Zone Defense: State bill seeks to usurp communities' rights to restrict drilling

"It's the state using its powers for the benefit of corporations to get rich."

• by Chris Young
• Tags: News, Natural-gas drilling, City Council, Zoning

13 Ways of Looking At UPMC

A poem by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center PR department

Nude dancer says strip-club rules invasive, unnecessary

"It reduces our job to a gyrating backdrop."

• by Lauren Daley
• Tags: News, Theresa Kail-Smith, Strip-club, Legislation

On the Record with Pitt School of Medicine professor Dr. Richard Beigi

"This has tremendous promise to curb the HIV epidemic if used by women."

• by Lauren Daley
• Tags: On The Record, HIV, Dr. Richard Beigi, Tenofovir gel

Shaking Up a Classic

Alcoholic milkshakes are back

• by Brian Tierney
• Tags: On The Rocks, Milkshake

Custard Crossing

One man's quest brings frozen custard to the Waterfront

• by Charlie Deitch
• Tags: On The Side, Custard Crossing, Tony Crankovic, Frozen

Local Bar and Restaurant

A new casual dining venue on the South Side offers pub grub and great views

• Tags: Dining Reviews, Local Bar & Kitchen, Southside

Animal Collective lives with the hype post-Merriweather Post Pavilion

"The only sane way to approach it is to play what's true to us right now. And if it appeals to people, that's great. If not, we'll deal with the consequences."

• by Justin Jacobs

CD Reviews

New releases by Balloon Ride Fantasy, Peacefield and Real Deal.

• by Andy Mulkerin

Critics' Picks: July 8 - 13

Local shows by Chatham County Line, Chop Chop and Cut Copy, and the return of the Solar Concert Series.

• by Andy Mulkerin

Local MC Beedie is ready for the boom bap big time

"There were times when I should've got some food or paid my bills, but I chose music instead."

• by Rory D. Webb
• Tags: Local Beat, Shadow Lounge

M.O.T.O.'s Paul Caporino takes on a Pittsburgh backing band

This spring's Japan trip -- in support of a hits compilation that a Japanese label released -- came only weeks after the earthquake and tsunami in Sendai.

• by Andy Mulkerin

Beginners

The joyous rebirth of a man in his 70s forms the heart of Beginners, a quirky dramedy from writer-director Mike Mills

• by Al Hoff
• Tags: Movie Reviews + Features, Beginners, Christopher Plummer, Ewan MacGregor

Larry Crowne

Life's troubles are played mostly for laughs in Tom Hank's mild comedy

• by Al Hoff

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Car-robot-killers take over Chicago! But not as much fun as it sounds.

• by Al Hoff
• Tags: Movie Reviews + Features, Transformers, Dark of the Moon, Robot

Buck

A doc that looks at one man's gift: breaking horses with respect

• by Al Hoff

ModernFormations' 10th-anniversary show is a vivid cross-section of local artists.

Perhaps the strongest motif is a sort of wry sylvan melancholy.

• by Bill O'Driscoll

Future Reading: What would losing the 2011 season mean for Pittsburgh? Here's a peek.

"Without the Steelers to root for, Pittsburgh sports fans decide to rally behind the Pirates."

• by Jim Shearer
• Tags: Smack and Gold, Steelers, Pirates

Historian Rob Ruck traces what was won -- and lost -- when baseball integrated.

Raceball explores "how the major leagues colonized the black and Latin game."

• by Jody DiPerna

New ballet company adds "Texture" to dance scene

"It has a really nice hodgepodge feel to it and has something for everyone in it."

• by Steve Sucato

House & Garden

Ayckbourn was so busy working the stopwatch he forgot to create fully-realized characters.

• by Ted Hoover

A Hotel on Marvin Gardens

Pretending to play a complicated table game is nearly as difficult as controlling a live animal onstage, and this small cast rises to the task.

• by Robert Isenberg
• Tags: Theater Reviews + Features, Play Review, Marvin Gardens, Nagle Jackson

Short List: July 7 - 14

• by Bill O'Driscoll, Brendan Sullivan and Andy Mulkerin
• Tags: Short List, Pittsburgh Parkour, Modern Formations Gallery, Warhol Museum