Editor's Picks category, Page 88
From the Newsroom: Families of teens killed in North Park crash remember loved ones
Jonathan Tourney and Taylor Orlowski were killed on Christmas weekend last year when the speeding SUV they were in with four other teens crashed on a dark road in Allegheny County’s North Park. Those closest to the teens searched for ways to cherish their loved ones’ memories as they struggle...
Local musicians bring The Cure in latest installment of Pittsburgh PlaysVideo
For the fifth installment of Pittsburgh Plays, founder Josh Bakaitus went with a band that he only got into in recent years. “I wish I could say I’ve been a lifelong Cure superfan, but honestly, while I have been familiar with their hits, I only really truly discovered them in...
‘Gilmore Girls’ stars reunite in Walmart ad, sparking fan debate
“Gilmore Girls” characters Luke and Lorelai have reunited for the first time since 2016 … in a new Walmart ad. Scott Patterson (Luke) and Lauren Graham (Lorelai) acted in the commercial alongside Sean Gunn as Kirk — set in the show’s iconic town square and Luke’s Diner. In the themed...
TV Talk: ‘Skeleton Crew’ charts younger ‘Star Wars’ courseVideo
Disney+ has churned out “Star Wars” series for five years now, sometimes winning with audiences (“The Mandalorian”), surprising critics (“Andor”) and occasionally polarizing fans (“The Acolyte”). “Skeleton Crew” probably leans more toward “The Acolyte” because it’s wholly disconnected from the long-established elements of the “Star Wars” saga, unlike “Obi Wan...
The Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison on new ‘Rack’ album, the band’s evolution ahead of Pittsburgh show
For a band originally formed back in 1987, The Jesus Lizard have remained hard to define, often finding themselves labeled as noise rock. “We don’t clearly fit in any camp, really. We’ve often had songs or parts of songs that had unusual time signatures,” said guitarist Duane Denison. “So people...
Here’s a look at holiday performances around the region this December
With shopping, decorating, baking and planning family events, December can feel overwhelming with the stressful aspects of the holidays. Fortunately, Pittsburgh’s cultural institutions are here to remind us about all of the magic and joy that this time of year can bring. From plays to dance performances to concerts, here...
Monongahela Rye, Jasper’s Stash and White Rye among spirits offered at West Overton Village holiday market
Seasonal shopping in historic surroundings awaits visitors to the Holiday Markers Market Saturday and Sunday at West Overton Village along Route 819 in East Huntingdon. Admission is free to browse among a different selection of 30 craft vendors featured each day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The setting is...
TV Talk: Steelers get ‘Hard Knocks’ treatment on HBOVideo
Keith Cossrow, a 1993 Mt. Lebanon High School grad who’s vice president and head of content at NFL Films, said getting the Steelers on HBO’s long-running NFL docuseries “Hard Knocks” (9 tonight, HBO and Max) was a matter of finding the right format. In the past, “Hard Knocks” has done...
Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count puts the focus on our feathered friends
Susan Miller is used to spotting birds on her nature walks. That makes the Plum naturalist a perfect candidate for the annual Christmas Bird Count, a worldwide effort to document local bird populations. The survey is the largest citizen science effort held for one day, between Dec. 14 and Jan....
Think ‘brain rot’ summed up 2024? Oxford agrees it was the word of the year
LONDON — Many of us have felt it, and now it’s official: “Brain rot” is the Oxford dictionaries’ word of the year. Oxford University Press said Monday that the evocative phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. Oxford defines brain...
Pittsburgh CLO’s ‘Who’s Holiday!’ is naughty and nice
Fair warning, there will be no rhyming in this review. The red-and-green tinsel-tassled march toward Christmas has begun, a time of merriment, cheer and family — and it can be a bit cloying at times. Pittsburgh CLO’s “Who’s Holiday!” is a very R-rated 90-minute show that will turn all of...
Avril Lavigne brings Greatest Hits tour to Pittsburgh in 2025Video
Avril Lavigne extended her Greatest Hits tour, with a stop announced next year for Pittsburgh. The eight-time Grammy nominated singer will play the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown on June 26, 2025, joined by Simple Plan and We The Kings. Lavigne, known for chart-topping songs like “Complicated, “Sk8er Boi”...
Pianist Christian Sands talks Christmas classics, originals ahead of Pittsburgh showsVideo
Having grown up in Connecticut, jazz pianist Christian Sands definitely values the warmer weather of his current home city of Los Angeles. “Oh yeah, I appreciate that I don’t have to shovel at all out here,” he said with a laugh, “or go outside and warm my car up in...
AC/DC coming to Pittsburgh for show at Acrisure StadiumVideo
AC/DC will be back in black (and gold) territory next year. The legendary hard rock band will headline a show on May 8, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, the home of the Steelers. The Power Up tour, named after their 2020 album, will mark the Rock and Roll Hall...
TV Talk: From ‘Blue Bloods’ to ‘Bluey’ to ‘Seinfeld,’ there are plenty of gift ideas for TV fans
Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers gift-giving ideas for the TV fan in your life. Seeking a Christmas or holiday present for the TV fan in your life? This guide to new TV-themed gifts offers ideas by series titles: “Blue Bloods” will end Dec. 13, but fans can...
The Nick’s Fat City reunion at Stage AE was a rocking trip down memory lane
Pittsburgh is a nostalgic town. We love looking back at the glory days of our professional sports victories, and driving directions from any Yinzer are likely to rely on you knowing where something “used to be.” These days, one of those “used to be” locations could very well be Nick’s...
Inside ‘The Underground’: Iron Mountain in Butler County preserves audio, video, digital media for the future
When audio engineer Brett Zinn began working with the master tapes of “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he noticed an unusual item on the track list. “I was looking at it, when I was transferring, I’m like, ‘cup?’ What on earth is ‘cup?’ Why would I...
Where can you listen to live Christmas music?
From Christmas cantata choirs to community bands to elementary and high schools, ‘tis the season for holiday music. Here are some seasonal concerts happening across southwestern Pennsylvania. Events are free except where indicated. • Scottdale Concert Band holiday concert, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Woodcrest Senior Living Community, 1 Woodcrest...
Mt. Pleasant area family racking their way to pool championships
The family that shoots pool together stays together, according to the Barnharts of Mt. Pleasant. The Barnhart family — Roy Barnhart, 76, his son, Kevin, 51, and his grandson, Kevin Jr., 23 — are an integral part of the eight-member Bridgeport Rack Runners team in Bullskin, Fayette County. Their squad...
Chevy Chase lights Rivers Casino Christmas tree, brightens ‘Vacation’ fans’ spirits
The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh had a special guest light its Christmas tree on Friday night. Actor Chevy Chase, who played Clark Griswold in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and other movies in the “Vacation” franchise, plugged in the tree. But not before he declared “Drum roll, please!” just as Griswold...
‘It keeps my brain sharp’: 88-year-old Norwin library staffer reflects on decades-long career
At 88, Marge Vessalo could have been retired decades ago. But the North Huntingdon resident has no plans to give up her one-day-a-week job at the Norwin Public Library in Irwin. “Retire from the library? Probably never. I think that it is good for the brain,” said Vessalo, who started...
Brown Mamas Marketplace a way to support Black women on Small Business Saturday
Muffy Mendoza, founder of Brown Mamas, Inc. and the Brown Mamas Marketplace, is excited about the next iteration of the marketplace on Saturday. It is no coincidence that the event aligns with Small Business Saturday, kicking off the holiday shopping season by supporting Black women. She started Brown Mamas in...
Here are 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Now that we’re all full and well-rested after a Thanksgiving feast, we’re ready to work off some calories by getting out and about this weekend. Whether you’re into music, comedy or some holiday fun, here are a few things to check out around town. An Evening With Chevy Chase “National...
TV Talk: Hallmark courts NFL fans, Swifties with ‘Touchdown;’ ‘The Agency’ stunsVideo
PASADENA, Calif. — The road to Hallmark Channel’s Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance-inspired “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” (8 p.m. Saturday) began in January when the Kansas City Chiefs posted a Hallmark movie parody trailer that starred Tyler Hynes, who’s now also the star of “Holiday Touchdown” with Hunter King...
Here are 5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Nov. 29-Dec. 1
The Thanksgiving leftovers may be in the fridge, but your out-of-town family may still be here and want to get out of the house. There’s a little something for everyone going on in Westmoreland County this weekend. Here are a few ideas: Candle and wreath workshop Wicks and Wax Studio...
