RuPaul’s Drag Race: Episode 2
Alaska clears another hurdle in RuPaul’s Drag race: a fake fight with a fake Sharon Nedles
In mayor’s race, Peduto seeking “clarification” on Lamb contributions
This will come as little surprise to readers of this space, but City Councilor Bill Peduto has filed a petition with the county Board of Elections, seeking “clarification” on “several ambiguities and irregularities,” in rival candidate Michael Lamb’s campaign-finance report. But it’s unclear whether the move will accomplish anything beyond scoring some political points. Peduto’s…
Calling all high school choirs
Choirs can win a chance to open for Afro Blue.
Dale Watson: El Rancho Azul
I’ve spent years trying to figure out what I like so much about listening to Dale Watson’s brand of traditional country music. I think I’ve finally figured it out with his new — and 20th — record, El Rancho Azul, which was released last week on Red House Records. His songs are a great slice…
Valentines, Constitutional tees and more
Some items currently available from local vendors on Etsy.
Lynn Cullen Live 02/05/13
Video Archive Phone guest: Susan; current oldest American lives in Pittsburgh, 113 years old; King Richard III exhumed, was tall for his time; King of Cambodia cremated yesterday after being dead for over 3 months; girls out-perform boys in science in almost all countries except the US; gender roles are in place by age 4…
Comedian Lee Camp at Hambone’s
Quick take on the political comic’s gig last Friday, here in Program Notes.
Comedian Lee Camp at Hambone’s
The internationally touring political comic delivered a crackling set Friday night at this Lawrenceville bar. But the SRO crowd (in the dining room, where they hold weekly comedy open mics) got its money’s worth, as the proudly left-wing Camp scorched reactionaries, pillored pop culture and sent up consumerism in his signature ranting style. In light…
Lynn Cullen Live 02/04/13
Video Archive Super Bowl; power outage; only 11 minutes of actual moving the football in a game; Super Bowl commercials; Go Daddy spot was the least favorite; top 3 were Budweiser / Clydesdales, Joe Montana stain, Dodge farmer spot; the patriotism infused in American sports; Alicia Keys sang the longest rendition of the National Anthem…
Stream This Ish: January 31 issue
Stream tunes from the bands covered in this week’s music section.
Fitzgerald on Port Authority, boards: “I get to set policy.”
Port Authority, Rich Fitzgerald, Steve Bland
Hearing for NLRB complaint against UPMC postponed for “settlement discussions”
Feb. 5 hearing on alleged UPMC union-busting postponed for settlement talks
Vending Machine for Local Crafts’ Latest Site
The knobs on the front of Pittsburgh Craft-o-Tron are appropriately rudimentary. With the pull of one of these vending-machine knobs, through a mechanism that harkens to a simpler time, one of a variety of locally handmade crafts is dispensed. The crafts range from crochet pierogies to “Kreepy Dolls,” and can be purchased from “Tronny,” now…
Bland out as CEO at Port Authority
A divided Port Authority board today fired CEO Steve Bland, and appointed an interim director while it conducts a national search for a replacement. And while controversial board member Joseph Brimmeier was not installed in Bland’s place, a shake-up of the board’s leadership has left allies of County Executive Rich Fitzgerald holding the reins. Bland,…
A Newcomer from India Surveys American Yoga
Third in a three-part series by Ruchika Rai The Americanization of yoga has often resulted in a practice that’s commercialized, expensive and inaccessible to ordinary people. The original yoga was quite different. The ancient yogis performed the surya namaskar (sun salutations) literally at sunrise. Nowhere in India would you find a place where early morning…
Heads Up: Morning headlines on Feb. 1
First up, be advised that the future of the Port Authority may become clearer — or not! — at a board meeting which starts at 9:30 a.m. If you’ve been watching this space, you know that CEO Steve Bland’s job is in jeopardy. We’ll likely find out for sure this morning. Our very own Lauren…
Lynn Cullen Live 02/01/13
Video Archive Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, almost springtime!; will Chuck Hagel make a good defense secretary?; Obit: Ed Koch, former NY mayor; IL high school firing blanks as a security drill; Missouri bill in Senate that would require gun safety classes for 1st graders; Wayne LaPierre was in favour of background checks at gun shows…
Mayoral candidates file 2012 financial reports
Today was the deadline for candidates to file their year-end reports on their 2012 political activity. I’ll give the topline numbers below, and then offer a few thoughts afterward. And it might be worth sticking with me: Just behind these numbers are some potentially sticky problems which could conceivably invite a lawsuit or two, force…
Recent Films Screen at CMU
Recent films screen at CMU
Sources: Brimmeier reportedly out of the running for transit chief
According to multiple sources, Port Authority board member and former turnpike chief Joe Brimmeier will not be tapped by county executive Rich Fitzgerald to head up the transit agency. Sources tell City Paper that current CEO Steve Bland’s departure is still likely to be announced tomorrow at the agency’s board meeting, however. As we noted…
Rendell: Brimmeier “did a great job” heading Turnpike
Count former Gov. Ed Rendell among those not too concerned about the possibility that former Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission head Joe Brimmeier could take over the Port Authority. Rendell, who as governor appointed Brimmeier to the Turnpike post, says Brimmeier “did a great job.” “The turnpike ran incredibly well,” Rendell tells City Paper. “It was an…
Ferlo: Port Authority board now “consumed by politics”
While State Sen. Jim Ferlo hasn’t been thrilled with outgoing Port Authority CEO Steve Bland, he says he’s disappointed with how a change in leadership is coming about at the transit agency. “I don’t think it should be so contentious,” he says. “There is enough citizen criticism and disappointment with PAT leadership. I hate to…
A Newcomer from India Surveys American Yoga
Second in a three-part series by Ruchika Rai On my first foray to an American hot-yoga studio, the first thing that struck me was the merchandise section right next to the reception. On sale were branded two-piece yoga suits (that can also be used as swimwear) for approximately $50 a piece. Quite a change from…
State funding not in jeopardy at Port Authority for now
State says PAT funding still on schedule despite authority shake up
Slim Forsythe pays musical tribute to Pennsylvania’s number-one most famous groundhog
The day is nigh — the day when the whole country knows the name of Punxsutawney, and pays it the kind of heed only residents of Jefferson and Elk counties do the rest of the year. And Pittsburgh’s famed singin’, school-bus-drivin’ cowboy and one-time Northern Tier resident has graced us with a musical tribute to…
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Jan. 31
Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposal to privatize the state liquor store system has met with at least qualified support from both the left and the right. But at least one part of Corbett’s strategy — to direct revenues from privatization to the schools — may be backfiring. Even some Republicans are objecting to “Washington-style politics,” faulting…
Lynn Cullen Live 01/31/13
Video Archive Guest: Tom Sokolowski; Gabby Giffords speaks at gun violence hearing; anniversary of WWII bomber plane landing in the Mon River; ancient aliens; Hindu holy man supposedly cutting off materialistic worldly ties….with a Leica camera in his hand; ancient people were more in touch with their surroundings, were smarter because they had less distraction;…
Help fund a new album from Lovebettie, a youth ballet and more
Welcome to another installment of Localism. Today, we’re looking at a few Pittsburgh-based projects that are currently funding on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo: — Local band Lovebettie is looking for $10,000 to record and release a new album and book a U.S. tour. Backers at the $300 level can get a haircut and…
Corbett says it’s time for the state to get out of the liquor business
Gov. Tom Corbett announced Wednesday a proposal to privatize the state’s liquor system and send the $1 billion in expected revenue into public schools. “It is time for Pennsylvania to lift the rules that have been in place for 75 years,” Corbett said. “Our plan gets the state out of the liquor business.” At the…
NLRB denies UPMC motion for summary judgement
NLRB denies UPMC motion
Donora Celebrates Release of Play Nice EP
New EP, music video, and national tour a “nice” start to 2013 for Pittsburgh-based pop/indie rock band Donora.
A Newcomer from India Surveys American Yoga
First in a three-part series by Ruchika Rai When I arrived in the U.S. last June, the first thing that fascinated and appalled me at the same time was this rampant brand of blatant consumerism. Not that I didn’t enjoy spending four hours window-shopping in Giant Eagle; it was a mind-numbing rush looking at tens…
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Jan. 30
The stories out of the Port Authority, where Rich Fitzgerald is rumored to be planning a coup to install Joseph Brimmeier as the agency’s head, keep getting better. Today, the Post-Gazette reports that shortly after Brimmeier was appointed to the Authority board, a firm owned by his sister bid on a design contract. That part…
Kuntu Repertory’s The Chelsea Arms
THE CHELSEA ARMS continues through Sat., Feb. 2. Kuntu Repertory Theatre in the auditorium of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh — Homewood, 7101 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. $5-20. 412-559-7114 or kunturepertorytheatre@gmail.com No one could possibly assail the versatility of Ernest McCarty Jr. Not only did he write, compose and direct Kuntu Repertory Theatre’s premiere of his The…
Twisted Thistle
Twisted Thistle 127 Market St. Leechburg. 724-236-0450 Hours: Tue. 4-10 p.m.; Wed.-Sat. Lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner 4-10 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices: Soups, salads and starters $5-11; entrees $11-25 Liquor: Full bar It’s no surprise that dining’s “fresh, local, seasonal” credo has reached even the small towns beyond the suburbs — in…
Pittsburgh Musical Theater’s The Sound of Music
THE SOUND OF MUSIC continues through Sun., Feb. 3. Pittsburgh Musical Theater at the Byham Theater 101 Sixth St. Downtown. $12.25-44.75. 412-456-6666 or trustarts.org Downton Abbey? Pittsburgh is once again hooked on Nonnburg Abbey. The Benedictine monastery in Salzburg, Austria, is where singing-nun wannabe Maria Augusta Kutschera raises hell when she’s not climbing trees, scraping…
Soup N’at event offers soup and art for a good cause
The bowls of soup — sweet potato peanut, broccoli potato leek and vegetarian three-bean chili with quinoa — were scooped up as quickly as volunteers could deliver them at Sunday’s Soup N’at fundraiser. Homemade in very large pots in volunteers’ kitchens, the soups are part of a grassroots effort to draw new financial supporters for…
Local artists present complementary shows at adjoining galleries.
CRAIG FREEMAN: CARTOON NIHILISM 707 Penn Gallery 707 Penn Ave. Downtown (412-325-7017). FABRIZIO GERBINO: THE PAINTING AS OBJECT 709 Penn Gallery 709 Penn Ave. Downtown (412-224-4651). Both shows continue through Feb. 17. trustarts.org Good neighbors. Two polished solo exhibits in adjoining Downtown galleries double the food for thought. Craig Freeman’s paintings and drawings at 707…
Troy Hill brewery makes barely alcoholic tea
“Technically,” acknowledges Naomi Auth, “we are [making] a beer.” But Auth, the owner of Pig Hill Brewery, does mean technically: Her Troy Hill space lacks malted barley, hops or steel fermentation tanks. That’s because Auth is making kombucha, a fermented-tea drink that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. This punchy, effervescent brew is…
Oscar-Nominated Short Films
Oscar Shorts Screens in two programs: live-action and animated 412-682-4111 or www.pghfilmmakers.org for schedule Starts Fri., Feb. 1.Regent Square Seeing all the films nominated for Oscars takes days of work. But being an expert on the Oscar-nominated short films can be accomplished in an evening. The live-action and animated contenders screen in two programs. The…
The Double Wide Grill on the South Side offers a zombie-themed Valentine’s Day dinner and mixer
Zombies are unfeeling, and thus don’t care about Valentine’s Day. But for folks who like to dress up and pretend to be zombies, the Double Wide Grill, on the South Side, is offering a special evening on Feb. 14. “My Bloody Valentine” is a zombie-themed dinner and mixer, designed to bring existing zombie couples closer,…
Warm Bodies
Sometime in the near future, most people are zombies, and the few remaining humans live in a walled city. Jonathan Levine’s rom-com Warm Bodies introduces us to this world, via its moony, cute-nerd-boy hero, a zombie known simply as R. R (Nicholas Hoult) lives at the airport, where he mulls over his boring life and…
Lynn Cullen Live 01/30/13
Video Archive Guest: Chris Potter; can’t track a gun unless it’s been used to kill someone; Americans seem to support gun control; UPMC has no employees?; overzealous tow truck drivers; Corbett getting resistance from other Republican leaders; Corbett’s budget, pension plan, keno plans; stinkbugs; “advantages” of privatization; electoral college changes opposed in Florida, Virginia; Obama’s…
Stand Up Guys
Fisher Stevens’ film is a low-key, shaggy-dog comedy about three aging gangsters tying up loose ends over one 18-hour period. Doc (Christopher Walken) picks up Val (Al Pacino), who is leaving prison after a couple of decades. But the day’s celebrations — hooker, pills, steak dinners — have a darker edge: It’s a last hurrah,…
The Frantic Heart of It and Playoff Beard team up for a split 10-inch
THE FRANTIC HEART OF IT/PLAYOFF BEARD SPLIT 10-INCH RELEASE with FLORA FAUNA. 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 2. The Mr. Roboto Project 5106 Penn Ave. Bloomfield. $5. All ages. therobotoproject.org Today, the split 10-inch record featuring punk bands The Frantic Heart of It and Playoff Beard is a real, concrete thing — to be released officially…
Arlo Aldo releases first full-length, in between diaper changes
ARLO ALDO CD RELEASE with EMILY RODGERS BAND and SLEEP EXPERIMENTS. 10 p.m. Sat., Feb. 2. Brillobox 4104 Penn Ave. Bloomfield. $7. 412-621-4900 or brillobox.net Having kids changes people, especially people in bands. Half the members of folk-rock quartet Arlo Aldo, for example, recently became parents — which helps explain why they’ve taken their sweet…
DJ Petey C wraps up Red Bull competition win
For the second time, DJ Petey C will be representing Pittsburgh at the East Coast regional qualifier of the Red Bull Thre3Style DJ Competition. The 26-year-old Central Catholic High School grad — real name Peter Cicero — advanced with a win at Red Bull’s Pittsburgh event at Altar Bar, on Jan. 16. “If you’re a…
Critics’ Picks: January 30 – February 5
[DOOM METAL] + FRI., FEB. 1 The Black Sabbath sound has been rehashed many times, many ways, but acolytes don’t often capture the Black Sabbath soul. Pallbearer — whose record Sorrow and Extinction appeared on many a Best of 2012 list — brings Ozzy and Co. to mind, not so much in sound (group members…
New Releases
Coastal Remedy Coastal Remedy (Self-released) A diverse set of 11 songs from the Indiana, Pa.-based rock four-piece. This is a good-sounding LP, but at times seems to reach a bit too far from sound to sound: Some of the tunes are epic, others simple, groove-based pop. Nothing wrong with either, but it can be a…
Quartet
Things at the well-appointed country estate for retired musicians are about to be shaken up by new resident, but with a bit of understanding, it all gets sorted out. That’s Quartet in a nutshell, but you won’t be seeing Dustin Hoffman’s light, cozy comedy, adapted from Ronald Harwood’s play, for the plot. The film boasts…
Broken Down: Passed in 2010, a city tow-truck licensing ordinance faces a long haul
In April 2010, Pittsburgh City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to protect motorists from aggressive tow-truck drivers. Council members had heard one too many stories about price gouging by towers, or vehicles being snatched in “spiderweb” lots, those with lurking tow-truck drivers and confusing parking rules. Although some of the practices already violated city ordinances,…
No Help Wanted: In filing to labor board, UPMC claims it has no employees
Remember the UPMC advertisements that used to claim the health-care giant was “not a business” but “a collection of people, and surprises and ideas you weren’t expecting”? Apparently, it’s not even that much. In a Jan. 3 filing to the National Labor Relations Board, the nonprofit health-care giant — routinely identified as the region’s largest…
A conversation with John Waters
JOHN WATERS Intimate Gallery Talk: 8:30 p.m. Thu., Jan. 31 (The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St., North Side. $150). This Filthy World: 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 1 (Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland; $20-25). 412-237-8300 or www.warhol.org John Waters, who made his name as a ground-breaking filmmaker, hasn’t released a new feature since…
Voting Rites
Like many others in town, I’ve heard a lot about Ka’Sandra Wade in the month since her tragic death. Some of the stories, like the way she greeted coworkers each day with a cheery “Bonjour,” were easy to listen to. Others were harder to hear, like the accounts of her increasingly fractious relationship with Anthony…
A conversation with political comic Lee Camp
LEE CAMP 8:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 1. Hambone’s 4207 Butler St. Lawrenceville. $10-12. 412-681-4318 or hambonespittsburgh.com Unabashedly political and proudy left-wing, Lee Camp stands out among stand-up comics. His acerbic, even ranting fast-burn comedy draws comparisons to George Carlin, the late Bill Hicks and “Jon Stewart … but with sharper teeth.” Camp contributes to The…
Savage Love
I’ve been a fan of your Savage Lovecast for a long time, but I had to write after hearing Marty Klein’s talk about the fallacy of “sex addiction.” For most of my adult life, I have suffered from complete sexual dysfunction with partners. I was ashamed and thought I was too sexually screwed up to…
City Theatre’s Seminar
SEMINAR continues through Feb. 10. City Theatre 1300 Bingham St. South Side. $15-55. 412-431-2489 or www.citytheatrecompany.org There’s a rather interesting scene occurring halfway through Seminar, a play by Theresa Rebeck making its Pittsburgh premiere at City Theatre. The set-up is a private writing class with four students taught (and mercilessly abused) by a once-well-regarded writer,…
Short List: January 30 – February 5
Fri., Feb. 1 — Stage Just like you, Paul Gertner loves his iPad; and much like Arthur C. Clarke, he thinks that any technology this advanced is indistinguishable from magic. But Gertner actually is a magician. And while corporate and college gigs pay the bills, the Shaler native’s stage work is original enough for Charleston,…
Climate-Change Denialism Still Has a Home at the Post-Gazette
Last Friday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran an editorial titled “Earth to Congress: The cost of future Sandy disasters will only rise.” The piece urged Congress to pass legislation limiting our output of carbon dioxide. The editorial was in accord with the vast majority of climate scientists and scientific bodies the world over, who for years…
MP3 Monday: Maddie Georgi
Download “Glory Bound,” by Maddie Georgi.
MP3 Monday: Incyte
Listen to “Days Like These,” by Incyte.
Late ol’ MP3 Monday: The Long Time Darlings
Download “Burn It Down,” by The Long Time Darlings
MP3 Monday: Harley Dyse – “Harley”
This week’s MP3 Monday comes to you from local rapper Harley Dyse. We’ve got his single “Harley” for all of you who love Pittsburgh hip-hop (and the occasional cruise down 79 on your Harley Davidson motorcycle). If you like what you hear, check him out on SoundCloud and Twitter. [Download link expired, sorry!]
MP3 Monday: Chip DiMonick – “The Sign of a New Generation”
Download “The Sign Of A New Generation” by Chip DiMonick.
MP3 Monday: The Armadillos – “Pennyroyal Flowers”
Download “Pennyroyal Flowers” by The Armadillos.
MP3 Monday: The Toys Du Jour – “You Are Beautiful”
Download “You Are Beautiful” by The Toys Du Jour.
MP3 Monday: Stillborn Identity – “Pitseleh’s a Goner”
Download “Pitseleh’s a Goner” by Stillborn Identity.
MP3 Monday: Coronado – “Something Died”
Download “Something Died” by Coronado.
MP3 Monday: Satin Gum – “Call You”
Download “Call You,” by Satin Gum.
MP3 Monday: Cold Weather
Download “Functional,” by Cold Weather.
MP3 Tuesday: Weird Paul
Download “I Got Drunk at Chuck E. Cheese.”
MP3 Monday: Polish Hill Strangler
Download “Destruction of the Human Race (Pt. 1),” by Polish Hill Strangler.
MP3 Monday: Meeting of Important People
Meeting of Important People Ahoy! Later this week, local stalwarts Meeting of Important People release a new record, one that was funded by a Kickstarter campaign. This Wednesday, we’ll be running a Q&A that frontman Josh Verbanets did with our Rick Moslen; in the meantime, they’re offering up our MP3 Monday this week. Below, please…
MP3 Monday: Motometer
Today’s MP3 Monday comes from local two-piece prog-rock band Motometer. The band features bassist/guitarist Adam Fagelson and drummer Stephen Dusenberry, who have backed such artists as Peter Cetera, George Clinton, Steve Miller, George Benson, Maynard Ferguson, Foghat and Molly Hatchet. Motometer recently released its self-titled album, which features the song “Mexi-Pepsi”, found below. Enjoy! [Download…
MP3 Monday: Blood Red
Richard Magnelli This week’s MP3 Monday comes from Braddock hardcore outfit Blood Red. The band features current and former members of Hounds of Hate, Code Orange Kids, Run Forever, Pissed Jeans, and plenty more. Blood Red’s EP, Seize You, will receive an elaborate vinyl treatment: the album is pressed on a one-sided 12-inch with a…
MP3 Monday: New Shouts
New Shouts Welcome to another installment of MP3 Monday! Today’s song comes from New Shouts, a local indie rock band made up of Cor Allen and Derek and Mario White. The band is playing Brillobox this Friday, July 27th, with Host Skull and DJ Dave Zak. The show will mark the premiere of the newest…
MP3 Monday: Old Accusers
Download “The Arrows,” by Old Accusers.
MP3 Monday: The Cheats
Hey! It’s Monday! You know what that means! The Cheats are releasing their latest full-length this week, and they play this Friday at Altar Bar with Michale Graves (the onetime Misfits frontman). Right now, get an advance taste of the record: stream or download “Better than the Rest,” below! [Download link expired, sorry!]
MP3 Monday: Kid Durango
Today’s MP3 Monday comes from local pop-punk act Kid Durango. Check out “Golgitha” below. [Download link expired, sorry!]
MP3 Monday: Grain
Download “My Mind’s Awake,” by Grain.
MP3 Monday: Plots & Jammineye
Today’s installment of MP3 Monday comes from Philadelphia-via-Pittsburgh rapper Plots (aka Rich Anthony). Also a member of The 1s And 2s, Anthony has recently released a solo album with production from Romanian producer Jammineye called Pay Attention. Check out “The Bright Lights” below. [Download link expired, sorry!]
MP3 Monday: Red Hands
Today’s installment of MP3 Monday comes from local post-hardcore group Red Hands. The song is “Give Again” from the band’s new EP, In The End…, which was released in early May. Red Hands also features former A Voice Like Rhetoric bassit Justin Campbell. Check out “Give Again” below. [Download link expired, sorry!]
MP3 Monday: Lilith
Download “Sleepless,” by Lilith.
MP3 Monday: Broken Fences
Download “Fairy Tale,” by Broken Fences.
MP3 Monday: Motorpsychos
Download “Victim,” from the new album by Motorpsychos.
