Cartoonist Pat N. Lewis and Trickster
Pittsburgh-based Lewis is among the contributors to this pretty cool, possibly unique new Fulcrum Books publication that takes a graphic-novel approach to Native American tales. Editor Matt Dembicki, a Fairfax, Va.-based artist, paired native writers from tribes around the U.S. with artists like Lewis (a Shadyside resident). The book ($22.95) is a handsome, full-color, 232-page…
Routeless: Massive Port Authority cuts may be in the offing
In May, Port Authority CEO Steve Bland said potential budget woes could lead to “draconian” cuts in service. That time may be here. The Port Authority of Allegheny County plans to roll out today a proposal for system-wide cuts. If approved, the cuts would go into effect in January, and would make up for a…
MP3 Monday: The BNVz
Okay. If you’re like me, your Monday’s been killing you. So let’s cut straight to the good stuff. This week’s MP3 comes to us from Marcus, aka MH the Verb, of The BNVz. The electro-pop-hip hop group came out of Pitt a few years back and has refined its sound since then — and is…
Friday round-up
Blog-people! Good to see you. I have a lot to tell you of. Let’s get down to business. It’s Friday, which means weekend, which, most weeks, means I give you some ideas as to what shows you might go see. Tonight is the Cultural Trust’s Gallery Crawl, and unfortunately as of the writing of this,…
Slush Puppies at 707 Gallery
In the summertime, what better way to cool off than with an icy treat? Two artists bring that cool feeling to summer with their exhibit Slush Puppies. The exhibit combines music and a summer feel with a little taste of the chill of winter. Slush Puppies, which closes July 25, will be part of Downtown’s…
On the Rocks
Watered-down regulations can make it hard for bars and neighborhoods to mix
Short List: Week of July 15 – 22
Thu, July 15 — Film Remember the Carnegie Museum of Art’s call for entries for its Two-Minute Film Festival? The museum got 80 submissions (from 19 states) and has winnowed the field to the 37 it’s showing tonight in a special after-hours edition of its monthly Culture Club. The videos, all on the theme “A…
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
A nerdy young guy (Jay Baruchel) learns to cast spells from an master (Nicolas Cage) and thus saves the world from a newly reconstituted evil wizard. But his name is not Harry Potter — it’s Dave! Frankly, Apprentice can’t come near the Harry Potter films but at least it knows it. The film eschews any…
Pastitsio
A new Greek deli makes a welcome splash in Lower Lawrenceville.
After three years away, superstar magician and area native Mike Super returns … debuting a brand-new trick.
Super’s shows are sly contraptions of illusion and truth, wit and humor.
Years Ago
None of the writing here is bad; it’s just that there’s far, far too much of it.
The Producers
This wild and crazy visit to summer camp features perfectly looney-tuned performances amid snazzy sets.
This Just In: July 15 – 22
Highlights from the local TV news: Eye Yay Yay!
Nineteenth-century victims of murder — and other crimes committed Downtown — speak out in Public Record.
“There is no way to know anything about them other than this one thing — the time they got robbed or robbed someone or murdered.”
High school punks Code Orange Kids play shows like it’s their summer job
“There’s not really anything else to do when you’re in high school unless you’re into partying or you’re really good at social interactions, which none of us really are.”
Terry Lee Spencer’s debut EP is all about America, family and modern country
Spencer sings about “That new red, white and blue American Dream” and dismisses the Internet, politicians and “them damn cell phones.”
Young singer-songwriter Jordan Umbach’s music hails back to the classics
Overall, Silhouette of Steel is a truly impressive album. The songs feel very rounded and complete, with a refreshing sense of honesty.
The Mattress Factory’s Nothing Is Impossible doesn’t quite achieve what no one can.
The work’s weathered, orange-tinted canvas, flecked with stains and mildew, indicate its survival of some epic misadventure.
Undermined
A new law would give gas-drilling opponents no ground to stand on
Magnolia Café
1721 Lowrie St., Troy Hill 412-586-7527 Perhaps it’s our fear of crossing rivers, or concern about the thin atmosphere of higher elevations. But although Troy Hill peers out over the city, few neighborhoods are easier to overlook. Urban historian Franklin Toker has called it the “second most isolated of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods” and observes that…
Savage Love
My boss/CEO lives and works in a different city, but most of her mail arrives at my office because it is the company’s official address. I routinely open mail and packages addressed to her. Usually they contain documents or software, but today I opened a package to find something completely different: a pair of vibrating…
The Flaming Lips play a not-to-be-missed Pittsburgh show
Yoshimi concerned empathy, much like Dark Side does — something about isolation and communication and mortality and we might as well talk now before it’s too late.
Bridge Toll
Cash-strapped PAT on hook for costly bridge maintenance
A Conversation with Abby Ahmad
“It’s acting; it’s singing; it’s art; it’s creating; it’s communication. Some people don’t understand it.”
