Sheetz dropped its first beer, Project Coffee Hopz. Brewed in collaboration with Mifflinburg-based Rusty Rail Brewing Company, the coffee-studded IPA was launched in May for a limited time. The beer was created…
Pittsburgh Grooveline: Dance parties at Cattivo, Mr. Smalls, and more (Aug. 29-Sept. 4)
Each week, Pittsburgh 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.) Sat., Aug. 31 Trash Ways Birthday Bash, Part 2 at Cattivo. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 146 44th St.,…
Concert Announcements: Plain White T’s, CupcakKe, TSO, and more
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. New Politics, Plain White T’s, The Mowgli’s. Tue., Dec. 17. Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale. NEW SHOW!@MrSmallsTheatre: Tues December 17 – @NewPolitics @plainwhitets, & @Themowglis! – The…
Pittsburgh youth honor Mac Miller with tribute mural in advance of the first anniversary of his passing
Pittsburgh-born musician Mac Miller was an alumni of the MLK Mural Project, a local arts organization that invites kids to work on public art projects as a way to do positive work in their communities. In advance of the one-year anniversary of Miller’s unexpected and tragic death at the age of 26 on Sept. 7,…
Expect incredible local talent during New Hazlett Theater’s upcoming CSA Performance Series
Pittsburgh artist and musician Brittney Chantele’s album A Fire on Venus, released earlier this year, earned the pop singer a spot at large festivals including The Three Rivers Arts Festival and People’s Pride, as well as airtime on independent local radio station WYEP. This October, Chantele will bring her album to the stage as the kickoff…
Five of the best barbecue sandwiches in Pittsburgh
Summer means smoking meats for a ridiculously long amount of time and then enjoying the charred goodness outside. One of the best ways to accomplish that is by getting some barbecue in between slices of bread, so there is no need for a plate. Pittsburgh has been going through a bit of a barbecue renaissance…
Three Rivers Circus gives love to Homestead and local music with Under the Bridge
The area under the Homestead Grays Bridge has seen its fair share of events, from oyster festivals to pro wrestling. On Sat., Aug. 31, it will become the site of the first-ever Under the Bridge, an all-day music and arts festival by Three Rivers Circus, a production company and mixed-media collective. The lineup features an eclectic mix…
No Lie! Win tickets to The Black Keys and The Warhol during “Lo/Hi” giveaway
This week marks the final run of Kim Gordon’s Lo-Fi Glamour exhibit at The Andy Warhol Museum. To celebrate the success of that exhibition and the release of The Black Key’s debut 2019 song, “Lo/Hi,” The Andy Warhol Museum and Live Nation Pittsburgh are launching a social media ticket giveaway starting today, Tue., Aug. 27 and…
Catch an exhibit by Creative Reuse’s artist-in-residence, Emily Sciulli
Artist residencies don’t always come with a built-in supply of materials, but the residency program at Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse give artists access to materials and space that revolves around material surplus. The 2019 artist, sculptor Emily Sciulli, began working in early July, and on Thu., Aug. 29, there will be an opening reception…
Aunt Ester, the Hill District, and the surreal world of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean
Anyone familiar with August Wilson’s The Pittsburgh Cycle knows about 1839 Wylie Avenue. In reality, it’s a mostly vacant lot on a steep, grassy slope in the Hill District, but in the Cycle, it’s nothing so ordinary. This is the home of the neighborhood spiritual healer Aunt Ester, a place where friends, family, strangers, and…
Weekly Food Truck Schedule: Aug. 27-Sept. 1
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.) AFRICAN Kilimanjaro Flavour @kilimanjaro_flavour Wednesday: Seven Fields Food Truck…
Pittsburgh-based national labor union United Electrical endorses Bernie Sanders for president
On Monday, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders visited Pittsburgh and picked up his first endorsement from a national labor union. After a speech at the United Electrical workers union headquarters, the union endorsed the independent Vermont U.S. senator. UE General President Peter Knowlton said in a statement that Sanders’ longtime advocacy for UE workers in his home…
Vita bella: A goodbye to Francisco Cervelli in photos
How could you not be happy when “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin came blasting over the PNC Park speakers? For the last five seasons in Pittsburgh, that was Francisco Cervelli’s walk-up song before every at-bat. But after just 34 games this season and following yet another concussion, fan favorite Cervelli was released by the Pittsburgh…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/27/19
Video Archive Lynn and Susan are talking about how it’s difficult to avoid politics now. Even when on vacation it’s almost impossible to not know what is going on. The burning of the Amazon Rainforest is the first major topic they are discussing. Many in Brazil are upset that the world wants to tell them…
Escape to the beautiful islands of Oakmont
“Explore the gorgeous beaches, coves, and wildlife.” Sounds like a standard vacation brochure for adventurous tourists. Except this time, your tour guide will be leading a group on stand-up paddleboards through the exotic islands of … Oakmont. “The quaint borough of Oakmont, located just 14 miles from Downtown Pittsburgh, is a perfect place for padding…
Over 20 Pittsburgh artists join for art show, raise more than $1,500 for local charity
When South Side bar and restaurant Streets on Carson first started advertising its art show “For the Children,” benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, only 10 artists were listed as participating. Yesterday, the event raised $1,650 for the local charity thanks to the help of 22 artists participating in the show. Half…
First-year Pitt students will have free, unlimited 30-minute bike shares this academic year
Pittsburgh Bike Share, also called Healthy Ride, is starting a program this school year that will provide unlimited 30-minute rides to first-year Pitt students and resident assistants. The pilot program is offered through Pitt’s Office of Sustainability and will run during the academic year 2019-2020 for Fall and Spring terms. This is the first program…
Pittsburgh Fashion Week announces its 2019 lineup
Pittsburgh Fashion Week is back for its 2019 season, with a lineup of 10 designers showcasing their work from Sept. 30-Oct. 3. The events, including runway shows and parties, will take place at multiple locations around the city, include HIP at the Flashlight Factory and Wintergarden at PPG Place The lineup of designers includes Stew…
Part of your world: Meet the Pittsburgh Mermaid
Anyone who went to the Spirit Summer Recess event last Saturday may have encountered a magical creature — the Pittsburgh Mermaid. Lounging in a kiddie pool, she handed out special shots to guests willing to pull up their pant legs and join her in the water. Many stopped to take photos for which she happily obliged, flapping…
Washington County to hold its first LGBTQ Pride festival
Southwestern Pennsylvania isn’t the friendliest place for LGBTQ people. In all the counties bordering Allegheny, it is still legal to fire, evict, or deny public accommodation to someone merely because they identify as LGBTQ — and many aren’t even aware of it. That’s why Kathy McCully Cameron, co-founder of the Washington Gay Straight Alliance, says…
Brunch bites: Riverfront dining at Farmer x Baker
It’s a sunny late morning when we roll up to Farmer x Baker, a recently opened restaurant positioned along the water in Aspinwall’s attractive Riverfront Park. Nearby, kayakers launch into the water. Along the dock, families and couples sit eating at little bistro tables under umbrellas, many with dogs lying at their feet. Looking out,…
Say goodbye to summer with our final week of Summer Guide events
Mon., Aug. 26 [Event] Relax and reconnect at the Millvale House during Monday Mindfulness Mediation, a weekly session led by Michael Hartigan, a practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism and Siddha Mahayoga with over 20 years of meditation experience. 6 p.m. 22 Butler St., Millvale. $5 suggested donation. themillvalehouse.com Tue., Aug. 27 [Art] Take back “us” at An…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/26/19
Video Archive Lynn got a chance to watch the documentary she was speaking about last week, ‘American Factory.’ It really was as interesting as she expected, and she can’t recommend it enough. The culture clash at this factory in Ohio is mind blowing, and was captured beautifully. It deals with worth ethic, workplace safety issues,…
How local artist Emily McGaughey turned quirky doodles into a career
Of all the things local artist Emily McGaughey depicts through her whimsical work, cats are one of her favorites. “Oh, cats. Cats are my favorite things to draw. They’re just so goofy, and even just a simple cat can look so funny,” says McGaughey. “That’s why my logo is a cat, and I have a…
Concert photos: Slipknot at KeyBank Pavilion
Halloween came early to Pittsburgh, with heavy metal band Slipknot taking the stage at KeyBank Pavilion for the Knotfest Roadshow. We’ll let Mike Papariella’s favorite photographs from the night speak for themselves as we hide under our blanket and rock ourselves back to sleep.
Seven things we learned about Conor Lamb’s challenger from reading his tweets
U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Mount Lebanon) has his first Republican 2020 challenger, and, boy, is he ever active on social media. In a press release announcing his campaign, Scott Timko, Air Force veteran and small business owner, said, “[Lamb’s] priorities are all wrong for western Pennsylvania working families who want solutions from Washington. The people of…
Piano Day 2019 brings the piano to the people
For an instrument as ubiquitous and endlessly relevant as the piano, it can be kind of a pain to find a decent one to play on in Pittsburgh. That was a problem that led Pittsburgh composer and pianist Dubravka Bencic to create Pianocentricity, a performance series devoted to acoustic piano performance. “In Pittsburgh, there are…
A car spray-painted with the word “QUEER” is being shared on social media as an act of vandalism. But is it?
Concerned Pittsburgh residents have taken to social media to warn neighbors of a possible hate crime: “Queer” has been spray-painted on a car. Q-U-E-E-R is spelled out in giant capital letters on the right side of a white 2006 Ford Escape, the word spanning nearly the entire length of both doors; black paint drips down…
A chat with Thomas Tull of Ghost Hounds
After more than 15 years, Ghost Hounds has started a thrilling new chapter. In June, the local blues-rock band performed at the Outlaw Music Festival in Burgettstown, alongside well-established acts like Willie Nelson, the Avett Brothers, and Alison Krauss. In July, Ghost Hounds opened for the Rolling Stones at the 82,000-seat FedEx Stadium in D.C.…
Colcom Foundation dropped by wealth-management firm following NYT report
Last week, the New York Times published a bombshell investigation into the financial giving of the late Cordelia Scaife May and the foundation she created, the Pittsburgh-based Colcom Foundation. Times reporters uncovered letters, interviews, and documents detailing the anti-immigrant and white nationalist sentiments May espoused and the support to anti-immigrant groups she gave through Colcom. Following…
City Paper Live – 8/23/19
Video Archive Senior Writer Amanda Waltz and City Paper Contributor Tereneh Idia talk social justice, fashion, and a little bit of everything that is near and dear to their hearts. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Prevention Point Pittsburgh spreads love and life-saving naloxone at event next week
September is National Recovery Month, a time to shed light on mental and substance use disorders, and to spotlight the people who recover from them. In anticipation of this month, as well as International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, Prevention Point Pittsburgh will present an event called Honoring Survivors & Revivers. Prevention Point’s executive director,…
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler silent on Trump’s comments after previously condemning Democrats for being “anti-Semitic”
Pittsburgh-area U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Peters) was one of the first vocal critics of comments made by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minneapolis) earlier this year, claiming she was being “anti-Semitic,” and spreading hurtful dual-loyalty tropes about Americans Jews. But yesterday, after President Donald Trump explicitly claimed the majority of American Jews are being “disloyal” in voting…
Day-long music festival at Roxian Theatre promotes living-donor liver transplants
On August 18, Sara Booz and Marylou Hunt celebrated an unlikely four-month anniversary. They were commemorating the day that “[Booz] let herself be cut open, and gave [Hunt] part of her body,” explained Hunt in a video on Facebook. “Not a big deal, it’s fine,” continued Booz. “I think that day will be special every…
Vigilance Theater Group brings death to life with Welcome to Moonside
To an outsider, immersive theater can be quite confusing. It might feel like an escape room with actors, or an unsolvable riddle hidden inside a haunted house. At least that’s how it felt taking part in the Vigilance Theater Group’s original production Welcome to Moonside at the former Lava Lounge. Written by Vigilance Theater Group…
Are you my mummy? Find out at Carnegie Science Center’s upcoming Mummies of the World exhibit
When it comes to mummies, most people are familiar with the mummification practices of Ancient Egypt. Less commonly known are the natural mummifications spurred by peat bogs in the Netherlands, or the mummification of pets. Mummies of the World, an upcoming exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center opening Sat., Oct. 5, will feature the largest…
Allegheny County Council weighs a proposed citizen police review board
On Wednesday evening, Allegheny County Council listened to several public comments from law experts, activists, and residents on whether the county should create a countywide, citizen-run police review board. The majority of speakers were in favor of the proposal, an idea that started to gain support after the 2018 death of Antwon Rose II, an…
Pittsburgh Grooveline: Dance parties at Spirit, Cattivo, and more (Aug. 22-Aug. 28)
Each week, the Pittsburgh 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., Aug. 23 In Bed By Ten with guest DJ Steph Flati at Spirit. 6-9 p.m.…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/22/19
Video Archive Lynn is being joined by a special guest on today’s show. Pittsburgh sports great Stan Savran is on the phone talking about sports and so much more. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Summer is far from over with the new Mai Tai Tartshake IPA from Cinderlands and The Commoner
The original recipe for a Mai Tai has five ingredients: two kinds of rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and almond liqueur. This quintessential tiki cocktail is known for being citrusy, smoky, a bit nutty, and incredibly strong. Now, imagine it as a beer. Cinderlands Beer Co. is teaming up with the lead bartender of The…
Weekly Food Truck Schedule
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.) AFRICAN Kilimanjaro Flavour @kilimanjaro_flavour Wednesday: 700 Technology Drive, Oakland…
G. Love & Special Sauce comes to Roxian Theatre Aug. 30
Garrett “G.Love” Dutton, Jeffrey “The Houseman” Clemens, and Jimmy “Jazz” Prescott are celebrating their 25th year as touring and recording artists. With more 15 records released, this pioneering band has influenced artists such as Jack White, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, Slightly Stoopid, and many more. With their signature blend of Delta blues, hip hop,…
Here’s what happens at Steelers tailgate parties, I think
Football season is approaching, and you know what that means: Catholic masses will be shortened by half and hundreds of Erric Pegram and Lethon Flowers jerseys will emerge from their dens to descend upon North Shore parking lots like 17-year cicadas. While I love watching the Steelers, I prefer my vantage point to be from…
Lynn Cullen Live – 8/21/19
Video Archive The new documentary ‘American Factory’ is one that Lynn is looking forward to watching. The New York Times review is making her even more interested. This film is the first movie released by Barack and Michelle Obama’s movie company Higher Ground Productions in conjunction with Netflix. ‘American Factory’ documents the closing of a…
Developers are watering down Pittsburgh neighborhoods by lacking any connection to the communities they build in, but there are standouts
Developers are building so much bad architecture in Pittsburgh and doing it so rapidly that we seem to be numb to it. Everywhere, three-dimensional revenue diagrams are under construction with pointless motifs unrolled in cheap material, stopping only for the end of the property line. Such buildings are not simply ugly; they willfully abdicate the…
Free Will Astrology
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The American idiom “stay in your lane” has come to mean “mind your own business,” and usually has a pejorative sense. But I’d like to expand it and soften it for your use in the coming weeks. Let’s define it as meaning “stick to what you’re good at and know about”…
How author Elizabeth Jeffries reconciled her relationship with Christianity and science
Elizabeth Jeffries grew up in a strict evangelical family in which almost every action was guided by the bible. Her social life, her hobbies, and even her diet were determined by an evangelical community. “[They] taught me my vocabulary, my ways of thinking, and my ways of behaving,” she writes in Through the Kaleidoscope: How…
The Peanut Butter Falcon‘s uplifting message gets lost in its cheesy execution
Hollywood has always struggled with portraying people with disabilities in a way that doesn’t seem condescending or cliched. The Peanut Butter Falcon is the latest attempt at breaking the mold, but the movie is too convoluted to really make a point. Zak (Zack Gottsagen) is an adult with Down syndrome who lives in a North…
Like many BDSM practitioners, financial submissives eroticize giving up control
My first encounter with financial domination came by way of an instant message on the phone sex platform where I work. A new client introduced himself, asked if he could call me Mistress, and told me that he has been fantasizing about having me drain his wallet. Fortunately for me, I am in the business…
Venue Guide: THIS IS RED
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 comfortable as possible.…
Chef Luke Cypher serves from a Greyhound to enjoy both the front- and back-end restaurant experiences
Luke Cypher didn’t want to own a restaurant. After a decade of cooking back-of-house, the chef was tired of hiding behind kitchen walls. He wanted to see his customers and interact with the people eating his food. Now, Cypher meets his diners face-to-face from the window of his mobile eatery, Blue Sparrow. It’s the perfect…
Lincoln Avenue Brewery’s distinct beers create a demand in Bellevue that often outpaces supply
In January 2018, in 4-degree weather, Bellevue broke ground on its first brewery, Lincoln Avenue Brewery. Owners Grant Saylor, Lisa Saylor, Joel Haldeman, and Amy Haldeman were joined by community members to transform a 110-year-old building into a modern place to grab a pint. The completed Lincoln Avenue Brewery opened its doors less than a…
Vigilance Theater Group turns former Lava Lounge into a surreal stage for Welcome to Moonside
Infobox: Welcome to Moonside. Thu.–Sun., Aug. 22 – Sept. 8. 2204 E. Carson St., South Side. $50. vigilancetheater.com Vigilance Theater’s first production, the supernaturally tinged murder mystery Hollow Moon, was staged at a private residence, with an address fittingly kept secret until attendees bought tickets. The sophomore effort from the theater group, founded in 2018 by…
Sculptor Dominique Scaife engages in a “Celebration of Hue” at Spinning Plate Gallery
By her own admission, sculptor Dominique Scaife only started taking her art seriously a few years ago, but she already has a distinct style. She makes clay busts that explore the diversity of Black life, paying special attention to details like hair, jewelry, and makeup. On Sat., Aug. 17, Scaife’s show World Melanation: A Celebration…
Gerald Dickinson wants to be a progressive megaphone, but will his campaign resonate with Pittsburghers?
A new wave of progressive democrats is changing the face of liberal politics in America. The best known is likely U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who defeated a longtime high-ranking Democrat in her Bronx district in 2018 with progressive ideas that have bucked the Democratic establishment. Locally, two progressive state representative candidates, Sara Innamorato (D-Lawrenceville)…
Three new recurring EDM shows aim to satisfy a variety of electronic tastes
The Back Room. 9 p.m. Thu., Aug. 22. TFS Bar & Grill, 2515 E. Carson St., South Side. $2. www.facebook.com/bassburghpromo DUB N BASS. 9 p.m. Fri., Aug. 23. Cattivo, 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $12. www.facebook.com/FluxCapacitorProductionsLLC Reverie. 9 p.m. Sat., Aug. 24. Market Street Grocery, 435 Market St., Downtown. www.longturnmusic.com This week, three new recurring EDM…
Advocacy project looks to eliminate millions in medical debt for Western Pennsylvanians
Mizell Henderson can’t even remember the name of the infection that attacked his immune system and put him in the hospital for months, but he is constantly reminded of its financial burden because it saddled him with $42,000 of medical debt. “When they finished [the operation], I had holes in my body, rips and tears…






