Vol. 22, No. 33
A Mattress Factory show gets into the walls ... and floors
The exhibition transforms this house into a more personable, intimate and vulnerable place
By Nadine Wasserman
Jerry Irwin's half-century of photojournalism intrigues at Space.
While his motorcycle images capture a wild, sometimes dangerous subculture, his photos of Amish life might be better still.
By Bill O'Driscoll
Clearing the Air: Just because you can't see pollution doesn't mean it can't hurt you
Air quality "was not perceived as a particular challenge by lots of folks here."
Sound Plans: Recording studio to become "Refuge" for area youth
"There's more to the process than just hitting 'record'"
By Lauren Daley-Maurer
Family Business: Dealing with relations who hope your happy day never happens
"I had to decide that my energy was better spent focusing on those who had shown support."
Stone Free
Once under the shadow of prison walls, trainees learn the mason's art
By Abby Mendelson
Lawrenceville welcomes a new watering hole, the Allegheny Wine Mixer
The wine (and beer) bar hopes you'll try some less-familiar wines
By Hal B. Klein
Pittsburgh's food-truck scene suffers a setback
Plans to make East Liberty parking lot into a safe haven have fallen through
By AmyJo Brown
Bar Marco
A small but well-curated menu revitalizes this Strip District landmark
By Angelique Bamberg and Jason Roth
The annual Spam cooking contest at the Washington County fair picks a winner
Fans of the canned meat product show off their skills
By Al Hoff
Author Jonathan Gottschall on the pervasive power of narrative
In advertising, politics, even sports, he says, storytelling rules
Local author Hali Felt offers a biography of an underappreciated woman scientist
Marie Tharp played a key role in mapping the ocean floor
By Andy Tybout
Do Mormons Rock?
"Is this music, movie, TV show or literature ungodly?"
By Aaron Jentzen
Our name is Neon Trees. We're musicians, we're famous and we're Mormons (mostly).
The pop group shines in "the Mormon moment."
Lady Beast releases debut album
Nods to New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden are well executed
By Margaret Welsh
CD Reviews
New releases from Erik Pitluga, Alayna and Klaymore
Critics' Picks: August 15 - 20
Local shows by Silverstein, Jack Grisham of T.S.O.L., and Birthmark, plus some local jazz musicians introduce us to a new jazz nonprofit
After Chekhov
Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre has a heavyweight budget, but it can still think small.
By Robert Isenberg
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Wrapping a darker world under a layer of kooky, sunny fun, Putnam County would seem to mollify both older and younger audiences.
By Ted Hoover
Social Security
This play doesn't cater to the lowest common denominator; it is the lowest common denominator.
Take This Waltz
Sarah Polley's indie mood piece about dissatisfaction has charms but is overwritten
Neil Young Journeys
Jonathan Demme's doc highlights the contrast the laid-back offstage Neil Young and his intense stage persona
The Bourne Legacy
The spy thriller gets a spin-off, but despite a good cast, fails to engage
The Campaign
A mud-slinging election battle only mildly exaggerates reality to get laughs
Farwell, My Queen
A sumptuous behind-the-tapestry drama, set at Versailles as the French Revolution takes off
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
A sappy and somewhat incoherent fable about family, understanding and pencils
ParaNorman
An amusingly macabre comic fable, told via stop-motion animation
Savage Love
I get a dozen letters a week from girls whose boyfriends "can't come." Invariably, these girls ask me if their boyfriends are gay.
Lynn Cullen Live 08/15/12
Audio & Video Archive
Lynn Cullen Live 08/16/12
Lynn Cullen Live 08/21/12
Short List: August 15 - 21
By Mars Johnson
Pittsburgh’s street trees are free upon request. So why do they often go to the city’s wealthiest residents?
By James Paul
Sophie Masloff seldom talked about her childhood. Were seedy family ties the reason?
By David S. Rotenstein
Mrs. Soffel was a cougar who might still haunt The Shiloh Gastro, pining for her Biddle brothers boy toy
By Rachel Wilkinson
Dave and Andy's says goodbye, Construction Junction turns 25 with wine, and more Pittsburgh food news
