In wake of controversial shows, theater artists gather to discuss equitable casting

“Artistic directors and boards [of directors] must be aware something has to happen, not should.”

Local cyclist takes on the Dirty Dozen in weight-loss journey

“The hard part of this is that there is another 363 days until I can prove I can do it.”

Pittsburgh City Council takes step to protect LGBT minors with conversion therapy ban

“There are kids that go into conversion therapy and kill themselves.”

350 & Counting

President-elect Donald Trump has dialed back some of his campaign rhetoric. But many are worried that he hasn't reeled in promises of defunding Planned Parenthood.

Weird Pittsburgh: Moldy Cheese, real public toilets and a pile of body parts for just $10

Q&M’s Fish, Chik & Ribs in Plum offers smoky barbecue and excellent sides

Built from a store of family recipes, the menu is broader than is typical for a barbecue place

Tupelo Honey Teas opens up a new shop for tea and light fare in Millvale

“I want it to feel like an extension of my home. It’s warm and cozy.”

Brunello di Montalcino, Caparzo La Casa 2007

Price $19/glass or $90/bottle

Pittsburgh City Paper Booze Battles: Spice Island Tea House vs. Franktuary

Pimm’s liqueur

White Chicken Chili

“In our post-college years, my friends and I developed a rotating menu of Sunday cooking.”

Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE talks about her new solo record, near-death experiences, and finding balance in everything

“Balance just is. There isn’t anything else. Mathematically, there couldn’t be.”

Despite busy schedules and physical distance, the members of San Diego-based instrumental psych-rock band Earthless manage to stay on the same page

“We really don’t like to go too long without meeting up and playing on stage or getting together.”

Joined by bassist Harrison Bankhead, tenor saxophonist David Murray and drummer Kahil El’Zabar bring their long partnership to Pittsburgh

“I’m glad to be playing with him, because when we come together, there’s a certain power that I’ve never experienced with anyone else.”

This weekend, Pittsburgh indie-pop band Dinosoul releases a new EP and plays its biggest gig yet

Dinosoul’s intricate indie pop features lush instrumentals with compelling vocal duets

Critics’ Picks, Dec. 8-14

Performances by Koji, Chrome Moses, Third World, Citizen and Adam Torres

The Tower

Keith Maitland’s affecting documentary-ish film recounts the horror of the 1966 University of Texas at Austin mass shooting

The Handmaiden

This erotic crime thriller has antecedents in Victorian melodrama and the slow burn of Hitchcockian suspense

Manchester By The Sea

Film Kitchen

Locally produced short films and videos highlight this monthly screening series

Dennis Maher’s deconstructed/reconstituted Second Home is a thing of beauty at the Mattress Factory

This house is really, really cool

Pittsburgh’s indie-bookstore revival continues

“The idea that independently owned bookstores are a thing of the past has been way overestimated.”

Lungs at Off the Wall Productions

Not once was my attention anywhere else.

Midnight Radio’s Holiday Spectacular! at Bricolage

The show feels at once effortless and meticulously produced

Point Park’s Ballet Off-Center program

“Portrait De Femmes” transported the audience to a surreal psychosexual world.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown changes name to Ronald, media confused

The NFL takes the game too seriously when they fine guys for doing a four-pump twerk when three pumps is apparently the imaginary standard.

Trading Andrew McCutchen would send the Pittsburgh Pirates back to the bad old days

The Pirates seem content running a thrift store disguised as a baseball team.

Short List: Dec 7-13

slowdanger’s “memory” dance; Michael Chabon visits with new novel; The Domesticity of Abandonment at SPACE; Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble