Pittsburgh Grooveline: Dance parties at Brillobox, Belvederes Ultra-Dive, and more (Oct. 31-Nov. 6)
Each week, the Pittsburgh City Paper compiles a list of Pittsburgh dance parties for you and your crew to bust loose to the best bangers, EDM, pop hits, and more. (All events are 21 and over unless otherwise stated.) And get your costumes ready, because this week we’re also highlighting the grooviest, spookiest Halloween events…
Celebrate DJ ADMC’s Goldie Awards win with him at Belvederes
Belvederes Ultra-Dive is throwing a special celebration for its resident DJ, DJ ADMC on Wed., Nov. 6. ADMC, whose real name is Adam Cucitrone, recently won the 2019 Goldie Awards, and to commemorate the achievement, there will be pizza, music by DJ Breis Gordon, and a whole lot of camaraderie. Two weeks ago, Cucitrone was on a Brooklyn…
Bill Peduto says no additional petrochemical plants should come to Western Pa.
Today at the Climate Action Summit, Mayor Bill Peduto announced his opposition to any additional petrochemical cracker plants that have been rumored for the Western Pennsylvania region. The region’s first cracker plant is currently being constructed in Beaver County by oil giant Shell. Cracker plants refine natural-gas into plastic pellets. The Shell cracker will likely…
Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh grants support projects by Black creatives while addressing city’s racial inequities
Multiple Black artists and arts groups in Pittsburgh have received a boost from The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments as part of a grant program. The Advancing Black Arts in Pittsburgh initiative has awarded $388,000 to local artists and art programs for its fall cycle. In a press release, the funding helps “build the…
Same Mean Girls, more music
Any Mean Girls fan knows the famous line, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” Yet it was a Tuesday night when the musical version of the film debuted at the Benedum Center, the crowd peppered in varying shades of pink. It’s been 15 years since Mean Girls hit theaters, but the fanfare for the cult classic…
A Symposium on Gender Equity, a Syrian Muslim slam-poet, and more educational and social justice events this week in Pittsburgh
Is your dial always pre-set to talk radio? Always asking how you can make a difference in the world? Are you just hungry for some learning? Peruse our curated list of educational, volunteer, and social-justice events this week in Pittsburgh. 2019 Gender Equity Symposium 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sat., Nov. 2 Women’s Institute at Chatham University,…
Pittsburgh City Council District 9
Pittsburgh City Council District 9 covers the East End neighborhoods of East Hills, East Liberty, Garfield, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Point Breeze, and Stanton Heights. Ricky Burgess (D-Point Breeze) Bio: Burgess, a Democrat, is a longtime pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church, and has served on council since 2008. A Central Catholic High School grad, he received…
Free Will Astrology (10/31/19 — 11/5/19)
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In his novel Zone One, Scorpio author Colson Whitehead writes, “A monster is a person who has stopped pretending.” He means it in the worst sense possible: the emergence of the ugly beast who had been hiding behind social niceties. But I’m going to twist his meme for my own purposes.…
31 Days of the Undead: Shaun of the Dead
In honor of Romero Lives!, the city’s month-long George A. Romero tribute, Pittsburgh City Paper presents 31 Days of the Undead, a series of reviews and essays about zombie media. Look for new posts going up every day from now through Oct. 31. Shaun of the Dead [There are spoilers in this review. The movie…
Pittsburgh’s premiere pizza journalist needs your help
For a pizza journalist living in Pittsburgh, Dan Tallarico is surprisingly uninterested in the city’s spiciest pizza controversies. He has no strong opinion when it comes to Aiello’s and Mineo’s, no hot take on the cold cheese of Beto’s or Police Station Pizza, no particular preference for Sicilian vs. NY-style vs. wood-fired. It’s unclear where…
Some good news from Port Authority: charging outlets on buses
Frequent bus riders know the anxious feeling of waiting for a bus with a dying phone battery. That’s all about to get a little easier as Port Authority announced on Tuesday that a new fleet of 59 buses are en route to Pittsburgh, and among the updates are USB charging ports located under the bus…
Pittsburgh Pride 2020 is moving to July and will have a new location
Pennsylvania’s largest LGBTQ Pride celebration has grown so much that it’s getting a new, bigger location. For years, Pittsburgh Pride was held on Downtown streets, and last year’s festival even over took the Andy Warhol Bridge. But in 2020, the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, which runs Pride, announced the festival will be moving to Point…
With appearance at Trump event, more questions arise about DA Zappala campaign’s place in Democratic Party
Last week, President Donald Trump was in Pittsburgh, and he performed as expected: He bragged about his accomplishments, told falsehoods, and trashed Democrats. During a speech at the Shale Insight conference, Trump called area Democrats “anti-energy zealots” and even derided U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Mt. Lebanon) for not voting with Republicans (both things are easily…
Q&A: Mt. Joy’s Matt Quinn on the band’s trajectory, touring, and the hot dog/sandwich debate
Three years ago, Matt Quinn had a surprise hit on his hands. “Astrovan,” a catchy folk-pop track released under the moniker Mt. Joy with guitarist Sam Cooper and multi-instrumentalist Michael Byrnes, racked up millions of streams on Spotify more or less without any promotion or fanfare. In the years since, the band expanded to a…
Preview Daisy Chain’s debut album with two new singles
The words Oh My, Satan evoke thoughts of Halloween, but there is still over a month before Pittsburgh rock outfit Daisy Chain drops its debut album of the same name. Until then, however, two songs are available to stream in preparation of the release, the title track, which came out in January, and most recently, “Paper…
Chef Sharif Rasheed cooked his first Power Bites as a snack for his teething toddler. Now they’re available in 25 stores in Pittsburgh
Sharif Rasheed is a snacktivist. The founder of Safi Health Co., a newly created, Pittsburgh-based snack company, believes that good nutrition fuels change. He’s bringing that philosophy to life with his first product, Power Bites. Power Bites are small squares of a soft granola bar: non-GMO, gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free, vegan, all-natural, and on top of…
Pylon Pics: Minkah’s Revenge
Two interceptions by Minkah Fitzpatrick helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to their third win of the season against the winless Miami Dolphins.
31 Days of the Undead: Jocelyn’s Best Day Ever starring Pittsburgh City Paper
In honor of Romero Lives!, the city’s month-long George A. Romero tribute, Pittsburgh City Paper presents 31 Days of the Undead, a series of reviews and essays about zombie media. Look for new posts going up every day from now through Oct. 31. Jocelyn’s Best Day Ever (2019) I dare you to think of a…
What’s the deal with the Pittsburgh sinkhole?
On Monday morning, a Port Authority G31 bus sank partially into a sinkhole that opened up on 10th Street Downtown. The back end of the bus sunk into the hole, raising the front end of the bus at a steep angle, making it look like an underground bus was shooting into the sky. There was…
Platform Beer Co. turns another Prantl’s treat into a beverage
Back in April, Platform Beer Co. gave lovers of Prantl’s burnt almond torte a new way to enjoy the signature flavor with the release of Torte, a blonde ale inspired by the classic cake. Now the Cleveland-based company is giving it another go, this time liquifying Prantl’s chocolate almond torte. Described as a sweet stout, the…
Lynn Cullen Live – 10/28/19
Video Archive In local Pittsburgh news, Lynn is talking about the Port Authority bus that was swallowed by a sinkhole in the city this morning, and the firing of Pirates GM Neal Huntington. On a national level she is discussing the US raid, and the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Audio Only Archive…
REVIEW: CorningWorks’ The World As We Know It at New Hazlett Theater
There’s a certain liberation that comes from seeing a woman “of a certain age” stand on a theater stage completely nude. We see dancer and choreographer Charlotte Adams’ fingers first, then her legs, during her performance of “Imagining Ketchikan,” where the artist gracefully, and boldly, dances inside, on top of, and around a bathtub on…
31 Days of the Undead: Dead Snow
In honor of Romero Lives!, the city’s month-long George A. Romero tribute, Pittsburgh City Paper presents 31 Days of the Undead, a series of reviews and essays about zombie media. Look for new posts going up every day from now through Oct. 31. CP THROWBACK REVIEW Dead Snow (2009) In Tommy Wirkola’s horror comedy, these…
31 Days of the Undead: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
In honor of Romero Lives!, the city’s month-long George A. Romero tribute, Pittsburgh City Paper presents 31 Days of the Undead, a series of reviews and essays about zombie media. Look for new posts going up every day from now through Oct. 31. CP THROWBACK REVIEW Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) Today’s world feels…
31 Days of the Undead: When Good Ghouls Go Bad
In honor of Romero Lives!, the city’s month-long George A. Romero tribute, Pittsburgh City Paper presents 31 Days of the Undead, a series of reviews and essays about zombie media. Look for new posts going up every day from now through Oct. 31. When Good Ghouls Go Bad (2001) There are plenty of kid-friendly movies about…
A raptor almost bit my head off, today. Well, an actor in a 140-pound dino suit almost bit my head off
Jurassic World Live is on stage at PPG Paints Arena all weekend, and from what we at the behind-the-scenes event were told and shown, I went from skeptic to believer. It’s easy to become numb to media that on its surface appears to be an easy money grab off an established franchise. And I’m guilty…
Now Playing: Weekly Pittsburgh film round-up, Oct. 25-Nov.1
Every Friday, Pittsburgh City Paper compiles a round-up of new releases and second-run films playing around the city. This only covers films that are new to theaters this week; check out what movies opened last week here. Since it’s October, there are literally dozens of horror/spooky movies playing around the city. They’re not all listed…
Coco Montoya plays Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall on Oct. 25
The old Willie Dixon adage, “blues is truth,” perfectly describes the searing, contemporary blues-rock of world-renowned guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya. Taught by the “Master of the Telecaster,” Albert Collins, but with a hard-edged sound and style all his own, Montoya mixes his forceful, melodic guitar playing and passionate vocals with memorable songs, delivering the…
Thunderbird Café & Music Hall unveils Front Porch Happy Hour
Thunderbird Café & Music Hall is giving show-goers an extra dose of music with its Front Porch Happy Hour. Every Friday and Saturday, and on other select dates, there will be live musical performances prior to doors opening to the Music Hall for shows. Drink specials run from 5-7 p.m., with music on the Front Porch stage running…
City Paper Live – 10/25/19
Video Archive Editor-in-Chief Lisa Cunningham and Senior Writer Ryan Deto chat about Trump, banana liqueur, fracking, weird polling places, straight-party tickets, Conor Lamb, and candy. Audio Only Archive Stream or download the last 5 shows on the MP3 downloads page.
The Lighthouse is as engrossing as it is gross
Everyone has gross habits they do to let out primitive urges, whether it’s picking your nose, popping pimples, biting toenails, watching videos of other people popping pimples, or something worse. For director Robert Eggers, it’s making movies like The Lighthouse, an engrossing, and absolutely disgusting psychological horror film wherein two lighthouse keepers in 1890s New…
‘The 201 Arsenal Condominiums grabbed a huge swath of land and dressed it in the architecture of thoughtless and cynical profiteering’
In the late 1970s, architectural historian Jamie Van Trump went up to the outdoor terrace of Oakland’s University Club to write a series of essays. For at least one of them, he unapologetically downed a couple of martinis so he could bang out an overdue commentary. He wrote about the building where he sat and…
Rectifying the erasure of pioneering historian Arturo Schomburg, one poem and song at a time
“How familiar are you with the work of Arturo Schomburg?” Magdalena Gómez asked me during our interview. I admitted I was not familiar with his work and Gómez, writer of the musical play, Erased: a Poetic Imagining on the Life of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, said, “That is not your fault.” Schomburg has been more or less erased from…
University of Pittsburgh homecoming events highlight Black activism on campus
On Jan. 15, 1969, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, more than 40 Black students from the University of Pittsburgh staged a sit-in at the Cathedral of Learning computer center to peacefully protest the lack of opportunities for, and representation of, Black people on campus. Led by the still-active Black Action Society, the event instigated multiple…
Frack Check: Trump’s most dubious claims made in his Pittsburgh fracking speech
During his speech in front of a pro-fracking and mostly pro-Trump crowd, President Donald Trump spoke about the progress of his proposed border wall … in Colorado. “You know how we’re going to win New Mexico?” Trump asked the crowd at the Shale Insight conference at the David Lawrence Convention Center. “Because they want safety…
Pittsburgh Grooveline: Dance parties at Spirit, Mr. Smalls, and more (Oct. 24-Oct. 30)
Each week, the Pittsburgh City Paper compiles a list of Pittsburgh dance parties for you and your crew to bust loose to the best bangers, EDM, pop hits, and more. (All events are 21 and over unless otherwise stated.) And get your costumes ready, because this week we’re also highlighting the grooviest, spookiest Halloween events…
Lynn Cullen Live – 10/24/19
Video Archive Republicans storming the closed door meeting and delaying the impeachment inquiry testimony yesterday is the first thing Lynn is talking about on the show. She is also covering Mitch McConnell denying he told Trump his phone call with the Ukrainian President was perfect, and a New York Times article showcasing a high school…
31 Days of the Undead: The Girl with All the Gifts and cordyceps
In honor of Romero Lives!, the city’s month-long George A. Romero tribute, Pittsburgh City Paper presents 31 Days of the Undead, a series of reviews and essays about zombie media. Look for new posts going up every day from now through Oct. 31. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016) In modern zombie lore, the…
Lynn Cullen Live – 10/23/19
Video Archive Trump will be here in Pittsburgh this afternoon for the Shale Insight Conference. Lynn is talking about his visit, the protests which are already taking place, and how the city prepared. She is also discussing Ambassador William Taylor’s testimony yesterday at the Impeachment Inquiry, and the gala the US Embassy in Budapest held…
A story in partnership with PublicSource: Allegheny County’s public libraries are vital, sometimes noisy spaces
Paranormal tours, African drum lessons and video-game tournaments that have kids leaping from their seats with shouts of victory may not seem like typical library activities. Yet they’re all happening in Pittsburgh-area libraries. Beginning with this week’s cover story, Pittsburgh City Paper has begun a partnership with PublicSource, Pittsburgh’s nonprofit digital-first news organization, in bringing our readers…
Concert photos: Benji. returns to Pittsburgh on EarthGang tour
Photographer Jared Wickerham documented Benji.’s return to Pittsburgh where he performed at Spirit in Lawrenceville as part of EarthGang’s Welcome to Mirrorland tour.
Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives at Heinz History Center continues to archive Tree of Life tragedy
If you were in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, the day of the shooting at Tree of Life * Or L’Simcha Congregation, you probably felt some combination of anguish, sadness, heartbreak, fear, anger, numbness. How would you explain the feeling to those who weren’t there, or to future generations, of tragedies that always happen in other…
Instead of waiting for an invite, Emilio Rizzo became his own band
There have been times during guitarist Emilio Rizzo’s sets when he’s caught tender moments in the crowd. Audience members close their eyes and slowly nod along to his music, similar to a trance-like state of meditation. Rizzo’s music, however, falls under the experimental, doom metal, post-punk category. “Even though my music is dark, something about…
Five simple rules for taking my snack-sized Snickers
Halloween season is upon us. Children across America will be yet again begging for candy in preparation for the inevitable collapse of the global economy and food supply due to untaxed corporate dollars being spent on space tourism. To prepare for my neighborhood turning into a Hooverville, I only ask a few small favors. Please,…
Is using a producer even necessary? The 412 with producer Lauren DeMichiei
Motown legend Berry Gordy shaped the careers of acts like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Gladys Knight. Sam Phillips played a fundamental role in Elvis Presley becoming the King of Rock and Roll. Linda Perry is the woman behind Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and Pink’s “Get the Party Started.” Producers are the unsung heroes of music,…
‘You miss the rush, you miss the food’ at this French-inspired oasis in Wilkinsburg
You can smell Madeleine Bistro & Bakery before you see it. Without the scent of freshly baked baguettes and warm croissants, the bakery might go unnoticed among rows of Regent Square homes. But the unassuming location doesn’t stop the French-inspired bakery from selling out of sandwiches and treats almost every day. A cashier puts it…
Free Will Astrology (10-24 — 10-31)
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Sometimes the easiest way to get something done is to be a little naive about it,” writes computer engineer Bill Joy. I invite you to consider the value of that perspective, Scorpio — even though you’re the least likely sign in all the zodiac to do so. Being naive just doesn’t…
Meet Russ Loyd, the director of technology at WYEP & WESA
Name: Russ Loyd, South Hills Work: Director of Technology, Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting (WYEP & WESA) What does a Director of Technology do? There are a lot of individual systems utilized in operating a radio station. Here, that includes towers, two main studios, four production rooms, and a full newsroom with news booths. They all come…
Pulitzer Prize winning historian details what voters should look for in a candidate
Doris Kearns Goodwin is one of the most accomplished historians working today. Her books, including her most recent, Leadership in Turbulent Times (Simon & Schuster), and Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, have established Goodwin as an authoritative and reasoned voice on talk shows and discussion panels. But Kearns, who earned a…
Why you should pay for the porn you watch
A few years ago, after a well-attended academic talk on the porn industry at the Adult Video Network Convention in Las Vegas, I was chit-chatting with several porn scholars. One said, with a great deal of confidence, “The phone sex industry died because of free porn.” This was shocking on two levels. First, because I…
If you can distill good grappa, you can distill anything
Grappa is misunderstood. The Italian “firewater,” brought overseas by Italian immigrants after World War II, historically has a bad reputation among U.S. drinkers who deem it too bitter and abrasive to be enjoyable. But some small-batch distillers, like Blake Ragghianti of Kingfly Spirits, are working to change that. Technically, grappa is a pomace (grape skin)…
Glue Factory Projects highlight six seasoned female dancers for The World As We Know It
The dance-focused Glue Factory Projects may come off as tongue-in-cheek, as the name draws a parallel between seasoned, mature dancers in a youth-obsessed field and the unfortunate fate of retired racehorses. But after a few minutes of talking with Beth Corning, the creator of Glue Factory and the modern dance theater company CorningWorks, the name…
The must-see, eerily accurate pop-culture paintings of Elicia Donze
The first painting you’ll see on Elicia Donze’s website is of Josie Packard, actor Joan Chen’s character from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks. She’s sitting on a couch wearing a pout and hugging a book like it’s the first time she’s ever held a book. Her right hand, resting on top of the binding, is disproportionately…
Where’s My Roy Cohn? is an interesting, but incomplete documentary about a despicable person
It can be comforting to ascribe as much of the world’s evils as possible to one man. It allows others to feel less complicit and focus their anger on a single villain. In the wake of the 2016 election, there has been a slew of films in this fashion that attempt to understand how we…
