American Idol
Double-Bob Disaster
Double Wedged
The Republican’s bigoted gameplan in Harrisburg, I’m happy to say, is falling apart so quickly that it’s hard to keep up with it. In the issue of City Paper that hits the stands today, I take issue with the dishonesty of Senate Republicans who were backing a proposed Constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. That…
Alien Notions
You first see Paul Thek’s “Earth Drawing I” from several galleries away, framed by a series of doorways. This work — which has become the emblem for the 55th Carnegie International — is at first discernable as nothing more than a hazy orb on a yellowed background. But as you approach it, passing through the…
Deception
Marcel Langenegger’s debut feature trades in the familiar characters and set-ups of the late-1980s naughty thrillers. One dull good guy (Ewan McGregor) befriends a slick new pal (Hugh Jackman). After the two accidentally exchange mobiles, Mr. Dull pretends to be Mr. Slick and finds himself in a high-class sex club. But after meeting a fragile…
The Putin Years
Over a dozen screenings let scholars and critics debate cinema in the Putin years during the Russian Film Symposium.
Neighborhoods: One Hill reaches tentative CBA deal
After months of negotiations, organizations in the Hill District have finally reached a tentative CBA with the Pens, the city and the county.
Sports: Give Mike his job back, and get his dog one too!
Some fans say the playoffs aren’t the same without Mike Lange calling the Penguins’ action on TV.
Police: Cops dismiss CPRB findings about Sgt. Hlavac
It took the Citizen Police Review Board two years to collect and examine evidence and gather testimony on a complaint against a police officer accused of recklessly endangering a group of bicyclists. It took the police department 12 days to curtly reject the board’s findings.
Environment: Group protests mercury release into water by PPG
To draw attention to PPG’s mercury emissions, the environmental-advocacy group Oceana organized an April 19 bike-ride protest.
Elections: HosPAC takes credit for Frazier defeat
A PAC of local bar and restaurant owners are taking credit for Brenda Frazier’s state house defeat by Dom Costa. So, who gets credit for defeating the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate?
The Carlton
Downtown’s fine-dining mainstay offers a special-occasion experience that exceeds expectations.
Impressions to the contrary, comedian Jim Norton does censor himself occasionally.
“My girlfriend says, ‘Why do you say that about yourself?’ and I say, ‘Feel my tits.'”
Unspoken Words
Joseph-Beth Booksellers is carrying local poet Jan Beatty’s new book, Red Sugar. But Beatty seems unlikely to read her work aloud at the South Side venue: The author of intense and sometimes graphic poems about sex and violence says restrictions the store wants to place on a reading are “totally unacceptable.” Beatty is as high-profile…
After more than half a century, the owner of Jay’s Book Stall prepares to retire.
“It’s just time for me to get offstage.”
This Just In: May 1 – 8
Highlights from the local TV news: Clap off!
At the Society for Contemporary Craft, clay get political in Voices.
Most of the works offer provocative, blatantly political and highly engaging narratives.
Rabbit Hole
Any accepted definition of what makes a play would automatically exclude Rabbit Hole.
Wrap Party
Many storylines emerged from the primary election that thrust Pennsylvania into the national spotlight. However, one of them wasn’t “Who’s going to be the nominee?”
Double Wide Grill now offers down-home live music
“It worked out well, so they’ve decided to start having shows there on Saturday nights, which we’ll be hosting once a month.”
Rothschild Doyno Architects’ new Strip District headquarters puts theory into practice.
In the stereotypical tale about designing a new building, the architect sketches an idea on a cocktail napkin or the back of an envelope. When the project is complete, months or even years later, the final structure uncannily resembles the original scribble, a tribute to the purity of that original flash of inspiration. Much more…
Farm Fresh
CSAs bring fresh produce to the table, and help support local farms
Savage Love
I’m a 52-year-old male, divorced for the past eight years. About six weeks ago, a new female worker started in our office. We’re really hitting it off and, frankly, I’ve fallen for her — hard! However, she is 36, never married, and I have not asked her out yet, but I definitely want to. In…
Emcee Busdriver performs at free CMU show
“This is the grassroots, off-kilter, rap-intelligentsia undertow that your friends talk about.”
Jewish folk-singer Debbie Friedman performs at Temple Sinai
The best-selling, most beloved performer of Jewish traditional music from the baby-boomer generation.
Bouncing Souls gear up to celebrate 20 punky years … and getting happy
Frontman Greg Attonito uses “awesome” in about every other sentence.
Electronic duo Discuss returns with second disc, Aeration Swells
Discuss favors musicality and emotion over gee-whiz knob-twiddling, conveying intriguing sounds and rhythms with a welcome accessibility.
Vets Bill Deasy and Rich Jacques team up on Thomas Jefferson’s Aeroplane
The disc has its playful moments — “Just About You” is one of those silly love songs Paul told you about.
