INSIDE NSIDE: HOW DECADES AT THE HILL HOUSE SHAPED T THE HE LIVES OF THREE PITTSBURGH WOMEN PITTSBURGH’S PI P ITTTTSBU SBUR SB URGH G ’S ALTERNATIVE AL A LTE TER RN NATIV NAT ATIV AT IVE FOR NEWS, N NE EW WS S, A ARTS AR RTTS S+ ENTERTAINMENT EEN NTE TER RTTTAI AIIN A IN NM MEEN NT SINCE SI S INC NCE 19 1 1991 991 91
On new album, Brittney Chantele shares her military experience to help young enlistees know what they’re signing up for
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FEB. 19-26, 2020 VOLUME 29 + ISSUE 8 Editor-In-Chief LISA CUNNINGHAM Director of Advertising JASMINE HUGHES Director of Operations KEVIN SHEPHERD Managing Editor ALEX GORDON Senior Writers RYAN DETO, AMANDA WALTZ Staff Writers HANNAH LYNN, JORDAN SNOWDEN Photographer/Videographer JARED WICKERHAM Digital Media Manager JOSH OSWALD Editorial Designer ABBIE ADAMS Graphic Designers JOSIE NORTON, JEFF SCHRECKENGOST Events and Sponsorship Manager BLAKE LEWIS Senior Account Executive JOHN CLIFFORD Sales Representative KAITLIN OLIVER Operations Coordinator MAGGIE WEAVER Events and Marketing Coordinator BRYER BLUMENSCHEIN Business Manager JUSTIN MATASE Circulation Manager JEFF ENGBARTH Featured Contributors REGE BEHE, LYNN CULLEN, TERENEH IDIA, CHARLES ROSENBLUM, JESSIE SAGE Interns MEGAN GLOECKLER, OLLIE GRATZINGER National Advertising Representative VMG ADVERTISING 1.888.278.9866 OR 1.212.475.2529 Publisher EAGLE MEDIA CORP.
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Melvie Blackwell in front of the former James F. Henry Hill House Center in the Hill District
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COMMUNITY FEATURE
THE VOICES OF THE HILL HOUSE How decades at the community center shaped the lives of these three women BY RENEE P. ALDRICH // WRITINGTHEWRITEWORD@GMAIL.COM
F
OR FIVE DECADES, THE HILL HOUSE served as a community anchor in Pittsburgh’s
Hill District. Residents across generations saw it as a community center, a hub for services such as dental care and work training, and a venue for local performers and headliners like Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend. It also acted as a neighborhood employer. Its legacy stretches back through much of the 20th century to several community organizations that merged to eventually create the Hill House Association in 1964. But financial struggles led the Hill House Association to shrink its staff from the nearly 300 employees it had a decade ago and eventually close its doors, selling four of its facilities in June 2019 to E Properties and the Hill Community Development Corporation. While some of the organization’s community mission will live on in those buildings, the Hill House itself is now gone. It remains a cherished memory for residents and for former employees like Irma Coy, 76; Edna Council, 88; and Melvie Blackwell, 84. Each of these women worked at the Hill House for decades. They lived through its heyday and also stayed closely involved in their retirement. For them, the organization provided an opportunity for stable employment, and sometimes served as a place of comfort during difficult times.
Irma Coy IRMA COY GREW UP IN the Hill District in the 1940s and ’50s. Her connection to the Hill House began when her dad used to take her to see performances at the Irene Kaufmann Settlement, one of the Hill House’s predecessors. One of her favorite plays was The Midas Touch. “I had to be all of 6 years old, but I remember!” she recalled. In 1983, she began working as an unpaid volunteer for the Hill House’s senior program. That work helped her through a difficult period in her life and eventually led to a paid job with health benefits. CONTINUES ON PG. 8
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THE VOICES OF THE HILL HOUSE, CONTINUED FROM PG. 7
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Irma Coy at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District
“I was living in the projects with my daughter, and things were not going so smooth at home,” she said. Her neighbor Edna Council was already working as the volunteer coordinator for the senior program. To help her get out of the house, Coy said her 12-year-old daughter suggested that Council ask her mom to volunteer.
Some of the volunteers were surprised that Coy didn’t gravitate toward craft programs at the Hill House. She had a knack for making floral arrangements and made holiday decorations for the senior program. Instead, she was intrigued by the clerical and administrative offices, specifically the phone switchboard — an old Centrex system
“IT IS STILL DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ORGANIZATION THAT WAS ONCE SO MUCH TO SO MANY, THAT HELD OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER SO TO SPEAK, IS NO MORE.”
“Whole People, All People.” metrocommunityhealthcenter.org
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The senior program was comprehensive. Participants went on out-of-town trips and had meals delivered to their homes; volunteers helped with light housework and also took seniors to buy groceries.
that she asked to be trained on. “I got through that dark time. I fell in love with the work,” Coy said. After five years, she started working as a secretary in the organization’s comptroller’s office before moving to a position outside of
the executive director’s office. During more than 25 years at the Hill House, she also served as coordinator of the United Way giving campaign and was involved in the home delivery meals program. She was also in charge of room scheduling, including popular public facilities like the auditorium and canteen. She looks back on it as a big family, even when they had disagreements. Among the colleagues she remembers most fondly was Bill Blakey, who died in 2014 after working at Hill House since its founding. In charge of maintenance and facilities, Coy described him as “Mr. Hill House.” Not only did he keep things running at work, she recalls the time he came to her house on the weekend to look at her water heater after it failed in the dead of winter. Much of her tenure was spent under director James Henry, who died in 2003 after leading the organization for 25 years, starting in 1978. “It seemed that after the death of Mr. Henry, like the lights in the Hill House got dim, and got dimmer with each passing year,” CONTINUES ON PG. 10
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Pittsburgh’s lone liberal talkshow host for 30+ years Listen live every Monday thru Thursday at 10 a.m. at lynncullen. pghcitypaper.com
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Edna Council inside her home in the Hill District
And on Fridays ...
Coy said. Coy retired from the Hill House in 2012, though she stayed closely connected as a board member of the Hill District Consensus Group, which was housed in the building. “It is still difficult to believe that this organization that was once so much to so many, that held our community together so to speak, is no more,” Coy said. “I mourn it like the loss of a family member — still today.”
Edna Council
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EDNA COUNCIL WAS AN employee at the Hill House Association for 38 years. As a Hill District resident, she remembers the Hill House as being a constant part of her life, particularly when she’d take her children to community events. She started working there shortly after Russell Shelton became Hill House’s executive director in 1976. He had previously been working as a property manager for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. Council was a tenant, and Shelton saw her as one of
the anchors of the community. Initially, she worked on a youth program before serving as transportation coordinator for six months when the full-time coordinator was out on maternity leave. She’d arrange for bus transportation to take seniors, youth, and other community members to programs offsite. The senior program volunteer coordinator position was then created for her, and she was responsible for making sure special events and programs were adequately staffed with volunteers. “It was ideal because I knew a lot of ladies who were sitting around just kind of spending their days doing nothing, so I invited them to join the senior program as a volunteer — I was able to recruit 30 or 40 volunteers that way,” she said. Council said the Hill House thrived when Henry took over as executive director, particularly due to his ability to draw financial support from local government and foundations. “The city loved Mr. Henry as did Elsie Hillman, so money at that time often came to us,” she said. The benefits
included the creation of an after-school program, and a young father’s program that was featured by Oprah as a model for other cities. Henry asked Council to work on those programs, and she recalls the value he put in face-to-face interactions with staff. “Every single day, he spent the first part of his day reaching out to every staff member as well as every single agency that had space in the building — wishing them all a good day. He had a serious open door policy.” The Hill House was there for her when she needed it most. When she had surgery, she said Hill House leadership gave her the time she needed to recover. When I lost my mother, the entire building was closed so that the staff could attend her funeral,” she said. “It was not just me. It was this way for all.”
Melvie Blackwell MELVIE BLACKWELL RETIRED from Hill
House in 2016 after 47 years. After participating in a job-training CONTINUES ON PG. 12
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THE VOICES OF THE HILL HOUSE, CONTINUED FROM PG. 10
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The ‘Hill District Legacy Award’ displayed on a wall in the home of Edna Council
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program for mothers on welfare, Blackwell was hired in 1969 as a clerk typist at Wadsworth Hall, one of Hill House’s satellite facilities. She said she started the training in an effort to provide for her six children without welfare. At this time, the Hill House Association was spread out over several buildings. Miss Melvie, as she was affectionately called, worked as a typist until 1972, when the Hill House centralized its services into the newly constructed main building at 1835 Centre Ave, which later became the James F. Henry Hill House Center. She transitioned to work as a receptionist at the main entrance. She enjoyed seeing the constant flow of people as residents stopped in to visit more than a dozen agencies and offices in the building. “The receptionist is most important because we are the first face visitors see, and we can set the stage by being pleasant or unpleasant,” she said. Blackwell also recalled the Blakey’s generosity with Hill House staff. “Tragically, I lost my son, and I was a complete wreck,” she said. “It was Mr. Blakey who put together the guys on his staff to step in to be pallbearers.” She said she had no money and no insurance. Henry called her to his office and wrote out a personal check for the
cost of the funeral.
A community loss COY, COUNCIL, AND BLACKWELL each
had a special bond to the Hill House. They described their time there as more than a job. It was a way of life — one that fulfilled them as they saw the community be served. After Henry’s death in 2003, the Hill House board began focusing on property development in an effort to make up for the loss of funding it relied upon from organizations like the United Way. Blackwell said that she felt the Hill House shift from its primary mission of helping families. “The writing was on the wall when I saw the Hill House go from serving families to owning real estate,” Blackwell said. “Things inside began to look more corporate and less communitydriven. While the final closure did hurt me, it was already a changed place.” Even after leaving their full-time jobs, Blackwell, Council, and Coy still stayed connected to Hill House. Now that it’s gone, they see a void in the community. “There is an emptiness inside each of us,” Coy said, “because even after we retired, it still filled up so much of our lives.”
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THIS WEEK ONLINE AT PGHCITYPAPER.COM
DO ALLEGHENY COUNTY DEMOCRATS HAVE A TRUMP SUPPORTER PROBLEM? The Allegheny County Democratic Committee came under fire after endorsing a candidate who has shared Trump support. But CP found more members who support Trump. Where does the committee go from here?
JENSORENSEN
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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Various parking chairs made by Pittsburgh artists, showcased as part of VisitPittsburgh’s ‘Pull Up A Chair’ campaign
P CHAIRING IS CARING .NEWS.
BY HANNAH LYNN // HLYNN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
ITTSBURGH LIKES PARKING chairs. It’s a cultural touchstone referenced as jokes, on T-shirts, or in an ad
promoting tourism to the Steel City. But like most things Pittsburghers claim as uniquely Pittsburgh things — pierogies, basement toilets, hills — the parking chair is not exclusive to Pittsburgh. So why, and when, did Pittsburghers start embracing it with such fervor? Annual snowfall in Pittsburgh is erratic, ranging between 25 and 75 inches in any given year. But when it does snow, the shovels come out, and along with them, the chairs (though the chairs can be seen year-round). If a person spends the time and effort to dig out their space, they tend to feel a sense of ownership over it, hence the chair. Parking chairs can be found in Baltimore, Boston, and other snowy cities. In Chicago, the practice is known as “dibs.” But Pittsburgh, never a city to love anything halfway, has a special affection for parking chairs. CONTINUES ON PG. 16
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On Tue., Feb. 25, VisitPittsburgh will host an event at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center celebrating 90 painted chairs made by a variety of Pittsburgh artists, including a classic Pittsburgh skyline by Jeanine Murch, a remixed transgender flag by Stew Frick, and a henna design by Soma Chatterji. The event coincides with an online auction of the chairs, so Pittsburghers around the world can have one. Profits from the auction go a charity to help local artists. The auction is in conjunction with VisitPittsburgh’s “Pull up a chair” campaign. The ad, which debuted last April, includes the slogan “You are welcome here,” and features scenes of
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WHY, AND WHEN, DID PITTSBURGHERS START EMBRACING THE PARKING CHAIR WITH SUCH FERVOR? nice Pittsburghers offering a chair to a companion; a classmate at school, a musician at Heinz Hall, a concierge at a hotel. In one scene, a man reading his paper on the porch sets out a chair for his neighbor, who is going out shopping with her daughters. When she gets back, bags of groceries in hand, her old parking space is right where
she left it (note: no snow). “It was just meant as a little homage to Pittsburghers,” says Tom Loftus, chief marketing officer of VisitPittsburgh. “From a national standpoint, when they look at our campaign, they’re just seeing all these chairs and the parking chair is one of them.” A parking chair can be anything,
really: a folding chair, a plastic lawn chair, an old La-Z-Boy, a laundry basket, a traffic cone, a beach chair, a tall lamp. Anything works as long as it’s big enough to get the message across. The more personality, the better, because that way someone is more likely to chuckle at it instead of shaking their fist at the sky. Commonwealth Press, a local printshop known for its Pittsburgh-themed shirts, stickers, and other merch, sells black and yellow parking chairs that say, “NO PARKING” and “DO NOT MOVE.” The website has a disclaimer for the chair that states, “If you use anything besides a vehicle to hold a parking spot in the city of Pittsburgh,
you can be fined $300,” which is mentioned because, in 2013, a police officer called the store and told them to, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Commonwealth also sells parking chair shirts and stickers. If you search “parking chair” on Etsy, there are Christmas ornaments, Valentine’s Day cards, and pins honoring the parking chair. Lawrenceville Distilling Co. makes several spirits with Pittsburghthemed names, including Parking Chair Vodka. WHILE PARKING CHAIRS may seem like an odd target for civic pride, the phenomenon could indicate a lack of sufficient parking in the city, but also an obsession with getting a good parking spot that, while not unique to Pittsburgh, residents are certainly vocal about. According to the Pittsburgh Police, parking chairs are not legal, but officers generally don’t remove the chairs or fine their owners (it’s also legal for anyone to take a chair sitting in a parking space). Pittsburghers have a special knack for embracing its cultural touchpoints and elevating them to ludicrous degrees. There are the chairs, there was
VISITPITTSBURGH.COM/ PULL-UP-A-CHAIR/90-PAINTED-CHAIRS the floating dumpster, and of course, the sinkhole bus, which within days inspired bus ornaments, cupcakes, tattoos, t-shirts, and memes reveling in
the chaos of a bus sunk into the ground, pointing toward the sky. But the embrace of the chair in this way is still relatively new. Google search
results for “Pittsburgh parking chair” start peaking after 2010. Searches of previous years are limited to occasional articles, but mostly just links related to parking in general. In 2010, an entry for “parking chair” was added to Urban Dictionary, described as “derived from Pittsburgh traditions.” In 2010, the Post-Gazette wrote a kind of profile on the parking chair. “How do you spot a newcomer to Pittsburgh? They stare in wonderment at a chair in a parking space,” it posits in the opening sentence. “It’s that symbol of that old parking chair that you might find in a church bingo hall, that everybody’s had them, they’ve seen them when they were growing up in school, “ says Loftus. “I think it’s a little attachment to the past too.” The changing times, as well as the changing climate might run the actual parking chair into extinction. Winters will get warmer, like it did this year, with less snow to shovel and replace with a chair. And it’s hard to imagine millennials or Gen Z pulling an old chair out of the basement to mark their territory. Instead, the parking chair might have better luck living on as a mascot of the old Pittsburgh.
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Follow staff writer Hannah Lynn on Twitter @hanfranny
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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WEEK 2: KNOWLEDGE
.VOICES.
We can talk about the cosmology of the Dogon in ancient Mali of West Africa, which included complex celestial observations and advanced science still being researched. A long intellectual legacy reflected in the West African descendants, the so-called “hidden figures” of NASA. We can discuss the West African chakra system along with the spirituality, medicine, and knowledge that emanates from practices like yoga in Asia and North Africa. That “the oldest existing, and continually operating educational institution in the world is the University of Karueein, founded in 859 A.D. in Fez, Morocco” in Africa.
GLOBAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH, 2021 BY TERENEH IDIA CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
M
LOVE/HATE relationship with Black History Month has not waned since I admitted it out loud several years ago. But after the month I just spent in India, I have come to realize that what the world needs now is a Global Black History month. The worldwide lack of understanding of the Global Black Experience is staggering, so what follows is my 2021 outline of what to discuss when we launch the first Global Black History Month in 2021. Y
WEEK 3: REBELS AND QUEENS There is Queen Mother Idia of the Benin Kingdom of West Africa, best represented in oft-seen, elegantly carved ivory masks (see the iconic Killmonger museum scene in 2018’s Black Panther.) While my namesake’s son Esigie was king, she was a general in his army. The saying goes, “No woman goes to battle except Idia.” There is Yasuke, the African Samurai of Japan, as well as India’s Malik Ambar, who “launched one of the most formidable careers in the political history of the Deccan.”
WEEK 1: HUMANITY We begin with the beginning of us, we humans. Every person running around, buried in or with remains scattered about the Earth, are connected to each other. The evolution from our shared Black ancestors of Alkebulan, according to the World Atlas meaning “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden” — we now call it Africa. The first artists, storytellers, astronomers, architects, and others all come from this Eden, even if your Indigenous stories speak of other cosmological forces and entities bringing forth your culture and heritage. Yes, we are stardust, we are starstuff, and evolution is real — to me, both can be true at once. Denying our shared African ancestry is anti-Black. Periodt.
WEEK 4: BLACK FUTURE
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Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba
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Every Global History Month will “end” with considering the Future. Who, what, how, and where are the people building a legacy to become the next great ancestors? Let’s hope that they — we — are writing about you and me. There are many great resources available to explore these ideas further. One I discovered while writing this was blackpast.org. That also includes a map of Global Black History: blackpast.org/ blackpast-and-the-world
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presents
CP PHOTO: JOSH OSWALD
.JUST JAGGIN’.
THE GOOD NEWS BY JOSH OSWALD // JOSWALD@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
O
N THE CORNER OF “I Probably
Shouldn’t” and “Thanks, I’ll Pass” lies the Mecca of morsels, the sultry siren of savories and sweets, a veritable vice-a-palooza. Here, you’ll come just to grab a bag of chips, but instead leave with 30 scratch-offs, a glass pipe, and a pocket full of gas-station aphrodisiacs. Let me take you on the rollercoaster ride of retail that is Smithfield News. Upon entering, you’ll notice something immediately. You’ll notice everything! Smithfield News has that in spades! Make a left toward the counter for your smokes, “smells good” oils, and Wicked Hard pills (2000 mg), which boast increasing “time of intercourse” and “size and rock hard” and “stamina and sex drive.” Two-thousand milligrams is way more “rock hard” than any doctor would prescribe. The good news is you only have to take “1 capsule every 7 days.” If you head to your right, you’ll choose between not one but two Pennsylvania Games of Skill machines, two different PA Lottery scratch-off dispensers, and that push-the-quarter-off-the-ledge game that only geniuses or suckers play — like any type of irresponsible gambling, there has to be a system. Smithfield News is the closest thing I’ve seen in Pittsburgh to an NYC bodega. It has that not pleasant, but not unpleasant, and completely unidentifiable aroma — somewhere between a fresh bag of Blue Buffalo dog food and
a pillowcase full of Halloween candy. There’s a staffed deli that serves breakfast all day, premade chicken wings covered in honey mustard, frozen cheeseburgers, and that machine that takes a cup of ice cream and turns it into a milkshake. There are two slushie machines that haven’t been turned on, featuring remnants of stagnant sugar water.
SMITHFIELD NEWS
115 Smithfield St., Downtown
Long story short, the store is perfect. It has zero focus with what it’s trying to sell, which means you can get lost looking through aisles for hours. They stock all of your candy essentials — Reese’s, Snickers, etc. — and they back that up with a strong Pepperidge Farm selection and microwave pizza games. You want two individually packaged dill pickles? Smithfield’s got you. Need a lighter shaped like a hand giving the middle finger? Taken care of. In the market for 90 grams of Maeng Da Kratom Powder? You’re all set. Smithfield News is what you’d find at the mangled wreckage of a high-speed collision between an unbranded turnpike gas station and a toy store on the boardwalk at Ocean City, Md. And there’s no place I’d rather do my shopping.
Follow digital media manager Josh Oswald on Twitter @gentlemenRich
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l i a t k c o C Off e k a h S www.pghshakeoff.com
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.RESTAURANT REVIEW.
SPREZZATURA BY MAGGIE WEAVER MWEAVER@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
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OOSELY TRANSLATED, the word “sprezzatura” means to look and feel effortless, and that’s pretty on-the-nose for Jen Saffron’s new cafe in Millvale: Sprezzatura, housed in the refurbished Millvale Moose Lodge, has the chatty, laid-back nature of a diner. The service is hospitable and relaxed, and the menu is accessible and fresh. But behind the easygoing atmosphere at Sprezzatura, there’s a lot going on.
SPREZZATURA
112 E. Sherman St., Millvale. sprezzaturapgh.com
The restaurant is part of the Millvale Food + Energy Hub, a project of local nonprofit New Sun Rising. The hub helps drive New Sun Rising’s greater mission to advance Millvale as a sustainable, equitable neighborhood. Saffron shares the building with three other tenants: 412 Food Rescue’s Good Food Project (which uses the other half of Sprezzatura’s kitchen), The Food Trust, and FracTracker Alliance. The building is powered by solar panels; Sprezzatura has been a Gold-designated Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant since day one, a certification that represents Saffron’s commitment to being part of the “demonstration of sustainability” the hub is meant to be. Back to the food: The menu at Saffron’s counter-service, BYOB cafe is small but impressive. The dishes are “heritage-inspired, accessible, affordable, and healthy,” with staples like spaghetti and meatballs, butternut squash soup, and sandwiches during lunch service. Saffron feels strongly about supporting
CP PHOTO: MEGAN GLOECKLER
Vegetarian lasagna shown with micro green and citrus fennel salads at Sprezzatura
state farmers and tries to source as locally as possible, changing her menu to fit the seasons. (For a wider selection, check out the catering menu’s antipasti, meat platters, salads, soups, and desserts.) Of the dishes I have tried, which is many, Saffron’s vegetarian lasagna is my favorite. Contrary to many veggie pastas that rely too heavily on spinach which
subsequently turn stringy, Saffron layers her lasagna with roasted vegetables and never skimps on spices or seasoning. Other main dishes that stand out include the roast chicken and spaghetti and meatball. The roast chicken was the exact kind of roast chicken I look for at restaurants: straightforward and unpretentious. Saffron’s meatballs fell
FAVORITE FEATURES: Desserts
Moose Lodge
Events
Dessert at Sprezzatura is definitely worth the calories, especially with the delicious addition of freshly whipped cream. Try one of everything.
The Moose Lodge hasn’t been completely replaced. Sprezzatura still uses the original tables.
Keep an eye out for events at the cafe, including improv nights, live music, Sunday suppers, and more.
apart at the touch, and were matched with a thick spaghetti and a homemade red sauce. Strong entree list aside, starters should not be skipped. A citrus fennel salad brings the sweet flavors of winter citrus, and the cafe’s pine nut and basil dip (more like a bruschetta) acknowledges the flavor of pine nuts in a way many chefs overlook. Eating at the cafe, it’s easy to forget about the sustainable goings-on around you. Saffron doesn’t even call her eatery a restaurant; it’s “a community cafe.” She’s using Sprezzatura as a platform to start a conversation about sustainability, activate a new community space, and create a “spot of goodness” in the neighborhood.
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Follow staff writer Maggie Weaver on Twitter @magweav
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LEON’S CARIBBEAN 823 E WARRINGTON AVE., ALLENTOWN / 412-431-5366 LEONSCARIBBEAN.COM Family owned and operated since December 2014. Here at Leon’s, we take pride in our recipes and quality of dishes. Simple menu with all the traditional dishes! Leon Sr. has been a chef for 30+ years, mastering the taste everyone has grown to love and can only get at Leon’s.
BAJA BAR & GRILL
1366 OLD FREEPORT ROAD, FOX CHAPEL 412-963-0640, WWW.BAJABARGRILL.COM The Baja Bar & Grill is the perfect destination any time of the year for dancing to live bands and taking in great entertainment every weekend. In addition, there’s good food along with amazing views of the Allegheny River and the Fox Chapel Marina.
BEA’S TACO TOWN
633 SMITHFIELD STREET, DOWNTOWN 412-471-8361, WWW.BEATAQUERIA.COM Authentic Mexican cuisine in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh! Bea Taco Town offers tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and much more all with traditional recipes. Slow cooked meats and fresh vegetables prepared daily will have you coming back to try it all.
THE CAFÉ CARNEGIE
4400 FORBES AVE., OAKLAND 412-622-3225 / THECAFECARNEGIE.COM An excellent dining experience from James Beard Semi-Finalist, Sonja Finn featuring a locally-focused menu, full service dining, and espresso and wine bar.
CARMELLA’S PLATES & PINTS
1908 EAST CARSON STREET, SOUTHSIDE 412-918-1215, CARMELLASPLATESANDPINTS.COM Featuring an upscale ambiance, Carmella’s is located in the heart of South Side, serving a variety of refined comfort cuisine for dinner and brunch. The décor features a lodge-like feel with a wood beamed cathedral ceiling, stained glass and open fireplace. A local purveyor delivers fresh ingredients daily, which are crafted into unique and inventive meals, served alongside a curated cocktail list and comprehensive wine selection.
COLONY CAFE
1125 PENN AVE., STRIP DISTRICT 412-586-4850 / COLONYCAFEPGH.COM Whether stopping in for a weekday lunch, an afternoon latte or after-work
drinks with friends, Colony Cafe offers delicious house-made bistro fare in a stylish Downtown space.
EIGHTY ACRES
1910 NEW TEXAS ROAD, MONROEVILLE/PLUM 724-519-7304 / EIGHTYACRESKITCHEN.COM Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar offers a refined, modern approach to contemporary American cuisine with a strong emphasis on local, farm-totable products.
ELIZA HOT METAL BISTRO
331 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE, PITTSBURGH 412-621-1551, ELIZAHOTELINDIGO.COM Set on the site of former iconic iron works, Eliza Furnace, Eliza is an American Bistro exploring classic Pittsburgh flavors, beloved by those that worked the furnaces, combined with the fresh perspective and seasonal sourcing that define what we eat in our region today. Relax with great food, cocktails, and enjoy live entertainment on the rooftop bar.
MERCURIO’S ARTISAN GELATO AND NEAPOLITAN PIZZA 5523 WALNUT ST., SHADYSIDE 412-621-6220 / MERCURIOSGELATOPIZZA.COM Authentic Neapolitan pizza, artisan gelato, and an inviting atmosphere are just a small part of what helps create your experience at Mercurio’s Gelato and Pizza in Pittsburgh. It’s not your standard pizza shop; in fact, this isn’t a “pizza shop” at all.
PAD THAI NOODLE
4770 LIBERTY AVE, BLOOMFIELD 412-904-1640 PADTHAINOODLEPITTSBURGH.COM This new café in Bloomfield features Thai and Burmese specialties. Standards like Pad Thai and Coconut Curry Noodle are sure to please. But
don’t miss out on the Ono Kyowsway featuring egg noodle sautéed with coconut chicken, cilantro and curry sauce.
SUPERIOR MOTORS
PYRAMIDTATTOO.COM
1211 BRADDOCK AVE., BRADDOCK 412-271-1022 / SUPERIORMOTORS15104.COM Thoughtfully prepared food, drawing inspiration from Braddock, its people, its history, and its perseverance. The cuisine best represents the eclectic style which has become a trademark of Chef Kevin Sousa. Fine dining in an old Chevy dealership with an eclectic, farm-to-table menu and a community focus.
TOOK TOOK 98
2018 MURRAY AVE., SQUIRREL HILL 412-422-6767 / TOOKTOOK98.COM Eating Happily. Leaving with Smile. The True Taste of Thai. Our goal is to provide the highest customer satisfaction as well as offering authentic Thai street food with Thai environment. Therefore, we have been working hard to bring exceptional dine-in experience to you. We offer variety of authentic Thai food, drinks, and desserts including smiling full-service with BYOB.
BRIDGEVILLE, PA
Are you tired of tracking down food trucks? Don’t miss our Weekly Food Truck Schedule! Available every Tuesday at pghcitypaper.com
TOTOPO MEXICAN KITCHEN AND BAR
660 WASHINGTON ROAD, MT. LEBANON 412-668-0773 / TOTOPOMEX.COM Totopo is a vibrant celebration of the culture and cuisine of Mexico, with a focus on the diverse foods served in the country. From Oaxacan tamales enveloped in banana leaves to the savory fish tacos of Baja California, you will experience the authentic flavor and freshness in every bite. They also feature a cocktail menu of tequila-based drinks to pair the perfect margarita with your meal.
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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FRESH HANDMADE FOOD LOCAL CRAFT BEER DAILY SPECIALS
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BY MAGGIE WEAVER // MWEAVER@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
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WHISKEY HIGHBALL may seem like a simple cocktail. There are only two ingredients, whiskey and seltzer, and for many people, it’s interchangeable with a whiskey soda. But in Japan, whiskey highballs are serious business. Every detail, from the ice to the carbonation of the soda, is meticulously crafted to elevate the relatively simple drink into something special. Lucky for Pittsburgh, Bloomfield’s latest Japanese- and Korean-inspired bar, Cobra Lounge, is aiming to replicate that quality with its Toki Highball machine, a draft-like tap that pours a perfectly balanced highball every time.
COBRA LOUNGE
4305 Main St., Bloomfield. cobrapgh.com
Toki highball machines are the product of Suntory, Japan’s largest distillery. Every detail is balanced and precise: the ratio of the ingredients (3 seltzer-to-1 whiskey), the ideal temperature (34 degrees), and highly carbonated soda water (about 1.5 as many bubbles as your average seltzer). Cobra co-owner Miranda Piso compares it to “your most effervescent champagne.” The bar’s Suntory Toki highball is served as simply as its ingredients, in an etched glass mug, garnished by a lemon peel. The zing from the intense
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carbonation lingers on your lips for a few seconds longer than average soda, similar to a mildly hot pepper. Cobra also pours highballs with Suntory’s other spirits, Haku vodka and Roku gin, along with the iconic Midori highball. But it’s the seltzer that sets these cocktails apart; Piso notes that the machine’s sparkling water is so carbonated, it can’t be bottled, or it will explode. Another one of Cobra’s popular adaptations from Japanese drinking culture is the chu-hai, short for “shochu-highball.” These canned cocktails are low-alcohol and typically found in gas stations and convenience stores. The cans are composed of shochu, a Japanese distilled beverage, and like the Suntory highballs, topped with sparkling water. Often, they’re flavored with fruit and other ingredients, and served straight from the bottle. (Cobra opts for bottles over to cans to reduce waste.) Currently, Cobra offers blueberry and lavender versions, but Piso says they’re playing around with other spirits and fresh ingredients. The Suntory Toki highball and chuhai have been two of Cobra’s most popular drinks since they opened in January. Alongside these, the lounge offers other Japanese and Korean-inspired cocktails, using liquors like soju and sake, popping boba, and tapioca pearls. If you can’t find your way to Japan anytime soon but want a better highball than what you can make in your kitchen, give Cobra’s a try.
•
.FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 20
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
Over 100 Vendors
a w Ope eek n 7 • 11 day a.m s .-6 p.
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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1908, British playwright W. Somerset Maugham reached the height of success. Four of his plays were being performed concurrently in four different London theaters. If you were ever in your life going to achieve anything near this level of overflowing popularity or attention, I suspect it would be this year. And if that’s a development you would enjoy and thrive on, I think the coming weeks will be an excellent time to set your intention and take audacious measures.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do you feel ready to change your mind about an idea or belief or theory that has been losing its usefulness? Would you consider changing your relationship with a once-powerful influence that is becoming less crucial to your life-long goals? Is it possible you have outgrown one of your heroes or teachers? Do you wonder if maybe it’s time for you to put less faith in a certain sacred cow or overvalued idol? According to my analysis of your astrological omens, you’ll benefit from meditating on these questions during the coming weeks.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When she was alive more than 2,500 years ago, the Greek poet Sappho was so famous for her lyrical creations that people referred to her as “The Poetess” and the “Tenth Muse.” (In Greek mythology, there were nine muses, all goddesses.) She was a prolific writer who produced over 10,000 lines of verse, and even today she remains one of the world’s most celebrated poets. I propose that we make her your inspirational role model for the coming months. In my view, you’re poised to generate a wealth of enduring beauty in your own chosen sphere. Proposed experiment: Regard your daily life as an art project.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Have you ever dropped out of the daily grind for a few hours or even a few days so as to compose a master plan for your life? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to give yourself that necessary luxury. According to my analysis, you’re entering a phase when you’ll generate good fortune for yourself if you think deep thoughts about how to create your future. What would you like the story of your life to be on March 1, 2025? How about March 1, 2030? And March 1, 2035? I encourage you to consult your soul’s code and formulate an inspired, invigorating blueprint for the coming years. Write it down!
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian novelist William Makepeace Thackeray (1819– 1875) is famous for Vanity Fair, a satirical panorama of 19thcentury British society. The phrase “Vanity Fair” had been previously used, though with different meanings, in the Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes, as well as in works by John Bunyan and St. Augustine. Thackeray was lying in bed near sleep one night when the idea flew into his head to use it for his own story. He was so thrilled, he leaped up and ran around his room chanting “Vanity Fair! Vanity Fair!” I’m foreseeing at least one epiphany like this for you in the coming weeks, Cancerian. What area of your life needs a burst of delicious inspiration?
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Who loves you best, Leo? Which of your allies and loved ones come closest to seeing you and appreciating you for who you really are? Of all the people in your life, which have done most to help you become the soulful star you want to be? Are there gem-like characters on the peripheries of your world that you would like to draw nearer? Are there energy drains that you’ve allowed to play too prominent a role? I hope you’ll meditate on questions like these in the coming weeks. You’re in a phase when you can access a wealth of useful insights and revelations about how to skillfully manage your relationships. It’s also a good time to reward and nurture those allies who have given you so much.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Doom and gloom dominate the forecasts made by many prophets. They experience perverse glee in predicting, for
example, that all the rain forests and rivers will be owned by greedy corporations by 2050, or that extraterrestrial invaders who resemble crocodiles will take control of the U.S. government “for the good of the American people,” or that climate change will eventually render chocolate and bananas obsolete. That’s not how I operate. I deplore the idea that it’s only the nasty prognostications that are interesting. In that spirit, I make the following forecasts: The number of homeless Virgos will decrease dramatically in the near future, as will the number of dreamhome-less Virgos. In fact, I expect you folks will experience extra amounts of domestic bliss in the coming months. You may feel more at home in the world than ever before.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
ANTIQUES, COLLECTABLES & MORE
m.
92 Crane Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15226 (412) 481-1300
I don’t require everyone I learn from to be an impeccable saint. If I vowed to draw inspiration only from those people who flawlessly embody every one of my ethical principles, there’d be no one to be inspired by. Even one of my greatest heroes, Martin Luther King Jr., cheated on his wife and plagiarized parts of his doctoral dissertation. Where do you stand on this issue, Libra? I bet you will soon be tested. How much imperfection is acceptable to you?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio comedian John Cleese co-founded the troupe Monty Python more than fifty years ago, and he has been generating imaginative humor ever since. I suggest we call on his counsel as you enter the most creative phase of your astrological cycle. “This is the extraordinary thing about creativity,” he says. “If you just keep your mind resting against the subject in a friendly but persistent way, sooner or later you will get a reward from your unconscious.” Here’s another one of Cleese’s insights that will serve you well: “The most creative people have learned to tolerate the slight discomfort of indecision for much longer, and so, just because they put in more pondering time, their solutions are more creative.”
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian philosopher Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677) developed a vigorous and expansive vision. That’s why he became a leading intellectual influence in the era known as the Enlightenment. But because of his inventive, sometimes controversial ideas, he was shunned by his fellow Jews and had his books listed on the Catholic Church’s Index of Forbidden Books. Understandably, he sometimes felt isolated. To compensate, he spent lots of time alone taking wide-ranging journeys in his imagination. Even if you have all the friends and social stimulation you need, I hope you will follow his lead in the coming weeks — by taking wideranging journeys in your imagination. It’s time to roam and ramble in inner realms.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Absolute reason expired at eleven o’clock last night,” one character tells another in Henrik Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt. I’m happy to report that a different development is on the verge of occurring for you, Capricorn. In recent days, there may have been less than an ideal amount of reason and logic circulating in your world. But that situation will soon change. The imminent outbreak of good sense, rigorous sanity, and practical wisdom will be quite tonic. Take advantage of this upcoming grace period. Initiate bold actions that are wellgrounded in objective rather than subjective truth.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Renowned Aquarian composer Franz Schubert (1797–1828) created more than 700 compositions, some of which are still played by modern musicians. Many of his works were written on and for the piano — and yet he was so poor that he never owned a piano. If there has been a similar situation in your life, Aquarius — a lack of some crucial tool or support due to financial issues — I see the coming weeks as being an excellent time to set in motion the plans that will enable you to overcome and cure that problem.
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
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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THE LOCAL 913: SPISH BY LIZ FELIX // LIZ@WYEP.ORG
Like a lot of songwriters, Nate Die from the band SPISH got his start writing stories. “I went to school for fiction writing,” he says. “I love to tell stories and for me, the thing that I saw a lot in professors was that no one was able to sell books. Music is a lot more accessible. So after I would write stories, I would just sort of convert them into songs as well.” Die is a good translator. He hasn’t limited himself to turning stories into songs; anyone who’s seen SPISH on social media is aware of the band’s stream of funny, weird, and unsettling video clips. Die says he sees three STAY UP-TOcomponents to DATE WITH THIS SPISH — the visual WEEK’S LOCAL aspect, recorded MUSIC NEWS music, and a rotating cast of WITH CP MUSIC live performers. WRITER JORDAN He describes SNOWDEN the current lineup AND WYEP as “kind of like a small orchestra. EVENING MIX We’ve got a HOST LIZ FELIX horn section, a keyboardist with Listen every beautiful vocals, Wednesday percussion and at 7 p.m. on bass, and then 91.3FM WYEP myself. We started adding in some classroom instruments into our sets.” You can get a sense of SPISH’s creativity on the Eat This Flower EP. The title track, which Die says is an exploration of the toxic things — both literal and metaphorical — that we put into our bodies, is as off-kilter as you might expect if you’ve spent a few minutes on the band’s Instagram. But it’s also memorable and catchy. Maybe you’ll find yourself singing it hours after you’ve heard it, having been drawn in to SPISH’s weird and wonderful world. •
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PHOTO: DYLAN ROSGONE
Brittney Chantele
.MUSIC.
THE GOLDEN TICKET BY JORDAN SNOWDEN // JSNOWDEN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
B
RITTNEY CHANTELE RECALLS the
exact moment when her mindset about the military changed. Right around the end of 2012 — about a year and a half into her Army National Guard enlistment — Chantele was on a date. Throughout the evening, Chantele’s date noticed that she kept staring at one person, a man of Middle Eastern descent, and confronted her about it. “I was like, ‘That’s a terrorist,’” Chantele remembers. “Like, I 100% believed that that person was one. She basically was like, ‘Fuck you, walk your ass home,’ and that’s exactly what I needed.” The seven-mile walk home gave Chantele time to reflect. Later, Chantele and her date reconvened to chat about what happened. “I’m really grateful for her playing that role because she didn’t have to be the one to educate me,” says Chantele. “It went from that issue to the environmental impact the military has, and then
I kind of started doing my own research and my entire opinion and outlook flipped. I was like, ‘Fuck the military; I can’t do this anymore.’” In the hip-hop artist’s third album, The Golden Opportunity, released on Monday with an accompanying release party Sat., Feb. 22 at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall, Chantele tells the tale of her military experience from joining Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), to the emotional and sexual abuse she faced while serving, and her “golden opportunity” out, 10 years later.
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES While Chantele comes from a military family and grew up listening to her dad sharing stories from his time serving, it wasn’t really an interest of hers until she began high school. Up until that point, Chantele played football. But once she started her freshman year, her parents wouldn’t allow her to do so anymore.
“They were worried I was going to get hurt, so at that point, I joined JROTC,” says Chantele. “And it was the one thing that I was good at. … When it came to ironing my uniform and shining my boots and knowing all the facts, I knew everything. The physical fitness part, I was good at too.” On the second track of The Golden Opportunity, “J.R.O.T.C.” — which follows “Recruiters,” a song about government officials coming to schools and telling kids anything they want to hear — Chantele sing-raps, “Show me all the things that I prefer / turn me into her / turn me into someone you’d refer / tell me what’s the word.” “It talks about how I had such rosecolored glasses on,” says Chantele. “All I was worried about was making sure my instructor thought I was the shit, like I only wanted to make him proud.” During her time in JROTC, Chantele broke multiple records and became the
PHOTO PROVIDED
Brittney Chantele in her uniform
commander of JROTC her junior year, a position typically reserved for seniors. Right after graduation, Chantele enlisted in the Army National Guard and 10 days later, she was at basic training in Fort Sill, Okla.
SIGNAL IGNORED “Left right, kill / that didn’t feel right to me,” says Chantele in “Fort Sill (Basic Training).” “They don’t want me to be free / they just want blood in these streets.” Only a short time into basic training, Chantele realized she didn’t feel right. “JROTC, it’s brainwashing in a way that you don’t realize, that the camaraderie and the family that you built in JROTC is not that same as the real military,” explained Chantele. “They say it’s a brotherhood or sisterhood, everyone has your back, you can call the person on your left or the right any time of night, and they’ll be there for you. ... But for the things that happened to me to happen — sexual assault, homophobia, me witnessing xenophobia — all these different things, how are these people living up to these values?” Then the incident with her date happened, and Chantele realized she needed to get out of the military. Shortly after, however, Chantele got word that her unit was up for deployment. Besides not wanting to fight overseas, Chantele would also get pulled out of college.
So she made a very hasty decision and signed up to be a contracted ROTC Cadet because it meant that she could not be deployed. “It was a power move that I did, but the thing is, that’s a contract extension,” she says. Eight years were added onto Chantele’s contract, which would start when she graduated college. She wouldn’t be out of the military until 2023.
GOLDEN TICKET “Why can’t I fall asleep? I feel like I fell on my hands and knees / What have you done to me?” Chantele sings in “FibroMedicinal.” Chantele always dealt with body pain, but in 2016, the pain became unbearable and started to take over her entire body. Chantele says this began right after she was sexually assaulted in Fort Worth, Va. She went to the military health clinic, was told she had leukemia, and was given a brown paper bag containing one muscle relaxer and six different pain pills. “Pain pills in brown bags / I wish I didn’t know about that,” Chantele raps in “PTSD.” “Crying in the shower ’cause I’m wishing they could take it back.” A week later, she went back and was told she had fibromyalgia. Its symptoms include widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and difficulties with sleep, memory, and mood.
CONTINUES ON PG. 28
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“But then I was like, ‘Wait a minute, this is my fucking ticket,’” says Chantele. It took over a year, but in February 2017 Chantele submitted paperwork to be discharged from the military due to health issues. She got out in November 2018. “It didn’t feel right to be like, ‘It’s my fibromyalgia,’ when it was that in addition to a whole bunch of other things,” says Chantele, but it was her way around the red tape.
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After college, Chantele began working with high schoolers through multiple organizations including Venture Outdoors, Assemble, and the Student Conservation Association. Without asking, there would always be at least one student who brought up wanting to join the military. “The things that they were repeating to me from the recruiter were complete lies,” says Chantele, adding that it was things she remembered hearing herself. “I was like ‘Oh my god, this is continuing,’ And to be 100, these were always Black students. I felt between a rock and a hard place. Not having rich parents to pay for your stuff. And when you hear you’re going to have free health care, college, job training that can be transferred to the civilian world nine times out of 10, and other opportunities like signing bonuses, sometimes they’ll give you a $10,000 signing bonus.”
Hearing this over time is what inspired Chantele to create The Golden Opportunity. She also came to realize talking about these issues, and sharing her experience, was a passion. “Sharing my story is very important. I’m not here to tell people, ‘Don’t join.’ I want to make sure these students have an informed decision going in.” In the early 1980s, the term “poverty draft” was coined to describe “the belief that the enlisted ranks of the military were made up of young people with limited economic opportunities,” according to Sojourners. In 2002, President George W. Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act which allows military recruiters the same access in schools as college recruiters. In 2017, a poll from the Department of Defense cited 49% of teens in the survey said that if they were to join the military, future education payment would be one of the reasons they would do so. “Keep in mind, I never deployed,” says Chantele. “There’s not enough younger veterans talking about this. … You’re being made into a completely different person, when you’re just getting on the road to finding yourself. You become desensitized to everything, you’re traumatized and don’t even realize it, and then you devolve this love for this thing that’s traumatizing you. What is this called? An abusive relationship.”
Follow staff writer Jordan Snowden on Twitter @snowden_jordan
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TUE., MAR. 10TH. THE BAND’S VISIT 7:30 P.M. BENEDUM CENTER, DOWNTOWN. All Ages. $93-$275. 412-456-6666 or trustarts.org.
TUE., MAR. 10TH. SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS 6 P.M. JERGEL’S RHYTHM GRILL, WEXFORD. Under 21 w/ Guardian. $25-$39. 724-799-8333 or ticketfly.com.
TUE., MAR. 10TH. TUESDAY NIGHT TRAIL RUNS 6 P.M. FRICK PARK, OAKLAND. All Ages. Free. 412-871-5038 or 3riversoutdoor.com.
FOR UPCOMING ALLEGHENY COUNTY PARKS EVENTS, LOG ONTO WWW.ALLEGHENYPARKS.COM PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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PHOTO: TY JOHNSON/BLEECKER STREET
Julia Garner in The Assistant
.FILM.
THE ASSISTANT BY HANNAH LYNN // HLYNN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
W
of the #MeToo movement first started crashing in, so many reactions from the outside were, “How could this have happened?” and from the inside, “We always knew.” Creating a workplace where the boss can do as he pleases, with whomever he pleases, without fear of retribution, does not happen overnight. That kind of environment must be nurtured over many years, until everyone knows that speaking up is considered tattling, and being a tattletale is worse than being a sleaze. The Assistant, a deliberately slow drama, is set in the office of an unspecified film company, told from the point of view of a new but dedicated assistant to a nameless boss. The film is directed by Kitty Green, who most recently made the HEN THE WAVES
oddball documentary Casting JonBenet, about actors auditioning to play characters in a fictional movie about JonBenet Ramsey’s murder. While the subjects and format are different, both films reflect a keen eye for ugly details hiding in plain sight. Young assistant Jane (Julia Garner) has the “dream job” for any recent college graduate wanting to work in film — the dream, of course, being relative at that age, when anything even resembling working in the creative industry of your choice feels like a huge win. She’s only worked there for two months but is already accustomed to the long hours and mundanity of the job: cleaning crumbs and trash off her boss’ desk, scheduling flights and car rides, doing dishes left in the office sink.
THE ASSISTANT
Opens Fri., Feb. 21 at AMC Waterfront. 300 W. Waterfront Drive, Homestead. amctheatres.com
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These things can happen in any office, but soon sinister details begin to stand out to Jane, like an earring she found on the floor of her boss’ office, the young woman he flew in from Idaho, the jokes from coworkers about not sitting on the office couch. The world of Jane’s office is deliberately, crushingly bland. The lighting is dim, the carpets are gray, and there is nothing decorating the walls. Jane’s shirt — the only one she wears in the film — is soft millennial pink, but the office is far from how millennial offices are usually depicted (casual, bright). Aside from the smartphones everyone uses, there are no markers of year or time in the film. The discomforting workplace could be set today or 20 years ago. Much of the film is silent, with sparse dialogue and music. Most of the sounds are the din of office work; keyboards clacking, phones ringing, paper printing, men talking. What shakes Jane out of her office
hypnosis is the girl from Idaho, whom her boss hires as another assistant and puts up in a fancy hotel, where he then goes to see her. Jane complains to HR man Wilcock (Matthew Macfadyen), but she doesn’t have enough evidence. Wilcock reads the complaint back to Jane, making it sound paltry and jealous. He shames her into not filing a complaint, and on her way out, he tells her not to worry, because she’s not her boss’ type. There is no climax in the film, no lightning bolt of action or resolution. It is boring, because the story of men in Hollywood preying on young, vulnerable women was boring to people for a long time. It was just part of another day at the office. None of the other few women in Jane’s office are on her side; they just want to roll their eyes at the boss and get through the workday. An earring on the floor is no different than a crumpled napkin, and it’s Jane’s fault for not knowing otherwise.
•
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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MAKER AND MUSE BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
F
OR CENTURIES, the art world has
relegated women to the passive role of muse, a body to be painted and sculpted. Even today, the representation of female artists in museums still lags, contrary to cultural institutions’ claims to care about addressing the problem. One study by Artnet showed that, between 2008 and 2018, only 11% of art acquired for permanent museum collections was by women. To some degree, the Frick Art Museum addresses this issue by featuring Maker & Muse: Women and Early Twentieth Century Art Jewelry, a traveling exhibition organized by the Chicagobased Richard H. Driehaus Museum. Now on view through Sun., May 10, the show examines how women influ-
enced the design of art jewelry, both as consumers and creators throughout the early 1900s. The more than 200 pieces on display range from large and ornate to more understated pieces and decorative accessories like keepsake boxes and tableware. While Maker & Muse touches on a variety of influential designers, guilds, and companies, there’s an emphasis on heavyhitters like Louis Comfort Tiffany, who, of course, made more than just lamps. The show is split into five different regions and eras of art jewelry in the decades before machines took over and churned out mass-produced baubles. The Arts and Crafts movement of Britain, which spanned the late-1800s and early1900s, highlights some of the most
notable female craftswomen, including Charlotte Newman, an English jeweler who designed under the title Mrs. Newman. The three Newman pieces — a brooch, a cameo of Mary Queen of Scots, and an aquamarine statement necklace — demonstrates her eclectic style and versatility. Following in the footsteps of Newman are Sybil Dunlop and Dorrie Nossiter, two female jewelers who owned separate shops in London around the same time. From there, the show spans Europe and the U.S., from the linear, symmetrical style of the German and Austrian Jugendstil movement and the Viennese Wiener Werkstätte, to more fanciful work such as a mermaid brooch by Karl Rothmüller and a pendant by Henry
Charles Barker that’s more concerned with depicting an ornately detailed galleon than with whether or not anyone could, or would actually wear it. While the female form appears in various pieces throughout the show, the “muse” part is most prominent in the French Art Nouveau portion. Here, women, often in diaphanous garments, dance atop stick pins or on brooches, or peer coquettishly from the front of a cigarette case. A study in contrasts, the pieces were inspired by women working in the few then-disreputable careers available to them, including sex workers, dancers, and actresses like the famed Sarah Bernhardt, while also being incredibly expensive, meaning they were only available to the wealthiest women of high society. It’s interesting to note how this limited view of women bumps up against the show’s many female craftspeople, some of whom were self-taught. After wallowing in male gaze, it’s refreshing, then, to move onto the Chicago Arts and Craft movement, which appears more concerned with the natural world as opposed to religious or humanist themes. Maker & Muse makes for one of the
Pendant in its original box by The Art Silver Shop of Chicago
MAKER & MUSE: WOMEN AND EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY ART JEWELRY
Continues through Sun., May 10. The Frick Art Museum. 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze. $8-15. Free for members and children under 5. thefrickpittsburgh.org
more democratic experiences I’ve had at an exhibition – there’s really no wrong way to enjoy this show. Interested in
gawking at sparklers that would make Liz Taylor weep? Feel free, as there are more than enough stunning necklaces,
rings, bracelets, and other adornments to catch the eye (the delicate, insectinspired pieces by René Lalique, Elizabeth Bonte, and Charles Boutet de Monvel are particularly exquisite). For those more interested in the historical and cultural side, there are laminated informational sheets galore, and optional audio devices with prerecorded content about various pieces. (My one minor complaint is the audio device lacked a headphone jack and, therefore, made me overly self-conscious about annoying other guests.) There are also labels with commentary by local guest artists, musicians, and others, who also contributed pieces for a special Made In Pittsburgh section. (This includes Pittsburgh City Paper columnist Tereneh Idia, who contributed a beaded necklace from her global ecodesign company, Idia’Dega). While you can certainly appreciate all the pretty things at Maker & Muse, it’s worth taking a moment to understand the various cultural, economic, and political factors that drove everything from the choice of metal to the color of stone. After all, sometimes the prettiest things have the most complicated histories.
•
Follow senior writer Amanda Waltz on Twitter @AWaltzCP
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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SEVEN DAYS OF CONCERTS TRIXIE MATTEL FRI., FEB. 21
Drag meets the worlds of country and folk when Trixie Mattel brings her Grown Up tour to Stage AE. Following the release of her third album, Barbara, out Feb. 7 via PEG Records, the RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars winner mixes jokes, big hair, music, and over 10 costume changes for a night that straddles comedy show and concert. But while Mattel’s previous albums showcased her bluegrass side, Barbara ventures into surf-rock and electro-folk territory, proving her affinity for multiple genres and captivating entertainment. 7 p.m. 400 N. Shore Drive, North Side. $39-101. promowestlive.com PHOTO: LISA PREDKO
Trixie Mattel
FULL LIST ONLINE pghcitypaper.com
THURSDAY FEB. 20
THE SHAMELESS HEX. Hop Farm Brewing. 8 p.m. Lawrenceville.
JAZZ
SPLICE BOYS, WOMPY. Cake. 9 p.m. Strip District.
RML JAZZ. Jackson’s Restaurant Beaver Valley Mall. 7 p.m. Monaca.
ELECTRONIC
ROGER HUMPHRIES. Con Alma. 8 p.m. Shadyside.
EKO CHAMBER COLLECTIVE. Andy Warhol Museum. 8 p.m. North Side.
JEFF BERMAN, CHRIS PARKER. Kingfly Spirits. 7 p.m. Strip District.
TRIBUTE
THE JAZZ CONSPIRACY. Allegheny Elks Lodge #339. 8 p.m. North Side.
ROCK THE 69 EYES. Crafthouse Stage & Grill. 7:15 p.m. Whitehall. TWIDDLE. Roxian Theatre. 8 p.m. McKees Rocks.
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE MOTEL RADIO. Thunderbird Café & Music Hall. 8 p.m. Lawrenceville.
ACOUSTIC PETER PERKINS. Pittsburgh Community Broadcast Center. 7 p.m. South Side. BRAVE BIRR. Club Cafe. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
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KING CATFISH, CATATONEYA (NIRVANA). Spirit. 9 p.m. Lawrenceville.
HIP HOP/RAP CHANCE THE RAPPER. PPG Paints Arena. 7 p.m. Uptown.
METAL FELL RUIN, UNFURL. Cattivo. 7 p.m. Lawrenceville.
FRIDAY FEB. 21 ALTERNATIVE/INDIE DAN KOSHUTE, HONEY PRISM. Spirit. 9 p.m. Lawrenceville.
PUNK F**K YEAH, DINOSAURS. Mr. Smalls Theatre. 8 p.m. Millvale.
BLUES TINA DANIELS BAND. Moondog’s. 8:30 p.m. Blawnox.
POP FIT OF BODY, PAT COYLE. The Government Center. 7 p.m. North Side.
CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT. MCG Jazz. 7 p.m. North Side.
ELECTRONIC TRUNCATE. Cattivo. 9 p.m. Lawrenceville.
FOLK
SATURDAY FEB. 22
JOHN GORKA. The Roots Cellar. 7:30 p.m. Shadyside.
ACOUSTIC
JOE PUG. Club Cafe. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
ROCK WATER TRASH (ALBUM RELEASE). Mr. Smalls Theatre. 7 p.m. Millvale. GOOD SHIP GIBRALTAR, THE NIGHTLY STANDARD, LIVING WITH MONSTERS. Cattivo. 8 p.m. Lawrenceville.
CLASSICAL TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO. Heinz Hall. 8 p.m. Downtown.
JAZZ THE YOKO SUZUKI TRIO. Sweetwater Center for the Arts. 7 p.m. Sewickley.
LUNASA. McGonigle Theatre. 5:30 p.m. Oakland. BRAD YODER. Friendship Perk & Brew. 6:30 p.m. Bloomfield.
BLUES/SOUL VANESSA COLLIER. Moondog’s. 8:30 p.m. Blawnox. CHANTAL JOSEPH. Con Alma. 10 p.m. Shadyside. JESSICA LEE. The Forge. 5 p.m. Homestead.
DJS I:WAH. Tana Ethiopian Cuisine. 10 p.m. East Liberty. JELLYBEAN BENITEZ. Cobra Lounge. 9 p.m. Bloomfield.
ELECTRONIC
MULTI GENRE
THE PATCHOULI BROTHERS. Hot Mass. 12 a.m. Downtown.
TARAGÁPE (ALBUM RELEASE). Spirit. 6 p.m. Lawrenceville.
CHERDLEYS, EDDIE GOLD. Rex Theater. 8 p.m. South Side.
RAP/HIP HOP I LOVE PGH HIP HOP 2. The Smiling Moose. 8 p.m. South Side.
BLUEGRASS THE JAKOB’S FERRY STRAGGLERS. The Bunker. 8 p.m. Ellwood City.
ROCK FRAME AND MANTLE, FORTUNATO. The Government Center. 8 p.m. North Side. FLASHPOINT RUN. Cattivo. 8 p.m. Lawrenceville. THE SAFEST LEDGE. Howlers. 8 p.m. Bloomfield.
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE WIVES, RCHRD PRKR, GLAM HAND. The Mr. Roboto Project. 7 p.m. Bloomfield.
HI-TIDE WINTER HOLIDAY. THIS IS RED. 5 p.m. Munhall.
SUNDAY FEB. 23 CLASSICAL FREDERIC CHIU. Kresge Theater. 3 p.m. Oakland.
REGGAE IRATION. Roxian Theatre. 6:30 p.m. McKees Rocks.
PUNK NO MEN, AINO SISKO, CALYX. Spirit. 9 p.m. Lawrenceville.
ROCK MARTIN SEXTON, CLINTON CLEGG. The Oaks Theater. 7 p.m. Oakmont. GRAYSCALE. Rex Theater. 6 p.m. South Side.
CAJÓNS, AND PERCUSSION ERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS SPECIALTY ST STORE
Custom-made in PittsburGH, PA!
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PHOTO: BRYAN SODERLIND
JACQUEES
Jacquees
MON., FEB. 24
Jacquees has made a few comments in the past that not everyone agrees with. In a December 2018 Instagram video, the artist, born Rodriquez Jacquees Broadnax, said, “I just wanna let everybody know that I’m the king of R&B right now — for this generation. I understand who done came and who done did that and that and that, but now it’s my turn.” This statement caused an uproar from both fans and other musicians, but two years later, Broadnax has yet to back down from his claim. He is now traveling in support of his 2019 album — with the winking title King of R&B — so judge for yourself when he takes the stage at The Rex Theater. 7 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $30. rextheater.net
JAZZ MAN OR ASTRO-MAN? Club Cafe. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
ACOUSTIC FOXY LINGO. Thunderbird Café & Music Hall. 11 a.m. Lawrenceville.
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE EMBRACER. The Smiling Moose. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
COUNTRY DAVE PAHANISH. Kingfly Spirits. 2 p.m. Strip District.
CELTIC GAELIC STORM. Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. 8 p.m. Warrendale.
MONDAY FEB. 24 JAZZ ETHNIC HERITAGE ENSEMBLE. First Unitarian Church. 7:30 p.m. Shadyside.
ANTOINETTE JAZZ QUARTET. Savoy Restaurant & Wine Bar. 6 p.m. Strip District. HOWIE ALEXANDER TRIO. Con Alma. 5 p.m. Shadyside.
ROCK DAN BUBIEN & THE DELTA STRUTS. Penn Brewery. 7 p.m. North Side. Y&T. Crafthouse Stage & Grill. 7 p.m. Whitehall.
SKA
BLUES
THE TOASTERS. Club Cafe. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
BLACK CAT MOAN. Grille 565. 7 p.m. Bellevue.
POST MALONE. PPG Paints. 8 p.m. Uptown.
WEDNESDAY FEB. 26
METAL
ROCK
POP
SOULFLY. Crafthouse Stage & Grill. 5:30 p.m. Whitehall.
TUESDAY FEB. 25 R&B
WALLOWS. Mr. Smalls Theatre. 7 p.m. Millvale. JOSEPH ARTHUR. Club Cafe. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PATTERNIST. The Smiling Moose. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
JOHN GRESH GRIS-GRIS. Thunderbird Café & Music Hall. 8 p.m. Lawrenceville.
BLUES
COUNTRY
ACOUSTIC
WHITNEY FENIMORE. Club Cafe. 6:30 p.m. South Side.
DAY ONE. Walnut Grill. 7 p.m. Wexford.
ANA POPOVIĆ. Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. 8 p.m. Warrendale.
These listings are curated by Pittsburgh City Paper’s music writer Jordan Snowden and include events from our free online listings. Submit yours today at www.pghcitypaper.com/submitevent PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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DISCO 412 BY AMANDA WALTZ AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
For most people, the disco era conjures up a series of familiar images: packed dance floors, late-night revelers, unmistakable fashion, and lots of flashing lights. But what did the disco scene actually look like in Pittsburgh during its heyday? According to Harrison Apple, not much different than you’d expect. “Obviously, disco explodes in the 1970s, not just in New York and San Francisco and Europe, but also in Pittsburgh,” says Apple, who serves as co-director of the Pittsburgh Queer History Project and, since 2015, has been researching after-hours bars run by gay men and lesbians between 1960-1990 as part of their dissertation at the University of Arizona. They add that Pittsburgh after-hours clubs like The Library, House of Tilden, and Heaven in the Fulton Building, now the site of the Marriott Renaissance Hotel, cashed in on the disco craze by investing in “up-to-date jukeboxes” and “really talented DJs.” “People always called it Pittsburgh’s answer to Studio 54,” Apple says of Heaven. “It was enormous.” Almost four decades after its decline, disco has returned, somewhat, through local events like Jellyfish, the monthly queer dance party. “Like the classic disco era of the past, we’re trying to capture a spirit of unity, love, and sexiness,” says Adam Shuck, who created and DJs at Jellyfish with Ricky Moslen and Steph Tsong. He credits his interest in disco to local after-hours events presented by Hot Mass and Honcho. Apple speaks to the importance of Jellyfish, which not only captures the inclusivity of disco, but focuses on playing more than “the hits” with its mix of European Italo disco, as well as later genres influence by disco, like New Wave. “It’s very contemporary in a way,” says Apple. “They’re interested in making [Jellyfish] a space where you can feel something unique and maybe liberating, I hope it keeps on going.” •
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PHOTO: NICK KARP
Gimme Gimme Disco
.DANCE.
GIMME GIMME DISCO BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
H
ISTORY TELLS US that disco died on July 12, 1979, when Chicago radio DJ Steve Dahl caused a disco record-destroying riot at the Comiskey Park baseball stadium. But don’t tell that to Ethan Maccoby, co-founder of the ABBA-themed Gimme Gimme Disco touring party. The event, which launched a little over a year ago, will make its first-ever Pittsburgh stop on Fri., Feb. 21 at the Thunderbird Café & Music Hall in Lawrenceville. “There’s a huge, huge scene of people both old and young that love this music,” says Maccoby, whose events company, Burwood Media, has brought Gimme Gimme Disco to venues throughout the country. Maccoby claims Gimme Gimme Disco started playing to sold-out crowds at various New York City clubs, quickly having to move from the 200-person capacity Mercury Lounge to bigger venues like the Brooklyn Bowl and Gramercy Theater. The early success spurred him to take the party on the road to “spread
the disco love.” While disco music peaked in popularity in the 1970s, Maccoby says Gimme Gimme Disco parties have attracted a broad range of ages and demographics, from 18-year-olds up through 50 and above. He believes a big part of the genre’s resurgence is owed to the 2008 film Mamma Mia! and its sequel, which are based on the ABBA jukebox musical of the same title. As a big fan of disco, Maccoby says he and Burwood Media wanted to create a space where people could enjoy music by the hugely popular Swedish band as well as other disco artists. “Obviously, disco is such a loved genre and it’s hard to find a place where you can just go out to a random bar and hear all of your favorite songs and dance to them,” he says, adding that many theme dance parties now focus on the 1990s or early-2000s as a way to cater to 20-something partygoers. That desire extends to local dance parties as well, primarily the Jellyfish
GIMME GIMME DISCO: A DANCE PARTY INSPIRED BY ABBA
10 p.m. Doors at 9 p.m. Fri., Feb. 21. Thunderbird Café & Music Hall. 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $10-15. thunderbirdmusichall.com
queer dance party that, since its 2017 launch, has been spinning European disco and disco-influenced music at P Town bar and other venues. The return of disco dance parties also aligns with a renewed interest in examining why disco was declared dead in the first place. Historians and journalists like Alexis Petridis, who wrote an article titled “Disco Demolition: the night they tried to crush black music” for The Guardian, point to how sexism, racism, and homophobia played a role in the so-called “Disco Sucks” movement because of how the genre elevated Black and Latinx artists, female artists, and artists who openly identified as LGBTQ. Despite efforts to kill it once and for all, however, Maccoby agrees elements of disco live on in modern music, including dance-focused genres like EDM and pop. As for the Pittsburgh show, he’s looking forward to seeing people come out, preferably decked out in their finest disco duds. “We’re excited to enter [the] market and see what the reaction is,” says Maccoby. “Hopefully, this is just the first of many stops in Pittsburgh.”
•
THE
BY JORDAN SNOWDEN JSNOWDEN@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
PHOTO: DANNY CLINCH
On Tuesday, The Lumineers touch down in Pittsburgh to support their third album, III, with a show at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh City Paper chatted with The Lumineers’ Wesley Schultz for The 412, CP ’s feature where you can stay up to date with your favorite bands/musicians and learn fun, random tidbits about them.
THE LUMINEERS
7 p.m. Tue., Feb. 25. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. $37-299. thelumineers.com
QUESTIONS ABOUT FOOD WHAT’S CURRENTLY IN YOUR FRIDGE? I don’t have a fridge. I have a cooler with some wine in it, some kefir, and coconut water. My wife has a premixed custom Negroni. NAME THREE ITEMS YOU WOULD BUY AT A GROCERY STORE TO MAKE THE CASHIER FEEL WEIRD. Ranch, peanut butter, and bread. IF YOU COULD RENAME PEANUT BUTTER, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT? Peanut is not a nut, it’s a legume. You could call it legume butter, but it doesn’t have quite the ring. WHAT’S ONE FOOD YOU COULD EAT FOREVER, WITHOUT GETTING SICK OF IT? Thai food.
QUESTION ABOUT INFORMATION NAME AN OUT-THERE RANDOM FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW. Michael Jordan has that “Jumpman” logo, he’s wearing pants, and no one ever notices that.
QUESTIONS ABOUT GUESTS WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING A GUEST HAS EVER DONE AT YOUR HOUSE? I had a guest leave and then break in and give me wine that was my own wine — he presented it like he had bought it for me. So, he stole my wine, gave it back to me, and broke in without us figuring out how he did it — we still don’t know to this day. WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE SEEN AT SOMEONE ELSE’S HOUSE? I saw a human-sized bird cage in a house one time, hanging from the ceiling. It was suspended, and looked medieval almost, gothic. • PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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PHOTO: ELIZABETH EAGLE
Colum McCann
.LITERATURE.
CRITICAL ANGLES BY REGE BEHE // CPCONTRIBUTORS@PGHCITYPAPER.COM
T
HE TITLE OF Colum McCann’s new
novel, Apeirogon (Random House), means a shape with a “countably infinite” number of sides. The book is set in Israel and Palestine, where, as the title suggests, there are thousands of stories with different points of view. Based on the real-life experiences of Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian, and Rami Elhanan, an Israeli, two men bound by the violent deaths of their daughters, the novel is unlike anything the Irish-born writer has ever attempted. McCann, who appears Feb. 26 as a guest of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures New & Noted series, answered questions via email for Pittsburgh City Paper. THERE’S SO MUCH TO DIGEST IN APEIROGON — ORNITHOLOGY, FALCONRY, RELIGION, FAITH, THE HISTORY OF PALESTINE AND ISRAEL, TO MENTION A FEW — THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN QUITE THE TASK TO WEAVE TOGETHER. It felt to me like I was creating a symphony. I was the conductor, but not a very reliable one since I’m not very good with music. I asked for a cello, I asked
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for a piano, I asked for a trombone. And then I began trying to fit them all together. At the same time, new instruments came along to surprise me, and I had to incorporate them too. It was a beautiful challenge. I have never undergone anything quite so difficult in my life. I hope the music emerged. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BASSAM AND RAMI IS BOTH HEARTENING AND HEARTBREAKING. THEY SEEM SO REAL, AND BOTH POSSIBLE AND IMPOSSIBLE. DID YOU TALK TO MEN OR WOMEN WHO ARE SIMILAR TO RAMI AND BASSAM? Well, I talked to Rami and Bassam, who are real and yes, as you say, impossible. And I talked to their sons who are also real and impossible, too. And I talked to so many more people who feel like Rami and Bassam that the reality swerves toward the possible. It’s as if they are a silent crew, not yet a majority, but maybe one day they will be. There is so much goodwill in these areas, but it gets discounted by the ease of hatred. Hatred is very loud. It draws attention to itself. True decency is meeker, but
more powerful and more lasting and certainly more beautiful. Hatred is easy. Kinship is not. Give me the struggle any day. AFTER ABOUT 50 PAGES, I RECOGNIZED A PATTERN: SHORT PASSAGES, THEN LONGER BLOCKS OF TEXT THAT SEEM TO MIMIC TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE REGION. AS A READER YOU STOP AND START, LINGERING IN THE LONGER PASSAGES AS IF THEY ARE ROADBLOCKS. WERE YOU CONSCIOUSLY TRYING TO MIMIC THE RHYTHMS, THE PATTERNS, OF LIFE IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE? This is a great comment. (May I steal it?) OK, I found the patterns, not consciously but maybe in an unconscious manner. My readers (you!) are often so much smarter than me. It is my job to ALLOW the readers into new territory. I do not need to instruct them on how to think, but I must allow them a new space in their lives. And this is why I love having readers — readers fill out the world for me, they find new things behind the old curtains, they extend the apeirogon. I was looking for music and it just might be that the music was
aware of the deep truth: We need to KNOW one another. And knowing one another is more difficult than hating one another. I mean that. I’m not kidding. Knowing one another is a huge leap. Like I said before, hatred is easy. Kinship is a challenge, even a chore sometimes. True difficulty comes with compromise and generosity.
COLUM MCCANN LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING
ARE THERE ANY WAYS TO JUMP START SUCH CONVERSATIONS? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE CAN BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE? I wish I could write an answer to this for the rest of my life, but please have a look at my organization Narrative 4 (narrative4.com) which absolutely promotes a way to jumpstart such conversations.
7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 26. Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $33 (includes a copy of Apeirogon). pittsburghlectures.org
start-go-start-start-start-go-go-go-start again. I was trying to find a new form for an old story. I THINK THERE’S A TENDENCY TO VIEW ISRAEL AND PALESTINE FROM ONE VIEWPOINT. APEIROGON IS THE
RARE PIECE OF WRITING THAT TRIES TO COVER MANY VIEWPOINTS. WHY ARE SO MANY RESISTANT TO TAKING AN OVERVIEW OF THIS REGION, THESE PEOPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN IN CONFLICT FOR SO LONG? I think we’re scared. And I think we are
FINALLY, A SIMPLE QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU FIND HOPE IN A SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN ENDLESSLY PROBLEMATIC FOR AGES? I find it in Rami and Bassam. And the people who are willing to read this book. I don’t mean that in an easy way. I mean it very sincerely. I find it in those who are prepared to take on the journey.
•
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Restaurants • Events • Family Fun Activities • And More! PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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SEVEN DAYS OF ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
PHOTO: MARK SIMPSON
^ Fri., Feb. 21: Dangerously In Love
THURSDAY FEB. 20
ART
A group of 10 Pittsburghbased artists honor environmentalist Rachel Carson for Counterpressures, the 83rd installment of Carnegie Museum of Art’s Forum series. Developed in partnership with the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and with a title taken from Carson’s influential book, Silent Spring, the show addresses “the present urgency of climate change” with works that “grapple with the ecological present and the uncertain
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future that we are creating.” Join curator Hannah Turpin and the exhibiting artists for a gallery talk and opening reception. 7-8 p.m. 400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Registration required. cmoa.org
LITERATURE
In 1994, Mary Pipher published Reviving Ophelia, a much-needed look at the challenges adolescent girls faced in a culture that did little to support their development into healthy, independent adults. Now, 25 years later, Pipher’s daughter Sara Pipher Gilliam, who was a teenager at the time of the book’s original publication, will present an updated version of the book for 21st-
century readers. Head to Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, where Gilliam will discuss how teen girls are dealing with social media, racial and economic disparities, and youth activism as part of the Pittsburgh Arts and Lecture series. 7 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $10. pittsburghlectures.org
challenges of putting down roots in a new place. Yoav attempts to find himself, awaken past demons, and open up an existential abyss in this tragicomic puzzle that wisely knows how to keep its secrets. 7:30 p.m. Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $7-10. trustarts.org
FILM
STAGE
Identity crises. We’ve all had them. But have you ever felt the need to abandon your origins, your language, and your countrymen? Maybe not so much of a ridiculous question in 2020 America. Anyway, that is the plot of Synonyms. Based on writer-director Nadav Lapid’s own experiences, Synonyms explores the
Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse takes on a pack of wolves, but not the kind you’d find in the wild. Playwright Sarah DeLappe’s show The Wolves, a 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist, takes a peek into the world of a high school girls’ soccer team, and all the drama, gossip, passion, and puberty that
PHOTO: DAVID BACHMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
^ Sat., Feb. 22: The Last American Hammer
come with it. To get the soccer choreography just right, the Playhouse collaborated with the Pioneer Women’s soccer team. 8 p.m. Continues through Sun., March 8. 350 Forbes Ave., Downtown. $13-30. pittsburghplayhouse.com
FRIDAY FEB. 21
FILM
See a showcase of ultra-short films and video projects with a special event at CDCP Project Space. The show Tiny Films: Seeing Double will highlight Pittsburgh artists and makers creating work about duality with a series of films and videos, all of which clock in at three minutes or under. 6-8 p.m. 317 S. Trenton Ave., Wilkinsburg. caseydroege.com
LGBTQ
The Pittsburgh Persad Center continues its mission of serving the LGBTQ community with Queer Community Arts and Crafts Night. Presented by Queer Pittsburgh Crafters, the event invites guests to an evening of making and mingling with art demonstrations, access to supplies, and more. Bring an existing project or make something new. And because crafting can really build up an appetite, everyone is welcome to bring a light snack to share. 6-9 p.m. 5301 Butler St., Lawrenceville. persadcenter.org
STAGE
The Alumni Theater Company amplifies the voice of the city’s young people with a cast of performers in middle and high school. Its latest production, Dangerously in Love, features scenes, songs, poems, and dances that address abuse in teenage relationships, performed by Alumni’s Teen Ensemble. 7 p.m. 6601 Hamilton Ave., Point Breeze. $12-18. Ages 14 and up. alumnitheatercompany.org
PARTY
Heinz History Center’s annual fundraising blowout is back with a bitchin’ theme everyone can get behind. History Uncorked: ‘80s Night invites party-goers to dress to the nines in their neon-finest — fingerless gloves, spandex, and jumpsuits encouraged — and dance the night away on all six floors of the museum to music from Ridgemont High and DJ Bamboo. Play arcade games from Replay FX, throw in your bid at a live-auction, enjoy food and drinks from local restaurants, and more. 7:30 p.m. 1212 Smallman St., Strip District. $65-110. heinzhistorycenter.org
SATURDAY FEB. 22 DANCE
The University of Pittsburgh spotlights traditional Indian dance with the Dhirana 2020 National Dance Competition. Now in its eighth year, the event brings together CONTINUES ON PG. 42
PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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CALENDAR, CONTINUED FROM PG. 41
^ Wed., Feb. 26: Big League Fun
hundreds of dancers belonging to collegiate dance teams from across the country. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Birmingham Free Clinic of Pittsburgh, which provides free medical care to Pittsburgh’s underserved populations. See it at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. 4:45-10 p.m. 4141 Fifth Ave., Oakland. $5-40. dhirana.com
FASHION
Don’t be fooled by the name: The Battle of the Beasts is not a competition, but a way of celebrating Pittsburgh’s arts community in an innovative way. There are four teams, each with a musician, a fashion designer, and a visual artist — musicians Abstract Theory, Walkman, The Childlike Empress, and Hunnycomb; fashion designers O.O.H Baby, Stew Frick, Maya Temple, and Rainclashh; and visual artists Mariah Wild, Cameron Schmidt, Dante Wallace, and Brendan Donovan. The musician chooses an animal that inspires their art or represents them, the artists create a visual of that animal,
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the designers make clothing inspired based on the art and animal, and then models strut the runway in those clothes while the musicians play. There will also be raffles, a best-dressed contest, drinks inspired by each team, and opportunities to purchase works by all the artists involved. 6:30–11 p.m. The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $15. “Battle of the Beasts” on Facebook
OPERA
You have not seen an opera like this before: A conspiracy theorist/one-man militia is on the lam at a Toby jug museum in a postindustrial Ohio town reeling from its hammer factories being closed, so he must fight against a perceived imminent FBI raid by staging a fake trial against the U.S. government using said Toby jugs as stand-ins for the members of the court. It really rolls off the tongue. This is the plot of the bluegrass opera The Last American Hammer, now at Pittsburgh Opera, which manages to find poignancy and comedy by satirizing American traditions to their
extremes. Who couldn’t love a story like this? 8 p.m. Performances continue through Sun., March 1. 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District. Prices start at $22.50. opera. culturaldistrict.org
SUNDAY FEB. 23
FOOD
Things go sour — in a good way — when Spirit presents the latest Pittsburgh Fermentation Festival. The day-long celebration of all things fermented includes an array of workshops, demo stations, local fermented-food businesses, and more. Enter your best sauerkraut or kimchi in the fermented foods contest or enjoy a variety of fermentation-themed activities. There’s also a human-sized jar in which to ferment your entire body, if that’s your thing. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. fermentpittsburgh.com
KIDS
There’s some scary shiz in the dark underbelly of the oceans. But it is also interesting. Scare and educate your children with Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure: The Mystery of the Dinosaurs of the Deep at the Byham Theater. Actors, technology, puppets, science, and imagination come together to create an amazing visual experience that connects young audiences to the real science of paleontology. Check out the impressive video on the website. 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $12. trustarts.org
MONDAY FEB. 24 FASHION
The first-ever summit dedicated to advancing the fashion scene in Pittsburgh will take place at the Union Trust Building. Hosted by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill
PHOTO: CRAIG PACK
^ Mon., Feb. 24: Pittsburgh Fashion Summit
Peduto and The Downtown Community Development Corporation, the Pittsburgh Fashion Summit invites members of the city’s fashion community to participate in panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and more. The event serves as a step to make Pittsburgh a name in fashion by educating and strengthening local designers, sellers, and other style-focused professionals. 12-7 p.m. 501 Grant St., Downtown. $15-25. pghfw.com/pgh-fashion-summit
FILM
Sembène Film Festival presents Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart. The documentary explores the life of A Raisin in the Sun author Lorraine Hansbury, including her well-known successes and less-remembered 20th century activism, fighting for human rights, gender and racial equality, and sexual liberation. Discover details behind this remarkable artist and influential figure with a free screening at City of Asylum. 7 p.m. 40 W. North Ave., North Side. cityofaslyum.org
TUESDAY FEB. 25 PARTY
It’s your last chance to live it up for the city’s favorite 11-day Mardi Gras celebration. The annual Northside Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday party closes out at the Elks Lodge with New Orleans-inspired food, drinks, music, and dancing, not to
mention the crowning of this year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen. 7 p.m. 400 Cedar Ave., North Side. $10. pittsburghnorthside.com
WEDNESDAY FEB. 26 KIDS
While this time of year might be pivotal for MLB’s movers and shakers, it’s less so for your average baseball fan. Fear not: Head down to the Children’s Museum for Big League Fun, an exhibit where you can sit in an announcers’ booth and deliver play-by-plays, design your own baseball card, get tips on your game, show off in a game or two of trivia, take the mound yourself, and more. Bring the kids, or don’t. Continues through Sun., May 10. 10 Children’s Way, North Side. $14-16. pittsburghkids.org
ART
This year, the University Art Gallery at the University of Pittsburgh is focusing its programming on art by women. The first two exhibits of the feature include Mary Ethel McAuley: Behind the German Lines, a collection of paintings depicting late Pittsburgh native McAuley’s experiences during World War I. At the same time, Three Artists (Three Women) features working Pittsburgh artists whose work focuses on family, history, and migration. Continues through Sat., March 28. 104 Frick Fine Arts Building, Oakland. uag.pitt.edu • PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER FEB. 19-26, 2020
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PEEPSHOW A sex and social justice column BY JESSIE SAGE // PEEPSHOWCAST@GMAIL.COM
I
N 2014, Princess Berpl was working full time as a nurse and would come home from work only to start her side hustle: making independent amateur pornography clips and working as a cam model. After about two years into these double shifts, she had an idea. Berpl, who is also an avid gamer, thought it would be fun to play one of her favorite characters from the game Overwatch, D. Va, during a video. “She is a sassy gamer girl that kind of is full of herself and really into playing the game,” Berpl explained. “D. Va has this entire persona that is kind of adjacent to making porn and the cam world; she is a model actress and professional gamer. I really liked her style and I felt really passionate about recreating her.” But Berpl was creating porn, so she had to do more than just play the game as D. Va. She says, “I just came up with this really amazing idea based on the game. I thought, ‘I just really want someone to come on bubble gum.’” She dressed as D. VA, blew a bubble with her gum, had her co-star come on it, and then she ate the bubble gum and made a peace sign. And she had fun doing it, too. “The gum tasted good after,” she recalls. “Like a slightly musty watermelon.” Compared to her work since, the bubble gum clip seems fairly basic. “It
PHOTO: PRINCESS BERPL
COSPLAY PORN IS SERIOUS BUSINESS. was gonzo, it was obvious I shot it on a webcam,” she says. “I feel like if I look back at it, it would be kinda cringy, but at the time it was the coolest thing I had ever done.” And people seemed to love it. Portions of the clip are featured in tons of YouTube compilations and it helped to catapult her cosplay porn career. Today, Berpl is a well-established cosplay model. She supports herself
entirely with her pornography career, has played dozens of different characters (she lost count at 25), and is widely recognized as the top of her field, having won ManyVids Fetish Star of the Year 2018; ManyVids Cosplayer of the Year 2019; XBIZ Cosplay Clip Artist of the Year 2019; and ManyVids Gamer of the Year 2020. As her work has evolved, so has cosplay porn.
“When I first started, it was hard to find costumes, you either had to make them yourself, or you had to commission them,” she says. Now, not only are they easier to find, but a fanbase has grown around cosplay models to help fund these projects. “As much as I am the cosplay star or artist, the fans that support it have made it as popular as it is. Without them, cosplay would be a really expensive hobby.” She sees herself creating fantasies her fans can connect to. “The people who view my stuff want porn that has a beginning and an end and a story. They know who the character is, and they want to see all of these different aspects of them. It is pretty much fan fiction.” Creating and acting these stories out for her customers is a lot of fun, but also a challenge. She is quick to point out how much work goes into it. “Anyone who watches porn thinks that it is easy to masturbate on camera. But it is also spending an hour getting ready; a day’s worth of putting together a costume; and three hours of anal prep every once in a while.” And if that isn’t clear enough, she says, “Imagine wig hair poking you in the head over and over again, and you still have 20 minutes of fucking yourself in the ass while looking over your shoulder!” Cosplay porn is serious business.
•
JESSIE SAGE IS CO-HOST OF THE PEEPSHOW PODCAST AT PEEPSHOWPODCAST.COM. HER COLUMN PEEPSHOW IS EXCLUSIVE TO PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER @PEEP_CAST. HAVE A SEX QUESTION YOU’RE TOO AFRAID TO ASK? ASK JESSIE! EMAIL INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM. QUESTIONS MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR AN UPCOMING COLUMN.
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