Summer Party at the Waterfront

Image From Wikimedia and Daveynin

The summer end countdown has started and we are trying to get in as many events as possible. Pirates games, tailgates, summer parties and the pool are on our to do list for the next few weeks. The Waterfront is having a summer block party this Friday from 5pm-8pm. You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

Join The Waterfront in the Rock Bottom Summer Pop-Up Biergarten for a night of live music by the Tres Lads with special guest Nina Sainato plus, games, prizes, activities, an under-the-bridge cookout, and special offers & giveaways from The Waterfront merchants. Plus, experience delicious Rock Bottom Brews!

MUSIC + BREWS + FOOD + FUN!

Entry to the Summer Block Parties is free. This event is all ages. You must be 21+ to enter the Biergarten area.


When: August 29th from 5pm-8pm
Cost: Free
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/888541314528668/

Pittsburgh Comedy Festival

Image From Pixabay

In two weekends, get ready to work your funny bone at the Pittsburgh Comedy Festival. This three day event features comedians and improvisers from all around the area. This weekend festival will be held at the Henry Heymann Theater.

The Pittsburgh Comedy Festival brings together stand-ups and improvisers in a four-day celebration of all things funny. Our goal is to expose Pittsburgh to the art of comedy while we expand and engage our community of performers. That means informative workshops, programming for comedians and comedy fans young and old, and best of all, fantastic shows in the intimate setting of the Henry Heymann Theater.

Don’t miss your chance to experience this incredible weekend of comedy!

When: August 27th-August 30th

Price: $15-$40

Website: http://pittsburghcomedyfestival.org/

You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh. 

Art Festival On Walnut Street

Image From Wikipedia

At the end of this month, plan to make your way to Walnut Street in Shadyside. The annual Art Festival will close down Walnut Street, so you can enjoy unique handmade arts and crafts from around the Pittsburgh area. You can also use this time to explore all the great restaurants and shops that are located up and down Walnut Street. You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

The 19th Annual Shadyside…The Art Festival on Walnut Street, which started out as a neighborhood street fair, is now regarded as one of the top shows in Pittsburgh. Shadyside features boutiques, shops and galleries mingled with national retailers in a neighborhood of tree-lined streets, historic homes, hip events, and distinctive restaurants.

The festival ends at 5pm on Sunday.

Where: Walnut Street in Shadyside

When: August 19th from 10am-5pm

Event Website: 

http://artfestival.com/Festivals/Shadyside_The_Art_Festival_on_Walnut_Street_Pittsburgh_Pennsylvania_August.aspx 

Think Like A Tourist

Image From Wikimedia and Sage Ross

You may have lived in Pittsburgh your whole life, but there are still places you have yet to explore. Made in Pgh talks about the 16 ways you can have the best Pittsburgh trip ever. Use this to your advantage and think like a tourist this weekend. You will get to experience things that you have never seen before.

1) When you’re booking your hotel, don’t settle for the same, tired hotel chain. Reserve a room at a trendy boutique hotel or stay over in style at one of the well established Pittsburgh spot. Check out and check in to some of the best digs Downtown, like the Fairmont, Omni William Penn or the new Hotel Monaco. Hipster havens, including Hotel Indigo and the ACE Hotel are approaching completion. And the Mansions on Fifth offer a glimpse into life just beyond the city in lovely Shadyside.

2) Believe it or not, Pittsburgh’s food scene is fantastic. We know, outsiders don’t usually expect such a stellar dining experience. But it’s true. In fact, Bon Appetit recently selected Pittsburgh as America’s next big food town. And any reservations you have about that sentiment or statement can be put to rest by making reservations at any of these restaurants: Cure, The Commoner,Grit and Grace, Meat and Potatoes or Root 174.

3) Maybe you’ve heard about the preeminent Pittsburgh sandwich. Primanti’s packs grilled meat, coleslaw, tomato and French fries between two pieces of Italian bread. Sounds intriguing, right? Well that’s because it is. But we’ll tell you what it’s not. It’s not nearly as good as the mouthwatering, wood-fired steak or five-hour braised rosemary beef on toasted ciabatta bread from Gaucho. So if you have to choose one Pittsburgh sandwich, pass on Primanti’s. Go to Gaucho instead.

4) The local food scene is impressive, to say the least. But the drink scene is equally as awesome. From breweries and distilleries to tap rooms, barrelhouses and cocktail menus, we really know how to get lubed up with a little class. If that sounds like something you can get into, be sure to tour and taste what’s happening at Wigle Whiskey or Maggie’s Farm Rum. Fans of craft beer will be well served by stopping at The Brew Gentlemen, Grist House and Hop Farm Brewing. Craft cocktails await you at the Livermore and Butcher and the Rye.

5) There are no shortage of neighborhoods to tour, in fact there are more than 90 in Pittsburgh. But one of the absolute best ways to experience the city is alongside or on the water. At Point State Park a massive fountain sprays water high into the air at the place where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, forming the Ohio River. From there, head to the Roberto Clemente Bridge and rent a kayak from Kayak Pittsburgh. Or continue your trek along all along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail to the Strip.

6) Speaking of the Strip, you’ll need to make a stop there. You can’t come to Pittsburgh and not walk through this former manufacturing center, turned hip hangout complete with street vendors, bars, restaurants, some stellar coffee spots and a melting pot of ethnic shops, grocersand roadside food carts. The streets in the Strip are alive on Sunday mornings. And the line for breakfast or brunch at two area eateries is around the block.

7) Around here, brunch isn’t simply a meal it’s a religion. Especially at Pamela’s and Deluca’s in the Strip District. Be prepared to wait in line most of the morning before you even get a whiff of what they’re cooking up. Oh, it’s worth the wait alright. Besides, the situation is the same at almost every other post across town. See also: Coca Cafe, e2 and Square Cafe (wipes drool from face).

8) It’s interesting that, in a city known for steel and smog-filled skies, green spaces and outdoor places is the standard. From Schenley Park to Schenley Plaza, Frick Park to Highland Park and Market Square, Downtown, Pittsburgh is packed with parks that are perfect for running, biking and just relaxing. If you’re not an outdoorsy person, head indoors to see the botanical gardens and one of the greenest buildings in the world at Phipps Conservatory.

9) We suggest a street-by-street approach to taking in some of the best parts of Pittsburgh’s best neighborhoods. Start with Market Street Downtown, your inroad to Market Square. Butler Street in Lawrenceville features eats, art and boutique shops. Grab a coffee at Tazz’a on Bryant Street and walk to Highland Park. Penn and Smallman make up the Strip (already on your itinerary). Stroll down Walnut in Shadyside. Or take a home tour of the Mexican War Streets on the North Side. But whatever you do, don’t skip over Grandview Ave on Mt. Washington – best view of the city, bar none.

10) Trust us when we tell you that Pittsburgh knows how to do treats and sweets. That includes baked goods, pastries, popcorn and donuts. We’ll take the last one first, donuts. Peace, Love and Little Donuts takes the cake. And, when it comes to cake, Prantl’s Burnt Almond Torte will blow your mind. If traditional French pastries better suits your palate, stop by La Gourmandine in Lawrenceville. Then stock up on the most inventive popcorn you’ve ever had, like S’mores, Watermelon or Buffalo Wing, at Pittsburgh Popcorn.

11) If you’re trying to maintain some semblance of your healthy habits when you pop into Pittsburgh, be sure to bring your sneakers because there are plenty of running trails to try out during your stay. If you’re not into running, maybe yoga is more your speed. Or you could just hop on a bike from Pittsburgh Bike Share and cruise around town. Heck, you can even grab a green juice on the way back to the hotel.

12) We hope that your visit is all play and no business. But, if you have to get do some work while you’re here, plan on posting up at a local coffee shop to sip some stellar small batch coffee while you plow through your inbox. If you need a more dedicated workspace, consider checkout out one of Pittsburgh’s coworking spaces. For the most part, desks are available by the day so you can go head down and get some work done.

13) When it comes to arts and culture, Pittsburgh is practically busting at the seams. The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History are in Oakland. The Northside is home to a trifecta of arts experiences. The Mattress Factory is a cutting edge contemporary art venue featuring interactive installations. Nearby you’ll find Randyland, a vibrant, thriving and ever changing public art display. Next up is the Warhol Museum, the largest museum in America dedicated to one artist – Andy Warhol, a native Pittsburgher. See also, the Bayernhof Museum and be sure to check out the calendar of events in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

14) The creative community and maker movement is alive and well around here. Which isn’t all that surprise for a city known for manufacturing. But nowadays we’re not forging steel, we’re making custom art, prints, ceramics and home goods from reclaimed wood. Find local wares atWildcard, The Shop in East Liberty and the Handmade Arcade. If it’s a fashion-forward shopping experience you’re after, stop into Mid-Atlantic Mercantile or Pavement, both in Lawrenceville.

15) After you’ve seen the city and surrounding neighborhoods, escape the downtown corridor by doing something most locals don’t even do, cross a river or bridge to get out of town. When you do, you’d be well served by spending some time in Carnegie. It’s an up-and-coming neighborhood home to the Carnegie Coffee Company, One Thirty One East and Apis and Mead Winery. If you want to do a little more adventuring, head to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water or do some whitewater rafting at Ohiopyle State Park.

16) While it’s true that Pittsburgh is experiencing a transformation or sorts, reinventing itself in many ways. There are still so many things about the city’s past to see. In fact, you should see them. It’s the melding of two worlds, the old and the new, and how they coexist that make Pittsburgh so intriguing. Ride the incline, an old coal cart down the side of Mt. Washington. Baseball fans will flip over the collection of memorabilia at the Roberto Clemente Museum. Head to the Carrie Furnace to experience the history of Big Steel firsthand. For the complete history of Pittsburgh, and the region, spend a day at Heinz History Center – a museum showcasing compelling stories from American history with a Western Pennsylvania.

Moving In

Image From Pixabay

We can not wait to have you at Grandview Pointe. We think you will love our community and homes. However, moving can be stressful for anyone. We have found some tips that will help make your moving process a little bit easier. You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

1. Sharpie: Sure other markers will do the job, but 1 large tip Sharpie will move you and still be around to label all your burned Netflix later on in the year once you're settled in. Not that we would condone such a thing.

2. Rope: With a nod given to the movie Boondock Saints ("You and your stupid %$*&# rope!") we don't leave home without rope — especially when we move. It's almost essential to tie things down. Even if you're not putting anything on top of a car or truck it can still be handy to hold down tarps or section off parts of your moving van to help keep things secure.

3. Tape Gun: If you own more than 10 boxes worth of stuff, a tape gun is a huge (huge!) help. Never again will you search for the edge of the tape that's stuck itself back down or tear packing tape with your teeth (shiver), plus the large sound they make is oddly satisfying.

4. Blankets: If you're moving more than a few blocks, having a blanket or two in your moving truck can come in quite handy to ensure favorite pieces don't get scratched during the trip. We don't use them as often as we probably should (usually they're packed in our boxes of glass goods to keep things safe), but when you need them — you need them!

5. Box Knife: Although you'll be packing things up first, getting back into them quickly can be far less painful, so spend the few bucks and pick one up.

6. Walkie-Talkies: Yes everyone has a cell phone and yes they work just fine, but more often than not, you don't hear ring tones, text message bleeps and bloops when you're busy sweating your face off.
Walkie-talkies always have reception in the area you're working in and make you feel like you're 6 again. Neat.

7. Furniture Dolly: Even if this is the only dolly you own, it can make moving heavy items like sofas, deep freezers or even a large pile of books easier. The bonus is it will slide under your bed or in a closet when you're done moving, not to be seen or heard from again until it's needed again. Hand trucks on the other hand, well let's just say you better have a garage!

8. Plastic Wrap: Use regular wrap from your local big box retailer, like you would use in the kitchen, or order some from a place like Uline, but one of the smartest things we do each and every move is wrap shelving units that might be made from veneer or laminate to keep them safe. It works like a champ and even helps stabilize them from tipping over in the moving truck.

Kinky Boots and Billy Porter

Image From Wikipedia

Billy Porter is back home in Pittsburgh for the CLO Summer show Kinky Boots. This Pittsburgh native won the Tony Award for lead actor in a musical for his starring role in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Now he has returned to his hometown to reprise the role that made him famous around the world. You can learn more at the Post Gazette.

‘Kinky Boots’
Where: Pittsburgh CLO at the Benedum Center, Downtown.
When: 8 p.m. through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets: $40.75-$140.75; pittsburghclo.org or 412-456-6666.

"I came for the adulation," Lola says.

And as we all know, whatever Lola wants Lola gets.

Billy Porter's highly anticipated homecoming as Lola, the sensational inspirational drag queen at the heart of “Kinky Boots,” was an event that will long be remembered by anyone at the Benedum Center for the Tuesday opening. After the Tony and Grammy Award winner finished his big second-act solo, “Hold Me in Your Heart,” an audience filled with friends, family and admirers declared its intention to do just that, with a nearly five-minute standing ovation — the first such showstopper in memory.

Mr. Porter comes to the tour stop directly from Broadway, swapping with the tour’s lead for just this week during this Pittsburgh CLO presentation to bring his triumphant performance to the hometown crowd.

He gave it his all and a little extra at every turn — and the audience embraced him with loud cheers at every opportunity.

He even has a line in which Lola, dressed in a gold-and-white evening gown Diana Ross might want to borrow, tells a nursing home audience that she “grew up just a few miles from here,” which drew another long cheer from the audience.

The Tony Award-winning best musical “Kinky Boots,” adapted from the movie of the same name by Harvey Fierstein, with songs by pop star Cyndi Lauper, is a showcase for Mr. Porter to strut his stuff — in sequins, bustiers and high heels. He wears them well — his enviable legs and velvety voice are both in great shape three years into a demanding role.

The company and Mr. Porter had just four hours of rehearsal in Minneapolis to prepare, but the transition seemed to be seamless.

As Lola’s counterpart Charlie Price, Steven Booth has the role originated by Tony nominee Stark Sands. Charlie inherits a struggling Northampton shoe factory and, when he meets Lola and her drag queen friends The Angels, he alights on the idea to make footwear suitable for their particular needs — kinky boots. He leaves his fiancee and London to save the business and the jobs of his friends.

When Lola explains that “the sex is in the heel” and is offered the chance to design the boots, she practically purrs at the chance but also has to come to grips with judgmental factory workers such as burly Don (Joe Coots). Charlie has to learn acceptance, too.

Lola, the son of a boxer who was born Simon before she unleashed her inner truth, teaches the narrow-minded skeptics and traditionalists that “you change the world when you change your mind.”

Ms. Lauper spreads the song wealth around. “Soul of a Man” is a gift for Mr. Booth’s Charlie to grow in the role and for the actor to show off his singing chops. He joins Mr. Porter in the most poignant song of the show, “I’m Not My Father’s Son,” in which both men realize that they have more in common than a first glance would suggest.

Lindsay Nicole Chambers as Lauren, a savvy employee who has a crush on Charlie, gets a showcase in the comedic “The History of Wrong Guys” and channels the Broadway star Annaleigh Ashford.

“Everybody Say Yeah,” a production number that features the cast cavorting on a conveyor belt, ends the first act and helped earn director Jerry Mitchell a Tony for his energetic choreography. No chance to sparkle is spared in the over-the-top costumes by Tony nominee Gregg Barnes, whose creations for Lola and her high-stepping Angels stand out in open revolt to the industrial space and mean streets designed by David Rockwell.

The second act has conflict to spare before the show ends with the anthemic “Raise You Up/Just Be,” a catchy song that’s made for audiences to clap along.

“Kinky Boots” is based on a true story out of the UK, and there are many versions of what a Northampton accent might sound like among the cast members. Some words may be lost here and there, but nothing is lost in the translation when it comes to the message of acceptance and the intent to have a grand time with spirited pop tunes, bedazzled drag queens and endearing characters — with Lola leading the way.

On opening night, the star’s high-voltage performance supercharged an already electric atmosphere and the audience responded with proof that Pittsburgh is head over heels for Billy Porter.