Entertainment category, Page 342
Carnegie Library, CMU help Book Fairies in fight against banned books
As part of Banned Books Week, Sept. 22-28, Carnegie Mellon University’s English department is partnering with the ACLU and the Book Fairies of Pennsylvania to shed light on the topic of book banning. The Book Fairies share the joy of reading by leaving their books in public places to be...
Chris Cornell’s teen daughter releases song produced by himVideo
A ballad that Chris Cornell produced for his daughter Toni when she was just 12 is now being released. “Far Away Places” was written by Toni three years ago, and was one of the last songs that Cornell recorded before his death in May 2017. The song was released on...
The 10 best (and worst) Emmy hosts in recent historyVideo
This year’s Emmys ceremony on Sunday will be minus a host. A look back at previous ceremonies suggests that the strategy isn’t a bad idea. Like the Oscars — which also went without a host this year — emceeing the Emmys is a risky endeavor for even the most polished...
Comics creator Frank Santoro explores growing up in ‘Pittsburgh’
Frank Santoro, a comics creator of international stature, has a new graphic novel set in the Swissvale neighborhood where he grew up, entitled “Pittsburgh.” The book — first published in France, now in the U.S. by New York Review Comics — is a family saga chronicling the relationship of his...
5 things to do in Westmoreland this weekend: Sept. 20-22Video
The kids are back in school, vacations are wrapping up, but the autumn fun is just getting started. Festivals and other events are popping up all over the region this weekend, and the good times are rollin’. Get outdoors and grab some grub, listen to some tunes, meet up with...
Go back in time at the annual Penn’s Colony FestivalVideo
The aroma of a freshly baked loaf will greet you upon entering. Enjoy a slice, topped with melting apple butter. Homemade bread is just one of the enticing reasons to attend the 36th annual Penn’s Colony Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 and 28 and 10 a.m....
West Overton takes ‘whiskey road show’ to Bushy Run BattlefieldVideo
Aaron Hollis delivers the bad news first while discussing “Distilling Whiskey” during a program at Bushy Run Battlefield on Sept. 18. “I don’t have any samples,” he says, as the audience jokingly groans. Hollis, manager of learning and guest experience at West Overton Village in East Huntington, spoke as part...
Need a boost? John Cena’s tweets will get you through the day
Sometimes we need to be inspired. And at times inspiration comes from unlikely sources. How about from a budding movie star and former WWE champion? Believe it or not, John Cena is quite the motivator on Twitter. On a daily basis, he offers some thought provoking or powerful messages. Hurt...
Will Billy Porter make Emmy history with best actor win?
LOS ANGELES — Despite the dominance of some shows — “Game of Thrones” and “Veep” — over the past several years, Emmy history could be made Sunday night by a newcomer. Pittsburgh native and Carnegie Mellon University graduate Billy Porter is up for best actor in a drama. If he...
Review: ‘Rambo: Last Blood’ should be the end of the line for the characterVideo
Can someone please put John Rambo out of his misery? The 1980s franchise has long-since grown cold, but in an era of reboots and sequels, it’s no surprise that some might try to squeeze one last money drop out of this title. But in this haggard, sorry state, here’s hoping...
Pittsburgh Symphony makes big financial progress
The Pittsburgh Symphony has progressed on its long path to financial health by posting a $1.1 million surplus in its operating budget for the 2018-19 season. The season concluded at the end of August. That’s a big turnaround for an organization that’s been running in the red for most of...
Scottdale, Mt. Pleasant welcome fall with annual festivalsVideo
Autumn heralds festival season for several local communities, and Scottdale and Mt. Pleasant will host their popular versions back-to-back over the next two weekends. The Scottdale Fall Festival, set for Sept. 20-22, offers visitors the opportunity to stroll along its downtown and browse the offerings of vendors featuring a wide...
Review: ‘Ad Astra’ is an intimate, yet mythic, space adventureVideo
Having stayed rigorously close to his native New York for much of his career, writer-director James Gray has lately been making up for lost time. His last film, “The Lost City of Z,” journeyed into the Amazon, circa early 20th century. His latest, “Ad Astra,” skitters across the solar system...
Nick Lowe ready to rock again in return to Pittsburgh
From ultra-hip punk rocker to smooth silver-haired crooner of Americana-inspired ballads, British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe has seemingly done it all in the world of music. Lowe has had hit songs in America and England, most notably “Cruel to Be Kind.” He produced Elvis Costello’s first five groundbreaking albums. And he...
Entertainment planner: Sept. 19-Oct. 2
Thursday Sept. 19 “Continuum: Aspen Mays + Dionne Lee,” Silver Eye Center for Photography, Pittsburgh. Through Oct. 26. 412-431-1810 or silvereye.org Piff the Magic Dragon, comedian and magician, Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, Munhall. 877-987-6487 or librarymusichall.com Friday Sept. 20 Joe Garuccio, Lounge at LeMont, Mount Washington. 412-431-3100 or lemontpittsburgh.com...
Bastille bringing its ‘apocalyptic party album’ tour to Stage AE
Bastille seemingly came out of nowhere with the hit song “Pompeii” in 2013. And suddenly the doom-and-gloom anthem was everywhere. In reality, the band did have a relatively quick rise to fame, having formed in London in 2010. A couple of limited-release singles and the platform of YouTube and MySpace...
All aboard! Derry Railroad Days chugging back into town
All aboard for the Derry Railroad Festival! Modern-day hobos, train enthusiasts and fun-seekers alike will find something of interest when the annual event chugs into town, celebrating the small borough’s heyday as Derry Station, a Pennsylvania Railroad hub. The street festival portion of the event will take place in downtown...
Pittsburgh Symphony opens season with a musical sampler
Out of the many ways to begin a concert season the Pittsburgh Symphony has chosen a musical sampler which features new music combined with favorite pieces from past centuries, and includes a superb instrumental soloist. Manfred Honeck will lead the opening weekend concerts of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s BNY Mellon...
Tractors, demo derby roar back into Westmoreland Fairgrounds
There’ll be plenty of power-driven action the weekend of Sept. 20-21 at Westmoreland Fairgrounds. Even the kids can get in on the fun during the Power Wheels division of the Demolition Derby Sept. 21. Young racers won’t need a pit pass or an entry fee to register and gain access...
Come on down to Heinz Hall for ‘The Price is Right Live’Video
The longest running game show in television history is bringing its road show spinoff to Pittsburgh. “The Price is Right Live,” a staged production show based on the TV show, will set up its oversized versions of carnival games on the Heinz Hall stage on Sept. 25 and invite participants...
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Dance Council mark 50 years
A pair of anniversaries will give dance a special aura during the 2019-20 season. Both Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Dance Council are celebrating their 50th birthdays this season with vibrant offerings. The ballet stages classic ballet and contemporary dance performed by its roster of world-class dancers. Dance Council is...
Western Pa.’s fall concert lineup hits every genre
Music lovers in western Pennsylvania don’t have to go far to find their favorite sounds performed by their favorite song stylists and musicians. A variety of venues in the region offer a wide assortment of genres to please most every musical palate. From country and gospel to hip-hop, easy listening...
Western Pa.’s classical offerings run the gamut
Classical music concerts in Pittsburgh this season will encompass an immense range of repertoire, from all the way back in the ninth century up to world and local premieres. Most of the performers will be local musicians, including the world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, but many organizations including the symphony bring...
‘Mean Girls,’ ‘Blithe Spirit,’ ‘A Few Good Men’ among season’s theater offerings
It’s time once again for opening nights and standing ovations as Western Pennsylvania theater companies get ready to raise the curtain on a new season of stage productions. Besides the classic familiar favorites — “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Les Miserables,” “Chicago” and more — that veteran theatergoers look...
Apple Hill director says ‘Blithe Spirit’ is haunting good time
A classic Noel Coward comedy will close out a busy summer season at Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont. Matt Mlynarski of Lower Burrell is directing eight performances of “Blithe Spirit,” about a séance gone bad that brings back two of novelist Charles Condomine’s deceased ex-wives to haunt him. Stephen Toth...
