Trans Day of Remembrance
Today is the international Transgender Day of Remembrance, to memorialize those who were killed this year due to anti-transgender hate or bias. Locally, the event will be marked at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh Downtown tonight. The event, Trans* Day of Remembrance, starts at 5:30 p.m. with food, drinks, free HIV and…
Prize-winning author here tonight
Drue Heinz honoree Beth Bosworth reads and signs at the Carnegie Library
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Nov. 20
Story of the day: In a speech to the state press association yesterday, Gov. Corbett lets you know what you’ve got coming. Corbett is renewing his pledge to privatize state-run liquor stores, and to privatize the state lottery too. Like a lot of other Republican governors, he’s digging in his heels on expanding Medicaid. But…
Lynn Cullen Live 11/20/12
Video Archive Phone guest: Susan; word of the day: mellifluous; local author’s book on voices; Myron Cope’s voice; Middle East situation; Israel looks like the bad guy next to Gaza; Obama has a dossier on most Democrats; origin of ‘redd-up;’ Republians throwing around the word ‘incompetent;’ Condee vs. Susan Rice; how Google ruins conversations; Twinkie…
CCAC’s decision to cut adjunct, part-timers hours may seed union effort
AmyJo Brown CCAC president Alex Johnson announced plans last week to reduce the maximum hours of adjunct professors, who make up 55 percent of its teaching workforce. In the past, when the faculty union at CCAC surveyed its adjunct professors about their interest in joining the American Federation of Teachers, the response was lukewarm. “There’s…
Conflict Kitchen re-opens as Cuban Paladar
Political foodies find a new home in someone’s home.
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Nov. 19
Story of the weekend: A city contractor — one with ties to police chief Nate Harper — is facing charges of bribery, mail fraud, and conspiracy. A grand jury has accused Arthur J. Bedway Jr. of winning a city contract by passing off his firm as a woman-owned business, and getting some untoward assistance from…
Lynn Cullen Live 11/19/12
Video Archive Steelers loss; word of the day: palpable; Middle East situation; looking back at Ireland’s blood feud; Syria doesn’t let the world in; Israel’s unfettered press & media; a take on the war from an a-political person; the best post-election tweet; Benghazi is a tragedy in search of a scandal & Petraeus is the…
Benefit concert for health in mining communities
Fundraiser for group that promotes awareness of impact in mountaintop-removal regions
Q & A with Flynt Flossy of Turquoise Jeep
If you’ve heard anything by Turquoise Jeep, you’ve probably succumbed to a new language the includes the word “smang” or begs the question, “How you like your eggs, fried or fertilized?” Whether comedy or not, their music is on some new levels of fun and, perhaps ridiculousness. But love ’em or hate ’em, their work…
A Bonanza of Batmobiles
Bat alert: Visit all the Batmobiles at Heinz Field this weekend.
Rally for peace in Gaza tonight
Local activists are planning a rally tonight to call for peace in Gaza, which could soon face a possible Israeli invasion. As CNN noted early this morning, airstrikes have continued on the city throughout the night. The rally will be held at 5 p.m. tonight, at the U.S. Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Ave., Downtown. It…
Superstorm Sandy relief concert on Saturday
Musicians in benefit show at James Street Gastropub
Heads Up: Morning Headlines for Nov. 16
So if you’re hoping that the country’s leaders can do something about global climate change, here’s what you are up against: According to a new Quinnipiac poll, while nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvanians say they are concerned about global climate change, just over one-third of Republicans are. Chalk that up to another symptom of people living…
Lynn Cullen Live 11/16/12
Video Archive Twinkies company going out of business; Eric Garland’s letter about white people; Republicans are incapable of letting anything go; evangelicals pushing Repubs off the reservation; the maelstrom happening in the Middle East; not clear who the good guys / bad guys are; anti-abortion TN congressman’s wife had 2 abortions; Ron Paul & Barney…
Wilkinsburg Restaurant Gets Its TV Close-up
Kitchen Nightmares’ visit to Jean’s Southern Cuisine, in Wilkinsburg, airs Fri., Nov. 16.
Opening reception for big public artwork
“The Workers,” honoring mill labor, debuts
A morning of protests
It’s been a busy morning for protestors and activists in the city. First up — About 30 environmental activists protested outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center where state DEP Secretary Michael Krancer was addressing a natural gas conference. The conference — Developing Unconventional Gas (DUG) East — ends today. Outside, anti-drilling activists objected to…
Food truck throws down Light up Night challenge (sort of)
Pittsburgh Councilor Bill Peduto’s proposal to change the laws governing the city’s food trucks, introduced to the city council in October, is still in committee, awaiting a date to be set for a public hearing. Staff for the councilor says the revisions to the mobile vending ordinance are unlikely to be a priority until the…
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Nov. 15
A Downtown task force convened by Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has offered up its recommendations for rejuvenating the area. At first blush, not a lot new here — an emphasis on street-level improvements and marketing. But there’s some talk about steering clear of the anchor-tenant enticement strategy — the linchpin of previous efforts to enhance shopping…
Lynn Cullen Live 11/15/12
Video Archive Guest: Tom Sokolowski; “The Historic” South Side; public radio stations in Pittsburgh; NYT scathing review of Guy Fieri’s new restaurant; Car Talk; personality-driven shows; Republicans that can’t accept the loss; Georgia senators think Obama & UN using brain washing technique; tax rates; Republicans have no constituency; how powerful IS Fox News?; Callers: PJ,…
Three Rivers Film Festival
The final week of the Three Rivers Film Festival
Local kids’ author graduates to graphic novel
Moon Township’s Howard Shapiro offers The Stereotypical Freaks, a graphic novel about a high school rock band. Read more in Program Notes.
Local kids’ author graduates to graphic novel
Howard Shapiro’s “The Stereotypical Freaks” is out today
Family of 19-year-old shot by police ask for compassion
The family of 19-year-old Leon Ford, who was shot Sunday by a Pittsburgh Police officer after a traffic stop, says they learned that Ford was in trouble Monday afternoon only after tracking his car down in an impoundment lot and piecing information together they saw in news reports.
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Nov. 14
Here’s a useful reminder: Voter ID may be forgotten, but it ain’t gone. All that legal wrangling over the past few months merely put the law on hiatus; another series of proceedings will decide whether the law’s requirements can be constitutionally imposed when there isn’t a history-making presidential election just a couple months away. Our…
CD Reviews
Preach Freedom Freedom Must Be! (Self-released) The Rusted Root percussionist offers up 13 tracks of classic, consciousness-raising reggae. The songwriting and production make this one sound genuine, not cheesy like so much latter-day Jamaican-style music; an all-star cast of Pittsburgh musicians (Colter Harper, Poogie Bell, Geña) helps out. PREACH FREEDOM CD RELEASE with THE FLOW…
Pitt professor’s new history retells the Amistad slave rebellion from the Africans’ point of view.
Marcus Rediker discusses THE AMISTAD REBELLION 6:30 p.m. Thu., Nov. 15. The University Club 123 University Place Oakland. Free. news.pitt.edu The best-known account of the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad — Steven Spielberg’s eponymous 1997 movie — echoes most other versions: It’s told mostly from the point of view of white people,…
Critics’ Picks: November 14 – 20
[TROPICALIA] + THU., NOV. 15 Gilberto Gil is a legend of Brazilian music: In the ’60s, he was an innovator of tropicalia music, playing with Caetano Veloso and Os Mutantes. For a time, he was imprisoned by Brazil’s military dictatorship, but years later, in the ’00s, he’d serve in the Brazilian government, under President Lula…
Pitt Rep’s The Compleat Female Stage Beauty
THE COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY continues through Sun., Nov. 18. Pitt Rep at the Henry Heymann Theatre Forbes Avenue at Bigelow Oakland. $12-15. 412-624-7529 or play.pitt.edu When we meet Edward Kynaston, he’s kind of a bitch. He’s a self-obsessed actor, which is bad enough, but he’s also a flirt, a prankster and a spitfire. Kynaston…
ADDING UP THE DAMAGE
If it felt like you couldn’t turn on your TV in the past three months without seeing a political ad, you’re not paranoid: They really were everywhere. An analysis of data in public filings made by the region’s four television stations — WTAE, KDKA, WPXI and WPGH — shows that at least $34 million was…
Little Lake’s Black Tie
BLACK TIE continues through Nov. 24. Little Lake Theatre 500 Lakeside Drive (off Route 19) North Strabane. $12-20 724-745-6300 or littlelake.org What amazing timing is Little Lake Theatre Co.’s selection of A.R. Gurney’s Black Tie. In the same week that the elections caused a meltdown of conservatives lamenting “It’s not a traditional America anymore,” the…
Grounded in Victory: Obama grassroots infrastructure proved to be the difference-maker
Sheronda Terry has always carried with her the gravity of a statement her father once made. “I remember him telling me, ‘We’re never going to see a black president,'” she said. “I didn’t know the magnitude of the statement at the time.” But then in 2008, Barack Obama was elected, and voters like Terry were…
Stage 62’s The Producers
THE PRODUCERS continues through Sun., Nov. 18. Andrew Carnegie Library Music Hall Carnegie. 412-429-6262 or stage62.org When Mel Brooks turned his film The Producers into the 2001 Broadway musical, you might have thought the Messiah had either come or come back. The New York theater industry fell to its knees, handing Brooks 12 Tony Awards,…
Poll Vault
At the Allegheny County Election Court, where election-day disputes are argued, the biggest challenge for the lawyers and judges was keeping themselves entertained. As Election Day wound down, one attorney began prank-calling elections officials. Another leaned back in his chair and said, “I thought this was going to be an absolute nightmare.” There were plenty…
Rising-star Point Park grad presents a U.S. premiere
Luke Murphy’s DRENCHED 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 16, and 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 17. Kelly-Strayhorn Theater 5941 Penn Ave. East Liberty. $15-35. 412-363-3000 or kelly-strayhorn.org Romantic relationships are fragile creatures. Fantasy, and expectation of what is desired of them, can cloud partners’ thinking, or simply unravel in the light of reality. That’s the premise of…
Healthy Heart
Dr. Kathy Homrok breezes into the small beige examining room at Metro Family Practice, Wilkinsburg, a sheaf of papers in her hand. Chipper as always, dressed informally in dark slacks, blue sweater and stylish black-and-white jacket, she greets George, an elderly man in blue jeans and a white T-shirt. “Hop on up there, big guy,”…
Lincoln
Lincoln Directed by: Steven Spielberg Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, James Spader, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field Starts: Fri., Nov. 16. Steven Spielberg’s new film is an absorbing political thriller about America’s first black president, Abraham Lincoln. Now, I know what you’re thinking: America’s first black president was Bill Clinton. But in Lincoln, after a brief prologue…
Expatriate Games
There used to be an easy way of explaining the difference between liberals and conservatives. When liberals lost an election, you’d hear them moan, “It’s time to leave the country.” When conservatives lost, they’d snarl, “It’s time to take our country back.” Not this year. Sure, in 2008 conservatives responded to Barack Obama’s election with…
The Sessions
You’ve likely seen plenty of films about guys waging a war against their virginity, but none quite like The Sessions. Ben Lewin’s film — it’s not quite a comedy, so call it a lighthearted account of a dramatic issue — depicts the real-life story of how Mark O’Brien, a 38-year-old disabled writer, hires a professional…
Savage Love
Reading you over the years has absolutely changed my mind on gay marriage. I also live in Maryland, and, as you know, we voted last week to allow same-sex couples to legally marry. I was excited that I got to vote for marriage equality in my home state — even though it’s fucked up that…
My YouTube Video
Friends say Vanessa Redgrave could star in my video, but she’s not half the giraffe — At 80, my lover Leonard Cohen contracted vitiligo, spotty skin. He sits and sings, She’s giving me head on the unmade bed, while I bang on cymbals and a drum. — Christine Aikens Wolfe Christine Aikens Wolfe…
Short List: November 14 – 20
FREE EVENT: Thurs., Nov. 15 — Words Israel Centeno’s writings forced him to flee his homeland of Venezuela, but few have been translated into English. Tonight, the current exiled writer-in-residence at City of Asylum/Pittsburgh appears in collaboration with Prime Stage Theater for his largest public reading in Pittsburgh to date. Centeno was born in Caracas,…
Silvi’s Mexican Restaurant
Silvi’s Mexican Restaurant 2212 E. Carson St. South Side. 412-390-0333 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thu. 11 a.m.-midnight; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Prices: Tacos, appetizers, soups and salads $3-9; sandwiches and Mexican entrees $7-10 Liquor: BYOB The South Side’s popularity with twentysomethings first evinced itself in a near-ubiquity of bars and nightclubs. Now, this is…
Growing Interest: Outreach program gets kids into farming
Molly McHolme may have the answer to one of parenting’s most perplexing questions: How to get your child to eat broccoli? Or kale? Or cabbage? Or carrots? “I think people would be surprised at how interested kids are in growing food and knowing where it comes from,” says the 23-year-old garden educator for urban-agriculture nonprofit…
East End Brewing makes a big expansion
A decade ago, Scott Smith was just another inspired homebrewer dreaming big. But in 2004, he opened a one-person brewery in an old 4,000-square-foot Homewood warehouse, cobbled together with secondhand equipment. Today, Smith’s success is anything but fantasy. He’s even outgrown the old production facility. “It’s a strange place to be when [you’re] working to…
Motorpsychos haven’t lost their edge after over a decade
MOTORPSYCHOS with VULGARRITY, GENGHIS KHAN. 10 p.m. Sat., Nov. 17. 31st Street 3101 Penn Ave. Strip District. $5. 412-391-8334 or 31stpub.com When Motorpsychos founder and guitarist Pam Simmons deadpans that she’s going folk-rock for their next album, it generates laughs all around in the band: It’s because Motorpsychos have been around, in one form or…
El Burro Comedor
El Burro Comedor 1108 Federal St. North Side. 412-904-3451 His new take-out Mexican restaurant, El Burro Comedor, has been open barely a week and Derek Burnell already feels welcome in the North Side. “Residents [here] are very proud of their neighborhood and they love to support local businesses,” says Burnell, who owns El Burro with…
Stephin Merritt talks comedy and rhyme in The Magnetic Fields
THE MAGNETIC FIELDS with EMMA STRAUB. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 16. Carnegie Lecture Hall Schenley Drive Oakland. $25-30. All ages. 412-237-8300 or warhol.org If The Magnetic Fields never released another album after 1999’s 69 Love Songs, the band would still have a secure spot in the history of indie rock. The three-disc set lived up…
Lynn Cullen Live 11/14/12
Video Archive Guest: Chris Potter; House Science Committee seeking new chair; Ralph Hall, TX on climate change: You can’t control what God controls; global warming is from….dinosaur flatulence?; Hedy Lemarr – brains AND beauty; more on Petraeus; Maureen Dowd on Petraeus scandal; all holes in the night are black; Kardashians will look like the Kelly…
B. White represents McKeesport in the rap game
THE 58’S at BLASFOME’S STUFF-A-WINDOW in association with KISS-FM’s Stuff-a-Bus toy drive. 6 p.m. Fri., Nov. 16. Blasfome 1923 E. Carson St. South Side. No cover; bring a new, un-wrapped toy to donate. blasfome.com B. White (real name Brian Whiteman) didn’t begin taking his music seriously until recently, but the 29-year-old rapper’s earliest experience recording…
Gilded Age paintings by Walter Gay are a rare treat at the Frick.
IMPRESSIONS OF INTERIORS: GILDED AGE PAINTINGS BY WALTER GAY continues through Jan. 6. Frick Art & Historical Center 7227 Reynolds St. Point Breeze. 412-371-0600 or frickart.org Impressions of Interiors: Gilded Age Paintings by Walter Gay is pure pleasure, grand in scope with 69 paintings, each executed with consummate skill and grace. The Frick Art &…
