WWW.PGHCITYPAPER.COM | 03.23/03.30.2016 X PGHCITYPAPER XXXX PITTSBURGHCITYPAPER XX XX PGHCITYPAPER
ALEC BALDWIN • MANFRED HONECK • PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
April 16 • Heinz Hall 412.392.4900 pittsburghsymphony.org/alec
MEDIA SPONSOR
2
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
EVENTS
Songhoy Blues
3.24–26 BUNCHER FAMILY FREE DAYS The Jack Buncher Foundation is sponsoring three days of free museum admission during Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Spring Break. FREE admission
4.12 – 8pm The Warhol entrance space | Co-presented with Pandemic This performance is standing room only | Tickets $15/$12 Members & students | visit www.warhol.org or call 412.237.8300
The Warhol welcomes Songhoy Blues on their first North American tour. This young West African “desert blues” band takes their name from the Songhoy people of Mali. Band members Oumar Touré, Aliou Touré, Garba Touré and Nathanial “Nat” Dembele grew up keenly interested in American hip hop and R&B and cite B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix and Ali Farka Toure as key influences. Their debut album Music in Exile, was produced by Nick Zimmer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Dawn of Midi
4.9 – 8pm SOUND SERIES: AN EVENING WITH SON LUX The Warhol entrance space FREE parking in The Warhol lot Tickets $15/$12 Members & students
4.16 – 8pm The Warhol entrance space | This performance is standing room only | Tickets $15/$12 Members & students visit www.warhol.org or call 412.237.8300
The Warhol welcomes Dawn of Midi, a Brooklyn-based acoustic ensemble made up of Aakaash Israni from India on double bass, Amino Belyamani from Morocco on piano, and Qasim Naqvi from Pakistan on drums. The trio met at California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles in 2006 and developed a unique musical aesthetic that can sound deceptively electronic and computergenerated, involving repetition of phrases and entrancing rhythms. On the trio’s record Dysnomia (released by Erased Tapes), they favor composition over improvisation and employ rhythms from North and West African folk traditions. +
TA S T E
4.2 – 10am HALF-PINT PRINTS Silkscreen printing activity for families with children ages 1 to 4 years. Free with museum admission
4.2 – 8pm SOUND SERIES: ENSEMBLE LINEA The Warhol entrance space Co-presented with the Music on the Edge series of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Music. FREE parking in The Warhol lot Advance Tickets: $15/$10 students; visit www.music.pitt.edu/tickets or call 412.624.7529
An Evening with
N E W S
3.31 – 8pm BEDROOM COMMUNITY WHALE WATCHING TOUR 2016 FEATURING NICO MUHLY, BEN FROST, SAM AMIDON AND VALGEIR SIGURÐSSON The Warhol theater Co-presented with the Music on the Edge series of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Music. Tickets $20/$15 Members & students
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
The Andy Warhol Museum receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency and The Heinz Endowments. Further support is provided by the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
3
CORNING
W OR K S
AND THE NEW HAZLETT THEATER PRESENT
THE GLUE FACTORY PROJECT a dance theater production
created on internationally & nationally renowned performers over the age of 40.
One simple chromosome, our identities assumed, our paths decided. Or are they?
right of way 5 SHOWS ONLY! MARCH 30, 31, APRIL 1,2,3
The New Hazlett Theater, Northside FOR TICKETS ONLINE: www.showclix.com OR CALL: 1.888.718.4253; FOR INFO: 412.320.4610
www.corningworks.org
WARNING: This show may contain some language & sexuality inappropriate for children. Choreography by Beth Corning, Performed by Beth Corning, Jezebel Bebbington D’Opulence Lighting Design by Iain Court
4
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
BUS SERVICE TO THE NEW HAZLETT THEATER, NORTHSIDE
1-2-4-6-8-11-12-13-15-16-17-54 FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:
pirates spring pass
{EDITORIAL}
03.23/03.30.2016 03.23/0 VOLUME 226 + ISSUE 12
For a h Q&A wit st cover artibey, Lib Rhonda ww. visit w aper. pghcityp com
Editor CHARLIE DEITCH Arts & Entertainment Editor BILL O’DRISCOLL Music Editor MARGARET WELSH Associate Editor AL HOFF Multimedia Editor ASHLEY MURRAY Listings Editor CELINE ROBERTS Assistant Listings Editor ALEX GORDON Staff Writers RYAN DETO, REBECCA NUTTALL Interns COURTNEY LINDER, AARON WARNICK, ANDREW WOEHREL
ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY AND VALUE WITH 23 GAMES IN APRIL & MAY* *excluding Opening Day
{ART} Director of Operations KEVIN SHEPHERD Production Director JULIE SKIDMORE Art Director LISA CUNNINGHAM Graphic Designers JEFF SCHRECKENGOST, JENNIFER TRIVELLI
{COVER ILLUSTRATION BY RHONDA LIBBEY}
JUST
$99!
{ADVERTISING}
[NEWS]
06
“Our fees are probably among the lowest, and to say the least, very competitive.” — Allegheny County Manager William McKain on renting space in the county courthouse
[VIEWS]
barriers toward steeply reducing 12 “The our dependence on fossil fuels are largely political.” — Bill O’Driscoll on barriers to broader use of renewable energy
[TASTE]
a thing was out of place in the pork 16 “Not quesadilla.” — Angelique Bamberg and Jason Roth review Bell Farm
[MUSIC]
makes me very happy to see the stars 20 “Itin the eyes of our young audience in the first 10 rows.” — Faust’s Jean-Hervé Peron on finding new listeners
[SCREEN]
balls, in fact, do not ‘rise up’ 27 “Pitched near the batter, or ‘disappear.’” — Al Hoff reviews the new sports doc Fastball
GET YOURS AT
{MARKETING+PROMOTIONS} Marketing Director DEANNA KONESNI Marketing Design Coordinator LINDSEY THOMPSON Radio Promotions Director VICKI CAPOCCIONI-WOLFE Radio Promotions Assistants ANDREW BILINSKY, NOAH FLEMING
{ADMINISTRATION} Business Manager LAURA ANTONIO Circulation Director JIM LAVRINC Office Administrator RODNEY REGAN Technical Director PAUL CARROLL Interactive Media Manager CARLO LEO
{PUBLISHER}
[ARTS]
29
Director of Advertising JESSIE AUMAN-BROCK Senior Account Executives TOM FAULS, PAUL KLATZKIN, SANDI MARTIN, JEREMY WITHERELL Advertising Representatives SCOTT KLATZKIN, MELISSA LENIGAN, ERICA MATAYA, DANA MCHENRY, MELISSA METZ, JAMES PORCO, MARIA SNYDER, KARIN TURKOVICH Classified Manager ANDREA JAMES Radio Sales Manager CHRIS KOHAN National Advertising Representative VMG ADVERTISING 1.888.278.9866 OR 1.212.475.2529
STEEL CITY MEDIA
“The lines are cryptic yet form a sort of recipe or poultice, both elegy and remedy.” — Nadine Wasserman describes an artwork in Pastoral Noir at Wood Street Galleries
GENERAL POLICIES: Contents copyrighted 2016 by Steel City Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in Pittsburgh City Paper are those of the author and not necessarily of Steel City Media. LETTER POLICY: Letters, faxes or e-mails must be signed and include town and daytime phone number for confirmation. We may edit for length and clarity. DISTRIBUTION: Pittsburgh City Paper is published weekly by Steel City Media and is available free of charge at select d distribution locations. One copy per reader; copies o of past issues may be purchased for $3.00 each, payable in advance to Pittsburgh City Paper. FIRST CLASS MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: Available for $175 per year, $95 per half year. No refunds.
[LAST PAGE]
in dresses: 47 Men Em DeMarco illuminates the Zombie Jesus Ball ll at Blue Moon, in Lawrenceville
{REGULAR & SPECIAL FEATURES} CHEAP SEATS BY MIKE WYSOCKI 13 CITY PAPER 25 14 EVENTS LISTINGS 34 SAVAGE LOVE BY DAN SAVAGE 42 FREE WILL ASTROLOGY BY ROB BREZSNY 43 CROSSWORD BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY 45
N E W S
+
ACCESS YOUR TICKETS EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 650 Smithfield Street, Suite 2200 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.316.3342 FAX: 412.316.3388 E-MAIL info@pghcitypaper.com www.pghcitypaper.com
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
The MLB.com Ballpark app is only available on supported iPhone and Android Phones.
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
5
THIS WEEK
“I AM QUESTIONING WHETHER WE SHOULD BE MAKING A PROFIT.”
ONLINE
www.pghcitypaper.com
Pick up a copy of our Wedding Guide Magazine, on stands today and at www.pghcitypaper.com.
See our Pirates spring-training coverage at www.pghcitypaper.com, and check our Twitter and Instagram for more photos from Bradenton, Fla. Our Pirates Preview issue hits the City Paper boxes on March 30.
Editor Charlie Deitch calls us from Pirates spring training, and we check out the Pittsburgh Farm to Table conference. Listen at bit.ly/citypaperpodcast or subscribe on iTunes.
{ILLUSTRATION BY RHONDA LIBBEY}
PUBLIC CEREMONY
CITY PAPER
INTERACTIVE
I
Instagrammer @nickromeoarts took this shot of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s Hall of Architecture. Tag your Instagram images from around the city as #CPReaderArt, and we just may re-gram you. Download our free app for a chance to win tickets to see Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on April 9 at Heinz Hall. Contest ends March 24.
6
T’S OFFICIAL: We can now have our extravagant weddings inside the Allegheny County Courthouse. We can invite hundreds of guests, dance the night away, imbibe cocktails, munch fancy hors d’oeuvres, and even set up a cookie table inside the 130-year-old historical structure. Thanks to legislation passed by Allegheny County Council in December, private citizens and groups can now rent the courthouse courtyard, grand staircase and main lobby for private events under official guidelines and pricing structures. The courtyard, with its well-
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
known fountain, can cost up to $2,800 for eight hours on a weekend day for a space that can accommodate up to 500 guests,
Allegheny County begins charging for courthouse weddings to generate revenue {BY RYAN DETO} not including security and custodial fees of up to $ 800. (The staircase and lobby are $ 1,000 cheaper, but accommodate about half as many people.)
However, prior to the ordinance, according to Allegheny County manager William McKain, couples had long been permitted to hold weddings in the courthouse on a case-by-case basis. McKain says that such special events had no fee, with users merely reimbursing the county for security and custodial services. One such user, according to Pittsburgh Magazine, was a daughter of Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who held her wedding ceremony on the grand staircase in March 2013. And some elected officials still have problems with the pay-to-wed ordinance, CONTINUES ON PG. 08
CARPENTER PLAYS RACHMANINOFF FRIDAY, APRIL 15 AT 8:00 P.M. SUNDAY, APRIL 17 AT 2:30 P.M. Manfred Honeck, conductor Cameron Carpenter, organ Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Transcribed for organ by Cameron Carpenter) Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Opus 93
ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW! *GKP\ *CNN $QZ 1HƂEG | 412.392.4900 | pittsburghsymphony.org USE PROMO CODE PSOCP AND SAVE 10%! A L E C B A L D W I N • M A N F R E D H O N E C K P I T T S B U R G H S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A
SATURDAY, APRIL 9 TWO SHOWS! HEINZ HALL
MEDIA SPONSOR
Saturday, S aturday, April 16, 8 8:00 :00 P P.M. .M.
HEINZHALL.ORG • 412.392.4900
It all started with his visit to Heinz Hall in December 2014. Now, Alec Baldwin returns to join Music Director Manfred Honeck to present this innovative one-night-only concert event exploring how the power of music can transform a moment, a scene and even one’s lifetime. This very special evening is full of favorite pieces, storytelling and behind-the-scenes insight into how this legendary actor fell in love with great music. Featuring works by Beethoven, Berlioz, Stravinsky and Mahler (a particular favorite of Baldwin’s), among others, this is one not-to-bemissed evening!
ON SALE NOW! N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
7
OUR FIRST SHIPMENT OF TREES & SHRUBS HAVE ARRIVED!
PUBLIC CEREMONY, CONTINUED FROM PG. 06
Cavacini Garden Center
CHECK OUT THE GORGEOUS BLOOMING TULIPS, HYDRANGEAS, AZALEAS, DAFFODILS, LILIES & PANSIES! GREAT SPRING COLOR FOR ALL YOUR EASTER NEEDS! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE
100 51st Street • Lawrenceville • 412-687-2010 Off Butler Street / Across from Goodwill {PHOTOS BY AARON WARNICK}
8 co convenient o nv v en n ien n t lo locations! o ca a tion n s!
The Allegheny County Courthouse’s grand staircase
particularly the rental fee and the reasons for its passage. Former Republican at-large Councilor Heather Heidelbaugh cast the sole dissenting vote against creating a fee structure for renting out spaces in the courthouse. She said “this is the people’s house” and challenged the idea of fees boosting the county’s bottom line. “I am not against the idea of using the space, but I am questioning whether we should be making a profit,” said Heidelbaugh at the December meeting. “Should a couple from Carrick be charged to use a building they already own?”
Pittsburgh’s widest selection of quality pet food! TOTA LP ETSTO STO R E S S.C COM
LANDMARKS PRESERVATION RESOURCE CENTER - A program of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Foundation
LECTURE: THE NOT-SO FAMOUS BRIDGES OF PITTSBURGH TODD WILSON, Transportation Engineer & Author
Pittsburgh is generally considered to be the City of Bridges for its famous river bridges. However, many of the city’s significant bridges are not as well known, crossing ravines, railroads, and roads throughout the city. Some of those bridges have even disappeared, since the valleys they crossed were filled in to allow the city to develop. Join Images of America Pittsburgh’s Bridges’ author Todd Wilson for a lecture discussing many of the innovative and awe-inspiring bridges of Pittsburgh that you may have never heard about. This workshop is free to PHLF Members. Visit www.phlf.org to join! Non-members: $5.
THURSDAY, MARCH 31 • 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM RSVPS ARE APPRECIATED. CONTACT MARY LU DENNY AT 412-471-5808 EXT. 527 744 REBECCA AVENUE
8
WILKINSBURG, PA 15221
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
412-471-5808
ice-skating rink.” Heidelbaugh disagreed. She said that the county charges fees at county parks only to cover costs. “We don’t make a profit when we charge $ 35 to rent out a park shelter,” she says. Council has previously discussed raising fees for park activities and rentals. But according to meeting minutes and video of meetings, that discussion was generally about covering rising costs, not raising revenue. In 2013, when rates were raised for county wave pools and rentals at Hartwood Acres Park, county council Vice President Nicholas Futules, who heads the parks committee, said that it was out of necessity, not a way to generate revenue. County Manager McKain says that such facility fees are not “a money grab,” and that the county is “providing a fair rate for a great experience.” “Our fees are probably among the lowest, and to say the least, very competitive,” says McKain. “We are often the lowest ones in our recreation fees. We make sure we are competitive, we survey other services in the region to do so.” City Paper surveyed other large rental venues in the Downtown area and found that county courthouse rates might be on par with some competitors. For example, the Lexus Club at the Consol Energy Center holds a similar number of attendees and costs $2,750. The Wintergarden at PPG Place can be rented out to business organizations and nonprofits for $ 2,500. (The $ 5,000 fee
“SHOULD A COUPLE FROM CARRICK BE CHARGED TO USE A BUILDING THEY ALREADY OWN?”
THE ALLEGHENY County Courthouse, designated a historic landmark in 1976, is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque Revival architecture in the country. Republican Councilor Ed Kress of Shaler, who has voiced admiration of the building’s beauty in the past, headed the newly formed special marketing committee that ironed out the details of the ordinance. Kress, a staunch proponent of the county raising revenue without raising taxes, said at the December meeting that he is glad to see county government thinking entrepreneurially. Previously, Kress has tried to sell naming rights to other county property. “We are trying to get money from private sources to raise revenue,” said Kress at the December meeting. “This is not different than citizens paying to use the
tomorrow exchange buy * sell*trade
The courtyard at the Allegheny County Courthouse can cost up to $2,800 for eight hours on a weekend day.
for weddings includes maintenance and security, but guests can rent it out for an entire day or longer if scheduling permits). The county does offer 50 percent discounts to rent out sections of the courthouse to certiďŹ ed nonproďŹ ts, and charges cheaper rates on weekdays and for ceremonies that run less than four hours. In February, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner released an audit that showed that the new courthouse rental policy might be less about raising revenue and more about not giving away money. The audit looked at non-county related events at the courthouse from January 2012 to June 2015. A press release from Wagner’s ofďŹ ce said that the county “failed to recoup its costsâ€? for 58 events unrelated to county business and outside of operating hours held in the courthouse. Records show that only one event, a 2014 Labor Day picnic held by the Service Employees International Union, recouped about $ 370 for custodial and security costs. (Another 97
events held “for undetermined purposes� also took place during those three-and-ahalf years, according to the audit.) “Facilities like our beautiful, historic courthouse should be readily available to be used and enjoyed by county residents holding special events,� said Wagner in the press release. However, she added, “Failure by the county to bill for special-event costs has likely resulted in thousands of taxpayer dollars lost over the past few years.� Wagner supports user fees for events at the courthouse. But according to her spokesperson Lou Takacs, the new fees go “far beyond her recommendation,� and she merely wants fees to cover costs associated with each individual event. “Controller Wagner certainly recognizes the potential value of new revenue should it materialize, such as alleviating the cost to the taxpayers of meeting the considerable maintenance needs of these historic buildings,� writes Takacs in an email to CP. “However, she is concerned
NEW IN SOUTH SIDE FLATS! ' %CTUQP 5V CV VJ 5V ĂŠ
BuffaloExchange.com
Join Us For a FREE
Informational Meeting “Learn About Adoption�
CONTINUES ON PG. 10
Monday, April 4th at 6:30 pm in Pittsburgh, PA
SUMMER NEWS INTERN WANTED
City Paper ’s editorial team is seeking a news intern for the summer. The news intern will pitch and write stories for both the print and online editions, as well as assist news reporters with research and fact-checking. Basic writing and reporting experience required. Please send rÊsumÊ, cover letter and samples to editor Charlie Deitch at cdeitch@pghcitypaper.com. No calls, please. N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
Call or Visit Us Online to Register
www.AFTH.org j 724-221-3484 S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
9
Do your household products contain harmful chemicals? You may have allergy/asthma triggers in your home and do not realize it. It’s time to start spring cleaning and in our busy lives, we must remember to put the health of ourselves and our family first! Contact WHE to schedule a FREE workshop and learn about: • Selecting safer consumer products. • Identifying risks in the home. • Making healthier food choices. Call our office at 412-404-2872 or email Chelsea@WomenForAHealthyEnvironment.org
www.WomenForAHealthyEnvironment.org
PUBLIC CEREMONY, CONTINUED FROM PG. 09
CHRISTA TURKSMA will present
Mindfulness for Teachers: Cultivating Awareness & Resilience in Education THURSDAY, MARCH 31 4:00 – 5:15 pm ROOM 5604 OF POSVAR HALL UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Turksma will detail the CARE Program (Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education) and the research that supports her approach. The CARE Program is a professional development workshop designed to help teacher-educators reduce stress and enliven their teaching by promoting awareness, compassion, and reflection – the inner resources they need to help students excel. The audience will also participate in short mindfulness activities throughout and at the end of the program.
For more information contact Leah Northrop at lcn6@pitt.edu or 412-624-8323
5166 Butler St. Lawrenceville
Rx Glasses • Sunglasses All frames $95 Contact Lenses • Doctor on site Chromos Cares give back program
Call or schedule your eye exam online (412) 772-1473 • chromoseyewear.com 10
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
that the fees legislated by council could be cost-prohibitive to some members of the public having access to facilities that the public itself owns.” Regardless of the new rates, there appears to be interest and support for courthouse weddings. McKain said back in December that the county has been getting many requests for renting out courthouse spaces. Allegheny County marketing officer Kevin Evanto says that county has had “numerous calls and inquiries,” but has yet to book a wedding this year. He says there are a few a small daytime weddings, and that there is no charge for weddings or events like these that take place before 5 p.m. on weekdays. Matt Morrill and his fiancée, Chelsea Kennedy-Snodgrass, will be holding an intimate weekday ceremony inside the county courthouse in April. Morrill says they were not charged any fee, but says the space was attractive because it’s “very nice and ornate.” Erin Calvimontes, owner of wedding planners Divine Celebrations, says she supports the county renting it out its facilities for weddings. “I think it’s awesome. It
would definitely be something I would tell my clients about,” says Calvimontes. She says that cities around the country are starting to consider using their grand public buildings as assets because “they are such ornate structures.” She referenced Chicago as one of the first cities to charge fees for renting out its buildings for events. The city-owned Chicago Cultural Center has two massive stained-glass domes, a grand ballroom and a theater, all decorated with elegant arches and artistic moldings. The center hosts hundreds of free programs, like art exhibits and music events. Renting the space for weddings costs $ 8,000 to $ 10,000. However, rental fees help to support the center’s free public programming, according to its website. McKain says that money raised from courthouse rentals will go into the county’s general fund, and that nothing has been budgeted for this year to account for the increase because the county is unsure how much money the fees will bring in. He says there are no plans at this time to move any additional revenue to a specific program, and added that that decision would be up to county council and Chief Executive Fitzgerald. RYA N D E TO@ P G HC I T Y PA P E R. C OM
JENSORENSEN
WEIRD OLD PITTSBURGH Facebook group explores local history
presents
{BY REBECCA NUTTALL}
PET of the
A SKELETON KEY to the Schenley Hotel.
Blueprints for a new jail from the 1920s. A token from the 1877 Pittsburgh Exposition. Souvenirs from the Duquesne Garden and the Schenley Park Casino. An original 1795 map of Pittsburgh. These are just a few of the nearly 100 historical artifacts owned by John Schalcosky, a 33-year-old Ross Township resident who runs the Facebook group The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh. There was a time when discussions of Pittsburgh’s history were reserved for historical societies. Now, they’re the stuff of online forums and Facebook pages: To date, Schalcosky’s group has more than 50,000 followers. But that’s not the only destination for local and international enthusiasts interested in Pittsburgh’s history. This year, Pittsburgh celebrates the 200th anniversary of its incorporation, and last week Schalcosky and other local historians showcased their artifacts at a celebration marking the city’s birthday, on March 18, at the CityCounty Building. It was just one of the dozens of events planned for the rest of the year. Pittsburgh-area native Schalcosky first developed a passion for history after moving to Los Angeles, in 2001. There he saw a number of historical structures falling into disrepair. When he moved back to the Pittsburgh area, in 2007, he noticed his beloved city was also home to many historical gems. “I started doing the local North Hills stuff because I was interested in what was in my own backyard, and then I started branching out into the whole town,” says Schalcosky. “Being born here, I kind of took it for granted. I never really delved into the history until I started uncovering strange and interesting stories I’d never heard before about the history of Pittsburgh.” Schalcosky discovered one of his first weird bits of history when researching Native American populations who occupied the region before Europeans came. Looking at the tribes responsible for the names of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, the historian stumbled across a local urban legend: giants.
WEEK Photo credit: Animal Friends
Line drawing depicting Gustave Whitehead’s Aug. 14, 1901, flight of “one half mile,” which accompanied a full-page report of an eyewitness account published in the Bridgeport Sunday Herald, Aug. 18, 1901
“There’s an old legend of this race of people who lived in Western Pennsylvania that were giants. I thought, every culture and religion has these stories about giants, so it can’t be true,” says Schalcosky. “But then I started digging into some of the newspaper archives in Pittsburgh and sure enough, in 1898 a curator at the Carnegie Museum was out on a dig and found a nine-foot-tall person.” (CP checked with the Carnegie on this curious episode, but the museum was unable to provide more info by press time.) Schalcosky’s expertise has earned him a major role in Pittsburgh’s preparations for its bicentennial, like the still-unsuccessful search for a long-hidden time capsule in the City-County Building. With his genealogy background, he was able to help the city track down descendents of all of Pittsburgh’s mayors. Those descendents will gather in the city in July. That effort reminds Schalcosky of one of Pittsburgh’s strangest mayors: Joseph Barker, who was elected while serving time in jail after inciting anti-Catholic riots. He was freed in 1850 and went on to serve as mayor for one year, but was not re-elected. “People argued he was thrown in jail illegally for practicing his first amendment right of free speech. Sound familiar?” says Schalcosky. It’s a lesson that Schalcosky hopes will resonate today, especially in light of current events like the presidential primary, where vitriolic Republican candidate Donald Trump has become his party’s
“I WAS INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS IN MY OWN BACKYARD.”
likely nominee. “Once [Barker] got elected mayor, he formed his own militia and got rid of the Pittsburgh police force. The judge who put him in jail — he ended up putting that judge in jail,” says Schalcosky. “When you research people like this, you see that this is something that really happened in Pittsburgh. And history can repeat itself.” But beyond the serious lessons history offers Pittsburgh and the world, Schalcosky says it can also be a source of pride that extends beyond the wins of your favorite sports team. According to Schalcosky, Pittsburgh is home to a lot of firsts, including the much-debated first flight, which some historians claim actually occurred in Pittsburgh, courtesy of one Gustave Whitehead. “In December of 1899, he successfully flew an airplane in the city of Pittsburgh,” says Schalcosky. “It’s a legitimate [coverup]. It’s pretty insane. Me and a team of people across the world have been researching this guy, and we were able to uncover 80 to 100 newspaper articles that all talk about him flying.” And it’s interesting controversies like these that Schalcosky hopes will be exposed by the bicentennial and sustain interest in the city’s history. “It takes ambassadors like myself and many others to bring that knowledge to life. And Pittsburgh’s anniversary has given us the opportunity to do that and really spread the message of Pittsburgh’s history,” says Schalcosky. “There’s something magical in the air of Pittsburgh. There’s so much innovation that has come out of Pittsburgh, it’s mind-boggling.” R NU T TAL L @PGH C IT YPAPE R . C O M
N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
Cutie Cutie was brought to AAnimal i l FFriends i d because her owner decided she no longer wanted to have bunnies. She is a beautiful bunny with some awesomely floppy ears! Cutie is still very nervous around people she does not know, but she is slowly progressing into a wonderful bunny. She needs a patient home with a family who will gradually introduce her to a new, loving life. If you are ready to see a bunny come out of its shell, talk to an Adoption Counselor today about meeting Cutie!
Call Animal Friends today!
412-847-7000
www.dayauto.com +
C L A S S I F I E D S
11
The Animal Rescue League is partnering with Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania to host a
Donation Drive Fundraiser!
[GREEN LIGHT]
SOLAR ON THE GRID {BY BILL O’DRISCOLL} ENVIRONMENTAL advocates often talk as though moving quickly toward renewable energy were simply a matter of building more wind turbines and solar farms. And to some extent, it is: As the price of solar and wind drops, the barriers toward steeply reducing (even eliminating) our dependence on fossil fuels are largely political. The growth of wind power, for instance, has been hindered by fitful Congressional support for tax credits for wind power; by contrast, states with strong incentives for rooftop solar have seen homeowners increasingly adopt it. Meanwhile, many states require of their utility companies ever-rising use of renewables, but in some of these states supporters of such laws must fight conservative legislators’ efforts to freeze or lower the percentage of renewables in their energy portfolios. And states including Pennsylvania face ongoing controversy over “net metering,” the mechanism that allows homeowners and businesses with their own solar arrays, say, to sell electricity back to the grid. (Utilities claim that too much net metering would cripple them financially.) However, technical barriers to broader use of renewables do exist. That’s why researchers including University of Pittsburgh professor Tom McDermott recently began a three-year, $ 4 million U.S. Department of Energy study on integrating solar into the grid. The biggest issue arises from the fact that solar energy is variable: It fluctuates with the amount of sunshine at a given moment. The greater the percentage of solar input in a particular grid, says McDermott, the higher the risk a sudden influx of power will overwhelm the system, causing outages and damaging equipment. This isn’t yet a widespread problem; in Pennsylvania, for instance, there simply aren’t enough solar panels in operation. But McDermott says that states like New Jersey, Massachusetts and others out west are approaching that point. And while it still accounts for only about a half-percent of overall U.S. energy consumption, solar has been growing rapidly. Between 2011 and 2015, according to the DOE, utility-scale photovoltaic generation grew 23-fold. With prices plummeting — utility-scale costs dropped 64
percent between 2008 and 2014, according to trade group The Solar Energy Industries Association — that trend should only continue. The SEIA, for instance, expects solar capacity to double in the next two years. When new generators apply to connect to the grid, utilities must project the impact of the new power source. Some variation in power is acceptable, but if a utility’s modeling is off by just 1 percent, trouble can ensue. McDermott and Pitt — along with the Sandia National Laboratories, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Georgia Tech, the Electric Power Research Institute and powersoftware engineering company CYME — want to create faster and more accurate opensource modeling software for utilities to use. McDermott knows the terrain: Before coming to Pitt, in 2012, he worked for decades at Westinghouse and as a consultant for electric utilities. Utilities are often labeled resistant to change; critics blame the utility lobby for weak renewable-energy targets in some states, for instance. But, says McDermott, “They’re concerned about the environment, too.” However, it’s the utilities that are the targets of customer complaints when the power goes out, and they worry about the extra time and equipment needed to adapt to new sources of energy. “That’s where the resistance comes in: Who’s going to pay for it?” he says. But fans of renewable energy, take note: McDermott says there’s no technological limit on how much of it the grid can accommodate, especially if we’re willing to operate big energy-suckers (like electric clothes-dryers) at off-peak hours to balance demand (likely with help from “smart controls” in the home). Likewise, in an increasingly solar-powered world, improvements in battery technology should help us confront the daily supply-demand gap that occurs after the sun sets but while people are still burning lots of power. If this still all sounds like a big deal, from McDermott’s perspective the utility sector has already gone through a bigger one: electricity deregulation, which let consumers choose who generates their electricity. That shook things up much more than adapting to solar generation will, he says: “I think this is a smaller change.”
GOING RENEWABLE IS A SMALLER CHANGE THAN ELECTRICITY DEREGULATION.
You can help the Animal Rescue League raise money by simply donating your gently used: Q CLOTHING Q SHOES Q HOUSEWARES Q AND
MORE!*
* NO FURNITURE OR TELEVISIONS.
D RI S C OL L @ P G HC I T Y PA P E R. C OM
12
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
[THE CHEAP SEATS]
A YOUNG MAN’S SPORT {BY MIKE WYSOCKI} TWO KIDS from Fox Chapel recently made news that spread throughout the country. Not for training dancing horses or racing yachts — that town’s preferred snooty sports — but for their plea to bring an NBA team to the city of Pittsburgh. It’s an idea that’s been floated in these parts since the Condors folded, but never seems to garner much public support. Still, you have to love these kids’ optimism. It’s the kind of positive thinking that can come only from someone who has not yet been beaten down by life. They still think everything in life will turn out as planned. These two youngsters raised $2,600 to rent a couple of billboards to get the basketball idea rolling. They are real go-getters. I’ve never accrued any amount of money that required a comma. The biggest argument against bringing in a team is the price of a ticket. Penguins tickets are already a little steep, and we are not a wealthy city (notwithstanding the constant building of luxury apartments and condos Downtown, which suggests we’re loaded with one-percenters). But a bankrupt country can always scrape up money to go to war, and a poor person can always scrounge money for cigarettes and beer. So with that unaccredited philosophy we could pull it off. Cities that nobody cares about, like Sacramento, Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City, all support an NBA team. We don’t have a team yet, but if we assembled some of the city’s best playground ballers we might already be able to beat the Philadelphia 76ers. And if we did get a team, we would probably win an NBA championship before Cleveland ever does. We could hate the Cavaliers so much. Once our team started winning, basketball fever would immediately catch on. We once supported indoor soccer, lacrosse and even a men’s slow-pitch softball team, so why not a professional basketball team? More positives: We would have a whole new set of athletes to boo and trash-talk and a new set of professional referees to hate and blame everything on when we aren’t playing well. Just having premier athletes like LeBron James, Steph Curry,
Anthony Davis and James Harden come to Allegheny County would be exciting and new, like the Love Boat (I can’t resist outdated references). With all the NBA players in town, a Kardashian or two is bound to follow. OK, maybe that’s a negative, but we need something to watch from November to April on the days the Penguins aren’t playing. As long as the NBA schedules around Steelers games, we’ll be all right. The most recent pro hoops teams in the city had the names Rens, Pipers and Condors. We can do better. My suggestion is the Pittsburgh Coopers, after Chuck Cooper. Cooper was a Westinghouse High graduate who played college ball at Duquesne and was the first African-American player to be drafted by the NBA. If that’s not impressive enough, he was maybe the best player in Dukes history and served in the Navy during World War II. Top that, LeBron. Cooper was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1950. He played six seasons in the NBA before retiring after a car accident. It’s crazy that there’s nothing besides a building on the Duquesne campus named after him. After basketball, he returned to Pittsburgh to become the first African American to head Parks and Recreation in the city, and was even on the school board. If we name the team Coopers, we can say, “He’s not saying boo, he’s saying Cooooopers.” Congratulations to the Hanna brothers, Freddy and Jimmy, for bringing this idea to the attention of a new generation of young people. The prospect of actually getting a team still appears unlikely, as the NBA commissioner himself told the Hanna brothers. Expansion is inevitable, but the league is looking to expand internationally. So the best hope is to get a team to relocate here. Stick with it, Hannas, you’ve shown your determination and enthusiasm. Use your Fox Chapel connections to make a lot of money and get a team here. You guys can be the next Mark Cuban and own your own franchise. I’ll be there at the Consol Energy Center chanting, “Here we go Coopers, here we go,” enthusiastically, from the cheap seats.
WE ONCE SUPPORTED A MEN’S SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL TEAM, SO WHY NOT A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM?
M I K E W YS O C K I IS A STA NDUP C OMED I AN AN D MEMBER O F JI M KREN N’S Q MO R NING SH O W E AC H W E E KDAY M OR NING ON Q 92.9 FM. FO LLO W HI M O N TWI TTER: @I T SMIK E WYSO C K I
N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
13
1991
2016
THIS WEEK IN CITY PAPER HISTORY In celebration of City Paper’s 25th Anniversary, each week we’re looking back at the headlines, pictures and people who graced our pages over the years.
(March 4, 1992)
THANK GOD THEY DIDN’T LEAVE BEFORE THEY WON (March 22, 1995) In 1995, the Pittsburgh Pirates were only five years into the worst losing streak — 20 years — in the history of pro sports. But the news of the day wasn’t whether the Bucs would ever win again; it was all about whether they’d even stay in town. The ownership group at the time wanted to sell the team to new owners who planned to move the team to Washington, D.C. That sale never went through, and Kevin McClatchy eventually bought the team and kept it in town once the city pledged to pay up for a new stadium.
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED, AT LEAST FOR A LITTLE WHILE (March 22, 2000) The closing of famed rock club Graffiti led arts editor Mary Binder to examine whether the city’s music scene was in a death spiral. In
The Justice Department under President George W. Bush seemed to have a fascination with its U.S. Attorneys prosecuting high-profile morality and political cases. And during those years, Mary Beth Buchanan was the teacher’s pet. She prosecuted Cyril Wecht for charges that basically amounted to misusing paper clips owned by Allegheny County. She built a case of trading prescription medications for sex against former physician Bernard Rottschaefer based on the testimony of stool pigeons who testified against the doctor for reduced sentences on drug charges; most also recanted their testimony. She also was no stranger to reaching outside of Pennsylvania for high-profile cases. She sent comedian Tommy Chong to prison for selling bongs online, and brought the country’s first obscenity case against a pornographer in 10 years. On March 25, 2009, City Paper looked back on the prosecutor’s legacy in the waning days before the Obama administration chucked her out of office. Buchanan always said she believed in her prosecutions. But as one source told CP: “Just because she’s sincere about what she’s doing doesn’t make it noble.”
RUGG}
Covering sports has always been a challenge for alt-weeklies. By the time we run a game story, it’s already a week old. To combat that, CP covers a team that no one has likely ever heard of — the Pittsburgh Bulls. The Bulls were a professional indoor lacrosse team and played their games at the then-Civic Arena between 1990 and 1993. The sport never caught on, however, and we’re not sure whether it’s because the team went 10-24 in that period or because nobody gave a shit about lacrosse.
JIM TRATION BY {COVER ILLUS
SPORTS ALTERNATIVE
addition to Graffiti, the Electric Banana, the Decade and Cloud Nine had recently closed, all following the loss of the Syria Mosque several years earlier. Binder writes: “Graffiti, the Decade and the Banana ... were always about the music. Perhaps that’s what has diminished — the attitude that the music is the focus.” On the other hand, Binder also noted an indie venue hoping to make it — the Mr. Roboto Project.
HERE COMES THE NEIGHBORHOOD (March 23, 2005) Music editor Dan Eldridge details how young Pittsburghers connected to the punk community are buying and rehabbing houses in neighborhoods like Garfield, Braddock Hills, Polish Hill and Highland Park. “I feel like it’s
social equity and cultural equity,” said new homeowner Mary Tremonte. “We’re investing in the world we want to live in.”
REMEMBER WHEN THE POLICE GOT ALONG WITH THE COMMUNITY? WE DON’T EITHER (March 21, 2007) Charlie Deitch examines the strained relationship between police officers and residents in African-American communities. Police officers are wearing tactical uniforms and driving their armored vehicle, called The Bear, into neighborhoods like Lincoln-Lemington and Homewood. Then-police chief Nate Harper, who later spent some time in federal prison for theft in office, tells CP: “We don’t want this to become a police state, but these tactics serve to put fear in the criminal element.” However, residents say these tactics are part of the problem: “If police want a good relationship with black residents,” said activist Paradise Gray, “they have to stop treating Homewood like Baghdad.”
INTERNET KILLS THE VIDEO STAR (March 20, 2008) After 12 years in business, Dormont’s Incredibly Strange Video closes up shop due to online competition from the likes of Netflix. Owner Bruce Lentz was the go-to guy for strange and rare horror and sci-fi films. But in the end, he says, location might have done him in: “You’ve gotta get off your lazy fat Pittsburgh ass and get in a car and come through a tunnel to get here.”
Easter Week at Orchard Hill Dr. Kurt Bjorklund WEXFORD, 2551 Brandt School Road, Wexford, PA 15090
Good Friday Communion Service Friday, March 25, 7:00 pm
Childcare is available for ages one year old through fifth grade.
Easter Weekend Celebration Services Saturday, March 26, 6:00 pm Sunday, March 27, 8:30, 10:00, & 11:45 am CULTURAL DISTRICT, August Wilson Center 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Easter Celebration Services Sunday, March 27, 10:30 am
724.935.5555 orchardhillchurch.com
Kidzburgh is available for newborn through 5th grade during all weekend services.
14
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
Amana High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer With Stainless Steel Tub At 3.6 cu. ft., our largest-capacity top-load washer lets you wash more in a single load to help save time. Its durable and smooth Stainless Steel tub is gentle on clothes and looks great. You’ll experience consistent cleaning and gentle wash action with our High-Efficiency Agitator and Wash System. Plus, an easy-to-fill fabric softener dispenser releases the fabric softener at the right time in the cycle. And, for those times when you want more water, the Deep Water Wash cycle fills the tub during the wash and rinse cycles so you can be confident you’re getting a great clean. NTW4755EW
$399.71 MSRP $599.00
donsappliances.com NORTH HILLS 412.367.2150
ROBINSON 412.919.3559
EAST LIBERTY 412.661.7550
UPPER ST. CLAIR 412.835.2300
CANONSBURG 724.916.0100
HILLMON CRANBERRY 724.779.9393
April Is
FAIR HOUSING MONTH Know Your Rights
Sex
Religion Disability
Race/Color
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. YOU MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION IF:
Sexual orientation
You have been held to a different standard on the basis of any of the listed reasons when buying, selling, renting, financing, requesting a loan etc.
Contact the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations if you feel your housing rights have been violated.
Place of Birth/National
human.relations@pittsburghpa.gov
Origin/Ancestry
Gender Identity/Expression
N E W S
Age
You have been limited by discriminatory publications, advertisements or the like, that specify “No kids” or “English-speaking only”, etc.
Source of Income
+
TA S T E
412-255-2600 +
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
15
DE
SI
the
ON
ITS BEST DISHES ARE AS GOOD AS ANYTHING DOWNTOWN HAS TO OFFER
A GOOD PAIRING {BY REBECCA NUTTALL} The concept for new restaurant Joe & Pie seems pretty simple: coffee and pizza. But there’s more on the menu at this new Downtown eatery than the two named items. Run by co-owners Kairat Ussenov and Symbat Sarin, Joe & Pie offers a slew of breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including omelets, chicken and lamb shawarma, and eggplant parmesan. But, of course, coffee and pizza are the main draws. With a background serving traditional pizza-shop fare, opening a similar shop seemed like a logical step for the pair, until they noticed a gap in Downtown’s current food offerings. “It’s a new concept in Pittsburgh — coffee and pizza in the same place,” says Sarin. “When you go to other places, you don’t get quality coffee with your food. So that’s why we came up with the concept.” Joe & Pie’s espresso and coffee menu includes traditional café staples like cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. But if you stop in for lunch or dinner, you’ll also catch the aroma of their gourmet pizzas, calzones and fresh wings wafting from the kitchen. (A vegan menu is in the works.) Ussenov and Sarin join the many business owners committed to local suppliers. Their coffee comes from Commonplace Coffee, and their pastries are from Paddy Cake Bakery, in Bloomfield. When the weather gets warmer, they’ll also add locally sourced gelato to the menu. “We decided to choose the best brands in Pittsburgh and put them all together to better serve our customers,” says Ussenov. RNUTTALL@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
955 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 412-402-0444 or joeandpie.com
the
FEED
Ice-cream sandwiches instead of a wedding cake? Check out this off-beat suggestion and more in City Paper’s Wedding Guide, on stands starting Wed., March 23.
16
{PHOTO BY VANESSA SONG}
Quesadilla with heritage pork belly, smoked cheddar and cilantro-pesto aioli
RIGHT ON TIME {BY ANGELIQUE BAMBERG + JASON ROTH}
T
HE ONLY THING reliably less promising than airport food used to be airport hotel food. But for the discerning clientele of Pittsburgh International Airport’s on-site Hyatt Regency, neither rubber chicken nor room-service steak will cut it. The hotel’s management knew that more than 10 years ago when it opened the Olive Press, a continental restaurant that was, itself, a cut above. But after a good long run, it was time for a refresh. Bell Farm, named for the airport’s predecessor in once-rural Findlay Township, brings the 21st century’s locallysourced ethos to Pittsburgh International. The results are impressive. Even given that late winter is a tough time for working the farm-to-table angle, we found a suitable representation of local purveyors name-checked, and a menu that balanced
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
comfort with sophistication. Or more accurately, menus. Bell Farm supplied two — one appended to the bar list and aimed at the (large, stunning) lounge, the other a traditional dining menu.
BELL FARM Hyatt Regency, 1111 Airport Blvd., Pittsburgh International Airport. 724-899-6050 HOURS: Breakfast Mon.-Sun. 6:30-11 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 6:30 a.m.-noon; lunch daily 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner daily 5:30-10 p.m. PRICES: Soup, salad, small plates $6-15; entrees $15-35 LIQUOR: Full bar
CP APPROVED The lounge and the dining room, together, achieved the approximate size and proportions of an airline hangar, but deft design touches made them both feel warm and
welcoming. These included: an earth-tone color palette punctuated by shots of citrine; a host-station credenza and banquettes placed horizontally across the space to break up its length; and an enormous tabletop seemingly carved from the single trunk of a 1,000-year-old tree. For smaller groups, semicircular couches provide booth-like seating around round tables, corralling the vast space into intimate nooks. The lounge menu was a bit more snackand sandwich-focused, but the dishes were far from disposable. In fact, one of the evening’s highlights came from it: chicken and waffles, whose name radically undersells it. In traditional Southern cooking, this dish consists of fried chicken sitting atop a waffle. At Bell Farm, strips of Gerber’s Amish chicken breast were dipped in a batter made from Golden Malted flour — a
product patented in 1937 specifically for pancakes and waffles — and deep-fried, combining the chicken and the waffle into one sweet and savory skewer of perfection. The chicken was wonderful, its moisture locked in by its batter jacket during cooking, and the coating was light and crisp, its subtle sweetness reminding us of funnel cake. To palates accustomed to salty friedchicken coating, this sweetness came as a surprise, but it was light enough that we still wanted to dip these irresistible chicken sticks in maple syrup. Plucking from a completely different culinary culture, Thai noodle salad was available from the dining-room menu in either a side or entrée portion. Supple slices of filet mignon gave this dish the substance of a main course, while diced mango, avocado and fresh herbs reinforced its salad side. The combination of flavors was bright, sweet and a little bit spicy. Our only complaint was the odd choice of noodle, a lo mein-style wheat noodle where a lighter rice noodle or bean thread would have seemed less out of place in a dish named “salad.” Not a thing was out of place in the pork quesadilla. House-cured, heritage pork belly was layered with smoked cheddar and topped with a vibrant cilantro-pesto aioli. The pork was rich, closer to roast shoulder than ordinary bacon. This, and a bed of greens and mixed grape tomatoes, turned a common, often childish, dish into an almost elegant entrée. A turkey burger, on the other hand, was bland and firm bordering on dry and tough. A pair of pasta entrees both featured glorious ingredients and surprisingly inglorious noodles. In the seafood orecchiette, succulent shellfish sang in a liquid more reminiscent of moules broth than pasta sauce, but the clusters of cup-shaped pasta had nested and fused into tough, chewy lumps. Similarly, in the tagliatelle with lamb and Swiss chard, we expected to find these ingredients carefully apportioned among a plateful of noodles; instead, a towering heap of chard, perfectly wilted and flavored with slow-cooked garlic, dominated this dish, pressing the small skein of tagliatelle into a congealed mass at the bottom of the bowl. The proportions of the dish were not a problem for Angelique, who would just as soon eat a meal of delicious sautéed greens as pasta anyway. Besides, there was plenty of tender lamb and perhaps a surfeit of ricotta salata cheese scattered on top; despite the plentitude of chard, it all added up to an indulgent dish. Bell Farm strives to create a sense of Pittsburgh’s booming local food scene in a context of business travelers and overnight layovers, and its best dishes are as good as anything Downtown has to offer.
On the RoCKs
+
LETS GO PENS!
{BY CELINE ROBERTS}
FAST, CHEAP AND SALTY Here are a few of Pittsburgh’s best bar snacks Our weekly ode to choice libations is on hold to give their equally deserving partner, the bar snack, a moment in the sun. It might play second fiddle to night of sipping cocktails or clinking beers, but there’s nothing that can turn a bar from good to great like something tasty to crunch on. From staples to fancy small plates, every bar snack requires certain elements. An extensive but informal survey (including but not limited to friends, family, unlucky guy sitting next to me at the bar, servers, chefs and co-workers) finds that the four most important criteria are salinity, texture, amount and price. Here are a few Pittsburgh bars that serve great snacks that hit all four.
Friday, March 25th
Geña y Peña (Cuban, Puerto Rican and Mexican music)
7:00 pm • No cover!
DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP FOR A CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS TO A GAME!
At the North Side’s Park House Pub, look down and you’ll find evidence of a classic bar snack: peanut shells. With high fat content and a little bit of saltiness, peanuts go great with a beer. At the Park House, they’re also free and come with the oddly satisfying experience of throwing the shells on the floor when you’ve finished. For another filling but bargain option, the Rock Room, in Polish Hill, sells 15-cent pierogies. All the charm of a Rust Belt bar comes with a loaded plate and a cheap beer to boot. East Liberty’s new Ace Hotel offers pickled and — in a twist on a classic — deviled eggs. While they aren’t served up from the prototypical jar on the back of the bar, the pickle brine still cuts through sweetness in your cocktail, and a plate of six is filling enough to take off the edge of the alcohol. A little cheese with your wine makes for an excellent evening at Allegheny Wine Mixer; choose from sheep, goat or cow cheese, and add cured meats for extra saltiness. Lastly, basically anything fried — from onion rings to mozzarella sticks at D’s Six Pax & Dogz to arancini at Bar Marco. But don’t take my word for it: Everyone has a preferred place for greasy bites.
INFO@ PGHC ITY PAP ER.CO M
N E W S
FIND LABATT BLUE & BLUE LIGHT SPECIALS NEAR YOU DURING ALL PENS GAMES ON THE CP HAPPS APP!
TA S T E
INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
17
THE FOLLOWING DINING LISTINGS ARE RESTAURANTS RECOMMENDED BY CITY PAPER FOOD CRITICS
DINING LISTINGS KEY J = Cheap K = Night Out L = Splurge E = Alcohol Served F = BYOB
ALLA FAMIGLIA. 804 E. Warrington Ave., Allentown. 412-488-1440. The Italian restaurant is an elder statesman of Pittsburgh fine dining, but hardly stuck in the past. The frequently changing menu is anchored by classics like beans and greens and a meatball appetizer, plus its signature item: a double-cut veal chop, available in three refined preparations. LE AZUL BAR Y CANTINA. 122 Broad St., Leetsdale. 724-266-6362. Colorful and convivial, Azul dishes up Southern California-style Mexican cooking in a festive atmosphere. The menu offers the familiar fajitas, tacos and burritos — to be washed down with margaritas — as well as quirkier fare such as crunchy sticks of jicama and fried ice cream. JE
BENJAMIN’S WESTERN AVENUE BURGER BAR
bar • billiards • burgers
MONDAY & THURSDAY $2 Yuengling 16oz Draft ____________________ TUESDAY Burger, Beer, & Bourbon $11.95 ____________________ WEDNESDAY Pork & Pounder $10 ____________________ FRIDAY Sangria $3 ____________________ SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10:30am-3pm Brunch Specials & Bloody Mary Bar
----- HAPPY HOUR ----1/2 OFF SNACKS $2 OFF DRAFTS $5 WINE FEATURE
Mon- Fri 4:30 – 6:30pm
900 Western Ave. North side 412-224-2163
a classic Continental cuisine with contemporary inflections. LE
CENACOLO. Banco Business Park, 1061 N. Main St., North Huntingdon. 724-515-5983. Local pasta-maker Fede BELLA FRUTTETO. 2602 runs this Italian restaurant Brandt School Road, Wexford. highlighting its fresh noodles: 724-940-7777. Adjacent orchards Aside from platters featuring are one of the attractions at this some cold meats and cheeses, comfortable, clubby suburban there are half-a-dozen starters restaurant. The Italian-inspired and a dozen pastas. Don’t menu features the fruits of expect classic sauces, but rather these orchards in several ingredients are chosen to apple-based dishes, complement the pasta including apple shapes. Don’t miss the ravioli and apple fresh mozzarella, bruschetta. Bella pulled to order. LF Frutteto combines www. per pa an innovative but CHINA STAR. 100 pghcitym .co unfussy menu with McIntyre Square, 7900 friendly service and McKnight Road, North congenial seating. KE Hills. 412-364-9933. Though a standard Chinese-American BENJAMIN’S WESTERN menu available, the real action AVENUE BURGER BAR. is on the humbly Xeroxed 900 Western Ave., North Side. Sichuan menu that’s all in 412-224-2163. A casual-chic Chinese. Fortunately, there is a burger-and-sandwich joint is translated version available, a tasty addition to the North and the names read like a Side. The menu consists of a gourmand’s exotic fantasy: duck matrix of burgers (two sizes, with devil’s tongue yam, rabbits nine topping combos, beef in flaming pan. These authentic or veggie patty), four other dishes may sound mysterious, sandwiches and eight beerbut they’re delicious. KE friendly “snacks” (from nuts to a charcuterie platter). FAT HEADS. 1805 E. Carson St., Prices aren’t diner-cheap, but South Side. 412-431-7433. This then some burgers come with place seems to expand every red-wine-braised onion and few years, with reason: terrific truffle mustard. KE beer selection, chicken wings and industrial-sized sandwiches. THE CARLTON. 500 Grant St., There’s outdoor eating on the Downtown. 412-391-4152. “fatio,” but timing is everything: A mainstay of Downtown No matter how many tables dining for two decades, The they add, you may end up Carlton delivers the hallmarks waiting for one. JE of fine dining in an atmosphere refreshingly free of attitude KAYA. 2000 Smallman St., Strip or affectation. The menu is District. 412-261-6565. Kaya is a neither stodgy nor cutting-edge; local culinary mainstay, offering while dishes may verge on the inventive Caribbean-inspired decadent — risotto with lobster contemporary cuisine. The menu, and brie? — the flavor and much of which is vegetarian, ingredient combinations offer changes frequently. But it
BenjaminsPgh.com 18
Noodlehead {CP FILE PHOTO BY HEATHER MULL}
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
remains divided into tropas — tropical tapas — and entrees. KE NAKAMA JAPANESE. 1611 E. Carson St., South Side. 412-381-6000. Pittsburghers are crazy about this sushi bar/ steakhouse, and every weekend pretty people crowd inside to watch the knife-wielding chefs. Presentation is key for customers and restaurant alike: The interior is smart, the chefs entertaining, and the food is good, if pricey. LE
well as more refined entrees. The meat-and-cheese sandwiches are a forte, with ciabatta “panini” and hoagies options. The lasagna is enormous, its homemade noodles laden with a creamy five-cheese mix and a savory Bolognese sauce with meatballlike chunks of beef. KE
menu, by bringing creativity, quality preparation and a knack for well-selected ingredients to the burgers, sandwiches and appetizers. Options include: shrimp skewers with smoked peppers, cornand-black-bean fritters and a roster of inventive sliders. JE
THE PINES TAVERN. 5018 Bakerstown Road, Gibsonia. 724-625-3252. A longtime commitment to seasonal and locally sourced food (including on-site gardens and beehives) spans the menu here. The restaurant’s casual elegance is suitable for drinks with friends or a celebration meal. And the fare ranges from pub grub, like burgers and meatloaf, to complex entrée plates, complete with wine and beer suggestions. KE
SUSHI TOMO. 4812 McKnight Road, North Hills. 412-630-8666. This North Hills restaurant offers a full range of Japanese cuisine beyond sushi that is more representative of everyday fare, including various appetizers, noodle soups, hot pots and rice bowls. But, as the name suggests, there is also plenty of wellprepared sushi, including specialty maki. KE
SEVICHE. 930 Penn Ave., Downtown. 412-697-3120. This upscale Latin American-style tapas restaurant specializes in citrus-cured fish, while also offering a small selection of Latin-inspired tapas and finger sandwiches. And what better to wash down an empanada or mini taco than a refreshing capirinha cocktail? KE
FULL LIST ONLINE
TEN PENNY. 960 Penn Ave., Downtown. 412-318-8000. This restaurant offers an appealing old-school “industrial” atmosphere — old wood beams and Edison light bulbs — with a contemporary American menu. Expect to find new standards like roasted Brussels sprouts (with bacon), beet salad, goat cheese and flatbreads, as well as favorites like hamburgers (with fried egg), pasta, chops and stews. KE TESSARO’S. 4601 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. 412-682-6809. This immensely popular Bloomfield institution, set in an old neighborhood corner bar, has built its reputation on enormous wood-fired hamburgers: choice meat, ground in-house; fresh rolls; and a variety of toppings. Regulars sit at the bar, and, on busy weekends, diners line up to get in. KE
The Pines Tavern {CP FILE PHOTO BY HEATHER MULL} NOODLEHEAD. 242 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside. www.noodleheadpgh.com. In a funky atmosphere, Noodlehead offers an elemental approach to the delightful street food of Thailand in which nothing is over $9. A small menu offers soups, noodle dishes and a few “snacks,” among them fried chicken and steamed buns with pork belly. The freshly prepared dishes are garnished with fresh herbs, pork cracklings and pickled mustard greens. JF
SIX PENN. 146 Sixth Ave., Downtown. 412-566-7366. Open late for the Downtown theater crowd, this cheery restaurant satisfies theater buffs, families and young professionals alike. The seasonal menu offers lively updates on comfort food from lobster mac-n-cheese to braised short ribs. Gourmet burgers and pizzas make for quick meals. Linger for homemade desserts, or stop by after the show. KE
OLIVES AND PEPPERS. 6052 William Flynn Highway (Route 8), Bakerstown. 724-444-7499. This casual Italian spot that offers pizza, pasta and sandwiches as
THE SMILING MOOSE. 1306 E. Carson St., South Side. 412-431-4668. The Carson Street bar and nightclub offers a top-notch sandwich and salad
THAI CUISINE. 4625 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. 412-688-9661. This Thai restaurant in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy serves up authentic dishes with warm, friendly service. The restaurant also offers an updated vegetarian menu that features mock duck, vegetarian pork and other meat substitutes, as well as the more familiar non-meat offerings of tofu and vegetables. KF VIETNAM’S PHO. 1627 Penn Ave., Strip District. 412-281-8881. The menu features a manageable selection of noodle and rice dishes and the eponymous pho soups. There’s also a tempting assortment of simple vegetable dishes and appetizers that go beyond mere spring rolls, such as whole quail with lemon leaves and herbs, and ground-shrimp patties on sugar-cane skewers. JF
Wine Down Wednesdays All Wine is Half Price! Dining Room and Bar, Bottles and Glasses 5 to 9 p.m.
----- THURSDAYS----All You Want Crab Legs $2395 with Purchase of a Beverage. House or Caesar Salad and Two Sides 5 to 9 p.m.
--- FRIDAYS through Lent--Spectacular Seafood Buffet Featuring New England Clam Chowder, Rumfish Crab Dip, Salads, Crab Legs, Salmon with Ginger Scallion Sauce, Seafood Pasta, Vegetable Medley, Carved Turkey Breast and More! $ 99
All for just 29 per person Kids 5 to 12 price is their age plus $2.00.
5 to 9 p.m.
----- SATURDAYS-----Half Price Appetizers
HEvAerPy PDaYy 5–H–7OUpmR
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS
with purchase of an entrée. All Day, Dining Room and Bar
on our website and through Yelp!
------ SUNDAYS-----Kids Eat Free
FEATURING
$5 PREMIUM DRINKS, DRINKS, $4 HOUSE WINES + IMPORT BEERS BEERS,, $3 DOMESTIC BEERS $5 APPETIZERS
One free item from our kids menu for each adult entrée purchased.
Outside Fire Pits are booking up for the summer season – call our Events Coordinator at 412-945-0401 to reserve yours today!
10 Spot Lunch
including Buffalo Chicken Eggrolls, Steamed Mussels, Pulled Pork Sliders, Guinness Cod Tenders, Pommes Frites and Crabby Potato Skins.
Seven Lunch Specials for $10 each Including Iced Tea or Soft Drink! Daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
THE GREAT SOUTHERN SHOPPING CENTER | 1155 WASHINGTON PIKE | BRIDGEVILLE | 412-914-8013 | RUMFISHPGH.COM N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
19
LOCAL
“IT WAS A TON OF REPURPOSING, A TON OF STRAIGHT-UP THEFT OF OTHER PEOPLES’ MATERIAL.”
BEAT
{BY ALEX GORDON}
The Black Lives Matter movement weighs heavily on Driving While Black, the debut album of local hip-hop artist Jordan Montgomery. Some of the references are subtle, and some are direct, like the inclusion of news clips about Sandra Bland and Tamir Rice at the album’s end. While the origins of the album predate the movement, Montgomery says that as Black Lives Matter grew, he felt compelled to focus more on what it means to be young and black in America in 2016. “I felt it was really important to have a soundtrack to how people were feeling at the time,” says Montgomery. “Each song represents hope, it represents anger and frustration, but also coming from a young person’s perspective.” The eight songs on Driving While Black, released in February on Montgomery’s 21st birthday, showcase some razor-sharp storytelling, politically minded and not. “This World” — produced by DJ Thermos — is a good place to start. It’s a slow-moving, sample-heavy soul song that builds on a Hubert Laws line for a long intro before Montgomery enters, cutting and funny with expert delivery. At one point, he threatens to pee on Bill O’Reilly’s house and rip up the Confederate flags of Kenny Chesney fans, a lyric that might resonate with Pittsburghers. Montgomery himself is a life-long Pittsburgher, aside from a brief but significant semester living in Chicago after high school, where Montgomery says he was able to meet with and get advice from the prominent producer No ID. His advice: Work on composing complete songs, instead of just good verses strung together. The lesson stuck. In the time since his homecoming, Montgomery has worked with the local artist collective 1Hood Media — whose members provided many of the beats and featured verses for Driving While Black. These days, Montgomery is focused on improving as a songwriter, pushing his debut and re-investing in his hometown community through 1Hood Media. “I’ve just been spending a lot of my time since I’ve been back figuring out how to make Pittsburgh an even better place than it already is,” says Jordan. “I don’t think I could ever really leave Pittsburgh just because there’s so much I want to do here.” ALEXGORDON@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
For more information, visit www.jordanmontgomerymusic.com.
20
Jordan Montgomery {PHOTO COURTESY OF TURBO}
DRIVE TIME
WEB DESIGN {PHOTO COURTESY OF EBRUYILDIZ}
{BY IAN THOMAS}
T
HE BULK OF the Hood Internet’s
discography exists in the intangible world of Internet mixtapes housed on its website. That’s by design, and it may not be there forever. With the exception of the 2012 studio album, FEAT, and the odd remix commissioned by artists like Tobacco (with whom the Hood Internet will co-headline at Spirit on March 25), the mashup material by the Chicago-based production duo —Aaron Brink (a.k.a. ABX) and Steve Reidell (a.k.a. STV SLV) — is not available in any physical form. The digital-only model has become increasingly common among emerging artists, but for the Hood Internet, it’s methodology born of necessity. Since any given Hood Internet composition is pieced together from the work of other musicians, its output exists in a legal gray area. The use of the blog as a distribution medium allows the duo to cut and run as needed, removing content should that be requested. “It was 2007 when we put the site
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
The Hood Internet (Steve Reidell a.k.a. STV SLV, right)
up and it was just its own … MP3 blog at the time,” Reidell recalls. “It was a ton of repurposing, a ton of straight-up theft of other people’s material.” The two realized that while their mashups skirted legality, they could easily release tracks without getting into trouble. “I was into computers when Napster hit, and smelled the [digital-music] revolution that was to come. [I] always thought that
THE HOOD INTERNET, TOBACCO, MORE 9 p.m. Wed., March 23. Spirit, 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. $15-17. 412-586-4441 or www.spiritpgh.com
record labels could try to put an injunction on this, try to stop this, but it’s the Internet. There will [always] be another way to get this stuff out,” Reidell says. “So, a few years later when we started doing this thing, there was never really any worry about the legal repercussions of it. We made it
a … point to not sell the very clear bootleg set we were making, but there was never really any fear that we would be hit with the legal repercussion for that. The time for that had passed.” From the duo’s inception, Reidell and Brink knew they were mapping their own territory. Like any artists working in a sample-based genre, the material from which they draw says as much as the way they choose to frame that material. With nine mixtapes to their credit, they are comfortable and confident in their methodology. Unlike artists like Girl Talk or Negativland — who weave elaborate pastiches of short samples and found sounds — the Hood Internet employ a more minimalist approach, using fewer elements to yield bolder juxtapositions. On “So Hotline,” Giraffage & Slow Magic’s “So Cute!” bathes the vocals of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” in neon light, giving what was originally a standard exercise in R&B a roiling, transgressive edge. The online model that Hood Internet has followed for the better part of a
decade is now the norm for emerging artists seeking a wider audience. Music’s shelf life is now brief because the shelf is mostly gone. Each new release pushes previous releases further toward the bottom of the page. But while attention spans are shortening, a digital-only release doesn’t necessarily condemn a song or album to obscurity. “If you think about some of these huge records from the last year … Chance the Rapper’s Acid Rap doesn’t exist in hard copy except for some bootleg versions that managed to end up on some chart, like, that’s how hot it was. But they never pressed anything on [a physical format],” Reidell says. And while the Hood Internet has stayed ahead of the curve, there may come a day when its model loses functionality. “It is an ever-changing form. We have a Soundcloud page that we can no longer access because of however many counts of copyright infringement,” Reidell says. “It’s hard for things to not leave a digital footprint in some way or another. But maybe there will be a point where someone is like, ‘Hey, I’m looking for this’ and they can’t find it [even] if they’re still using a file-sharing network. ... Then, I guess it’s out of print.”
LISTEN UP! You read City Paper’s music coverage every week, but why not listen to it too? Each Wednesday, music editor Margaret Welsh crafts a Spotify playlist with tracks from artists featured in the music section, and other artists playing around town in the coming days.
Find it on our music blog, FFW>>, at pghcity
paper.com
INFO@ PGHC ITY PAP ER.CO M
N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
21
ON THE RECORD
FAIR BARGAIN {BY ANDREW WOEHREL}
with Citizen Cope
ASK ANY GROUP of artists, “Which is
most important: fame, money or being appreciated?” and you’re guaranteed to get differing answers. Jean-Hervé Peron, bassist for legendary krautrock group Faust, would likely choose the third option. Faust never attained commercial success (“Though we’ll keep on trying!” Peron quips, via email). But Peron feels most proud when he sees fans — who were not even alive in Faust’s early-’70s heyday — now entranced by the band’s forward-thinking grooves. “It makes me very happy to see the stars in the eyes of our young audience in the first 10 rows,” he writes. “It is very motivating, and maybe a sign that our dilettantism, spontaneity and dadaism is the right path.” Peron’s humility is refreshing in a world of egomaniacal rock stars, few of whom would embrace the “dilettante” label, though maybe something is lost in translation. (Peron’s first language is French.) Approaching 67 and as sharp and witty as ever, the Frenchman says that the best music he’s heard recently was a 10-year-old girl, the daughter of Chicago musicians Bobby Conn and Monica
{BY CALEB MURPHY}
{PHOTO COURTESY OF DANNY CLINCH AND MICHAEL STERLING EATON} {PHOTO COURTESY OF JAKOB THORSTEN}
Boubou, practicing violin. Peron describes it as “harsh, but educational.” The fact that Peron still realizes he has something
FAUST
WITH RADON CHONG, POWER FOOL 8 p.m. Sun., March 27. The Rex Theater, 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $22-25. All ages. 412-381-6811 or www.rextheater.com
to learn from the youngest of musicians shows his wisdom and his taste for the raw and unconventional. Faust has long been considered among the most experimental of the early-’70s krautrock bands, and through the subsequent decades, it has continued to make challenging, adventurous and often beautiful music. When asked which album is his favorite, Peron writes, “This is a cruel question, like asking which of your children you prefer.” Nevertheless, he singles out the 1971 self-titled debut, which “kicked off our saga and pointed out the direction”; 1973’s Faust Tapes, “for introducing the cut-and-paste approach to popular music”; 1994’s Rien, “for its brutal nakedness”; and the latest, 2014’s jUSt, “because it seems to be the start of something new.” The existence of the band has been a bit contentious in its post-reunion life; two distinct groups have emerged, both called Faust, and featuring different lineups. (In the incarnation fans will see this week, Peron is joined by fellow founding member Werner “Zappi” Diermaier on drums.) In other interviews, Peron’s response to this schism has been to point out that two is better than one — evidence that there are no hard feelings. I asked him how he remains so positive in the face of such a division; he suggested that artists remember that differences are usually only creative, and not personal, and offered this cryptic piece of advice: “Don’t be afraid to be ugly.” However, when asked about Diermaier, his longtime musical collaborator, Peron had only a brief and cheeky response: “I hate him.” It was, however, punctuated with a smiling emoticon. I think if you were to take any artist aside and ask about a longtime creative partner, he or she would say something similar. INF O @PGH C IT YPAPE R . C O M
22
Citizen Cope
Faust on its first U.S. tour, in 1994 (Jean-Hervé Peron, left)
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
Clarence Greenwood, a.k.a. Citizen Cope, was born Memphis, grew up in Washington, D.C., and now dwells in Los Angeles. The singer-songwriter, who mixes blues and soul influences with folk and rock, took a few minutes to talk to City Paper, before his March 31 show at the Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead. WHEN PEOPLE HEAR YOUR MUSIC OR SEE YOU IN CONCERT, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT TO LEAVE THEM WITH? I just want to personally connect spiritually. That’s it. And hopefully, they get something from that and can witness that. The goal is to hopefully uplift people. WHAT’S NEXT FOR CITIZEN COPE? I’m going to be doing an acoustic album and another studio record, and touring in between. ... And I’ve been asked to write on some other artists’ records and do some production. But I’m slowing down … some of these acoustic shows are going to be far and few between after 2017. WILL CITIZEN COPE EVER RETIRE AND YOU’LL JUST BE CLARENCE GREENWOOD? Who knows? I don’t think I’ll be doing very many more full-band shows, but I think that as long as I’m inspired to write, then I’ll continue to put records out. It’s been really good to me and I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to express myself artistically. I’ve got a pretty big cult following without the help of mainstream media or radio. … I think people retire and then they die. So I don’t foresee myself retiring. INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
CITIZEN COPE 8 p.m. Thu., March 31. Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead, 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. 412-462-3444 or www.librarymusichall.com
CRITICS’ PICKS
Metal Church
{PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE SAVOIA}
Perhaps best known as an electric jazz guitarist, Ross Hammond performs a solo acoustic set tonight at Acoustic Music Works with local guests Daryl Shawn and Pairdown. Hammond’s renditions of folk and gospel standards and his open-tuned slide playing recall John Fahey’s style of American primitive guitar, which explores obscure blues tunings and a balance between traditionalism and experimentation. Hammond’s acoustic stylings show that, as a guitarist and improviser, he cannot so easily be pinned down as just a jazz musician. Andrew Woehrel 8 p.m. 2142 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. $10. 412-422-0710 or www.acoustic musicworks.com
[BLUES] + SAT., MARCH 26
Ross Hammond
Jane Lee Hooker is not, in fact, the daughter of the legendary bluesman John Lee Hooker, but rather an all-female blues band. Jane Lee Hooker doesn’t shy away from the standard blues-rock formula, but the band’s attitude, which combines an almostriot-grrrl punk energy with cock-rock machismo, makes for an interesting dynamic. And this New York City-based five-piece is hardly new to the game: The lineup includes ex-members of Nashville Pussy, Bad Wizard and Wives. See Jane Lee Hooker tonight at Moondogs. AW 8:30 p.m. 378 Freeport Road, Blawnox. $10-12. 412-828-2040 or www.moondogs.us
[AVANT CLASSICAL] + SUN., MARCH 27 Although it is sometimes referred to as avantclassical, the Eric Rich Ensemble is less like a classical group than a post-rock band. The
N E W S
+
group fully welcomes comparisons to Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sigur Rós; Rich, a self-taught pianist and composer who hails from Salt Lake City, also found early inspiration from minimalist composer Steve Reich. Tonight, the ensemble — which combines cinematic, emotional string sections with bright, reverby Telecaster arpeggios — performs at the Irma Freeman Center, along with locally based improvisational pianist Dubravka Bencic. And it’s worth noting that the group doesn’t do that constant drum-roll thing that every post-rock band of the previous decade did, which is perhaps why it’s still considered a classical group. AW 7 p.m. 5006 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $10. 412-924-0634 or www. irmafreeman.org {PHOTO COURTESY OF LOLA HAMMOND}
[ACOUSTIC] + FRI., MARCH 25
[METAL] + TUE., MARCH 29 I was going to say something about how it’s sort of a tradition in the world of metal to have the word “metal” in your band name, and I was going to make the point that you can trace that tradition at least as far back as Metallica, but Metal Church has actually been a band for even longer. (Metal Church formed in 1980, while Metallica got together a year later.) Unlike Metallica, Metal Church never became a household name. But also unlike Metallica, it never became a joke. The band is still playing early-’80s-style thrash metal (singer Mike Howe recently rejoined the lineup), and it’s still garnering love from metal heads — the heavy-music experts at Decibel magazine described elements of the band’s new record, XI, as “sublime.” Metal Church plays tonight at Altar Bar, with Hatchet, Vermithrax and Talion. AW 8 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District. $17-20. 412-263-2877 or www.thealtarbar.com
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
23
$77
+tax re s tom
Call today to set up your ial* - appointment! c e p s -
cu - new
Residential & Commercial Gift Cards Available 412-542-8843 www.littlegreenmaidservices.com
We’re more than just cleaning. * $77 new customer special includes 2 professional maids, cleaning for a 2 hour maximum with our environmentally friendly cleaning products. Homes that have 3 or more bedrooms or require a more involved cleaning will fall under the $89 new customer special, or $20 an hour after the first 2 hours.
ANQWENIQUE WINGFIELD with classical and jazz accompaniment
APRIL 12, 7:00 PM The Cloakroom at The Livermore
124 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH! ($10 SUGGESTED) TICKETS
412-624-4129 • www.chambermusicpittsburgh.org
TO SUBMIT A LISTING: HTTP://PGHCITYPAPER.COM/HAPPENINGS
412.316.3388 (FAX) + 412.316.3342 X165 (PHONE)
{ALL LISTINGS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 9 A.M. FRIDAY PRIOR TO PUBLICATION}
ROCK/POP THU 24 CLUB CAFE. Jimkata, AM Faces. South Side. 412-431-4950. HOWLERS. Geist & The Sacred Ensemble, Paul Labrise, OC Feef. Bloomfield. 412-682-0320. LINDEN GROVE. Functional Chaos. Castle Shannon. 412-882-8687. THUNDERBIRD CAFE. Naughty Professor. Lawrenceville. 412-682-0177.
FRI 25
A unique, instantly identifiable vocal sound encompassing both jazz and r&b.
ON SALE NOW! APRIL 9, 2016 • AUGUST WILSON CENTER TRUSTARTS.ORG • BOX OFFICE AT THEATER SQUARE 412-456-6666 • GROUPS 10+ TICKETS 412-471-6930
24
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
BALTIMORE HOUSE. Under The Covers. Pleasant Hills. 412-653-3800. THE FALLOUT SHELTER. Deadiron, Greywalker, False Profit, Six Speed Kill. Aliquippa. 740-424-0302. GOOSKI’S. Jerkagram, Tanning Machine, Joey Molinaro, Actorcop. Polish Hill. 412-681-1658. HAMBONE’S. The Long Knives, The ZG’s, The Wire Riots, Solar baby & JonMichael Kerestes. Lawrenceville. 412-681-4318. JAMES STREET GASTROPUB & SPEAKEASY. Stevie Wonder Tribute. North Side. 412-904-3335. LINDEN GROVE. Dancing Queen. Castle Shannon. 412-882-8687. MOONDOG’S. Norman Nardini. Blawnox. 412-828-2040. MR. SMALLS THEATER. G. Love & Special Sauce w/ The Bones of J.R. Jones. Millvale. 412-821-4447. OAKS THEATER. Lee Alverson. Elton John Tribute. Oakmont. 412-828-6322. PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER. Silversun Pickups, Cage The Elephant, Foals & Bear Hands. Oakland. 412-648-3054. REX THEATER. Boombox. South Side. 412-381-6811. SMILING MOOSE. Somos. South Side. 412-431-4668. SPACE. The Emily Rodgers Band, Chet Vincent & The Big Bend. Downtown. 412-325-7723. WOOLEY BULLY’S. The Dave Iglar Band. New Brighton. 724-494-1578.
SAT 26 BALTIMORE HOUSE. Punisher. Pleasant Hills. 412-653-3800. CATTIVO. Tribute to Neutral Milk Hotel. Lawrenceville. 914-886-2438.
CLUB CAFE. Skinny Lister w/ Beans On Toast, Will Varley. South Side. 412-431-4950. DOWNEY’S HOUSE. Daniels & McClain. Robinson. 412-489-5631. GOOSKI’S. Bottle Rat, Riverside Odds, Weapons Of Choice. Polish Hill. 412-681-1658. HAMBONE’S. A Deer A Horse, Love Letters, Steve Sciulli. Lawrenceville. 412-681-4318. JAMES STREET GASTROPUB & SPEAKEASY. Functional Chaos. North Side. 412-904-3335. KENDREW’S. King’s Ransom. Aliquippa. 724-375-5959. MEADOWS CASINO. Nied’s Hotel Band. Washington. 724-503-1200. NIED’S HOTEL. Johnny Pina Colada. Lawrenceville. 412 781-9853. REX THEATER. theCAUSE w/ Jeff Mattson from Dark Star Orchestra. Annual benefit
show, w/ proceeds donated to Women’s Center & Shelter. South Side. 412-381-6811. SUB ALPINE CLUB. The Witchdoctors. Turtle Creek. 412-823-6661.
SUN 27 REX THEATER. Faust, Radon Chong, Power Fool. South Side. 412-381-6811. ROCKS LANDING BAR & GRILLE. Tony Campbell & the Jazz Surgery. McKees Rocks. 412-875-5809.
MON 28 HOWLERS. A Light Sleeper, Assembly Of, Joey Molinaro. Bloomfield. 412-682-0320.
TUE 29 ALTAR BAR. Metal Church. Strip District. 412-206-9719. BLACK FORGE COFFEE HOUSE. Cross My Heart. Knoxville. 412-291-8994.
MP 3 MONDAY UNFINISHED SYMPHONIES
{PHOTO COURTESY OF J. ROWDEN}
vocalist
Each week we bring you a new song by a local artist. This week’s offering comes from the prolific one-man experimental-rock project known as Unfinished Symphonies. Stream or download the groovy track “Uh Huh” for free at FFW, the music blog at www.pghcitypaper.com.
BRILLOBOX. Astronauts, Etc w/ Harriet Brown, Royal Haunts. Bloomfield. 412-621-4900. CLUB CAFE. Voodoo Glow Skulls w/ Inco Fido, Children Of October. South Side. 412-431-4950. GOOSKI’S. R.I.P., Horehound, Crooked Cobras. Polish Hill. 412-681-1658. REX THEATER. Eli Paperboy Reed w/ Jeremy & the Harlequins. South Side. 412-381-6811. SPIRIT HALL & LOUNGE. Automagik, Blithehound, Red Room Effect. Lawrenceville. 412-586-4441.
HEAVY ROTATION Here are the songs City Paper staff writer Rebecca Nuttall can’t stop listening to:
WED 30
Kanye West
NOLA ON THE SQUARE. RML Jazz. Downtown. 412-370-9621. RIVERS CASINO. Jessica Lee & Friends. North Side. 412-231-7777.
“Real Friends”
ACOUSTIC The Wombats
CLUB CAFE. Escort w/ Lyndsey Smith & Soul Distribution. South Side. 41-431-4950. CRAFTHOUSE STAGE & GRILL. The GRID. 412-653-2695. HOWLERS. Lost In Society. Bloomfield. 412-682-0320. MR. SMALLS THEATER. SOJA w/ New Kingston. Millvale. 412-821-4447. THE R BAR. Chrome Moses, Bad Custer. Dormont. 412 942-0882.
THU 24 DOWNEY’S HOUSE. Jay Wiley. Robinson. 412-489-5631.
“Emoticons”
FRI 25 PARK HOUSE. John Wiatrak. North Side. 412-224-2273.
The Chainsmokers
SAT 26
“Kanye”
DJS THU 24
“Mine”
FRI 25
DIESEL. DJ CK. South Side. 412-431-8800. LAVA LOUNGE. Top 40 Dance Party. South Side. 412-431-5282. MIXTAPE. DJ Antithesis. ‘The 1990s (& a bag of chips)’ dance party. Garfield. 412-661-1727. REMEDY. Dance Crush. Lawrenceville. 412-781-6771. RIVERS CASINO. DJ NIN. North Side. 412-231-7777. ROWDY BUCK. Top 40 Dance. South Side. 412-431-2825. SAVOY RESTAURANT. Pete Butta. Strip District. 412-281-0660. SPIRIT HALL & LOUNGE. Tracksploitation & Konda. Lawrenceville. 412-586-4441.
WED 30 THE GOLDMARK. Pete Butta & Preslav. Reggae & dancehall. Lawrenceville. 412-688-8820. SMILING MOOSE. Rock Star Karaoke w/ T-MONEY. South Side. 412-431-4668.
N E W S
FRI 25 1LIVE STUDIO. DJ Goodnight: Open Elements. Avalon. 412-424-9254. SPIRIT HALL & LOUNGE. TOBACCO, The Hood Internet x ShowYouSuck, Lasers & Fast & Shit. Lawrenceville. 412-586-4441.
FRI 25
FRI 25
BLUES FRI 25
FULL LIST E N O LIN
SAT 26
SAT 26
JAZZ
THU 24
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
PITTSBURGH WINERY. Son Little. Strip District. 412-566-1000. THUNDERBIRD CAFE. Anjroy, Glo Phase. Lawrenceville. 412-682-0177.
SAT 26
blogh.pghcitypaper.com
The first hit is free. Actually, so are all the others.
HAMBONE’S. Ian Kane. Jazz Standards, showtunes & blues. Lawrenceville. 412-681-4318.
WED 30 PITTSBURGH WINERY. The Mulligan Brothers w/ Tullycavy. Strip District. 412-566-1000.
CAPRI PIZZA AND BAR. Bombo Claat w/ VYBZ Machine Intl Sound System. East Liberty. 412-362-1250.
SAT 26
FRI 25
MON 28
ATRIA’S RESTAURANT & TAVERN. The Express. Gibsonia. 724-444-7333. JAMES STREET GASTROPUB & SPEAKEASY. Ross Antonich, Beni Rossman, Ben Sherman, George Heid III & Spencer Geer. Speakeasy. Roger Humphries Jam Session. Ballroom. North Side. 412-904-3335.
ACOUSTIC MUSIC WORKS. Ross Hammond, Daryl Shawn, & Pairdown. Squirrel Hill. 412-422-0710. 1LIVE STUDIO. DJ Goodnight: ANDYS WINE BAR. Open Elements. Avalon. Mark Pipas. Downtown. 412-424-9254. 412-773-8800. GRILLE ON SEVENTH. Tony . w w w Campbell & Howie aper p ty ci h g p JAMES STREET Alexander. Downtown. .com GASTROPUB & 412-391-1004. SPEAKEASY. The Blues JAMES STREET Orphans. North Side. 412-904-3335. GASTROPUB & SPEAKEASY. Mark Strickland Duo. North Side. 412-904-3335. COACH’S BOTTLESHOP AND GRILLE. Ron & the RumpShakers. ANDYS WINE BAR. Kenia. Dormont. 412-207-9397. Downtown. 412-773-8800. MOONDOG’S. Jane Lee Hooker. JAMES SIMON SCULPTURE Blawnox. 412-828-2040. STUDIO. Diego Figueiredo. PITTSBURGH WINERY. Ron Uptown. 412-434-5629. Holloway Band. Strip District. JAMES STREET GASTROPUB & 412-566-1000. SPEAKEASY. Etta Cox & Al Dowe Band. North Side. 412-904-3335. LEMONT. Groove Doctors. Mt. Washington. 412-431-3100. ANDYS WINE BAR. Dane Vannatter. THE MONROEVILLE RACQUET Downtown. 412-773-8800. CLUB. Jazz Bean Live. Every
CHATHAM UNIVERSITY EDEN HALL CAMPUS. Eden Hall Bluegrass Jam. All acoustic instruments and ability levels welcome. Eden Hall Lodge dining area. Gibsonia. 412-365-1450. MANCHESTER CRAFTSMEN’S GUILD. Kenny Endo. North Side. 412-322-1773. PITTSBURGH WINERY. The Crane Wives. Strip District. 412-566-1000. RIVERS CASINO. The Vagrants. Acoustic set. North Side. 412-231-7777.
WED 30
FRI 25
HIP HOP/R&B
THU 24
PLUM AMERICAN LEGION. Patrick Varine. Verona. 412-795-9112. RIVERS CASINO. Harry & Hermie. North Side. 412-231-7777.
REGGAE SPOON. Spoon Fed. East Liberty. 412-362-6001.
OTHER MUSIC
BIDDLE’S ESCAPE. Brad Yoder. Regent Square. 412-999-9009. PARK HOUSE. Ronnie Gunn. North Side. 412-224-2273.
ALLEGHENY ELKS LODGE #339. Pittsburgh Banjo Club. Wednesdays. North Side. 412-321-1834. PARK HOUSE. Shelf Life String Band. North Side. 412-224-2273.
Third Eye Blind
PERLE CHAMPAGNE BAR. Bobby D Bachata. Downtown. 412-471-2058.
SAT 26
SUN 27 ANDYS WINE BAR. Judi Figel. Downtown. 412-773-8800.
WED 30
ACE HOTEL PITTSBURGH. TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party. Rare Soul, Funk & wild R&B 45s feat. DJ Gordy G. & J.Malls. East Liberty. 412-621-4900. ANDYS WINE BAR. DJ Malls Spins Vinyl. Downtown. 412-773-8884. THE FLATS ON CARSON. Pete Butta. South Side. 412-586-7644. ONE 10 LOUNGE. DJ Goodnight, DJ Rojo. Downtown. 412-874-4582. RIVERS CASINO. DJ Digital Dave. North Side. 412-231-7777. ROWDY BUCK. Top 40 Dance. South Side. 412-431-2825. RUGGER’S PUB. 80s Night w/ DJ Connor. South Side. 412-381-1330.
Saturday, a different band. Monroeville. 412-728-4155. WIGHTMAN SCHOOL. Boilermaker Jazz Band. Squirrel Hill. 412-421-1623.
IT’S BACK!
SAT 26
The Voice of Southside
ROCKS LANDING BAR & GRILLE. The Flow Band. McKees Rocks. 412-875-5809.
Karaoke Contest.
COUNTRY
EVERY THURSDAY!
MEADOWS CASINO. NOMaD. Washington. 724-503-1200. PRESIDENT’S PUB. Ben Donovan. Washington. 724-206-0918.
$200 Cash Prize 2 Winners each week
CLASSICAL
ADVANCE TO FINALS!
FRI 25
Starts MARCH 24th FINALS on MaY 5th
PITTSBURGH MEN’S GLEE CLUB. “A Concert of Sacred Music” St. John Fisher Church, . 412-241-4722.
Sponsored by
SAT 26 ISABELLE DEMERS. Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair. 412-242-2787.
Enjoy $2.50 Bottles & $2.50 Fireball shots
SUN 27 ERIC RICH ENSEMBLE, DUBRAVKA BENCIC. An evening of Avant/Classical music. Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, Garfield. 412-251-6058.
MON 28 IRVING SCHIFFMAN MEMORIAL CONCERT. Featuring tenor Raymond Very. Rodef Shalom Congregation, Oakland. 412-621-6566.
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!
JEKYL AND H HYDE | 140 S. 18TH STREET 412-488-0777 | BARSMART.COM/JEKYLANDHYDE +
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
25
What to do IN PITTSBURGH
March 23-29 WEDNESDAY 23 Galactic | Into the Deep Tour 2016
WE THE KINGS ALTAR BAR MARCH 26
REX THEATER South Side. 412-381-6811. All ages show. Tickets: greyareaprod.com. 8p.m.
AUGUST WILSON CENTER Downtown. 412-456-6666. Tickets: trustarts.org. 2p.m. & 8p.m.
STAGE AE North Side. Tickets: ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Doors open at 6:30p.m.
We The Kings ALTAR BAR Strip District. 412-263-2877. All ages show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 6:30p.m.
Bonnie Raitt
CARNEGIE STAGE Carnegie. Tickets: insideoffthewall.com. Through March 26.
26
SUNDAY 27
You Wouldn’t Expect
Vance Joy
KIMONO
G.Love & Special Sauce
SATURDAY 26
THUNDERBIRD CAFE Lawrenceville. 412-682-0177. Over 21 show. Tickets: greyareaprod.com. 8p.m.
THURSDAY 24
Station Square 412-481-ROCK. Over 21 show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 10p.m.
MR. SMALLS THEATRE Sex With Strangers Millvale. 412-821-4447. CITY THEATRE MAINSTAGE Tickets: ticketweb.com/opusone. South Side. 412-431-2489. 8:30p.m. Tickets: citytheatrecompany.org. Through April 3.
The Weber Brothers w/ Rivers
HEINZ HALL Downtown. 412-456-6666. Tickets: pittsburghsymphony.org. 8p.m.
REX THEATER South Side. 412-381-6811. Over 21 show. Tickets: greyareaprod.com. 9p.m.
Naughty Professor
Somos
THUNDERBIRD CAFE Lawrenceville. 412-682-0177. Over 21 show. Tickets: greyareaprod.com. 8p.m.
SMILING MOOSE South Side. 412-431-4668. All ages show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 6:30p.m.
FRIDAY 25
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
That Metal Show w/ Eddie Trunk,
Jim Florentine & Don Jamieson ALTAR BAR Strip District. 412-263-2877. All ages show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 9p.m.
Boombox: Bits & Pieces Tour
Milly SMILING MOOSE South Side. 412-431-4668. All ages show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 6:30p.m.
Darling Waste / Paul Benson Band HARD ROCK CAFE
MONDAY 28
Major League / Forever Came Calling SMILING MOOSE South Side. 412-431-4668. All ages show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 6p.m.
TUESDAY 29 Kevin Howard
BACKSTAGE BAR AT THEATER SQUARE Downtown. 412-456-6666. Free and open to the public. 5p.m.
Metal Church ALTAR BAR Strip District. 412-263-2877. All ages show. Tickets: ticketfly.com or 1-877-4-FLY-TIX. 8p.m.
PERFECT PITCH {BY AL HOFF}
IT’S A SLOW-MOVING, CHILLY DRAMA THAT DOESN’T OFFER ANY EASY ANSWERS
Baseball, we are told, is as elemental as a guy with a rock throwing it as hard as he can at a guy with a stick, who then endeavors to hit it as hard as he can. Thus, the contest begins when the ball is pitched, and as Jonathan Hock’s entertaining documentary Fastball makes abundantly clear: Speed matters. Hock has made films for ESPN’s 30 for 30, and Fastball fits into that series’ mostly breezy documentary mold: a round-up of contemporary interviews with baseball old-timers, archival footage and a micro-focus that proves surprisingly interesting even to non-fans. Some pitching legends are revisited, like Bob Feller and Sandy Koufax, but also littleknown Steve Dalkowski, who missed the major leagues despite a super-fast pitch.
Steve Dalkowski
Hank Aaron, Goose Gossage, Nolan Ryan and others relate plenty of anecdotes about being on either side of a fastball. Bob Gibson attributes some of his heat to the anger he suppressed constantly confronting racism, while other players recall the trepidation at the plate when batting against a hard thrower: “I could get hit in the head and die.” The players make some stabs at the science: Ballplayers are superstitious, so it’s no surprise that their theories defy known properties of physics. Pitched balls, in fact, do not “rise up” near the batter, or “disappear.” Hock brings in some real science guys from Carnegie Mellon, and they break down the “magic” of the fastball — from how the ball behaves in the air to the significant difference between balls traveling at 92 mph and 100 mph. They also get inside the batter’s brain, and explain how it is virtually impossible to hit a fastball. Also fascinating, in a sport obsessed with statistics and records, is the history of trying to measure fastballs. Measuring fastballs began as early as 1912, with pitcher Walter Johnson, and over the years involved instruments ranging from a speeding motorcycle to today’s standard infrared beam. No spoilers, but the scientists break out the math books and, across history, re-crunch the numbers to make a claim for the fastest recorded pitch. Whooosh. AHOFF@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
Starts Fri., March 25. Harris N E W S
Clockwise from top: The Dybbuk, Taj Mahal and The Here After
FACES OF CONFLICT {BY AL HOFF}
T
HE CARNEGIE Mellon International
Film Festival: Faces of Conflict runs through April 3, with more than a dozen feature films and documentaries. Unless noted, films screen at McConomy Auditorium, on the CMU campus, and are $10 ($5 students/seniors). A complete schedule, including guest speakers and specials events, is at www.cmu. edu/faces. Some recent films screening this week:
TAJ MAHAL. In November 2008, Mumbai, India, sustained a series of terrorist attacks, including a coordinated assault on its venerable Taj Mahal hotel, during which guests and employees were held hostage and killed. Nicolas Saada’s docudrama restages that terrifying night through the experience of an 18-yearold French hotel guest; she is alone while her parents attend a business event elsewhere. (“Alone” doesn’t account for the constant cellphone communication, which is truly a tedious drag on dramatic tension.) The telescoping of the event greatly reduces the horror, as well as placing this film in the problematic imperiled-
Westerner sub-genre. A more interesting take might have been how the young otherwise privileged woman processes what happened after returning to France, fertile material just barely hinted at. In English, and French, with subtitles. 7 p.m. Sun., March 27 THE HERE AFTER. At the start of this Swedish drama from Magnus von Horn, we see teenage John released from some secure facility, back into the awkward embrace of his family, a dad and younger brother. As the film quietly unfolds, we learn that John has committed a violent act, and that those in his rural community — high school classmates and administrators, neighbors and perhaps even members of his family — are not quite prepared to accept him back. Tensions simmer, then boil over, resulting in fresh acts of violence. It’s a slow-moving, chilly drama that doesn’t offer any easy answers to questions about varying degrees of culpability, understanding, forgiveness, justice and social obligation. In Swedish, with subtitles. 1 p.m. Tue., March 29 THE DYBBUK: A TALE OF THE WANDERING SOULS. Krzysztof Kopczynski’s documentary depicts the contemporary Rosh Hashanah pil-
grimage of Hasidic Jews to the grave of their 18th-century leader Rebbe Nachman, in Uman, Ukraine. Shortly before Nachman’s arrival in the 1760s, nearly 20,000 Jews and Poles were slaughtered there. While the film’s title illustrates the spiritual struggle — dybbuk is Yiddish for restless souls — much of the tension builds around the physical. Ukrainian “patriots” fight to build a monument to the Cossack men who slaughtered the Jews. Meanwhile, Jews must deal with economic prejudice and with a cross erected where Rosh Hashanah prayers culminate. Yet, one Ukrainian man, who lives in a mystical place and tends a Hasidic cemetery, is able to bridge the cultures. Director Kopczynski is expected to attend. In various languages, with subtitles. 7 p.m. Wed., March 30 (Ashley Murray) Also screening this week: Alvaro Longoria’s documentary The Propaganda Game recounts his trip to North Korea, where his governmentsanction-only visits and interviews proved as bizarre as satire (7 p.m. Thu., March 24); A Syrian Love Story, Sean McAllister’s documentary about a family of Syrian refugees (7 p.m. Fri., March 25); and Coffin in the Mountains, a dark comedy set in a small village from Chinese director Yukun Xin (7 p.m. Sat., March 26). A HOF F @ P G HC I T Y PA P E R. C OM
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
27
ex, who turns up dead. As postmodern cinema goes, Brick is a surprisingly organic genre-blender. If Johnson finally outsmarts himself, it’s only because this sort of low-keyed high concept only works for so long. But Johnson is also a clever director: For example, he photographs shoes well, and he uses the sound of them on pavement to execute one of his better brutal jokes. March 25-30. Row House Cinema (Harry Kloman)
FILM CAPSULES CP
= CITY PAPER APPROVED
NEW THIS WEEK BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. Can the two crimefighters put aside their differences to battle a new threat known as Doomsday? Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill star in Zack Snyder’s actioner based on the DC Comics characters. Starts Fri., March 25
CHINATOWN. Roman Polanski’s 1974 neo-noir classic set among the power brokers of 1930s Los Angeles holds up remarkably well on all counts: the sharp wide-screen photography; the period detail; the moody tone; and a full roster of fine performances, including Jack Nicholson playing somebody other than himself. And, of course, the smart script by Robert Towne — a complex storyline, rooted in historical events; the snappy banter; and the pervasive cynicism that helped defined new American cinema of the 1970s. March 25-28 and March 30-31. Row House Cinema (AH)
CP
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT. The third book in Veronica Roth’s dystopian youngadult novel series has been divided into two films, and this is the first. And frankly, director Robert Schwentke’s adaptation is so tedious and uninteresting, I hope they abandon the whole venture and just set these actors free. Everybody looks so miserable in this film, pretending to care about … some time in the future where one giant evil conspiracy to keep all the good exciting young people down has been revealed to be an experiment, and is now replaced by another? Our plucky heroine Tris (Shailene Woodley), her boyfriend Four (Theo James) and assorted others escape the ruined city of Chicago and wind up in another super-controlled set-up run by “pures” out in the contaminated desert. But everything isn’t what is seems, and — surprise — it’s up to Tris and her crew to set things right among various warring factions. For completists, and then only if you’re hopeful there will even be a fourth film. (Al Hoff)
Los Punks: We Are All We Have
LOS PUNKS: WE ARE ALL WE HAVE. Punk rock has proved a durable form of musical expression, because, let’s face it, there is always something to be angry about. Especially when you’re young
Brew Cinema: The Frighteners (1996) - 3/24 @ 8:00pm - Local beer, an exclusive poster, and the movie starring Michael J. Fox, directed by Peter Jackson.
__________________________________________________
Los Punks (2016) - 3/25 @ 7:30pm, 3:26 @ 10:00pm, 3/27 @ 7:00pm, 3/28 @ 7:30pm, 3/29 @ 7:30pm, 3/30 @ 7:30pm, 3/31 @ 7:30pm - An intimate look at how punk rock is thriving in the backyards of South Central and East Los Angeles. __________________________________________________
Babe: Pig In The City (1998) - 3/25 @ 9:30pm, 3/26 @ 4:00pm & 7:00pm, 3/27 @ 3:00pm - In the heart of the city, a pig with heart! Underrated cult classic by Mad Max director George Miller.
28
TOUCH OF EVIL. Orson Welles directed this baroque, south-of-the-border noir that plunges newlyweds Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston) and his bride, Susan (Janet Leigh), into a shadowy nightmare of crime and degradation. Policeman Vargas interrupts the honeymoon to investigate a bombing that might have been rigged by the border town’s corrupt and corpulent police chief, Hank Quinlan (Welles), who also frames Susan on a drug charge. From its famed, lengthy opening tracking shot all the way through to its bitter conclusion, Touch of Evil is a tour de force of the seamy and unseemly made visual, complete with Welle’s dense, nearly nightmarish mise-en-scene and striking camera work. Notable actors in unforgettable parts include Dennis Weaver as a jittery motel clerk, Marlene Dietrich as an aging madam, and Mercedes McCambridge as a sexually ambiguous junkie. March 25-29 and March 31. Row House Cinema (AH)
CP
HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS. Michael Showalter directs this dramedy about an older woman who gets inspired to romantically pursue a younger co-worker. Sally Field and Max Greenfield star. Starts Fri., March 25. Manor MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2. It turns out that the bride and groom of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) were never properly married, ergo My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2! And they say Hollywood has run out of ideas. Nia Vardalos and John Corbett reprise their roles; Vardalos directs. Starts Fri., March 25
THE MALTESE FALCON. In John Huston’s 1941 adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s popular detective novel, private detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) juggles a collection of nogoodniks as they all search San Francisco for a jewel-encrusted statuette, the titular bird. March 25-27 and March 29-31. Row House Cinema
Hello, My Name is Doris
Babe: Pig in the City
and when you’re already feeling disenfranchised like the teenagers, most of them Hispanic, in Los Angeles’ hardscrabble eastern and southern communities. Angela Boatwright’s on-the-fly doc catches up with these kids and their lively DIY scene, consisting mostly of backyard concerts. It’s a world where a 15-year-old near-homeless girl is a budding impresario, and a command of social media can bring out hundreds for a night of noisy camaraderie and raging against the system. Boatwright doesn’t probe too deeply, but the positive energy of the events is cut through with sadness, frustration and likely too much alcohol. Says one punker: “There are not a lot of options in the hood — what else are you gonna do but escape?” Starts Fri., March 25. Hollywood (AH)
improvised feel that leavens its melodrama and whining about relationships with bursts of humor (when g intra-vaginal g gg is a remote-controlled vibrating “egg” ou just know laughs introduced to the plot, you g up the he-saidwill follow). Also breaking he-said-she-said patter iss a variety — and I do mean, variety — of sex acts. (No simulated action forr the buttonex is real and pushing Mitchell: The sex he strenuous explicit.) Despite all the g different, it protesting about being turns out that Mitchell and his queerlly a bunch of duck iconoclasts are really sentimentalists who justt want to cuddle while a drag queen warbles a sweet, sad song. ctors Director Mitchell and actors son PJ Deboy and Paul Dawson are expected to attend; a enQ&A will follow the screening. 7:15 p.m. Fri., March 25. org. Row House. www.reelq.org. $10-40 (AH)
REPERTORY DIE HARD. It’s pretty much the worst way to spend Christmas Eve, single-handedly defending a Los Angeles skyscraper from a dozen terrorists. But New York cop John McLane (Bruce Willis) makes it look fun. John McTiernan directs this 1988 actioner that made Willis a big-time movie star. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 23. AMC Waterfront. $5 THE FRIGHTENERS. Michael J. Fox stars in Peter Jackson’s 1996 comedy-horror thriller about a man who, after a car accident, develops the psychic power to speak with the dead. At first, it seems like a good deal, but then there are those pesky demons. 8 p.m. Thu., March 24. Hollywood SHORTBUS. In this dramedy from John Cameron Mitchell, a group of stressed-out New Yorkers find comfort at Shortbus, a club for beautiful freaks, libertines and sexual explorers. The film has a shaggy,
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
son’s BRICK. Rian Johnson’s sufficiently clever film bout is a detective thriller about d the a murdered blonde and red in reason she got murdered ’s a twist: the first place. But there’s She’s a high school girl,, and the people wrapped up in her dirty h school little affairs are also high tective is girls and boys. The detective n-Levitt), Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a “good kid” and a brooding loner, who’s still in love with his
CP
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY. George Miller’s 1998 sequel to the cheery film about a pig that wants to herd sheep takes a d darker turn. Babe leaves the farm and gets lost iin the big city. 9:30 p.m. Fri., March 25; 4 and 7 p.m. Sat., March 26; and 3 p.m. Sun., March 27 27. Hollywood
The Divergent Series: Allegiant
HEDWIG AND TH THE ANGRY INCH. Director John Cameron Mitc Mitchell stars as Hedwig, a transsexual rock perfor performer who relates her story of a failed relationsh relationship, and of the ex-lover who stole her songs. Director Mitchell, actors PJ Pau Dawson, and performance Deboy and Paul artist Amber Martin are expected to attend; a da dance party with Mattachine will follo follow. 7 p.m. Sat., March 26. Ace Hot Hotel, 120 S. Whitfield St., East Liberty. www.reelq.org. $10-40 TH THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Rob Re Reiner’s 1987 film is that rare bird — a film to delight children ad and adults alike, an upbeat fairy tale wi with romance, comedy, swordplay an and deliciously quotable lines. (“Hello (“Hello. My name is Inigo MonY killed my father. Prepare toya. You die.” And what a cast: Cary to die.”) R Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Mandy Pantinkin Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, Pantinkin, S Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest profess and professional wrestler Andre the Giant. William Goldman wrote the clever p.m Sun., March 27. Regent script. 8 p.m. Square (AH) Square
CP
[ART REVIEW]
STAY AWHILE AND SLOWLY IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT INFINITESIMAL CHANGES ARE TAKING PLACE
STRIP SHOW For an alt weekly to review an exhibit titled Alt-Weekly Comics is bittersweet. This lively touring show from the Small Press Expo and the Society of Illustrators surveys a rich history, from Jules Feiffer in the 1950s Village Voice to such stars of the form’s ’80s and ’90s heyday as Doug Allen (the cheerfully dark-humored “Steven”) and Carol Lay (the clever “Story Minute”). However, as wall-text notes, the Internetage decline of alt weeklies nationally makes it “impossible for artists to make a living in this format.” In 1999, Pittsburgh City Paper ran five comics per issue; today, our downsized print edition runs one (Jen Sorenson’s dandy “Slowpoke”). Sigh. The milk is spilt; let us praise the cream. These comics set a generational tone, variously smart, sensitive, politically aware, nihilistic or just plain weird. The medium has generated such cultural icons as Matt Groenig, whose strip “Life in Hell” prefaced his creation of The Simpsons, and Alison Bechdel, whose sharp “Dykes to Watch Out For” predated her graphic novel Fun Home, later a hit Broadway musical. Curators Warren Bernard and Bill Kartalopoulos also include stalwarts like Mark Alan Stamaty’s busy, satirical “Washingtoon” and Lynda Barry’s intimately quirky “Ernie Pook’s Comeek.” The show’s ridiculously broad scope encompasses the densely chronicled urban anomie of Ben Katchor’s “Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer”; Kaz’s anarchic “Underworld”; Mark Newgarden’s retro-hip comics parodies; and Ellen Forney’s charming memoirs and no-nonsense docu-comics. Tom Tomorrow’s “This Modern World” has jumped to daily papers; Derf (“The City”) and Chris Ware make graphic novels; many cartoonists have migrated online. Out of newsprint, something’s lost. Alt-weekly comics are almost invariably either left-wing or left-field; they are also overwhelmingly white. So it’s smart that Toonseum board president Rob Rogers has curated a companion exhibit, Fear of a Black Marker, featuring work by San Francisco-based Keith Knight, whose “The K Chronicles” is published nationally (and repped in Alt-Weekly Comics). With his deceptively casual, almost doodling style, he covers subjects ranging from completely personal to sociopolitical. In one strip, a monkey lecturing on “primate change” (evolution) gets dung flung at him by incredulous listeners: “And so, The Left and The Right began.” And “How to Discern an Innocent Gesture from a Gang Sign” depicts a series of gesticulating hands whose only difference is skin color. ALT-WEEKLY COMICS and FEAR OF A BLACK MARKER continue through April 10. ToonSeum, 945 Liberty Ave., Downtown. 412-232-0199 or www.toonseum.org N E W S
+
Alison Bechdel’s “Dykes to Watch Out For”
{BY BILL O’DRISCOLL}
GREEN AND (NOT ENTIRELY) PLEASANT [ART REVIEW]
{PHOTO COURTESY OF JOEY KENNEDY}
{BY NADINE WASSERMAN}
“Summer Flower Border,” (detail) by Tony Heywood and Alison Condie
A
LTHOUGH IT contains only six works, it would be difficult to rush through Pastoral Noir: New English Landscapes. If you’ve ever spent time in the English countryside you can understand why so much literature and art focuses on its mystical, mysterious and enchanting qualities. Poets and painters alike conjure images of cottages, wide leas, mossy stones, glades and bowers, and cliffs above crashing waves. Images both quaint and sinister emerge from a land inhabited by fairies, ghosts and druids. Curated by Justin Hopper (a former City Paper staffer now based in England), the exhibition is made up mostly of time-based media. A poem, called “The Medicine Earth,” at the second-floor entrance to the exhibition, accompanies one of the longest pieces, a film called “Memorious Earth.” Made by
Autumn Richardson and Richard Skelton, text and image, together with a haunting score, create a portrait of ecological loss but also of hope for renewal and healing.
PASTORAL NOIR: NEW ENGLISH LANDSCAPES continues through April 3. Wood Street Galleries, 601 Wood St., Downtown. 412-471-5605 or www.WoodStreetGalleries.org
The film unfolds in real time as a mist slowly engulfs a craggy hillside in the upland landscape where Richardson and Skelton have lived since 2011. Intermittent texts onscreen reveal the etymology of the place, called “Hill of the Wolf.” In 1279 it is Wolfhou, in 1576 Uffay, in 1823 Ulpha, etc.
The artists have made an exhaustive study of the ecology, history, geography and folklore of the region. Mixing styles and sources from herbal texts, glossaries, archeological records and the translations of Old English leechdoms, or cures, phrases from the poem also appear in the film such as “the harmful one that throughout the land roams” and “the patient will be whole again.” The lines are cryptic yet form a sort of recipe or poultice, both elegy and remedy. The pace of the film reminds us to be attentive to what is forgotten or hidden in our natural surroundings. “Still,” by Jem Finer, also focuses our awareness upon geologic time and changes in the environment. The work consists of a single large wall projection. At first glance it seems static, but stay awhile and slowly it becomes clear that infinitesimal changes are taking place. And unlike traditional film CONTINUES ON PG. 30
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
29
GREEN, CONTINUED FROM PG. 29
Rossini’s madcap comedy, perfect for ďŹ rst-timers and families!
Photo: Nanc Prrice/Edmonton Opera
Tickets $12+
Jonathan Beyer †˜ Figaro
Žˆ�Š‘Š “ŒŠŠ‘Ž“Ž †˜ Almaviva
’Ž‘ž ”“˜ †˜ Rosina
Š›Ž“ ‘†›Ž“ †˜ Bartolo
APRIL 2, 5, 8, & 10 ÇŚ BENEDUM CENTER ÇŚ ŽˆÂ?Š™˜ Č–ČœČ? †“‰ š• ÇŚ Č&#x;ČœČ?Ç‚Č&#x;Č ČĄÇ‚ČĄČĄČĄČĄ ÇŚ •Ž™™˜‡š—ŒÂ?Â”Â•ÂŠÂ—Â†Ç€Â”Â—ÂŒÇ Â‡Â†Â—Â‡ÂŠÂ— UNDERSTAND EVERY WORD! “Œ‘Ž˜Â? ™ŠÂ?™˜ •—”Â?Šˆ™Š‰ †‡”›Š ™Â?Š ˜™†ŒŠǀ
BUY TICKETS NOW .
or video, the piece is not ďŹ xed in duration or sequence. Instead, images are randomly selected from an archive of 18,000 taken of the same wooded location, over the course of two years. In the image, one can see a sculptural sound piece by Finer, on a trail at Stour Valley Arts, in Kent. The location stays the same but the light changes, the weather changes, the seasons change and a ghostly ďŹ gure might come and go. A counterpoint to nature’s unpredictable ux is the human pursuit of perfection through cultivation. In “Summer Flower Border,â€? Tony Heywood and Alison Condie have created a “horticultural installationâ€? that considers the colors of cultivated owers. Using a swatch from the color chart used to classify new species, the artists create a matching paint that they then pour onto canvas and capture on video. The installation combines components both real (anthracite) and artiďŹ cial (fake owers, lights, projections, a musical score) that come together to form an alternate portrait of landscape. Resembling a psychedelic grave, the piece combines aspects of abstraction and still life in order to explore changing notions of landscape as well as mimicry and stasis. Two pieces on the third oor also challenge perceptions and the hierarchies of the natural order. Semiconductor’s “Heliocentricâ€? is a large-scale video installation that places the sun directly at the center of each image. Using time-lapse photography and astronomical tracking, the piece focuses on the reality of earth’s gravitational trajectory around the sun, as opposed to the way we experience it (as the sun rotating around the earth), thus exposing the fallibility of our perception of nature. And in a more fantastical approach, Tessa Farmer reverses the hunter/hunted paradigm. Using natural materials such as insect and crustacean carcasses, bones and plant roots, Farmer’s fantastical hanging diorama “The Terror (After Machen),â€? depicts armies of bees ridden by tiny skeleton fairies, and swarms of ants, butteries and beetles attacking birds including a majestic peregrine falcon. Also unsettling, yet eerily soothing, is the installation by Ghost Box Records entitled “Retrospective 2005-2015.â€? Here the concept of landscape is less about the natural world than about culture and aesthetics. The artists have created an atmospheric parallel world that conates elements from several recent decades into a place called Belbury. Experimental ďŹ lms, posters and vitrines ďŹ lled with books, records, photographs and pamphlets reveal the esoteric folklore of a ďŹ ctional town that is simultaneously harmonious and discordant. Pastoral Noir is not as bleak as it sounds. Spend the time to uncover its delights. I N F O@ P G H C I T Y PA P E R. C OM
30
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
PITTSBURGH DANCE COUNCIL
PRESENTS
Dorrance Dance SAT APRIL 2
2016 8 PM • BYHAM THEATER
{PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK WALSH}
Jezebel Bebbington D’Opulence and Beth Corning
[DANCE]
ROLE PLAY {BY STEVE SUCATO} WITH GENDER EQUALITY and LGBTQ rights
perennial hot-button issues, CorningWorks dives headlong into the conversation with the world premiere of its latest Glue Factory Project production, Right of Way. “As I get older I am thinking about how much the world has changed and how much it hasn’t,” says the dance-theater troupe’s founder/artistic director, Beth Corning. “I watch my teenage daughter’s friends think they don’t have to worry about equality and I keep thinking, ‘Yeah, you do.’”
CORNINGWORKS PRESENTS
RIGHT OF WAY Wed., March 30-Sun., April 3. New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, North Side. $25-30 (April 3 show is pay-what-you-can at the door). 888-718-4253 or www.newhazletttheater.org
Corning says that unconscious apathy plus the current political climate further fueled the creation of the hour-long, intermissionless work, onstage at the New Hazlett Theater for five performances March 30-April 3. Choreographed by Corning and performed by her and local drag queen Jezebel Bebbington D’Opulence, Right of Way asks probing questions about how we as a society view femininity, gender, identity and acceptance. Who is it that gets to determine gender roles? And why, if they want to be treated with dignity in their own lives, do drag queens tend to portray women’s worst stereotypes? Performed to a variety of live and
recorded music along with spoken text, singing and lip-syncing, Right of Way is a series of vignettes, some humorous, some poignant. (The show contains partial nudity and adult language.) Corning says there will also be a beauty contest of sorts. Pushup bras, 4-inch stilettos, 6-foot rolling mirrors and Tina Turner (a favorite Jezebel character) are also involved. Corning, who formerly ran Pittsburgh’s now-defunct Dance Alloy Theater, says she first met Jezebel years ago, at an Alloy fundraiser, and gave her a cameo in the 2008 Alloy work Feed Your Head Café. Upon conceiving Right of Way, she immediately thought of the vivacious performer and what her experiences could bring to the project. Jezebel is middle-aged, Bronx-born and Puerto Rico-raised. She transitioned to female nearly a decade ago. “Life is an everyday struggle for people not going through a sexual transition, so you can imagine how hard it is for someone who is,” she says. “Everybody transitioning has a different experience, and while mine hasn’t been horrifying, it hasn’t been a bowl of cherries either.” Jezebel says she is honored Corning chose her to perform in Right of Way and to be her muse of sorts. With no formal dance training, and used to what she calls “flashdancing” her performances, Jezebel says that following choreography rather than improvising has been a challenge: “I am learning to tame my wild side.” Corning feels that in life we are all performers in one way or another, and that we all put on costumes. With Right of Way, as with its prop mirrors, Corning wants to reflect back on us our thoughts on gender, identity and acceptance to help create understanding about ourselves and about humanity.
trustarts.org/DANCE
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
trustarts.org/dorrance A division of
BY
AYAD AKHTAR DIRECTED BY
TRACY BRIGDEN
CALL
BUY ONLINE
412.316.1600 PPT.ORG THRU APRIL 10 ONLY O’REILLY THEATER
I N F O @PGH C IT YPAPE R . C O M
N E W S
WATCH
412-456-6666
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
31
[PLAY REVIEWS]
ATTRACTIONS {BY MICHELLE PILECKI} A ROM-COM for thinking people, Sex With Strangers at City Theatre combines humor, insight and a 21st-century version of the Faustian bargain: You can sell your soul but retain the marketing rights. Laura Eason’s crisp 2009 play also tussles with the increasing digital manifestation of life, the universe and everything, and the concomitant minimization of privacy. Sex posits two frustrated writers. Blogger Ethan (Nick Ducassi) has achieved wealth and celebrity while still in his 20s — but not recognition of his literary talent, as yet unreleased to the world. Now in her lonely 30s, Olivia (Megan Byrne) wrote a brilliant debut novel in her youth, but it was badly marketed by her publisher, burying her creative career, and turning her to what “those who can’t do” do: teach. (I must add that I have long observed, and been puzzled by, cover art designed to attract people who wouldn’t want to read what’s actually inside, and to repel those who would enjoy it.) What makes Sex so sexy is not just the near-chemical attraction of this pair, but also their frictions over technology, secrecy, age differences. Ethan puppyishly adores Olivia and/or her talent. She is attracted as well, or maybe lust conquers her suspicions. Neither really knows who the other person is, nor do they want to reveal themselves. Even to themselves.
SEX WITH STRANGERS continues through April 3. City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. $15-56. 412-431-2489 or www.citytheatrecompany.org
Directed by Christian Parker, Sex packages intelligent dialogue and quirky characters with style. Byrne and Ducassi are perfect personifications, poetic but not precious. City resident scenic designer Tony Ferrieri delivers two luscious sets: a rustic B&B in snowy rural Michigan (neutral territory for the couple to meet), and Olivia’s minimalist but comfortable Chicago apartment (the coming battle zone). Both are admirably lit by designer Andrew David Ostrowski, with sound and original music by Elizabeth Atkinson, and costumes by Jessica Wegener Shay. Resident City production stage manager Patti Kelly keeps all those scenes running smoothly. City and Sex With Strangers present
{PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTI JAN HOOVER}
Nick Ducassi and Megan Byrne in City Theatre’s Sex With Strangers
credible, complex characters: charming but deeply flawed. Who is manipulating whom? Who betrays whom? We can care about these people even though we may realize we wouldn’t like them in real life. Whatever that may be. I N F O@ P G H C I T Y PA P E R. C OM
RARE “CHAIR” {BY TED HOOVER} I HADN’T GONE into Point Park Conserva-
tory Theatre’s The Drowsy Chaperone expecting to be devastated — but director Jack Allison and star Mason Alexander Park have a big surprise up their sleeves. We open with the character “Man in Chair,” sitting in his living room talking about his love of musical theater and a particular 1920s show, The Drowsy Chaperone. Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison have written a score for this made-up musical filled with perfectly ersatz 1920s musical numbers. The Man imagines the performers acting out the show in his living room. Bob Martin and Don McKellar have written a typically vapid ’20s-style plot about a Broadway star giving up the stage for a marriage which everyone is either celebrating or sabotaging. Martin and Keller have also written for Man in Chair side-splitting ongoing commentary about the show, the actors, musicals in general and the real world. As
THESE CHARACTERS ARE CHARMING BUT DEEPLY FLAWED.
32
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
someone who has spent a considerable amount of time doing the same thing in the privacy of his bedroom, I couldn’t not adore this 1998 Broadway hit. Allison, choreographer Eileen Grace and music director Camille Rolla do a great job with both “The Drowsy Chaperone” and The Drowsy Chaperone. The energy and commitment of this knockout cast are remarkable. Brittany Pent and Jared Thomas Roberts are charming as the lovebirds. Javier Manente dances and sings the Best Man like a force of nature, and Adriana Milbrath, in the title role, knocks her big solo out of the park.
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE continues through Sun., March 27. Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave., Oakland. 412-392-8000 or www.pittsburghplayhouse.com
Which brings us to Park as Man in Chair. He begins, in both looks and manner, like YouTube star Tyler Oakley; jumpy, funny, sweet and smart. But under Allison’s direction, we watch him slide deeper into his own fever dream. It’s difficult to realize what the stakes are for Park, because his illusions are so incredibly entertaining. Until the end. I can’t really talk about it — partly not to reveal spoilers, but also because it’s nuanced enough that I’m not sure what I thought happened actually did. But a chill ran down my spine and tears were rolling down my face. Thanks to Park’s glorious performance and Allison’s vision, this Drowsy Chaperone is one of enormous power.
creation of beautiful Japanese kimonos. In the course of the story, a writer (Moriah Ella Mason) is also preyed upon, and the two eventually form a relationship. In Thompson’s terms, they confront and “push back against” the predator. Thompson is well known on local stages, and his résumé in mime and movement theater reaches to Broadway and Europe. He’s a wonderfully expressive performer; at times, evoking pain on stage, he can seem to shrink before your eyes. Mason matches him with a vocabulary drawn more from contemporary dance. The cast is completed by Alexandra Bodnarchuk, who embodies the menacing (but also unnervingly sensual) predator, and Ryan Bergman, who portrays a third victim. (Bodnarchuk and Bergman also team up for an interpolated commedia dell’arte pantomime about a soldier and a poor man that comments on predation in economic terms.) The action occurs on a bare stage, with strong lighting effects by Antonio Colaruotolo and set to evocative original music composed by David Bernabo. It’s a parable in pantomime that is visually cued by kimonos created by Linda Wallen and Kari Kramer, and masks made by Thompson himself.
directed by Colleen Doyno, made up for its lack of a profound script with entertaining production values (including a guest appearance by Bishop David Zubik as … the Bishop!). Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act was created by Alan Menken (music), Glenn Slater (lyrics) and book-writers Douglas Carter Beane and Cheri and Bill Steinkellner. It opens in 1970s Philadelphia with fabulous heroine Deloris auditioning a Philly-soul-style number for boyfriend and nightclub manager/gang leader Curtis (Brady Patsy). Foote consistently delivers star-quality gospel-like performances. Deloris accidentally witnesses Curtis break the sixth commandment (“thou shalt not kill,” for those of you who skipped CCD) and makes a run for the police station. Eddie Souther (Justin Lonesome), or “Sweaty Eddie,” a cop and former classmate who still harbors a crush on Deloris, puts her in a convent for protection. Lonesome shines in his solo number “I Could Be That Guy,” which also demonstrates an audience-wooing double-breakaway costume from costume designer Kim Brown.
THOMPSON IS A WONDERFULLY EXPRESSIVE PERFORMER.
At first, Deloris cannot find common ground with the sisters; then she joins the choir and helps them funk up their Sunday mass with sequined habits and Saturdaynight dance numbers (choreographed by Lisa Elliot).
SISTER ACT continues through Sat., March 26. Pittsburgh Musical Theater at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $29.75-49.75. 412-456-6666 or www.pittsburghmusicals.com
In the convent, the actors play off each other incredibly well. Allison Cahill’s stern Mother Superior is juxtaposed superbly with Tim Hartman’s goofy Monsignor O’Hara. The ensemble of singing nuns provide reliable comic relief. Nina Danchenko’s bubbly Sister Mary Patrick and Chris Laitta’s rickety Sister Mary Lazarus stand out. Nicole Uram, as Sister Mary Robert, belts out the incredible solo number “The Life I Never Led.” Foote’s and Cahill’s performances highlight the sincere formation of that relationship. Though the script gets campy and predictable, the PMT cast works every possible angle to deliver a heartwarming message of sisterhood solidarity. I N F O@ P G H C I T Y PA P E R. C OM
KIMONO
MARCH 12 – APRIL 3
continues through Sat., March 26. Off the Wall at Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main St., Carnegie. $5-30. 724-873-3576 or www.insideoffthewall.com
INFO@ PGHC ITY PAP ER.CO M
PREY TELL {BY BILL O’DRISCOLL} THOUGH IT usually references the suffer-
ings of soldiers, post-traumatic stress disorder is increasingly used to describe the impacts on victims of things like poverty and violent crime. In his new stage work, Kimono, Mark C. Thompson asks us to think about PTSD in terms of confronting the predators who cause it. Kimono premieres at the intimate Carnegie Stages Theater courtesy of Off the Wall Productions and fireWALL Dance Theater. It’s a movement-theater work that combines mime, dance and spoken-word voiceover to tell the story of two victims of assault. Thompson, who created, directed and choreographed the show, portrays an unnamed man whom a gruesome attack has left with seemingly endless psychological torments; an artist, his lone solace is the
N E W S
+
The hour-long-show’s wordless action is strong enough that the intermittent voiceover sometimes feels heavy-handed. Kimono’s most potent element, meanwhile, is its depiction of people suffering alongside each other and not knowing it — until they realize their mutual plight and join forces to pursue its redress. DRI SCO L L @PGH C IT YPAPE R . C O M
MASS APPEAL {BY DANIELLE LEVSKY} PITTSBURGH MUSICAL Theater’s production of Sister Act doesn’t come alive until threequarters of the way through the first act. It’s then that Deloris Van Cartier (Amanda Foote) joins with the convent-dwelling sisters for a stellar gospel number. The dynamic is soulful and empowering; it’s where these performers, though working with lackluster material, shine. On opening night, the musical comedy,
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
CP Readers get $10 off full price tickets with code CITYCITY.
S C R E E N
These tickets are HOT!
412.431.CITY (2489) / CityTheatreCompany.org 1300 Bingham Street, South Side
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
33
FOR THE WEEK OF
03.2403.31.16
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUBMIT LISTINGS AND PRESS RELEASES, CALL 412.316.3342 X161.
MARCH 25
We Wore the Masks
Art by Nate Berton
masterpiece this week, 1958’s Touch of Evil. Welles directed and co-stars — with Charlton Heston and Marlene Dietrich! – in this crime drama set on the U.S.-Mexico border. A box-office flop in the States, it was Welles’ final Hollywood production. But the film is now hailed for its cinematic brilliance, especially in a version restoring Welles’ original cut. Touch of Evil screens as part of Rowhouse Cinema’s week-long film noir series. BO 5:10 p.m. Continues daily through March 31. 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $5.50-9. 412-904-3225 or www.rowhousecinema.com
{ART}
{WORDS} Gregory Pardlo “was an index of first lines when I was born,” he says in “Written by Himself,” a poem from his Pulitzer Prize-winning 2014 collection, Digest. Pardlo and Pittsburgh-based Yona Harvey — who received the Kate Tufts Discovery Award for her collection Hemming the Water — read from their work tonight at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. The free reading, part of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures’ Poets on Tour series, includes a reception and book-signing. Courtney Linder 6 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free with reservation: 412-622-8866 or www.pittsburghlectures.org
{ART} Old magazines, beat-up 78s, coat buttons, just about any loose arts-and-crafts supply you could imagine: You can find them all at the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, a home for stuff someone didn’t want but someone else might. What you couldn’t find there was an art gallery — until tonight. That’s when the Center’s own gallery holds its first opening reception, for artifacts, featuring work by its first artist in residence, Juliet Pusateri. And all the work in
34
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
+ FRI., MARCH 25 {SCREEN} Orson Welles fans inspired by February’s first-ever screenings here of his Chimes at Midnight can sample another
Introverted. Hyperactive. Guarded. Used. Unloved. Peel back layers of inhibition this evening at Nate Berton’s new exhibition We Wore the Masks. Berton, a Carnegie Mellon scenic-design major, asked participants to scrawl five words that describe their innermost selves, then incorporated the terms into haunting photographic portraits. The series includes a “living gallery” that documents guests on the spot. This exercise in vulnerability
Art by Juliet Pusateri
+ THU., MARCH 24
artifacts is, needless to say, made entirely from reclaimed materials. Bill O’Driscoll 6-9 p.m. 214 N. Lexington St., Point Breeze. 412-473-0100 or www.pccr.org
MARCH 24
artifacts
sp otlight {PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MORGAN}
A few months after its 2014 comedy tour visited Pittsburgh, Baltimore’s Wham City debuted, on Adult Swim, “Unedited Footage of a Bear.” The nightmarish 10-minute film about a suburban mom and her “duplicate” — which starts out as a cheesy drug commercial — was dubbed “this year’s scariest video” by London’s The Observer, and catapulted the troupe to new notoriety. Alan Resnick, who directed “Unedited Footage” as part of Adult Swim’s “Infomercials” series, says it was “surprisingly popular for something that had no jokes in it and was on a comedy station.” Resnick spoke with CP last week, hours after the 4 a.m. Adult Swim premiere of Wham City’s “This House Has People in It,” another excursion into the suburban macabre (this one seemingly assembled, unnervingly, out of surveillance footage). But while the long-running Wham City Comedy Tour is not your typical comedy show, it’s also not, well, a horror show. “The live shows are definitely funnier,” says Resnick, who tours with troupe members Ben O’Brien and Robby Rackleff (all of whom have backgrounds in video art). “There might be some traditional standup, but there’s also character stuff, and sketch performances, and lectures and things.” Also expect some new video. Frequent collaborator Cricket Arrison opens for the troupe at Arcade Comedy Theater. Bill O’Driscoll 8 p.m. Thu., March 31. 811 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $10. www.arcadecomedytheater.com
opens tonight as part of the Trespass: Artist Residencies series at Future Tenant gallery. CL 8 p.m. 819 Penn Ave., Downtown. Free. www.futuretenant.org
+ SAT., MARCH 26
intersection of industrial and digital technologies — an exercise in combining metal casting, molding, painting and 3-D printing. CL 5 p.m. 4523 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. Free. 412-687-8858 or www.boxheartgallery.com
{STAGE} Dystopia wasn’t far-fetched between 1933 and 1973, when the North Carolina Eugenics Program forcibly sterilized more than 8,000 people (out of 60,000 sterilized nationally). MARCH 26 Playwright Marilynn Diego Figueiredo Barner Anselmi brings this grim reality to life in her new play You Wouldn’t Expect, an intense drama that follows two women involved with the sterilization program. The play, presented by the {WORDS} Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Nestled in a cabin within the and the demaskus Theater Israeli-occupied West Bank, Collective, gets two Assaf Gavron began writing performances today, at the his Bernstein Prize-winning August Wilson Center. CL novel The Hilltop — an 2 and 8 p.m. 980 Liberty Ave., internationally acclaimed work Downtown. $20-30. 412-456of fiction that illuminates the 6666 or www.trustarts.org region’s extreme conditions through the narrative of {ART} a farmer who settles on a Discover how visual-art hilltop to grow tomatoes virtuosos manipulate but eventually sparks an unconventional media at the international crisis. Tonight, at opening reception for Kal City of Asylum, Gavron reads Mansur’s New Valkyries and from The Hilltop and engages Michael Walsh’s Intersectionin a Q&A, courtesy of J Street Dissection-Connection, at Pittsburgh and the University BoxHeart Gallery. New of Pittsburgh’s Jewish Studies Valkyries re-envisions the program. A dessert reception visible spectrum through follows. CL 7 p.m. 330 Mansur’s attention to color and light in turning acrylic glass Sampsonia Way, North Side. Free. Register at 412-323-0278 into translucent sculptures. or www.cityofasylum.org His ability to explore light and shadow earned him title of {WORDS} BoxHeart’s 2016 Artist of the Scott Pyle’s “In the fire maze Year. Walsh’s internationally …” reads, “darkness / keep recognized work is an
N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
the left hand on the wall / my breath thunder.” The locally based poet, who specializes in haiku, describes himself as an “EMT – Librarian – Hiker – Writer.” The release of his first book, Moving Leeward, is the occasion for a reading party tonight at Percolate Art Space & Gallery. The evening also includes poetry by Vincent Zepp, Michael Albright, Angele Ellis and Pyle’s fellow haiku artist Don Wentworth. BO 7 p.m. 317 S. Trenton Ave., Wilkinsburg. Free. www.facebook.com (search “Moving Leeward”)
{HIP HOP} The four elements of hip hop — MCing, DJing, b-boying and graffiti — are alive and well tonight at the headquarters of Get Down Gang. This old-school hip-hop house on the North Side hosts Breaking Ground: An Elemental Explosion, a freestyle cypher presented by local outfit Track Meet. This open-mic night includes free drinks from Full Pint Brewing Company, food from
MARCH 26
BoxHeart Gallery
specializes in samba and bossa nova, opens. BO 8 p.m. 305 Gist St., Uptown. $20. 412-4345629 or www.showclix.com (search “Diego Fiqueiredo”)
+ WED., MARCH 30 {STAGE}
Art by Kal Mansur Brassero Grill, canvases to create your own street art and performances by local beatsmiths, DJs and bands. CL 7 p.m. 915 Spring Garden Ave., North Side. $7-20. Reason8711 @gmail.com or www.facebook. com/TrackMeetCyphers/
peers; George Benson has called him “one of the greatest guitarists I’ve seen in my whole life.” At 35, Figueiredo has already released 23 CDs, and he has concert credits in 60 countries. Just for tonight, a spring tour of the eastern U.S. brings him to the James Simon Sculpture Studio, an intimate performance space in Uptown. Brazilian-born acoustic-electric guitarist Moises Borges, who
{MUSIC} Internationally touring Brazilian jazz guitarist Diego Figueiredo is hailed by his
“What did King Lear know about binary numbers? Do we get closer to the truth by studying poetry or mathematics?” In the new stage comedy The Mathematics of Being Human, an incompatible math professor and English professor co-teach a class on how their disciplines overlap. The fullystaged one-act was written by English prof Michele Osherow and math prof Manil Suri, based on their own teamteaching experience at the University of Maryland. The first of five free performances this week is tonight, at the University of Pittsburgh’s Henry Heymann Theatre. BO 8 p.m. Continues through Sat., April 2. 4301 Forbes Ave., Oakland. RSVP at www.humanities.pitt.edu.
+ THU., MARCH 31 {WORDS} Every parent’s worst nightmare materializes in Rebecca Drake’s fourth and latest thriller, Only Ever You (Thomas Dunne Books). It tells the story of a woman and her daughter, who is abducted at the playground and returns about an hour later with a strange puncture wound in her arm. Join Drake, a professor at Seton Hill University, for the release of her novel at Mystery Lovers Bookshop tonight. CL 7 p.m. 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont. Free. 412-828-4877 or www.mysterylovers.com
MARCH 26
Track Meet
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
35
{ALL LISTINGS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 9 A.M. FRIDAY PRIOR TO PUBLICATION}
TO SUBMIT A LISTING: HTTP://PGHCITYPAPER.COM/HAPPENINGS 412.316.3388 (FAX) + 412.316.3342 X165 (PHONE)
THEATER ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Join Alice, the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts & all their friends as they take you on an interactive, musical journey through Wonderland! Thru March 26, 1 & 3:30 p.m. Father Ryan Arts Center, McKees Rocks. 412-771-3052. DISGRACED. Black, White, Muslim & Jewish persons share the same idea of the good life, until ingrained prejudices get the best of them. Wed-Sat, 8 p.m., Sun, 2 & 7 p.m. and Tue, 7 p.m. Thru April 10. Pittsburgh Public Theater, Downtown. 412-316-1600. THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. A musical comedy presented by Point Park’s Conservatory Theatre Company. Thru March 27, 8 p.m. Pittsburgh Playhouse, Oakland. 412-392-8000. FIRST DATE. Boy meets girl ... on a blind date..in a musical. Wed-Fri, 7:30 p.m., Sat, 2 & 7:30 p.m. and Sun, 2 p.m. Thru April 24. Cabaret at Theater
to also encompass racial lines. Square, Downtown. 412-325-6769. Presented by Pittsburgh GODSPELL. Fri, Sat, 7:30 p.m. Playwrights Theatre. Thu, Fri, Thru March 27. Comtra Theatre, 8 p.m., Sat, 2 & 8 p.m. and Sun, Cranberry. 724-591-8727. 3 p.m. Thru March 27. Pittsburgh JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Playwrights Theatre, Downtown. Andrew Webber’s rock www.pghplaywrights.com. opera about the last week SEX WITH STRANGERS. of Jesus’life. Thu-Sat, When 40(ish) Olivia, 8 p.m. Thru a talented but March 26. Strand unrecognized novelist, Theater, Zelienople. gets snowbound at 724-742-0400. www. per a writers’ retreat w/ THE MATHEMATICS a p ty pghci m 20-something Ethan, OF BEING HUMAN. .co superstar sexcapade In a comedic spin on blogger & king of the classroom battles, an Twitterverse, the chemistry is hot incompatible mathematics but what will the outcome be? Sat, professor & English professor 5:30 & 9 p.m., Thu, Fri, 8 p.m., Tue, are paired to teach a class that Wed, 7 p.m. and Sun., March 27, demonstrates how their disciplines 2 p.m. Thru April 3. City Theatre, overlap. March 30-April 2, 8 p.m. South Side. 412-431-2489. and Sat., April 2, 2 p.m. Henry SHAKESPEARE … WITH A Heymann Theatre, Oakland. RUBBER DUCK. Host Alan Irvine www.eventbrite.com assigns each competitor or team MISS JULIE, CLARISSA & JOHN. a scene or monologue & then The dangerous attraction between hands them a random prop which a landowner’s daughter & his top must be worked into the action. servant takes on new shades as W/ minimal preparation, the its taboo nature expands from competitors perform, hoping to crossing boundaries of social class
FULL LIST ONLINE
[KIDSTUFF]
We check in with editor Charlie Deitch at Pirates spring training. win the admiration (or sympathy) of the audience. Mon., March 28, 7:30 p.m. Te Cafe, Squirrel Hill. 412-422-8888. SISTER ACT. Presented by Pittsburgh Musical Theater. The feel-amazing musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film. Thu-Sat, 7:30 p.m. Thru March 28. Byham Theater, Downtown. 412-456-6666. THE SOUND OF MUSIC. The story of the Von Trapp family. Tue-Thu, 7:30 p.m., Fri, 8 p.m., Sat., March 26, 2 & 8 p.m. and Sun., March 27, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Thru March 27. Benedum Center, Downtown. 412-456-6666. TV DINNERS. Three classic 90’s TV sitcoms, in a multimedia format, complete w/ commercials. Fri, Sat, 7 p.m. Thru March 26. R-ACT Theatre Productions, Rochester. www.ractproductions.com.
COMEDY THU 24 COMEDY OPEN MIC. Hosted by Derick Minto. Thu, 9 p.m. Hambone’s, Lawrenceville. 412-681-4318.
FRI 25 A CHANGE OF SCENERY: SKETCH, MUSIC & IMPROV COMEDY. 10 p.m. Arcade Comedy Theater, Downtown. 412-339-0608. RANDY & MR. LAHEY LIVE. From Trailer Park Boys. Early & late shows. 7 & 9:30 p.m. Club Cafe, South Side. 412-431-4950.
SAT 26 MAKE NICE BOOM. A team improv competition presented by Unplanned Comedy. Fourth Sat of every month, 8 p.m. Cattivo, Lawrenceville. 412-687-2157.
June 18 - 25 & August 13 -20
Turquoise Barn Bloomville NY
MON 28 COMEDY SAUCE SHOWCASE. Local & out-of-town comedians. Mon, 9 p.m. Pleasure Bar, Bloomfield. 412-682-9603. OPEN MIC COMEDY NIGHT. Mon, 10 p.m. Lava Lounge, South Side. 412-431-5282. UNPLANNED COMEDY JAMBONE’S IMPROV. Hosted by Woody Drenen. Mon, 9:30 p.m. Hambone’s, Lawrenceville. 412-681-4318.
www.yogahivepgh.com 36
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
Set your kiddos loose in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (with your supervision, of course) to hunt down some eggs for the museum’s annual Egg-cellent Hunt. The first 600 children to arrive on Saturday can follow the clues to some treats, and meet a few live animals in celebration of spring. Noon-4 p.m. Sat., March 26. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free with museum admission. 412-622-3131 or www.carnegiemnh.org
EXHIBITS ALLEGHENY CITY HISTORIC GALLERY. Historical images & items forcusing on the North Side of Pittsburgh. North Side. 412-321-3940. CONTINUES ON PG. 38
Catch all of the tourney action at these locations!
VISUAL
ART
Shadyside & Market Square
“Madler K” (acrylic on canvas, 2016), by Eduardo Portillo. From the exhibition For The Win / Fare Thee Well, at Revision Space, Lawrenceville.
NEW THIS WEEK BOXHEART GALLERY. Intersection - Dissection Connection: Michael Walsh. Public reception March 26, 5 p.m. Kal Mansur: New Valkyries. Acrylic Construction by BoxHeart’s 2016 Artist of the Year. Opening reception March 26th, 5 p.m. Bloomfield. 412-687-8858. CREATIVE REUSE GALLERY. Check out the brand new gallery & the works created by the first artist in residence, Juliet Pusateri. Opening reception March 24, 6 p.m. Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Homewood. 412-473-0100. REVISION SPACE. For The Win / Fare Thee Well. For two & a half years, Revision Space has held 16 exhibitions & presented dozens of artists through solo & group shows. The time has come to close our storefront space in upper Lawrenceville. Let’s celebrate the accomplishments & reputation we developed in the contemporary art scene in Pittsburgh. Opening reception March 25, 7 - 9 p.m. Lawrenceville. 412-735-3201.
ONGOING 707 PENN GALLERY. Jennifer Nagle Myers: Waterfall Vision. A collection of new work inspired by the human body in relationship to the earth body. Drawings, paintings, installation & performance that seek to unearth a new alphabet of form, mark & material. Downtown. 412-325-7017. 937 LIBERTY AVE. Humanae/ I AM AUGUST. A series of photographs of everyday Pittsburghers by Angelica Dass.
Downtown. 412-338-8742. ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM. Michael Chow aka Zhou Yinghua: Voice for My Father. 3 main bodies of work which include new paintings completed expressly for The Warhol show, vintage photographs of the artist’s father Zhou Xinfang, a grand master of the Beijing Opera & a collection of portraits of Chow painted by his contemporaries, such as Andy Warhol, JeanMichel Basquiat & Ed Ruscha, linking his practice w/ the contemporary art communities of London, New York & Los Angeles. Permanent collection. Artwork & artifacts by the famed Pop Artist. Exposures: Jamie Earnest: Private Spaces / Public Personas. 3 new largescale paintings that incorporate details from the private, residential spaces of both Andy Warhol & Michael Chow. North Side. 412-237-8300. ARTDFACT. Artdfact Gallery. The works of Timothy Kelley & other regional & US artists on display. Sculpture, oil & acrylic paintings, mixed media, found objects, more. North Side. 724-797-3302. AUGUST WILSON CENTER. The Other Side of Pop. In this alternative examination of pop art & pop culture, artists depict relevant & influential cultures that are either unappreciated or unrecognized by mainstream media. Downtown. 412-258-2700. BARCO LAW LIBRARY. Oracles & Vesicles, Drawings & Prints by Michael Walter. Oakland. 412-648-1376. BLACK FORGE COFFEE HOUSE. debris stitch tide.
An exhibition by Rin Park & Naomi Edmark, two queer womyn of color. Knoxville. 412-291-8994. BOCK-TOTT GALLERY. 7 Artists. A collection of works by Brandy Bock Tott, Jeffrey Phelps, Tom Mosser, Yelena Lamm, Nick Santillo, Will White & Joyce Werwie Perry. Sewickley. 412-519-3377. CAPRISTO SALON. Works in Watercolor. Displaying the works of Phiris Sickels, one of the most celebrated watercolor artists in the area. Shadyside. 412-361-8722. CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART. HACLab Pittsburgh: Imagining the Modern. An exhibition of over, under architecture highlighting successive histories of pioneering architectural successes, disrupted neighborhoods & the utopian aspirations & ideals of public officials & business leaders. Silver to Steel: The Modern Designs of Peter Muller-Munk. Displaying the work of 60s German emigre & Pittsburgh industrial design Peter Muller-Munk, who started as a silversmith at Tiffany’s. Oakland. 412-622-3131. CHROMOS EYEWEAR. Waxed Abstraction. Work by Marlene Boas inspired by the psyche. Lawrenceville. 412-477-4540. CRAZY MOCHA COFFEE COMPANY. In The Jungle: New & Recent Works by Lizzee Solomon. Bloomfield. 412-404-8117. DELANIE’S COFFEE. Double Mirror. 40+ artists displaying their works. South Side. 412-927-4030. EAST OF EASTSIDE GALLERY. Carol Brode & Kathleen Dlugos. Work from
Downtown
2 $3 $15 $
Miller Lite Drafts 20 OZ Miller Lite Drafts Miller Lite Buckets
# I t s M i l l e r Ti m e
CONTINUES ON PG. 39
N E W S
+
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
37
{PHOTO BY AARON WARNICK}
*Stuff We Like
BIG LIST, CONTINUED FROM PG. 36
EVERYONE IS A CRITIC
ALLEGHENY-KISKI VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM. Military artifacts & exhibits on the Allegheny Valley’s industrial EVENT: heritage. Tarentum. 724-224-7666. ANDREW CARNEGIE FREE with Butterbirds, LIBRARY MUSIC HALL. Capt. Thomas Espy Room Tour. The Shakey Shrines and Capt. Thomas Espy Post 153 of the Meeting of Important Grand Army of the Republic served People at Spirit Lodge, local Civil War veterans for over in Lawrenceville 54 years & is the best preserved & most intact GAR post in the United CRITIC: , 32, States. Carnegie. 412-276-3456. CEO of MapMedi, BAYERNHOF MUSEUM. from Troy Hill Large collection of automatic roll-played musical instruments & WHEN: music boxes in a mansion setting. Call for appointment. O’Hara. 412-782-4231. BOST BUILDING. Collectors. I like that [Butterbirds] had a good range of diversity, Preserved materials reflecting whether they’re doing a punk-rock-ish vibe, a country the industrial heritage of ballad or dancey stuff. The only downside was that they Southwestern PA. Homestead. 412-464-4020. were the opener and people weren’t drunk enough to BRADDOCK’S BATTLEFIELD dance. [Shakey Shrines] had a weird intro where they HISTORY CENTER. French & drummed as if it were some sort of religious ceremony Indian War. The history of the — it lasted for a solid four or five minutes. Josh Verbanets French & Indian War w/ over [from Meeting of Important People] brought a strong, 250 artifacts & more. Braddock. charismatic presence to the stage, gyrating like a young 412-271-0800. CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF Quentin Tarantino. [Delicious Pastries] played zany NATURAL HISTORY. Pterosaurs: retro-pop with elaborate costuming and staging. It was Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs. filled to the max in the basement at the show’s end. Spirit Rare fossils, life-size models & has emerged as a unique space, converting the Moose hands-on interactives to immerse Lodge fratty vibe into a modern, hipster paradise. It visitors in the winged reptiles’ Jurassic world. Dinosaurs in really cements Upper Lawrenceville as an extension Their Time. Displaying immersive of Lawrenceville. environments spanning the B Y C O URT N E Y L I N D E R Mesozoic Era & original fossil specimens. Permanent. Hall of Enjoy hikes & outdoor activities in museum celebrating the Minerals & Gems. Crystal, gems the surrounding park. Allison Park. settlement & history of the & precious stones from all over 412-767-9200. Depreciation Lands. Allison Park. the world. Population Impact. KENTUCK KNOB. Tour the 412-486-0563. How humans are affecting other Frank Lloyd Wright house. FALLINGWATER. Tour the the environment. Oakland. Mill Run. 724-329-8501. famed Frank Lloyd Wright house. 412-622-3131. KERR MEMORIAL MUSEUM. Mill Run. 724-329-8501. CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER. Tours of a restored 19th-century, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN H2Oh! Experience kinetic middle-class home. Oakmont. CHURCH. Tours of 13 Tiffany water-driven motion & discover 412-826-9295. stained-glass windows. the relations between water, MARIDON MUSEUM. Downtown. 412-471-3436. land & habitat. How do everyday Collection includes jade & ivory FORT PITT MUSEUM. decisions impact water supply statues from China & Japan, as Captured by Indians: Warfare & & the environment? Ongoing: well as Meissen porcelain. Butler. Assimilation on the 18th Century Buhl Digital Dome (planetarium), 724-282-0123. Frontier. During the mid-18th Miniature Railroad & Village, MCGINLEY HOUSE & century, thousands of settlers of USS Requin submarine & more. MCCULLY LOG HOUSE. European & African descent North Side. 412-237-3400. Historic homes open for tours, were captured by Native CENTER FOR lectures & more. Monroeville. Americans. Using POSTNATURAL 412-373-7794. documentary evidence HISTORY. Explore NATIONAL AVIARY. Masters from 18th & early the complex of the Sky. Explore the power 19th century sources, interplay between . w ww per & grace of the birds who rule the period imagery, & culture, nature & a p ty ci pgh m sky. Majestic eagles, impressive artifacts from public biotechnology. .co condors, stealthy falcons and & private collections in Sundays 12-4. Garfield. their friends take center stage! the U.S. and Canada, the 412-223-7698. Home to more than 600 birds exhibit examines the practice of CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF from over 200 species. W/ captivity from its prehistoric roots PITTSBURGH. TapeScape 2.0. classes, lectures, demos & more. to its reverberations in modern A play exhibit/art installation, North Side. 412-323-7235. Native-, African- & Euro-American designed by Eric Lennartson, NATIONALITY ROOMS. communities. Reconstructed fort that uses more than 10 miles 29 rooms helping to tell the houses museum of Pittsburgh of tape stretched over steel frames story of Pittsburgh’s immigrant history circa French & Indian War & to create twisting tunnels & past. University of Pittsburgh. American Revolution. Downtown. curving walls for children to crawl Oakland. 412-624-6000. 412-281-9285. through & explore. North Side. OLD ST. LUKE’S. Pioneer church FRICK ART & HISTORICAL 412-322-5058. features 1823 pipe organ, CENTER. Ongoing: tours of COMPASS INN. Demos & tours Revolutionary War graves. Scott. Clayton, the Frick estate, w/ w/ costumed guides feat. this 412-851-9212. classes & programs for all ages. restored stagecoach stop. OLIVER MILLER Point Breeze. 412-371-0600. North Versailles. 724-238-4983. HOMESTEAD. This pioneer/ HARTWOOD ACRES. Tour this DEPRECIATION LANDS Whiskey Rebellion site features Tudor mansion & stable complex. MUSEUM. Small living history
Delicious Pastries Release Show
Jia Ji
Fri., March 18
Sree’s Indian
{PHOTO BY BILL O’DRISCOLL}
Fast, cheap and no-frills Indian eatery with vegan options offered daily. Open lunch hours only. 701 Smithfield St., Downtown
Smithfield Street Bus Shelter The build-out of the sidewalk on the 600 block simplifies walking, even as the brand-new canopy keeps things drier for busway commuters.
BuyMeOnce
{PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA DRATEL}
This website focuses on finding and selling products that will last a lifetime. Its mission is to challenge people and manufacturers to invest in products that can be kept and passed on instead of replaced. www.buymeonce.com
Circuit des Yeux The Chicago-based musician (otherwise known as Haley Fohr) mixes meditative instrumentation with intense, cathartic vocals reminiscent of a much wilder Jeff Buckley.
FULL LIST ONLINE
log house, blacksmith shop & gardens. South Park. 412-835-1554. PENNSYLVANIA TROLLEY MUSEUM. Trolley rides & exhibits. Includes displays, walking tours, gift shop, picnic area & Trolley Theatre. Washington. 724-228-9256. PHIPPS CONSERVATORY & BOTANICAL GARDEN. 14 indoor rooms & 3 outdoor gardens feature exotic plants & floral displays from around the world. Masterpieces in Bloom: Spring Flower Show. Guests see the works of Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Klimt & other famous artists to blossom into floral displays. Tropical Forest Congo. An exhibit highlighting some of Africa’s lushest landscapes. Oakland. 412-622-6914. PHOTO ANTIQUITIES MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY. Displaying 660 different movie cameras, showing pictures on glass, many hand-painted. The largest display of 19th Century photographs in America. North Side. 412-231-7881. PINBALL PERFECTION. Pinball museum & players club. West View. 412-931-4425. PITTSBURGH ZOO & PPG AQUARIUM. Home to 4,000 animals, including many endangered species. Highland Park. 412-665-3639. RACHEL CARSON HOMESTEAD. A Reverence for Life. Photos & artifacts of her life & work. Springdale. 724-274-5459. RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA. Exhibits on the Homestead Mill. Steel industry & community artifacts from 1881-1986. Homestead. 412-464-4020. SENATOR JOHN HEINZ HISTORY CENTER. Toys of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. More than 500 toys. From Slavery to Freedom. Highlight’s Pittsburgh’s role in the antislavery movement. Ongoing: Western PA Sports Museum, Clash of Empires, & exhibits on local history, more. Strip District. 412-454-6000. SEWICKLEY HEIGHTS HISTORY CENTER. Museum commemorates Pittsburgh industrialists, local history. Sewickley. 412-741-4487. SOLDIERS & SAILORS MEMORIAL HALL. War in the Pacific 1941-1945. Feat. a collection of military artifacts showcasing photographs, uniforms, shells & other related items. Military museum dedicated to honoring military service members since the Civil War through artifacts & personal mementos. Oakland. 412-621-4253. ST. ANTHONY’S CHAPEL. Features 5,000 relics of Catholic saints. North Side. 412-323-9504. CONTINUES ON PG. 40
38
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
VISUAL ART
CONTINUED FROM PG. 37
two university arts educators working in a variety of media. Forest Hills. 412-465-0140. ECLECTIC ART & OBJECTS GALLERY. 19th century American & European paintings combined w/ contemporary artists & their artwork. The Hidden Collection. Watercolors by Robert N. Blair (1912- 2003). Hiromi Traditional Japanese Oil Paintings The Lost Artists of the 1893 Chicago Exhibition. Collectors Showcase. Emsworth. 412-734-2099. FRAMEHOUSE. En Plein Air. Feating work by Barbra K. Bush, Ron Donoughe, Sondra Rose Hart, Patrick Lee, Constance Merriman, William Pfahl & Barry Shields. Lawrenceville. 412-586-4559. FRICK ART & HISTORICAL CENTER. Fast Cars & Femmes Fatales: The Photographs of Jacques Henri Lartigue. A 125 photos that document the life in the Belle-Époque & early20th-century France. Permanent collection of European Art. Point Breeze. 412-371-0600. GALLERIE CHIZ. CHEW ON THIS! A Germination Installation. Work by Kim Barry. Shadyside. 412-441-6005. THE GALLERY 4. Busy Signal. New works from Soviet & Curve. Shadyside. 412-363-5050. GALLERY ON 43RD STREET. Cheryl Ryan Harshman. Acrylics, clay monoprints & encaustics by the artist. Lawrenceville. 412-683-6488. GLENN GREENE STAINED GLASS STUDIO INC. Original Glass Art by Glenn Greene. Exhibition of new work, recent work & older work. Regent Square. 412-243-2772. GREENSBURG ART CENTER. 2+2+2. New work by 3 couples making art together: Deborah Kollar & George Kollar, Mark Panza & Maryann Parker, David Sparks & Susan Sparks. Greensburg. 724-837-6791. HOLOCAUST CENTER OF PITTSBURGH. In Celebration of Life: Living Legacy Project. A photographic/ multimedia exhibit honoring & commemorating local Holocaust survivors. North Side. 412-421-1500. HUNT INSTITUTE FOR BOTANICAL DOCUMENTATION. Great Expectations. There is great expectation in the promise & energy held within a bud or a seed, & phases of this continuous cycle of plant development are beautifully illustrated w/ collection items. Oakland. 412-268-2434. IRMA FREEMAN CENTER FOR IMAGINATION. Witness Aleppo: Photographs, Stories & Sound from Pre-war Syria. Photographs by Jason Hamacher. Witness Aleppo: Photographs, Stories & Sound
N E W S
from Pre-war Syria. An exhibition of Syrian music & photography from Jason Hamacher’s archives of pre-war Syria. Garfield. 412-924-0634. LAROCHE COLLEGE. Positive Space. More than 150 works of art & design submitted by students who have completed a minimum of one art or designrelated course. Cantellops Art Gallery. Wexford. 800-838-4572. MAGGIE’S FARM DISTILLERY. Around Tahn. Work by Peter Leeman. Strip District. 724-322-5415. MARKET SQUARE. Mix-NMatching. Work by Allard van Hoorn. Market Square Public Art Program. www. DowntownPittsburgh.com. Downtown. 412-471-1511. MARTHA GAULT ART GALLERY. Art & Geology: Landscape Impressions. An exhibition of artworks in multiple mediums; ceramics, sculptures, paintings & photographs were generated from observations & materials gathered on the guided research trip to the South Dakota Badlands. Slippery Rock. 724-738-2020. MATTRESS FACTORY. Factory Installed. Artists Anne Lindberg, John Morris, Julie Schenkelberg, Jacob Douenias, Ethan Frier, Rob Voerman, Bill Smith, Lisa Sigal & Marnie Weber created new room-sized installations that demonstrate a uniquely different approach to the creative process. Ongoing Installations. Works by Turrell, Lutz, Shiota, Kusama, Anastasi, Highstein, Wexler & Woodrow. North Side. 412-231-3169. MORGAN CONTEMPORARY GLASS GALLERY. 3d@mgg2. Local glass artists will be joined by artists working in various 3d media –metal, fiber, wood & ceramic. The artists include Brian Engel, Edric Florence, Jason Forck, Glen Gardner, Rae Gold, Laura Beth Konopinski, Kevin O’toole, Michael Smithhammer & Laura Tabakman. Shadyside. 412-441-5200. NEU KIRCHE CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER. Like a Body Without Skin. Work by Fiona Amundsen addressing the relationships between steel manufacturing industries & their mobilization into a united national front that produced everything from planes to bombs during WWII. North Side. 412-322-2224. PERCOLATE. Regeneration. New artwork by Samir Elsabee, Jacob McCauley, Jenn Wertz & Bob Ziller. Wilkinsburg. 412-606-1220. PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS. 10 Solo Exhibitions. Work by Sarika Goulatia, Patrick Schmidt, John Tronsor, Elise Wells, Dafna Rehavia, Katie Rearick & Rachel Saul, Scott
+
TA S T E
+
Hunter, Robert Howsare, Nicole Crock & Anna Boyle. Shadyside. 412-361-0873. PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS. Group Show. Work by Ed Murray, Denise Bell, Debra Phillips, Bob Olson, Jennifer Sanchez, Jake Reinhart & Dan Quigley. Oakland. 412-681-5449. PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER. Lifeforms. An exhibition of the best biological glass models made in the spirit of the famous 19th & 20th century models of invertebrates & plants made by Rudolf & Leopold Blaschka for the Harvard University’s Botanical Museum. Friendship. 412-365-2145. SILVER EYE CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY. Fellowship 16: Projects by Ka-Man Tse & Aaron Blum. Two solo exhibitions from our International Award & Keystone Award winners, selected from an open call for entries in mid-2015. South Side. 412-431-1810. SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT SATELLITE GALLERY. The Invisible One. Insight into the loneliness & confusion felt by stigmatized individuals. The three artists on display present hope for awareness, action & understanding through a variety of works composed of wood, fiber, clay & mixed media. Downtown. 412-261-7003. SPACE. Causal Loop. Sculptural work, video pieces & wall pieces by Blaine Siegel & David Bernabo, who transform & join material things like wood, glass, metal, bone & non-things like sound & light into new significant forms. Downtown. 412-325-7723. THE TOONSEUM. AltWeekly Comics. A historical retrospective dedicated to the comics of the alternative weekly newspaper world. Downtown. 412-232-0199. TUGBOAT PRINT SHOP. Tugboat Printshop Showroom. Open showroom w/ the artists. Fridays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & by appt. only. Lawrenceville. 412-980-0884. UNDERCROFT GALLERY, FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH. Notions: Western PA Women Artists Explore Legacy. A varied collection of pieces by accomplished women artists & photographers from Western PA. In honor of Women’s History Month. Shadyside. 412-727-6870. THE UNION HALL. Being In. Work by Kara Skylling. Strip District. WESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART. Telling Tales: Stories & Legends in 19th Century American Art. 53 pieces that portray themes of American ambition, pride & the spiritual elements of American life. Greensburg. 724-837-1500.
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
SUMMER INTERNS WANTED City Paper’s editorial team is seeking several interns for the summer. Please send résumé, cover letter and samples to the appropriate editor listed below by March 31, 2016. Each internship includes a small stipend. No calls, please.
MUSIC INTERN
The music intern will have a working knowledge of the local music scene and assist the music editor by writing new-release reviews and previews of upcoming shows, as well as artist features. Apply to music editor Margaret Welsh, mwelsh@pghcitypaper.com.
PHOTO INTERN
We are looking for a photographer with an artistic eye who can tell a story through images. Editorial work will include shooting assignments to supplement the paper’s news and arts coverage, both in print and online. Weekend availability is required. Send a résumé and a link to an online portfolio to art director Lisa Cunningham, lcunning@pghcitypaper.com.
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
39
BIG LIST, CONTINUED FROM PG. 38
ST. NICHOLAS CROATIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Maxo Vanka Murals. Mid-20th century murals depicting war, social justice & the immigrant experience in America. Millvale. 412-407-2570. WEST OVERTON MUSEUMS. Learn about distilling & cokemaking in this pre-Civil War industrial village. West Overton. 724-887-7910.
support the local Pittsburgh chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 6 p.m. Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, Mt. Lebanon. 412-580-0641. STEEL CITY SQUARES ANNUAL MUSICIANS’ FUNDRAISER SQUARE DANCE. Morrow Barn. 7 p.m. Penn Hebron Garden Club, Penn Hills. 412-247-9066.
DANCE
LED CRAFT HAPPY HOUR & FUNDRAISER W/ ASSEMBLE. Learn how to make a wearable circuit. 7 p.m. Mixtape, Garfield. 412-661-1727.
WED 30 THE GLUE FACTORY PROJECT: RIGHT OF WAY. An original full-evening length dancetheater work that explores ideas of femininity, gender, identity, & acceptance. Wed. 7 p.m., Thu-Sat 8 p.m., & Sun. 2 p.m. March 30-April 3 New Hazlett Theater, North Side. 412-320-4610.
FUNDRAISERS FRI 25 FEAST FOR THE CURE. Tonic Bar & Grill will be donating 30% of dinner menu proceeds to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, helping to accelerate towards a cure. 4 p.m. Tonic Bar & Grill, Downtown. 412-670-7330.
SAT 26 9TH ANNUAL LACIN’ ‘EM UP FOR THE MDA. Fundraiser to
WED 30
LITERARY THU 24 ENGLISH LEARNERS’ BOOK CLUB. For advanced ESL students. Presented in cooperation w/ the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. Thu, 1 p.m. Mount Lebanon Public Library, Mt. Lebanon. 412-531-1912. GREGORY PARDLO & YONA HARVEY. Poetry reading & reception. 6 p.m. Carnegie Lecture Hall, Oakland. www.pittsburghlectures.org. THE HOUR AFTER HAPPY HOUR WRITER’S WORKSHOP. Young writers & recent graduates looking for additional feedback on their work. thehourafterhappyhour. wordpress.com Thu, 7-9 p.m. Lot 17, Bloomfield. 412-687-8117.
SAT 26 BARBARA BURSTIN. Meet the author of several books on Pittsburgh Jewish History including Steel City Jews: A History of Pittsburgh & its Jewish Community, 1840-1915, & Images of America – Jewish Pittsburgh. 2:30 p.m. Carnegie Library, Downtown. 412-281-7141. SCOTT PYLE. Book Launch Reading Party for Pyle’s first book of poetry, “Moving Leeward.” 7 p.m. Percolate, Wilkinsburg. 412-606-1220. STEPHANIE BREA & DANIEL SHAPIRO. 4 p.m. Staghorn Garden Cafe, Greenfield. 412-315-7298.
MON 28 WHAT’S YOUR STORY? An adult writing group for lighthearted stories. Second and Fourth Mon of every month, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Shaler North Hills Library, Glenshaw. 412-486-0211.
TUE 29 HARRY HADEN. Book discussion & signing. 8 p.m. Nied’s Hotel, Lawrenceville. 412-781-9853. STEEL CITY SLAM. Open mic poets & slam poets. 3 rounds of 3 minute poems. Tue, 7:45 p.m. Capri Pizza and Bar, East Liberty. 412-362-1250.
STORYTELLING @ RILEY’S. Story telling on a theme every month. Last Tue of every month, 8 p.m. Riley’s Pour House, Carnegie. 412-279-0770.
older. Meets rain or shine every Thursday of the year. Naturalists guide these walks. Thu, 10 a.m.12 p.m. North Park, Allison Park. 724-935-1766.
KIDSTUFF
SUN 27
THU 24 TALES FOR 2S & 3S. A story time specifically geared for toddlers who are 24-36 months old w/ a caregiver. Thu, 10:30 a.m. Thru April 28. Baldwin Borough Public Library, Baldwin. 412-885-2255.
OTHER STUFF THU 24
A SOTO ZEN BUDDHIST SITTING GROUP. http:// citydharma.wordpress. com/schedule/ Tue, Thu Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill. www. per a p ty 412-965-9903. pghci m .co AARP TAX AIDE. Please bring a copy of last year’s tax forms. Customers are seen on a RUN4FUN. Train kids to first-come, first-served basis. Thu, participate & complete a 5K run/ 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thru April 14. race by equipping them with Baldwin Borough Public Library, the physical training & goal-setting Baldwin. 412-885-2255. mentality. Open to beginners AUGUST WILSON: PITTSBURGH & experienced runners ages 7-14. PLACES IN HIS LIFE & PLAYS. Pre-registration is required Dr. Christopher Rawson, at www.alleghenycounty.us/ University of Pittsburgh senior parkprograms. Sun, 4:45-6 p.m. lecturer and author, will discuss Thru April 17. North Park, the experiences & places that Allison Park. 724-935-1766. informed the work of Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson. 7 p.m. Mount Lebanon Public Library, MAKER STORY TIME. Mt. Lebanon. 412-531-1912. Explore tools, materials & BOARD GAMES NIGHT. processes inspired by books. Fourth Thu of every month, Listen to stories read by librarian6 p.m. Carnegie Library, Oakland. turned-Teaching Artist Molly. 412-622-3151. Mon, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Children’s DEPRESSION BIPOLAR Museum of Pittsburgh, North Side. SUPPORT GROUP. Thu, 6 p.m. 412-322-5058. C.C. Mellor Memorial Library, Edgewood. 412-708-9423. INTERNATIONAL ALLEGHENY COUNTY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION MARBLES PROGRAM – OF PITTSBURGH. Social, MILLVALE. Free & open to cultural club of American/ all kids ages 14 & under. Learn international women. Thu First to shoot marbles & participate Baptist Church, Oakland. iwap. in competition. March 28 pittsburgh@gmail.com. April 1, 3-5 p.m. Holy Spirit PRINTMAKING OPEN Convent, Millvale. STUDIO. Experienced screen www.county.allegheny.pa.us. printers can utilize studio equipment to make films, burn screens & complete a ONCE UPON A WEDNESDAY. run of posters, t-shirts or prints. Each week, a new fairy tale A volunteer-driven environment will be introduced as well as designed for short-run projects an accompanying craft. This creative program is geared for ages that can be completed in one evening for a small materials 4 & under, but all are welcome fee. Tue, Thu, 6-10 p.m. Artists to attend. Registration required. Image Resource, North Side. Wed, 10:30 a.m. Thru April 27. 412-321-8664. Baldwin Borough Public Library, RADICAL TRIVIA. Thu, 9 p.m. Baldwin. 412-885-2255. Smiling Moose, South Side. 412-431-4668. SALSA NIGHT. Free dancing lessons w/ host & instructor DJ Bobby D from 9:30-10 p.m. THURSDAY ADULT NATURE Thu, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Perle WALK. Free & open to ages 18 &
FULL LIST ONLINE
SUN 27
MON 28
MON 28 - WED 30
WED 30
OUTSIDE THU 24
40
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
WED 30 WEDNESDAY MORNING WALK. Naturalist-led, rain or shine. Wed Beechwood Farms, Fox Chapel. 412-963-6100.
SAT 26 EASTER EGG HUNT. No registration required. 1 p.m. St. John Fisher Church, Churchill. 412-241-4722. SUPER SCIENCE SERIES: ANNUAL EGG-CELLENT HUNT. Follow the clues that lead to the treats. Meet some live springtime animals. 12 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Oakland. 412-622-3131.
SIGNS OF SPRING HIKE. Free & open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is recommended at www.alleghenycounty.us/ parkprograms. Ice rink. 2-4 p.m. South Park, South Park.
Champagne Bar, Downtown. 412-471-2058.
THU 24 - WED 30 FACES OF CONFLICT: CARNEGIE MELLON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Films playing in various locations. Thru April 3. For a full schedule visit www.cmu.edu/faces.
FRI 25 AFRICAN DANCE CLASS. Second and Third Fri of every month and Fourth and Last Fri of every month Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, Garfield. 412-924-0634. ART EXPERIMENTS W/ LIGHT: DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR. Meet at Steel Plaza T Station. Tour featuring the Rivers of Light by Jane Haskell; Jim Campbell’s 168 Lightbulbs; The Puddler, a unique work from the 1930s; & Mix n’ Match, the new Market Square Public Art installation by Allard van Hoorn. 7 p.m. 412-391-2060. FAMILY CONTRA DANCE. For kids & parents, w/ potluck dinner. Fourth Fri of every month, 6 p.m. Thru May 1 Swisshelm Park Community Center, Swissvale. 412-680-8600. FRIDAY NIGHT CONTRA DANCE. A social, traditional American dance. No partner needed, beginners welcome, lesson at 7:30. Fri, 8 p.m. Swisshelm Park Community Center, Swissvale. 412-945-0554.
SAT 26 BEGINNER TAI CHI CLASSES. Sat, 9 a.m. Friends Meeting House, Oakland. 412-683-2669. BREAKING GROUND: AN ELEMENTAL EXPLOSION. Live painting, screening printing, beats & B Boy crews presented by Track Meet. 7 p.m. Get Down Gang Headquarters, North Side. www.heyevent.com. THE KENNEDYS: AN INVESTIGATION OF TRAGEDIES. W/ KDKA Radio’s John McIntire & World Renowned Forensic Pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht. 8 p.m. Oaks Theater, Oakmont. 412-828-6322. MATTACHINE. John Cameron Mitchell’s NYC dance party comes to PGH. 10 p.m. Ace Hotel Pittsburgh, East Liberty. 412-361-3300. MEET, LEARN, PLAY: A GAMING MEET UP. All-ages board gaming session, playing & learning about new games w/ an instructor. Quiet Reading Room. Second and Fourth Sat of every month, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Carnegie Library, Oakland. 412-622-3151. SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING. Lessons 7-8 p.m., social dancing follows. No partner needed. Mon, 7 p.m. and Sat, 7 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church, Mt. Washington. 412-683-5670. SOUTH HILLS SCRABBLE CLUB. Free Scrabble games, all
levels. Sat, 1-3 p.m. Mount Lebanon Public Library, Mt. Lebanon. 412-531-1912. SWING CITY. Learn & practice swing dancing skills w/ the Jim Adler Band. Sat, 8 p.m. Wightman School, Squirrel Hill. 412-759-1569. VOICECATCH WORKSHOP W/ KATHY AYRES. A community writing workshop & writing space provided by Chatham’s Words Without Walls program. Sat, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Carnegie Library, East Liberty. 412-363-8232. WIGLE WHISKEY BARRELHOUSE TOURS. Sat, 12:30 & 2 p.m. Wigle Whiskey Barrel House, North Side. 412-224-2827.
SUN 27 AFRONAUT(A) 3.0. The Afronaut(a) salon series returns to spark conversation & incite cinematic exploration w/ archival films, classic features & international works by artists from Ethiopia, Kenya, the UK, more. Visit http://kelly-strayhorn. org/ for a full schedule. Sun. Thru April 3. Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, East Liberty. 412-363-3000. CALMING COZY COLORING PROGRAM. Coloring sessions for adults. Sun, 2-4 p.m. Shaler North Hills Library, Glenshaw. 412-486-0211. FAMILY/FRIENDS OF SUBSTANCE USERS/ ABUSERS SUPPORT GROUP. Non 12-step support group exchanging experiences & ideas as a means to provide resources & suggestions that can help those struggling to support the recovery journey of a close relative or friend. Second and Fourth Sun of every month, 4:30 p.m. Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethel Park. 412-853-3189. RADICAL TRIVIA. Trivia game hosted by DJ Jared Evans. Come alone or bring a team. Sun, 7 p.m. Oaks Theater, Oakmont. 412-828-6322.
MON 28 FROM ATLANTIS TO BABYLON: HART CRANE & JOSÉ LEZAMA LIMA IN HAVANA & NEW YORK. Lecture by Quiroga, one of the leading figures in Latin American queer theory & criticism & Cuban studies. Rm. 230. www.hispanic.pitt.edu. 1-2:30 p.m. Cathedral of Learning, Oakland. 412-621-9339. IN THE SHAKESPEAREAN GARDEN. Speaker Nancy C. Heraud, Penn State Master Gardener and author, will talk about the plants mentioned in the literary works of William Shakespeare. 6 p.m. Mount Lebanon Public Library, Mt. Lebanon. 412-531-1912. SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING. Lessons 7-8 p.m., social dancing follows. No partner needed. Mon, 7 p.m. and Sat, 7 p.m. Grace Episcopal Church,
N E W S
Mt. Washington. 412-683-5670. SITUATING COMMERCIAL SURROGACY BANS IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT: A POSTCOLONIAL FEMINIST CALL FOR LEGALIZATION & PUBLIC FUNDING. Lecture by Maneesha Deckha. Rm. 602. www.humanities. pitt.edu. 5:30 p.m. Cathedral of Learning, Oakland. 412-621-9339. TRANSFORMING THE CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES INTO A NATIONAL MUSEUM. Lecture by Thomas W. Gaehtgens, director, Getty Research Institute. www.arch.pitt.edu . 6 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Art, Oakland. 412-622-3131. TRIVIA NIGHT. Hosted by Pittsburgh Bar Trivia. Mon, 7 p.m. Carnivore’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Oakmont. 412-820-7427.
TUE 29 A SOTO ZEN BUDDHIST SITTING GROUP. http://city dharma.wordpress.com/schedule/ Tue, Thu Church of the Redeemer, Squirrel Hill. 412-965-9903.
Sallieboggstm@gmail.com or call 412-365-5803. Tue, 6:30-8 p.m. C.C. Mellor Memorial Library, Edgewood. 412-731-0909. VENUSES IN PRISON & COLONY: ABJECTION & NEOCLASSICAL FASHION IN THE 1790S. Dr. Amelia Rauser, professor of art history at Franklin & Marshall College, discusses her study of the radical style of “undress” in the 1790s & its connection to the aesthetic, political & scientific thought of the historical moment. Duquesne Union, Africa Room. Email wsgs@duq.edu for more information. 6-8 p.m. Duquesne University, Uptown. 412-396-6000.
WED 30 BOOK ARTS FROM CONTEMPORARY CRAFT. A 6 week series about the history of paper making & manufacturing. Participants will create their own sheets of handmade paper, create a “wet on wet collage,” learn binding techniques & create journals. Register separately for
[VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY]
AUDITIONS ACTORS & ARTISTS OF FAYETTE
FREE STORE WILKINSBURG
Free Store Wilkinsburg is seeking volunteers to help with fundraising, sort donations and work at the store on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Don’t have time to volunteer? Donate new or lightly used goods to the store’s efforts. For more information and to fill out a volunteer form, visit www.freestorewilkinsburg.org.
BAD MOVIE BINGO: BAD TASTE. It’s up to Peter Jackson & his team to save a small village in New Zealand from aliens in this 1987 film. 9 p.m. Smiling Moose, South Side. 724-312-4098. HOW TO PLAN A WEDDING. March 1: An overview of what to expect as you begin planning your wedding, creating a timeline & budget. Part 2, March 22: Addressing the creative decisions & working w/ vendors. Part 3: March 29: The nuts & bolts of planning & a Q&A session. Register at the Reference Desk. 7 p.m. Mount Lebanon Public Library, Mt. Lebanon. 412-531-1912. PRINTMAKING OPEN STUDIO. Experienced screen printers can utilize studio equipment to make films, burn screens & complete a run of posters, t-shirts or prints. A volunteer-driven environment designed for short-run projects that can be completed in one evening for a small materials fee. Tue, Thu, 6-10 p.m. Artists Image Resource, North Side. 412-321-8664. RHIAN KENNY. A flute masterclass w/ a PSO flutist. 7 p.m. Johnstonbaugh’s Music Centers, Bridgeville. SALLIE BOGGS TOASTMASTERS CLUB. Helping people from all walks of life to improve their communication & leadership skills. For any questions email
+
TA S T E
+
each program at 412-531-1912. Wed, 1 p.m. Thru April 13 Mount Lebanon Public Library, Mt. Lebanon. BRUSHES BEFORE BEDTIME. A night of family art using various techniques. We will provide all of the supplies & art smocks. No age limit requirements. A “how to draw” segment will be included in each program. Registration requested. 6:30 p.m. and Wed., April 27, 6:30 p.m. Baldwin Borough Public Library, Balwin. 412-885-2255. CLEAN POWER PLAN PUBLIC FORUM. 7 p.m. Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden, Oakland. 412-521-0943. FLEET FEET SPEED SQUAD. At the track. Coach Alex from Fleet Feet Sports Pittsburgh hosts weekly Wednesday night speed workouts. The workouts are free & open to the public. Anyone who wants to improve their speed & form are encouraged to join. Wed, 7 p.m. Jefferson Elementary, Mt. Lebanon. 412-851-9100. THE HEBREW BIBLE & THE ROOTS OF MODERN GERMAN LITERATURE. Lecture by Karin Schutjer. Rm. 602. www.german. pitt.edu. 4-5 p.m. Cathedral of Learning, Oakland. 412-621-9339. KNOW THEM, USE THEM: TRANS RIGHTS IN PA. Learn about trans rights in the workplace, access to
M U S I C
THE GALLERY 4. A salon style competition to search for up & coming artists. Artists whose pieces reflect the gallery’s particular aesthetic will be selected to take part in a juried group exhibition. Artists will then be selected & presented with the opportunity to hold their own exhibition. Applicants are asked to send image files of up to 5 finished pieces to The Gallery 4’s email (thegallery4@gmail.com). Please include title, dimensions, & medium(s) & write SALON APPLICANT 2016 in the subject line or submit directly via our website (www.thegallery4.us). No size limits or medium restrictions. Deadline March 26. Shadyside. 412-363-5050. THE HOUR AFTER HAPPY HOUR REVIEW. Seeking submissions in all genres for fledgling literary magazine curated by members of the Hour After Happy Hour Writing Workshop. afterhappy hourreview.com Ongoing. INDEPENDENT FILM NIGHT. Submit your film, 10 minutes or less. Screenings held on the second Thursday of every month. Ongoing. DV8 Espresso Bar & Gallery, Greensburg. 724-219-0804. MT. LEBANON ARTISTS’ MARKET. Seeking applications for the market from artists working in jewelry, wood, sculpture, glass, ceramics, fiber, wearables, mixed media, leather, metal & 2D art. For more info or to apply, visit http:// www.mtlebanonartistsmarket.com. Thru May 1.
health care, document changes, family rights, rights in schools & more, w/ presenters Carl Charles- Skadden & Vic Walczak. 7 p.m. Persad Center, Lawrenceville. 412-441-9786. LOW COST VACCINE CLINIC. Get your pet up to date on their vaccinations w/ the help of the Western PA Humane Society, offering vaccines for both dogs & cats along w/ microchipping. Bring a copy of your animal’s previous vaccine records. 10 a.m. Nyia Page Community Center, Braddock. 412-228-5812. PERFECT PAIRS: WHISKEY & ICE CREAM. Boozy milkshakes, pints for sale from Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, sampling. 5 p.m. Wigle Whiskey, Strip District. 412-224-2827. THE PITTSBURGH SHOW OFFS. A meeting of jugglers & spinners. All levels welcome. Wed, 7:30 p.m. Union Project, Highland Park. 412-363-4550. TRIVIA NIGHT. Hosted by Pittsburgh Bar Trivia. Wed, 8 p.m. Aliquippa American Serbian Club. 724-378-4393.
+
COUNTY. Auditions for the upcoming performances of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” Must sing 16 to 32 bars of a song Accompanist will be provided. No accapella auditions. There will also be a dance audition. Audition appointments are strongly suggested, walk-in auditions will be fit in upon availability. A list of suggested, not required songs, or information on sign ups, or attaining suggested music is available by contacting shawnpconway@gmail.com. March 23, 6 - 9 p.m. & March 26, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Kids only audition March 25, 3 - 5:30 p.m. Geyer Performing Arts Center, Scottdale. 724-887-0887. LITTLE LAKE THEATRE COMPANY. Auditions for actors ages 10-adult for the 2016 Looking Glass & Fall Family Matinee season. Sun., April 3, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. To schedule audition appointments & find more specific audition info visit www.littlelake.org. Little Lake Theatre, Canonsburg. 724-745-6300. SOUTH PARK THEATRE. Auditions for non-musicals on March 19, 12 - 5 p.m. Cold readings from script or monologue. Musicals on March 26, 1 - 3 p.m. Prepare 24 bars of song & bring music. Accompaniment will be provided. No appointment necessary. Bring headshot & resume. 412-831-8552. Bethel Park. 412-831-8552.
Did youP isiks annow... P rE
HIVthPartewvorkesnbtyiotanking
option
ONEERYPIDLALY EV
CENTRAL OUTREACH WELLNESS CENTER Walk-ins are Welcome
Free & Confidential HIV & STI Testing and Treatment Services
SUBMISSIONS BOULEVARD GALLERY &
Dr. Stacy Lane DO 127 Anderson Street, Timber Court Building Pittsburgh, PA 15212 • North Side
DIFFERENT STROKES GALLERY. Searching for glass artists, fiber artists, potters, etc. to compliment the exhibits for 2015 & 2016. Booking for both galleries for 2017. Exhibits run from 1 to 2 months. Ongoing. 412-721-0943.
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
THE NEW YINZER. Seeking original essays about literature, music, TV or film, & also essays generally about Pittsburgh. To see some examples, visit www. newyinzer.com & view the current issue. Email all pitches, submissions & inquiries to newyinzer@gmail. com. Ongoing. THE POET BAND COMPANY. Seeking various types of poetry. Contact wewuvpoetry@hotmail. com Ongoing. RE:NEW FESTIVAL CALL FOR ARTISTS- PROJECT PROPOSALS. Open to any artist or performer living in the U. S., working in any medium or genre. Work should address festival themes of creative reuse, transformation & sustainability. Performance, video, outdoor artworks, costumes, mobile sculpture, social practice work..what would you like to do at Re:NEW? Maximum project budget: $3,000. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Proposals will be accepted until May 31, 2016. To apply, visit renewfestival.com. RE:NEW FESTIVAL JURIED EXHIBITION. Seeking painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and installation from Southwestern PA artists that address creative reuse, transformation, or sustainability. Deadline to apply is May 31, or when 300 entries are received. To apply visit www.renewfestival.com. 412-391-2060 x248.
FREE PARKING off Isabella Street
www.centraloutreach.com
412-322-4151
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
41
Hi, I’m Stella. I souge up the soup . Bring this ad in for my autograph by 4/6, and your F1rst cup’s on me.
#LaterBurgh #DowntownPittsburgh
Savage Love {BY DAN SAVAGE}
I’m a 24-year-old male, married three years, monogamous. My wife and I are religious and were both virgins when we got married. I’m sexually frustrated with two things. (1) How can I get her to give me oral sex? (She has never given and I have never received oral sex. I regularly give her oral sex.) She is afraid to try it, saying she’s not ready yet. About every six months, I bring it up and it leads to a fight. She is a germophobe, but I think she believes fellatio is done only in porn. (I used to look at porn, which nearly ended our then-dating relationship.) (2) I feel like I’m always giving and never receiving any type of affection: massages, kisses, caresses, you name it. It’s like having sex with a sex doll — no reciprocation. How do I broaden our sex life without making her feel like we’re in a porno? SEXUALLY FRUSTRATED
pghcitypaper
1720 Lowrie Street 412.251.0822
If you don’t already have children — you don’t mention kids — please don’t have any, SF, at least not with your first wife. If you want a lifelong, sexually exclusive and sexually fulfilling relationship, then you must prioritize sexual compatibility during your search for the second Mrs. SF. Because your next marriage is likelier to survive for the long haul if you’re partnered with someone who is attracted to you physically and is aroused — roughly speaking — by the same sex acts, positions and fantasies you are. In other words: Don’t marry someone and hope she likes sucking your dick. You tried that, and it didn’t work. Find someone who likes sucking your dick and marry her.
www.pghcitypaper.com/ blogs/PolitiCrap 42
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
LACK OF VOCABULARY ENERVATES MY EXPERIENCES
I’d say you were suffering from a bad case of “trumpophilia.” I’m a 24-year-old female who met my 26-year-old boyfriend five months ago through Fetlife. We do not share the same fetish, but we have other overlapping interests and he is lovely, smart and funny. He has a diaper and incontinence fetish. Not my jam, but I’m GGG. The issue: He has the most one-dimensional sexuality I have ever seen. He can get off only in the missionary position, with a diaper under us, and with incontinence dirty talk. Even with all of the above, it’s difficult to get him to orgasm. And it’s only very recently that we’ve been able to have penetrative sex — since he was used to getting off with his hand and a diaper — always with diapers under us and with lots and lots and lots of pee talk. But there’s only so long I can talk about losing control and peeing myself before I lose interest in the activities at hand. I do not mind getting him off this way sometimes, but this does absolutely nada for me and it’s the only way he gets off. He’s otherwise an amazing person, but I’m getting frustrated. We’ve talked about how my needs aren’t being met, and he claims he’s done standard vanilla before and managed to satisfy his partners. I’ve yet to experience it myself, however.
YOUR LOVELY, SMART BOYFRIEND IS A LOUSY, SELFISH LAY.
I’m a straight woman in my early 30s, and I just don’t like receiving oral sex. I love giving blowjobs and can orgasm from PIV sex, but I seem to be one of the few women who don’t enjoy guys going down on me. I’m not uncomfortable with it, but it doesn’t get me off. I also get wet easily, so it’s not like I need it as foreplay. As I’ve gotten older, and the guys I sleep with have gotten older, it seems like most want to spend a great deal of time down there. I’ve tried being upfront about not liking it in general, but guys either get offended or double down and do it more because they assume I’ve never been with a guy who “could do it right.” Any ideas on how to handle this?
We wade through the crap so you don’t have to.
itself, while sexual, is not bound to my body parts. It would be great to have this named.
PLEASE, I’M SEXUALLY SADDENED
Your lovely, smart boyfriend is a lousy, selfish lay, PISS, and you two aren’t sexually compatible. DTMFA. I am a 26-year-old guy and I have an overwhelming foot fetish. I’m obsessed with the idea of offering some of my friends and acquaintances foot massages, but I just don’t know how to bring up the subject, given my mixed experiences. While I’ve been lucky on very random occasions, I’ve had some fuckups. What should I do? Is there a proper way to ask to rub someone’s feet? It’s not like I’m asking to suck on people’s toes.
NEEDS ORAL PREFERENCE EXPLAINER
CRAZED ABOUT LADS’ FEET
The observation you make regarding older straight guys — older straight guys are more enthusiastic about going down on women — is something I’ve heard from other female friends. They couldn’t get guys to go down on them in their 20s, and they can’t get guys in their 30s and 40s to stop going down on them. (SF, above, is clearly an outlier.) The obvious solution to your dilemma, NOPE: Only fuck guys in their 20s.
You remind me of those straight guys who send unsolicited dick pics to women they barely know — they don’t do it because it never works, they do it because it works on rare/random occasions. But you have to ask yourself if those rare/random instances when an attractive male friend allowed you to perv on his feet are worth sacrificing all the friendships you’ve lost. There are tons of other foot-fetishists out there — most male, loads gay, tons online. Go find some fellow foot pervs and swap rubs with them.
Fan from Sweden here! Question: My fetish has no name. It is a “worshipping” fetish, for want of a better term, where I am the one being worshipped. Not by one man, but all men of the earth. The worshipping
On the Lovecast, Debby Herbenick on anxietyinduced orgasms: savagelovecast.com
SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO MAIL@SAVAGELOVE.NET AND FIND THE SAVAGE LOVECAST (DAN’S WEEKLY PODCAST) AT SAVAGELOVECAST.COM
Free Will Astrology
FOR THE WEEK OF
03.23-03.30
{BY ROB BREZSNY}
ARIES (March 21-April 19): When Orville and Wilbur Wright were kids, their father gave them a toy helicopter powered by a rubber band. The year was 1878. Twenty-five years later, the brothers became the first humans to sail above the earth in a flying machine. They testified that the toy helicopter had been a key inspiration as they worked to develop their pioneering invention. In the spirit of the Wright Brothers’ magic seed, Aries, I invite you to revive your connection to a seminal influence from your past. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to feed a dream that was foreshadowed in you a long time ago.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “The task of a writer is not to solve the problem but to state the problem correctly,” said Russian writer Anton Chekhov. Whether or not you’re a writer, Taurus, that is also your special task in the coming weeks. The riddle that has begun to captivate your imagination is not yet ripe enough for you to work on in earnest. It has not been defined with sufficient clarity. Luckily, you have the resources you need to research all the contingencies, and you have the acuity to come up with a set of empowering questions.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The good news is that if you eat enormous amounts of chocolate, you will boost your memory. Science has proved it. The bad news is that in order to get the full effect of the memory enhancement, you would have to consume so much chocolate that you would get sick. I propose that we consider this scenario as a metaphor for what may be going on in your life. Is it possible you’re doing things that are healthy for you in one way but that diminish you in another? Or are you perhaps getting or doing too much of a good thing — going to unbalanced extremes as you pursue a worthy goal? Now is a favorable time to figure out if you’re engaged in such behavior, and to change it if you are.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): When the young director Richard Lester got his big break, he took full advantage. It happened in 1964, when the early Beatles asked him to do their first movie, A Hard Day’s Night. Lester’s innovative approach to the project propelled his career to a higher level that brought him many further opportunities. Writing of Lester’s readiness, critic Alexander Walker said, “No filmmaker … appeared more punctually when his hour struck.” That’s what I hope you will soon be doing in your own chosen field, Cancerian. Do you understand how important it will be to have impeccable timing? No procrastination or hemming and hawing, please. Be crisply proactive.
he thought he had been making. “I am appalled to see how much of the change I thought I had undergone lately was only imaginary,” he wrote. I want to make sure that something similar doesn’t happen to you, Virgo. You’re in the midst of what should be a Golden Age of Self-Transformation. Make sure you’re actually doing the work that you imagine you’re doing — and not just talking about it and thinking about it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “There are questions that you don’t ask because you’re afraid of the answers,” wrote Agatha Christie. I would add that there are also questions you don’t ask because you mistakenly think you already know the answers. And then there are questions you don’t ask because their answers would burst your beloved illusions, which you’d rather preserve. I’m here to urge you to risk posing all these types of questions, Libra. I think you’re strong enough and smart enough, and in just the right ways, to deal constructively with the answers. I’m not saying you’ll be pleased with everything you find out. But you will ultimately be glad you finally made the inquiries.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If you are enmeshed in a jumble that makes you squirm or if you are caught in a tangle that stifles your self-love, you have three choices. Here’s how Eckhart Tolle defines them: 1. Get out of the situation. 2. Transform the situation. 3. Completely accept the situation. Does that sound reasonable, Scorpio? I hope so, because the time has come to act. Don’t wait to make your decision. Do it soon. After that, there will be no whining allowed. You can no longer indulge in excuses. You must accept the consequences. On the bright side, imagine the new freedom and power you will have at your disposal.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
As a young man, the poet Arthur Rimbaud (18541891) left his home in France and settled in Abyssinia, which these days is known as Ethiopia. “I sought voyages,” he wrote, “to disperse the enchantments that had colonized my mind.” You might want to consider a similar strategy in the coming weeks, Leo. From an astrological perspective, it’s going to be an excellent time both to wander free of your usual haunts and to disperse the enchantments that have colonized your mind. Why not find ways to synergize these two opportunities?
Here’s a proposed experiment. Sidle up to a creature you’d love to be closer to, and softly sing the following lyrics: “Come with me, go with me. Burn with me, glow with me. Sleep with me, wake with me.” At this point, run three circles around the creature as you flap your arms like a bird’s wings. Then continue your singing: “Rise with me, fall with me. Work with me, play with me. Pray with me, sin with me.” At this point, leap up into the air three times, unleashing a burst of laughter each time you hit the ground. Continue singing: “Let me get high with you. Laugh with you, cry with you. Make me your partner in crime.” At this point blow three kisses toward the creature, then run away. (P.S. The lyrics I’m quoting here were composed by songwriter Fran Landesman.)
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
At one point in his life, author C.S. Lewis had a rude awakening as he took stock of the progress
+
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “We teach each other how to live.” Poet Anne Michaels said that, and now I’m passing it on to you — just in time for the phase of your cycle when acting like a curious student is your sacred duty and your best gift to yourself. I don’t necessarily mean that you should take a workshop or enroll in a school. Your task is to presume that everyone you meet and every encounter you have may bring you rich learning experiences. If you’re willing to go as far as I hope you will, even your dreams at night will be opportunities to get
further educated. Even your vigils in front of the TV. Even your trips to the convenience store to buy ice cream.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In her poem “Time,” Piscean poet Lia Purpura wonders about “not picking up a penny because it’s only a little luck.” Presumably she is referring to a moment when you’re walking down a street and you spy an almost-but-not-quite-worthless coin lying on the concrete. She theorizes that you may just leave it there. It adds next to nothing to your wealth, right? Which suggests that it also doesn’t have much value as a symbol of good fortune. But I urge you to reject this line of thought in the coming weeks, Pisces. In my astrological opinion, you’ll be wise to capitalize on the smallest opportunities. There will be plenty of them, and they will add up. Imagine that seven years from now you will want a new career or line of work. What will it be? Write: Truthrooster@gmail.com.
get your yoga on! schoolhouseyoga.com gentle yoga yoga levels 1, 2 ashtanga yoga meditation
yin yoga prenatal yoga mommy & me yoga for kids
In getting energy from food, we humans have at our disposal over 50,000 edible plants. And yet we
GO TO REALASTROLOGY.COM TO CHECK OUT ROB BREZSNY’S EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES AND DAILY TEXT-MESSAGE HOROSCOPES. THE AUDIO HOROSCOPES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE BY PHONE AT 1-877-873-4888 OR 1-900-950-7700
N E W S
choose to concentrate on just a few. Wheat, corn, rice and potatoes make up two-thirds of our diet, and 11 other staples comprise most of the rest. Let’s use this as a metaphor for the kind of behavior you should avoid in the coming weeks. I think it will be crucial for you to draw physical, emotional and spiritual sustenance from a relatively wide variety of sources. There’s nothing wrong with your usual providers, but for now you need to expand your approach to getting the nurturing you need.
TA S T E
+
M U S I C
+
east liberty squirrel hill north hills S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
43
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER
CLASSIFIEDS FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISEMENT, CALL 412-316-3342 EXT. 189 HELP WANTED
STORAGE
REHEARSAL
WANTED! 36 PEOPLE
ABC SELF STORAGE
Rehearsal Space
to Lose Weight. 30-day money back guarantee. Herbal Program. Also opportunity to earn up to $1,000 monthly. 1-800-492-4437 www.myherbalife.com
5x10 $45/mo.+tax. 10x10 $65/mo.+ tax 10x20 $110/mo.+tax. (2) locations Mckees Rocks & South Side.
412-403-6069
starting @ $150/mo. Many sizes available, no sec deposit, play @ the original and largest practice facility, 24/7 access.
412-403-6069
CNA POSITIONS
CNA CLASSES
RN WOUND CARE/TREATMENT NURSE
HELP WANTED
• Bartenders • Servers • Line cooks • Hostess • Delivery Driver
INDUSTRIAL SANITATION 3rd Shift, Mon-Sat., Full-time w/OT 412-246-4828
Apply within Mt Washington and Downtown 412-431-3730 Excellen t benefits available .
Full-time: 7-3, 3-11 & 11-7 Weekend Bonus Program 7-3, 3-11 & 11-7 Paid Training held monthly Currently recruiting for March & April 2016 classes
EMPLOYMENT
9850 Old Perry Highway, Wexford, PA 15090 412-847-7145
7-3 Full-time
RN CHARGE NURSE (NEW PAY SCALE) 3-11 & 11-7 Full-time 3-11 & 11-7 Part-time Apply in person or online at www.communicarehealth.com/employment
Now Hiring
Now Hiring
REQUIREMENTS: • Cheerful and helpful guest service skills • Friendly and upbeat attitude BeneďŹ ts: • Target merchandise discount • Competitive pay • Flexible scheduling
'LUHFW &DUH 6WDII
Provide supp ort to people developmen with community tal disabilities in ho Allegheny Co mes and throughout unty.
• • • • •
Earn up to $12.50/hr Generous Benefits Package Flexible Schedule; All Shifts Full & Part-Time Openings Valid Driver's License
Target is an equal employment opportunity employer and is a drug-free workplace. Š2015 Target Stores. The Bullseye Design and Target are registered trademarks of Target Brands, Inc. All rights reserved.
44
ADOPTION Eager to adopt your newborn. Will give SECURE forever love. Exp. Pd. Call Lola 631-352-2064
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR SALON SHOW 2016 @The Gallery 4 Please visit www.thegallery4.us for more details.
Gallery 4 206 S Highland Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-363-5050
STUDIES
Smokers Wanted! The University of Pittsburgh’s Alcohol and Smoking Research Laboratory is looking for people to participate in a three-part research project.
To participate, you must: • Currently smoke cigarettes • Be 18-55 years old, in good health • Be willing to ďŹ ll out questionnaires • not smoke before two sessions.
SmokING STUDY
Earn $150 for completing study.
For more information call 412-624-8975
University of Pittsburgh
Smokers who want to try new cigarettes that may or may not lead to reduced smoking are wanted for a research study. This is NOT a treatment or smoking cessation study. Compensation will be provided. Evening Appointments Available Call the Nicotine & Tobacco Research Lab at
412-624-9999 for more information or visit www.PittsburghSmokeStudy.com
SMOKERS WANTED
$250 nus g Bo Hirin
for Paid Psychology Research
to participate in a research project at Carnegie Mellon University! To be eligible for this study, you must be:
To Apply: • Visit Target.com/careers, select hourly stores positions and search for the city of Pittsburgh, PA. • Apply in person at the Employment Kiosks located near the front of any Target Store. Visit Target.com/careers to apply
Email Us Your Resume: 7217recruiting@spartanstaffing.com Apply Online: www.SpartanStaffing.com/Apply Visit Us: Monday through Friday, 9AM to 3PM. 106 Gamma Drive Pittsburgh, PA. 15238
CALL TO ARTISTS!
3-11 Full-Time
TEAM MEMBERS • Deliver excellent service to Target guests • Help keep the Target brand experience consistent, positive and welcoming • Make a difference by responding quickly and responsively to guest and team member needs
FOUR WAYS TO APPLY: Call Us 412-967-7604
EVENT
RN ADMISSIONS NURSE
You can expect a lot from working at Target An inclusive, energetic team. A company focused on community. A brand that puts guests first. And the fun and flexibility of a job that works for you.
NOW HIRING
Production Workers in Pittsburgh, PA.
• 18-50 yrs. old • In good health EOE
3OHDVH FDOO RU VHQG UpVXPp 5RHVVOHU 5RDG 3LWWVEXUJK 3$ [ _ FDUHHUV#PDLQVWD\OLIHVHUYLFHV RUJ RU DSSO\ RQOLQH PDLQVWD\OLIHVHUYLFHV RUJ
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
• Willing to not smoke or use nicotine products before one session You may earn up to $85 for your participation in a 3 hour study. For more information, call: The Behavioral Health Research Lab (412-268-3029) NOTE: Unfortunately, our lab is not wheelchair accessible.
MASSAGE
MASSAGE
YOU AND I
Downtown $40/hour
{BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY / WWW.BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM}
MASSAGE
Xin Sui Bodyworks
Open 24 hours
$49.99/ hour Free Vichy Shower with 1HR or more body work
412-401-4110 322 Fourth Ave. MIND & BODY
CMT by appt. Mature gentlemen only. 9am-6pm.
2539 Monroeville Blvd Ste 200 Monroeville, PA 15146 Next to Twin Fountain Plaza
412-537-6667
412-335-6111
MASSAGE by Donna
is BACK!
MASSAGE
HEALTHY Massage 9:30am-11pm Table Shower 724-742-3333 20550 Rt. 19 Unit 7 Cranberry Twsp, Pa 16066
LISTEN UP! You read City Paper’s music coverage every week, but why not listen to it too? Each Wednesday, music editor Margaret Welsh crafts a Spotify playlist with tracks from artists featured in the music section, and other artists playing around town in the coming days.
Find it on our music blog, FFW>>, at pghcitypaper.com
ACROSS 1. Fisherman’s pole 4. Acknowledges a great performance 9. Some poker hands 14. Black church inits. 15. Rock’s Los ___ 16. Molly’s “Pretty in Pink” role 17. Stipulation by Manhattan’s buyer? 20. Stipulations 21. Talk out of both sides of your mouth, e.g. 22. Spitting noise aimed at a circus barker? 26. Hurt, as a little piggie 28. Gives it some gas 29. Tea Party favorite Rand 30. Ballsiness 31. Lit crit 101 poem 32. Drug that makes you really foolish? 35. Online urging 36. “That smells SOOOO good” 37. “Your breastplate, Eliot”? 43. “Frontline” channel 46. New wing 47. Mid-afternoon break 48. ___ Institute (San Jose biomedical institution) 49. Bunch of grass 50. Retired baseball player Hideki
doing downwardfacing dog? 53. ___ way out (problem solves) 55. Banded gem 56. “Why, it must be this priest to whom I’m speaking!”? 61. “Hawaii Five-0” cop 62. Light crime? 63. Electronics company with the slogan “Made For Moments” 64. “You beat me” 65. Rush’s drummer Neil 66. Head checking test: Abbr.
DOWN
22. All for 23. Turncoat 24. Aziz Ansari’s alma mater 25. Singular opening? 27. Garden spot 30. British actress Sylvia 32. Linen fiber 33. Twerking part 34. Product symbols, briefly 35. Target audience for YA books 37. See 40-Down 38. Strange 39. Poem that goes in circles? 40. With 37-Down, arctic vehicle 41. Bother. Incessantly.
1. Hit hard from behind 2. Left out 3. “8 Women” actress Catherine 4. Do some top-roping 5. “___ luck!” 6. Easy letters 7. #2 8. Tax form ID 9. Accounts receivable stamp 10. Like many email filters 11. Completely foolish 12. Mainland Equatorial Guinea 13. Justice approver: Abbr. 18. “The Haj” author 19. With lights on low
N E W S
+
TA S T E
42. Clean energy advocate: Abbr. 43. Shepherd’s spot 44. Glacier layer 45. Compete in a biathlon 48. Subway transfer locs. 50. “I’m so excited” 51. Brown concentration 52. CIA employee 54. Scheduling spot 56. Prog. that would have destroyed nukes with lasers 57. Toy dog sound 58. Valuable mine stuff 59. Dos Passos work 60. Recess classic with TV and freeze variants
SUBOXONE/VIVITROL
TIGER SPA
Caring Help for Drug & Alcohol Addiction
• Experienced counselors & medical staff. • Private, professional setting. • In Downtown Pittsburgh, Plum & Greensburg.
Immediate openings. Accepts most insurance including Highmark, Fayette, Westmoreland & Cambria county Medicaid (VBH). A PA-licensed facility. www.alliedaddictionrecovery.com
412.246.8965, ext. 9
GRAND OPENING!!! Best of the Best in Town! 420 W. Market St., Warren, OH 44481 76 West, 11 North, 82 West to Market St. 6 lights and make a left. 1/4 mile on the left hand side.
Open 9am-12 midnight 7 days a week! Licensed Professionals Dry Sauna, Table Shower, Deep Tissue, Swedish
330-373-0303 Credit Cards Accepted
{LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS}
Do you know what your Pittsburgh city councilor has been up to? Follow the latest updates on our blog at www.pghcitypaper.com +
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
45
JADE Wellness Center
Start taking your life back
Premiere Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment LOCATIONS IN MONROEVILLE AND WEXFORD, PA
Family Owned and Operated Treating: Alcohol, Opiates, Heroin and More
• SUBOXONE • VIVITROL Brand-new facility providing medication assisted treatment:
- a new once a month injection for alcohol and opiate dependency • Group and Individualized Therapy
Suboxone, Vivitrol, 4-day detox. By appointment only.
Immediate Openings Call today 412-668-4444 5855 Steubenville Pike Robinson Twp., PA 15136 journeyhealthcare.com
NO WAIT LIST Accepts all major insurances and medical assistance
SUBOXONE SUBUTEX Let us help you! WE TREAT: Opiate Addiction Heroin Addiction & Other Drug Addictions
CALL NOW TO SCHEDULE
SUBOXONE TREATMENT WE SPECIALIZE IN
Painkiller and Heroin Addiction Treatment IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Pregnant? We can treat you!
412-380-0100 www.myjadewellness.com
• INSURANCES ACCEPTED • DAY & EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
Serving Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh • South Hills
Beaver County
Methadone • 412-255-8717 Methadone • 412-488-6360 Methadone • 724-857-9640 Suboxone • 412-281-1521 info2@alliancemedical.biz Suboxone • 724-448-9116 info@summitmedical.biz info@ptsa.biz 46
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER 03.23/03.30.2016
412-434-6700 412-532-4267
with insurance
without insurance
CLOSE TO SOUTH HILLS, WASHINGTON, CANONSBURG, CARNEGIE, AND BRIDGEVILLE
Let Us Help You Today!
www.aandrsolutions.com
412-221-1091
WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCES
info@freedomtreatment.com
here, and on EASTER SUNDAY stage name:
at the BLUE
SMOKIN ’ MCQUEEN
MOON * , a dancer ,
you’re hosting a ZOMBIE JESUS BALL? what can we expect
production
and filmmaker?
by EM DEMARCO
every sunday you host events
ALISTAIR MCQUEEN
so, you ’re a bartender here
that night?
company: SMOKE
march 23, 2016
AND international champagne
THIS PRODUCTIONS
well,
favorite zombie
there will
movie: DAWN OF
be MEN IN
THE DEAD ( ’78 )
DRESSES.
BANDIT.
?
don't TRUST me around CHAMPAGNE,
THIS
girl !
EASTER SUNDAY, alistair mcqueen
will be hosting a
ZOMBIE JESUS BALL at
BLUE MOON BAR in lawrenceville.
the
* he wore skull makeup and brought PROPS -- like this head of JOHN THE BAPTIST ON A PLATE -- to the interview so readers
on this hol i es t of days ... WH Y ?
could get an idea of what to expect the night of the show.
expect a numerous amount of
i ’l l be PROSELYTIZING
zombies * taking over the BAR,
... reminding people to
eating BRAINS, massacring the
ASK permission, getting
LIQUOR bottles -- chugging
CONSENT, women's
them down as if it was the
RIGHTS. you know,
ZOMBIE JESUS
you ’ll also get a
is being played
moment here with
by a DRAG
the EASTER
QUEEN. **
BUNNY *** ... our good friend of
BLOOD of christ.
preaching the holy
zombie jesus.
bible of SATAN.
don’t forget CHOCOLATE! you CANNOT worship your lord and savior without chocolate!
* in other words, folks, there
** performed by
will be a ZOMBIE COSTUME
* ** performed by
LYDIA DAHMER
CONTEST -- $50 for the winner.
PUSHING DAISYS
the night kicks off at 10 p.m.
“[ religions]
um, this
“younger people,
feels weird
especially in
to
ask …
like THIS
is about
i ’m
FORCING us to have our
some are
taking the
own safe
fact, i
BULLSHIT
spaces, like
know a lot
anymore ...
we can
folks?
come here
“... they ’re not
TA S T E
+
WE’RE doing
RIDICULOUS
every sunday. we ’re having
zombie
GAY.”
bar .
that ’s what
all those things like
they ’re
question?
GOING TO CHURCH ... so,
make fun of
because
we ARE
call going to the club,
BE SAFE to
HATE SOMEONE
in a gay
of gay people who
and we CAN
you have to
oh, that
people. in
here at the
of lgbtq
WASN ’T the
lot of gay
blue moon.
philosophy that
+
church for a
just not
accepting the
N E W S
this is the
the community,
ONE, are
INCLUSIVE
THONG.
IS OUR CHURCH.
persecuting
RELIGION.
not very
wearing a
every sunday. THIS
much time
communities
my question
“we can have a party
have spent so
our
jesus.
M U S I C
+
S C R E E N
+
A R T S
+
E V E N T S
OWN
CHURCH.”
+
C L A S S I F I E D S
47