Buy tea, plant a tree
On Feb. 25, Evans City-based organic bottled tea manufacturer, Treecup Tea, is expanding to Whole Foods locations Shadyside, Wexford, and Upper Saint Clair. For every bottle of tea sold, Treecup plants one tree in Haiti through its 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner, Haiti Friends. Treecup was founded by a Grove City College student over two years ago, and since…
Pittsburgh Grooveline: Dance parties at Thunderbird, COBRA Lounge, and more (Feb. 20-26)
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., Feb. 21 Gimme Gimme Disco at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall Club. 8 p.m. 4053…
Allegheny County Democratic chair says members were just wearing Trump hats as a joke
On Sunday, the Allegheny County Democratic Committee endorsed Heather Kass (D-Carrick) for the state race in House District 36, which includes most of South Pittsburgh. In January, Pittsburgh City Paper reported on Kass’ past social media posts praising President Donald Trump, decrying Obamacare, and criticizing Hillary Clinton. Local Democratic elected officials condemned the backing of…
This new Pittsburgher is challenging what it means to be an undocumented immigrant in America
In many ways, Topiltzin Gomez and his family’s story is not unique. They crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2002 for better economic opportunity and better education, connected with family already living in the states, and did their best to make a new life here under the strain of living undocumented. Gomez, who lives in…
Student profiles: Gateway High School artist Ernest Bucanan Johnson III
The exciting bass and rhythmic flow of lyrics from Roddy Ricch and Rod Wave, two popular hip-hop artists, contributes to Ernest Johnson III’s flow of painting. Johnson, a young artist from Gateway High School, uses their music to jumpstart his creative process. Walking around Johnson’s studio, his paintings and digital art cover the walls. Some…
Weekly Food Truck Schedule: Feb. 19-25
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: Pittsburgh Career Institute. 620…
Rep. Jake Wheatley proposes recreational marijuana bill with “clean slate” for past marijuana charges
Today, state Rep. Jake Wheatley (D-Hill District) announced a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana and include “clean slate” provisions, which would expunge the records for people charged with non-violent, cannabis-related offenses. Wheatley introduced a similar marijuana bill in 2018, but he says it never even made it to the state House floor because “there…
For Sale With Baggage: Lotions, some unused, some not
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…
Pitt spotlights local women artists with Mary Ethel McAuley: Behind the German Lines and Three Artists (Three Women)
Women’s History Month is less than two weeks away, but the University Art Gallery (UAG) at the University of Pittsburgh has already launched two exhibitions to highlight women artists. The UAG recently opened Mary Ethel McAuley: Behind the German Lines and Three Artists (Three Women). Presented by Pitt’s History of Art and Architecture department in…
Does the Allegheny County Democratic Committee have a Trump supporter problem?
On Sunday, the Allegheny County Democratic Committee met to vote on its annual endorsements. The process is meant to distinguish which candidates align most closely with ACDC; whoever wins the endorsement gets their name placed on a slate card that the party sends out to voters before the April 28 election. The endorsements don’t always ensure…
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/18/20
Video Archive The Federal Judges Association is planning an emergency meeting after the DOJ’s interference in the Roger Stone case. That’s the first topic of discussion for Lynn and Susan today. The endorsement of Heather Kass for PA House by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee over Jess Benham has many in an uproar. Then there…
Khūrākī returns in March to share stories and food by Afghan refugees
Khūrākī, a hybrid performance and food event that sold out several shows when it debuted last spring, will be returning on run March 11-14 at the Capital Cathedral in Millvale. The shows feature actors portraying the real stories of a group of Afghan women refugees, make the food served during the show. This iteration of Khūrākī…
Music writer Jordan Snowden’s earworms of the week: President’s Day
Maybe you have today off. Maybe you don’t. Either way, let the smooth sounds of this playlist carry you through the rest of the day (or week).
Heavy hitters in local art scene to converge in Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s 125th anniversary season
Heinz Hall was still abuzz last week following a recent article in The New Yorker praising the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the work of its music director Manfred Honeck. PSO subscribers, donors, and funders gathered at the Downtown theater on Mon., Feb. 10 for the announcement of the company’s 125th anniversary season, and numerous attendees throughout…
Photos: Behind the scenes at Pittsburgh CLO’s dance auditions
“Clap, clap, clap, one, two, three, four, five!” That rhythm, made possible by the surrounding hopefuls, played out over and over again on the second floor of Downtown’s Benedum Center for the Performing Arts on Fri., Feb. 14 as countless dancers auditioned for the Pittsburgh CLO’s upcoming summer season. Typically four at a time, dancers…
Now Playing: The Photograph, a Keanu marathon, the cursed Sonic, and more
Every Friday, Pittsburgh City Paper compiles a round-up of new releases and second-run films playing around the city. This only covers films that are new to theaters this week; check out what movies opened previously here. The Photograph In this modern movie inspired by classic romances, Mae (Issa Rae), the daughter of a famed and…
Pennsylvania has the most premature deaths per capita caused by air pollution of any state
A new study has found that Pennsylvania leads the nation in premature deaths caused by air pollution per capita. Published Feb. 12 by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the study concluded that air pollution caused more than 4,800 Pennsylvanians to die prematurely in 2018. California leads the nation with 13,110 deaths, followed by New…
Picklesburgh is once again asking for your vote in USA TODAY’s food festivals competition
Picklesburgh currently holds the number one spot in USA TODAY’s reader’s choice competition for the 10Best specialty food festivals in the country. Now the annual festival is asking food lovers in Pittsburgh and beyond to help them retain their title by voting in this year’s competition. Produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP), and presented…
Sara Innamorato: Trump ‘sold out Southwestern Pennsylvania’ with recent trade deal
Everyone who grows up in Pittsburgh can narrate the rise and fall of the steel industry: the mills grew as immigrants arrived to take jobs in the blast furnaces, then the Great Strike occurred where industry titans ordered deadly violence upon workers calling for better wages and working conditions; later, the series of federal trade…
Pittsburgh is the 7th least car-dependent metro in America, study says
Contrary to public perception, Pittsburgh is considered one of the least car-dependent regions in the U.S. Last year, a report ranked Pittsburgh the 11th-best metro in the country to live without a car and the region consistently has one of the highest rates of commuters who walk to work. Now, a new study from website CompareCarInsurance.com ranks…
Anthrocon is hosting a student art competition this year and is looking for entries
Pittsburgh’s annual furry convention Anthrocon is not only one of the biggest in the world, it’s easily one of the most loved. And this year, the organizers are planning something new for attendees that looks to not only grow its paw print but add to the fandom. An art competition for children will be held…
City Paper Live – 2/14/20
Video Archive A crazy thing happened on the way to the Mattress Factory. Watch to hear the story about the “doily dicks.” Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
Pittsburgh Grooveline: Dance parties at Spirit, Irma Freeman Center, and more (Feb. 13-19)
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.) And because Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, make sure to look for dance nights…
Start guessing: The Masked Singer is coming to town
Do you like outlandish animal costumes? Are you a fan of surprise celebrity guests? What about phoned-in karaoke? Or screaming? If the answer to any of the above is yes, then you’ll love The Masked Singer National Tour, which comes to the Benedum Center on Sat., May 30. The Masked Singer live will bring the…
See a concert, save a life: Valentine’s Day event aims to help Pittsburghers show love a different way this year
Themes of love and compassion swirl the media, ads, and even grocery store aisles as February 14 approaches each year, yet most of it is artificial. “Valentine’s Day is super cheesy,” says John Warmb of DIY punk rock band Rent Strike. “You go buy cards and a little piece of plastic for people you’re supposed…
Crocheted penises punctuate Mattress Factory clash with fiber artist Olek after revoking residency
The text came in at 4:38 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 12, but I didn’t see it until 5:20 p.m. “I’m doing a ‘dickalicious’ performance tonight 5:30 in the mattress factory. Keep the secret. Let me know if you can come.” It was from Olek, the renowned fiber artist I had spoken with earlier that day…
pvkvsv is killing it smoothly with peels 2
The first track on peels 2 by pvkvsv opens with a punchy keyboard chord drenched in reverb. It’s heavy. And worry that you are in store for an effects-laden, overproduced album hits you. But that thought is quickly dismissed. There’s not a lot happening on peels 2, which is a testament to the patience of…
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/13/20
Video Archive Two opinion pieces are where Lynn is starting today. She is looking at articles from yesterday’s New York Times by Gail Collins, and Nicholas Kristof. The main question is who is electable. It’s something that simply can’t be answered right now. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the…
Lynn Cullen Live – 2/12/20
Video Archive The New Hampshire primary is the first topic of discussion for Lynn today. The biggest story however, is the Roger Stone case. All four prosecutors have resigned as a result of Attorney General Bill Barr reducing the recommended sentence. Later in the show Ryan Deto will be here to talk about other stories…
Con Alma spices up its South America, Mexico, Caribbean flavors with nightly live jazz
Con Alma has the feel of a grungy, well-traveled club with a lively, chaotic energy that fills the bar as musicians and diners compete to be heard. With this kind of ambience, the Shadyside restaurant, cocktail bar, and venue on Ellsworth Avenue pays tribute to Pittsburgh’s musical past while exploring the relationship between food, drinks,…
Swipe Mr. Right? Readers share their true stories from the world of online dating
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we put out a call a few weeks ago for readers to send us their best — and worst — stories from online dating. We received a ton of great entries (sadly, more than we’re able to print), including a surprising number of beautiful stories that ended in marriage proposals. (If you’ve…
African American Art in the 20th Century brings a broad array of Black art and perspectives to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art
It’s best not to rush through the pieces in African American Art in the 20th Century, a traveling Smithsonian exhibition opening at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. “One of the important things is to give the pieces a little time,” says Smithsonian American Art Museum chief curator Virginia Mecklenburg, adding that certain essential details…
High Fidelity is an imperfect show about imperfect people and that’s OK
Life is complicated, your 20s are full of growing pains, and New York City is always changing (but always the same). This describes half of all TV shows, including High Fidelity, Hulu’s latest original series, and a reboot of the 2000 film of the same name, which is based on a book by Nick Hornby.…
Third-generation, Pittsburgh-bred jazz musician discusses local influence and new album
Two songs stick out when scrolling through the tracklist of Benny Benack III’s sophomore album, A Lot of Livin’ to Do: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and “It’s You I Like.” The tracks, both covers of songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, pay homage to Benack’s hometown of Pittsburgh. The jazz trumpeter and vocalist’s musical roots…
A non-fan of musical theater tries to make sense of CLO Cabaret’s new show, The Book of Merman
It’s lonely being an arts and entertainment writer, which is why we sometimes drag our loved ones to the shows we cover. In this case, my husband, Ian, accompanied me to The Book of Merman, CLO Cabaret’s production of the Ethel Merman-infused parody of The Book of Mormon, now playing at Greer Cabaret Theater. But…
10 Valentine’s Events You’ll Love (even if you hate the holiday)
Valentine’s Romance Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will help you fall in love … with music, at least, as guest conductor Vasily Petrenko and violinist Ray Chen take on what Stravinsky called “one of the most beautiful products of all French music.” Times vary. Fri., Feb. 14-Sun., Feb. 16. Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. $21-98. pittsburghsymphony.org…
Venue Guide: City of Asylum
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.…
The Local 913: Stone Throwers
The new song from Stone Throwers is funky. It also doesn’t waste any time. “Game” clocks in at just under two minutes, but you probably won’t need that long to start dancing. Stone Throwers don’t sound like a band that met up at a bluegrass jam night, but that’s how frontman Dave Didio says…
Free Will Astrology (2/12 – 2/19)
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author Derek Walcott had a perspective on love that I suspect might come in handy for you during this Valentine season. “Break a vase,” he wrote, “and the love that reassembles the fragments is stronger than that love which took its symmetry for granted when it was whole.” I urge…
Arthur Moats’ five-point plan for better living is presented in his book Theory of Life
At 6 feet tall, 240 pounds during his playing days, former Pittsburgh Steeler Arthur Moats is not easily intimidated. Known for his ferocity and physicality, his tackle of Brett Favre ended the famed quarterback’s streak of 297 consecutive games played in 2010. But in his book Theory of Life (Leadership League), Moats admits that when…
Dip your toes into voyeurism and exhibitionism at sex-friendly Valentine’s event
Imagine walking into a public event and seeing a woman furiously riding a recumbent bicycle with a hint of pleasure on her face. Not the kind of pleasure that you get from breaking a sweat while exercising but one that is more akin to masturbating with a vibrator, and you realize she’s pleasuring herself while…
Grant provides funds to ‘increase the awareness, knowledge, and experience of Black people in craft beer’
In December, Pittsburgh beer organization Black Brew Culture was awarded a $130,350 grant to fund its project, Increasing the Participation of the Black Community in PA Craft Beer. Black Brew Culture, a partnership between founder Mike Potter and consultant Dr. Amber M. Epps, is one of 18 organizations and projects that received funds from the…
