A Look Inside the “Nazi Olympics”
An emotionally charged, politically potent exhibition at the August Wilson Center recalls the 1936 Games of Hitler, Nazi propaganda, Jesse Owens and more. More in Program Notes.
Ballet Inspired by Grief Center Premieres
The latest in Bodiography’s series of health-care-themed dance works debuts Friday. Preview in Program Notes.
Ballet Inspired by Grief Center Premieres
Post Written By Steve Sucato Bodiography Contemporary Ballet artistic director Maria Caruso’s dance works have always come from a caring place. But the latest in her string of health-care-related dance works, Whispers of Light, literally comes from the Caring Place. The poignant work is set to an original score by Carnegie Mellon University professor of…
A Look Inside the “Nazi Olympics”
A large, arresting black-and-white photograph of relay runners entering Berlin’s Olympiastadion greets visitors to The August Wilson Center exhibition The Nazi Olympics: Berlin 1936. At the center of the stadium, hordes of Nazi soldiers are clearly visible, establishing the central conflict of these games and this exhibit, on loan from the United States Holocaust Memorial…
Scholar Asks “Is Black Music Criminal?”
Noted essayist and cultural scholar Gerald Early explores this provocative question in a free talk Friday at Pitt. Early is known for books like Tuxedo Junction: Esays on American Culture (1994) and This Is Where I Came In: Essays on Black America in the 1960s (2003). He was also a key talking head in Ken…
District 4 challenger John Lee says he has a winning game plan for election — and the district
John Lee doesn’t look all that intimidating: an affable guy in a sweatshirt, sitting on a barstool near the front door at Coach’s, a newly-opened bar in a Banksville Road strip mall. (ADDED: I should have noted the REASON we met there: Coach’s is run by Lee’s nephew; his uncle has been helping to launch…
RuPaul’s Drag Race Alaska Watch: Episode 4
On RuPaul’s Drag Race, Alaska worries about her lack of twinkle toes
Macy’s celebrates Black History Month by honoring Gordon Parks
As part of black history month, Macy’s honors iconic photographer and film director Gordon Parks with panel discussion at Downtown Pittsburgh store.
Adayak’s Buy a Tee, Plant a Tree program
Fashion-sense isn’t a strong suit here at City Paper, but if there is anything this correspondent knows — it’s a good t-shirt. Enter Adayak — a company that makes eco-friendly clothes from organic fabrics or recycled polyester and often donates parts of their proceeds to conservancy groups. Their latest effort is Buy a Tee, Plant…
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Feb. 19
Here’s your latest Nate Harper Deathwatch headline. It seems money transferred into a mysterious bank account at a West End credit union — I guess the West End is like our Switzerland when it comes to sensitive financial transactions — may have been used on high-end travel expenses, and even condo rentals for city officials…
Lynn Cullen Live 02/19/13
Video Archive Phone guest: Susan; it’s always sunny somewhere; the coziness of the banks & the justice system; Ted Cruz sounding a lot like McCarthy during the Hagel questioning; Hubris: The Selling of the Iraq War documentary; how the Iraq War was planned out; incomes rose over 11%….for the 1%, incomes for the 99% have…
Ricardo Iamuuri – “Imperial Sugar” (Music Video)
Pittsburgh music artist Ricardo Iamuuri releases music video for new single, “Imperial Sugar”. New album scheduled for 2013 release.
Donora concludes “Play Nice” tour with sold-out show
Donora, Teammate close Play Nice Tour on a high note with sold-out show at Brillobox.
Quantum’s “John Gabriel Borkman”
It’s the final week for this production of a work by towering playwright Henrik Ibsen. Some quick thoughts in Program Notes.
Quantum’s “John Gabriel Borkman”
In promoting its new production of this 1896 play by Henrik Ibsen, about a disgraced businessman, Quantum Theatre is playing up parallels with modern bilkers like Bernie Madoff. Such echoes are real, but watching a performance last week I was more struck by resonances with rhetoric surrounding today’s natural-gas rush. While he was jailed for…
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Feb. 18
This one dropped Friday evening, but thought it was worth special notice. Guess which public servant was the top earner on the city of Pittsburgh’s payroll last year? You know it’s gotta be Sergeant Eugene Hlavac. Yeah, this guy. (Another top earner appears to be this guy.) You just cannot keep a good man down.…
Kyle Abraham at Pittsburgh Dance Council
The local product’s new show, Pavement, made its Pittsburgh premiere at the Byham Theater. Review in Program Notes.
Kyle Abraham at Pittsburgh Dance Council
The Pittsburgh native’s Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion company successfully moved to its biggest stage here yet with the local premiere last night of Pavement. The work, which debuted in New York in November, was the 35-year-old choreographer and dancer’s take on the contemporary black experience. His acknowledged touchstones included the film Boyz N The Hood. But what…
Petition Sparks Discussion of City, County Arts Funding
Initiative asks why the city and county don’t enforce “percent-for-art” laws
Pittsburgh Public Schools Releases New Estimates for Schenley Repairs
Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Linda Lane released new estimates today for the repair of Schenley High School, gathered at the request of the school board in response to public outcry over the proposed sale of the school. HHSDR Architects and Engineers estimated renovations would cost $53.2 million and Astorino estimated the repair bill at $59.4…
Open House Monday Night on Airport Gas Drilling
The Allegheny County Airport Authority, Allegheny County and CONSOL Energy will hold an open house Monday evening for residents to learn “what to expect” when natural gas drilling starts at the Pittsburgh International Airport The open house will be from 6-8 p.m., Mon., Feb. 18, at Findlay Township Activity Center, 310 Main St., Imperial. The…
Stream This Ish: February 13 Issue
Stream the best tracks from musicians featured in this week’s edition of CP.
Pittsburghers Headed to D.C. for Climate Rally
Seats are still available on locally chartered buses to what’s billed as the largest climate rally in history. Thousands from across the country are expected to descend on Washington, D.C., this Sunday, to call on President Obama to back up his strong language from his inaugural address, when he said, “We will respond to the…
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Feb. 15
All kinds of shaking going on in Pittsburgh’s business community. Legendary Pittsburgh franchise Heinz is going to get purchased by an investment group lead by Warren Buffett. US Airways is going to be subsumed into American Airlines, creating the world’s biggest airline, but perhaps jeopardizing an operations center that taxpayers sunk more than $16 million…
Lynn Cullen Live 02/15/13
Video Archive Latest toll of injured people in Russia after meteor explosion; PA Attorney General throws a wrench into Corbett’s plan to privatize the lottery; more on the Heinz deal, inquiry into possible insider trading; US Airways merging with American Airways; Wayne LaPierre’s unbelievable manifesto of his view of the future; Republicans should fear their…
New Voices & Women of Color HERstory Month kick off
Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh filled earlier this afternoon as women gathered to “build a social change movement dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women and girls.” It was dedicated in memory of Ka’Sandra Wade, who was killed New Year’s Day, police say by her boyfriend who later killed himself during a standoff…
ACLU settles remaining G-20 claims
Photo by Charlie Deitch Scenes from the G-20 in Pittsburgh This morning, the ACLU announced a $400,000 settlement in a case involving 13 people swept up in a mass arrest in Oakland, hours after the G-20 summit ended here in 2009. As is typical in such cases, the city is admitting no wrongdoing. Is Pittsburgh…
“The Good Provider” — a good read.
In light of today’s announcement that the Heinz company has been sold, I offer this book for your evening pleasure: “The Good Provider: H.J. Heinz and his 57 Varieties”, a biography of the iconic Pittsburgh man, written by Robert C. Alberts.
Lynn Cullen Live 02/14/13
Video Archive Guest: Tom Sokolowski; Valentine’s Day; Warren Buffet is buying Heinz; what that means for the Heinz Endowments; morning stories of Port Authority transit; 3 people on the cover of the Post-Gazette, all with their ashes; Oscar Pistorius shot & killed his girlfriend; gun instructor accidentally shoots pupil in the head; more on the…
Local Cartoonist Gets Residency
Ed Piskor, a former collaborator of Harvey Pekar’s and lauded graphic novelist in his own right, scores an artist residency in Columbus, Ohio. More in Program Notes.
Local Cartoonist Gets Residency
Ed Piskor is pretty excited about scoring the Columbus Museum of Art and Thurber House’s second-ever annual residency for a graphic artist/writer. But not for the reason you might think. Sure, the author of Wizzywig and the forthcoming (and highly anticipated) The Hip Hop Family Tree will get a stipend and three weeks of housing…
Films at CMU
More Oscar-nominated films screen — for cheap! — at CMU.
DJ Petey C Places Third In Red Bull Thre3Style East Coast Regional
Pittsburgh-bred DJ represents the city on national map competing in Red Bull Thre3Style’s East Coast Regional, judged by DJ Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, and Z-Trip.
Heads Up: Morning headlines for Feb. 13
Story of the day: The city’s Bureau of Police appears to be in full melt-down mode. The FBI has apparently subpoenaed documents relating to the handling of money from “secondary employment” — jobs officers take on the side. Unnamed veteran supervisors are spilling over the side to the Post-Gazette, calling the situation “heartbreaking.” And anymore…
A Conversation with University of Pittsburgh researcher Dr. Amy Herrick
If you’re a gay or bisexual man, a study at the University of Pittsburgh proves what LGBT advocates have been preaching for years: It does get better. In fact, researchers discovered that within the study, the majority of men who have sex with men (MSM) overcame internalized homophobia — or self-loathing because of external homophobia…
Pittsburgh product Kyle Abraham hits the big time in the dance world.
Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion perform PAVEMENT 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 16. Byham Theater 101 Sixth St. Downtown. $19-48. 412-456-6666 or trustarts.org Kyle Abraham’s career has tipped. That is, it has crossed the threshold into the dance world’s version of the big time. In the span of several years, the Pittsburgh native and his New York-based dance company…
Numbers Game
Since Gov. Tom Corbett released his proposed 2013-2014 budget earlier this month, it’s been touted as being a kinder, gentler budget than his first two efforts. It includes modest-but-real increases in social-service spending like education and mental health. Even budgetary whipping boys, like state-supported universities, are spared further cuts, as they are flat-funded. But there’s…
Moulin Rouge makes its Pittsburgh premiere
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performs MOULIN ROUGE Thu., Feb. 14-Sun. Feb. 17. Benedum Center 719 Liberty Ave. Downtown $25.75-95.75. 412-456-6666 or pbt.org Celebrated on stage and screen and in literature, the most famous cabaret in the world is now a story ballet. Canadian choreographer Jorden Morris — whose Peter Pan the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre staged in…
Quarterback Controversy
The problem with democracy in Pittsburgh is that there’s never enough of it … until there’s too much. That’s been the gripe about this year’s fledgling mayoral race, in which incumbent Luke Ravenstahl faces a challenge from not one, but two reform-minded challengers: City Controller Michael Lamb and City Councilor Bill Peduto. Ravenstahl has…
CLO Cabaret’s You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!
YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP! continues through May 5. The Cabaret at Theater Square 655 Penn Ave. Downtown. $39.75-44.75. 412-325-6766 or clocabaret.com I don’t know what the Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret is paying Robin Abramson and Gregory Johnstone for appearing in You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, but this dynamic duo is worth…
Savage Love
I’m a 37-year-old single father with a 14-year-old son. I’ve raised him on my own, with help from friends and family. Our relationship isn’t perfect, but no major issues. Over the past year, however, I have become increasingly convinced that he is gay. I’ve found gay porn on his laptop (yes, I snoop; I’m his…
American Tragedy at Duquesne Red Masquers
AMERICAN TRAGEDY continues through Sat., Feb. 16. The Duquesne University Red Masquers in the Peter Mills Auditorium, Rockwell Hall, Duquesne University. $5-10. 412-396-6215 or redmasquers.blogspot.com David M. Katzin’s American Tragedy, in its premiere by the Duquesne University Red Masquers, is full of surprises. The ambitious production, directed by Duquesne’s theater-arts head John E. Lane Jr.,…
Short List: February 13 – 19
SPOTLIGHT: Fri., Feb. 15 — Comedy What’s behind Pittsburgh’s newly burgeoning comedy scene? Abby Fudor largely credits the Pittsburgh Improv Jam, at the Cabaret at Theatre Square. At least, that three-year-old Thursday showcase is where Fudor connected with fellow writers and performers Randy Kirk, Kristy Nolen, Jethro Nolen and Michael Rubino, now partners in The…
Stacey Waite’s Butch Geography
STACEY WAITE reads at 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 22. James Laughlin Music Hall Chatham University campus Shadyside. Free. 412-365-1139 or chatham.edu Until the time in New Orleans I lost a pool game to a drag queen named Goddess who wore high heels and a little black dress, I hadn’t thought much about gender identity. In…
Roman Bistro
Roman Bistro 2104 Ardmore Blvd. Forest Hills. 412-871-3704 Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Prices: Small plates, salads, burgers, sandwiches $6-12; pasta and entrees $12-26 Liquor: Full bar Roman Bistro is designed to entertain. The second Italian restaurant in just a few years to be installed in a former…
Amour
Amour Directed by: Michael Haneke Starring: Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva In French, with subtitles. Starts Fri., Feb. 15. Regent Square “Did I mention that you look very pretty tonight?” says Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a very old man, to his wife, Anne (Emmanuelle Riva), a very old woman, after the two return home from a…
Beer Run
Eleven years ago Ermanno DiPasquale remodeled his restaurant, Salvatore’s Pizza House, anticipating that Wilkinsburg would finally go “wet” and that he would be able to sell beer alongside his pies. But despite talk of changing the rules, the borough’s ban on restaurant liquor licenses has remained unchallenged since it was created by residents in 1935…
Identity Thief
There’s hope in the poster, with its side-by-side images of two good comic actors: a freaked-out-looking Jason Bateman and an impish Melissa McCarthy. This is the kind of Mutt-and-Jeff pairing that draws unsuspecting viewers into the megaplex, seeking a few moments of carefree laughter, only to once again have their desires cruelly squashed. Because Seth…
New Kensington’s House of 1,000 Beers spills over with options
Whether you’re searching for an obscure, small-batch Belgian sour, or are looking to step up from Coors Light, or simply interested in expanding your palate, New Kensington’s House of 1,000 Beers has something for you. “It’s a celebration of beer here,” says general manager John Lakari. “The House,” as it’s affectionately called by area beer…
Beautiful Creatures
Comparisons to Twilight are inevitable. After all, Beautiful Creatures is about the travails of lovelorn teens in a backwater town: One is sensitive and virtually parentless; the other is a witch, and is caught up in a big family battle about Good and Evil. (Did I say “witch”? Seems they prefer the term “caster.”) And…
A.J.’s Inca Peruvian offers South American cuisine at its new Downtown location
The Friday afternoon I stopped by A.J.’s Inca Peruvian restaurant, there was a sign on the door, and I wasn’t sure if it was a promotion or a warning. It invited patrons to stop by for lunch with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who would be on hand to officially cut the ribbon on this new Downtown…
Saul Conrad writes a little differently
SAUL CONRAD with CHRIS HANNIGAN, BLUE BAXTER, THE GHOSTWRITE. 9 p.m. Wed., Feb. 20 Inn Termission Lounge, 1908 E. Carson St. South Side. 412-381-3497 Saul Conrad is an unconventional songwriter. While his basic specs as a musician aren’t unique (his touring band is just him, a guitar and an additional vocalist), it doesn’t take a…
Ethnic Heritage Ensemble brings small-outfit jazz from Chicago
ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE. 8 p.m. Mon., Feb. 25. Thunderbird Café 4023 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $16-20. 412-682-0177 or thunderbirdcafe.net When Kahil El’Zabar started the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble, he had a specific idea in mind: just percussion and horns. “If you don’t have a bass or piano and you have rhythm, your horn players are going to…
Pittsburgh’s Steelesque plays Southern rock for a U.K. label
STEELESQUE opens for TEA LEAF GREEN with guests TUMBLEWEED WANDERERS. 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 16. Mr. Small’s Theatre 400 Lincoln Ave. Millvale. $15. All ages. 412-821-4447 or mrsmalls.com Rob Eldridge began Steelesque not as a band but as a pseudonym that he wrote under as a music critic. But while reviewing shows and hobnobbing with…
Lynn Cullen Live 02/13/13
Video Archive Guest: Chris Potter; Marco Rubio was really thirsty last night; State of the Union recap; Boehner chose not to wear the green Newtown ribbon; cameras avoided Ted Nugent in the audience; Obama wants a thriving middle-class again; gov’t spending on infrastructure & education is what gave us the 1950s middle-class; intermingling of Dems…
Critics’ Picks: February 13 – 19
[OUTSIDER MUSIC] + FRI., FEB. 15 A widely regarded outsider of the blues and folk-music scene, Jandek has released well over 60 albums’ worth of strangely constructed East Texas blues, available for order from a P.O. Box in Houston, Texas. Over the years, the reclusive artist has developed a following of fans captivated by both…
New Releases
Josh Kaufman American So and So (Self-released) Great release from the local songwriter, who comes here from Michigan. Kaufman traveled to St. Louis to record with David Beeman and David Vandervelde, and the result is a sweet-sounding six-track EP with hints of alt-country, The Beatles and Elliott Smith. Kaufman is a thoughtful songwriter, and his…
Most Likely to Succeed? Facing an uphill battle, a group of Schenley grads want to keep the building full of students
Inside Schenley High School, Pete Camarda steps around the ceiling tiles that have dropped about 14 feet to land on the floor of the vacant hallway. “Let’s walk with our heads up,” the Pittsburgh Public Schools chief financial and operations officer says. “I keep seeing more of the tiles on the floor.” Indeed, the ceiling…
