Pittsburgh, PA

June 1st thru the 17th in Downtown Pittsburgh the Three Rivers Art Festival will be going on. I have attended this event every year and I am usually not that impressed with the artists. Don’t get me wrong, the food and the music are amazing, but a lot of the art is not. I don’t know what it is, but I think there needs to be requirements to setup a booth. For instance, if your “art” is made in a factory in China, you can’t have a booth. Every year there seems to be more and more junk. Last year I remember seeing a guy selling knock off purses. When did making counterfeit goods become art?

I know it looks like I hate the Art Festival but I really don’t. I still go for the tasty food, great music, and the few “good” artists that come to town.

I was going to make a list of some of the music performances I was going to try and make it too, but after looking at the line up it would be too many to list. There is going to be a lot of great music this year. Even my buddies at Unicorn Mountain, are putting on a comic book style music event. I can’t even imagine what that would be like.

So if you haven’t been to the Three Rivers Art Festival before, I think this will be a good year to check it out. It will not be at the Point this year, but I think that the Downtown setting will make for a fun time.

Downtown Pittsburgh, music performances, comic book, Three Rivers Art Festival, fun time

I am amazed by how many people in Pittsburgh don’t know about the Mattress Factory. The Mattress Factory is an installation art museum located in the North Side since 1977. It houses contemporary art that are in room-sized environments, that most of the time you can interact with.

I have been there many times since the exhibits change every few months. There are only a few permanent installations. Some of it really pushes the envelope of what art really is, and then there are some that just amaze you. The latest exhibit looks like it’s a good one, so I am planning to make a visit sometime in June.

Here is a quote from their website:
Each exhibition is paired with a variety of engaging and inventive educational programs including hands-on art projects, workshops, lectures, and tours. The Mattress Factory encourages all viewers, regardless of their background, to discover connections between art, creativity and their everyday lives.

Visit Mattress.org to get information on hours of operation and schedule of events. It looks like in June they are going to have a free party with live performance art and activities.

Mattress Factory, installation art museum, North Side, contemporary art, June, art and activities

The new shared artist space called “Creative Treehouse” is now accepting members. This is great news for local artists that are looking for a creative space where they can work and network with fellow artists and creative professionals. This will be a place where traditional and new media artists can work side by side.

The Creative Treehouse is located in Bellevue, PA, about 7 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh. It’s a small community with a lot of independent businesses like, Vivo, Affogato, 517521, just to name a few. You will also find that it has easy access to main routes, public transportation and public parking, so getting there is not a problem.

They will be hosting a kick off party at the end of June. You can find more details about it on their website as details become available. You don’t have to wait until then to become a member; just fill out an online application and they will contact you. If you wondering how much something like this will cost, you will be happy to know that it’s only a $25 monthly fee for 24 hour access to the space. There is also a growing list of member benefits listed on their website. So if you’re still not convinced this a great opportunity, that might change your mind. Plus, Bellevue is a great place to visit and live. Hope to see you there!

local artists, creative space, new media, Creative Treehouse, independent businesses, 24 hour access, Bellevue

Every Wednesday I try to pickup the latest City Paper to see what going on around town. I was looking for something to do tonight and came across this in their music listings:

Excuses Bar & Grill - Legendary Hucklebucks, The Holy Hand Grenade. Fri., May 25. 2526 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh (South Side), 412/431-4090.

I have never been to “Excuses”; all I know about it is that there is always a lot of motorcycles parked out front. Anyway, I was checking out their MySpace and it looks like they have 24 beers on tap and decent food. I don’t know why I haven’t gone to this place sooner.

I really like the Hucklebucks, it’s been years since I seen them. They were a lot of fun and you can help but dance. I think rockabilly as that effect on people. I don’t know anything about the other band, but I do like the name. So I think this would be a good time to check this place out, since I already know I’m going to enjoy the music.

Wednesday, Excuses Bar & Grill, Legendary Hucklebucks, E. Carson St., motorcycles, 24 beers on tap, decent food, rockabilly, music

This is my first restaurant review so please bear with me. It’s going to take a few before I get a system down. All I know is what I feel is important for a good restaurant experience: atmosphere, cleanness, staff, food, and price.

The first place I am going to review is the Iguana Grill, it’s located in the Southside across the street from Jack’s. The atmosphere was nice; the walls were a gray color with simple wall mounted lighting. The bar is small but there are plenty of tables, so finding a seat is not a problem. I would like to say that this is one of the cleaner bar/restaurants on this end of the Southside. The wait staff was also impressive; as soon as you sit down they’re asking you what you would like to drink. They have plenty of beers on tap and in bottles, so finding your favorite drink will not be difficult.

Looking at their menu you will notice that they are one of those Mexican/American hybrids. If you’re looking for real Mexican food this is not the place for you. I got the Chicken Burrito, and it was amazing. The portion was huge and it also came with corn and refried beans. I couldn’t finish it all so I had to take a doggie bag home with me.

The price was just right. You could easily feed two people under $20 (not including beer) and have some leftovers for lunch the next day. I can’t wait to eat there again. I am not even a fan of Mexican food and this place wowed me.

Score: Atmosphere (3.5), Cleanness (4.0), Staff (4.0), Food (4.0),
Price (4.5), Overall (4.0)

Closing Comments: Before you go, make sure you check out their website for their specials. They have one every day of the week. Also, on Fridays and Saturdays you have to be 21 and over, even if you’re just eating.

restaurant review, Southside, beers, Mexican, food, Pittsburgh, Bar, 21 and over, drink specials

The next PodCamp PGH meet-up is scheduled for tonight. — Wednesday, May 23rd @ 7 PM at the Creative Treehouse in Bellevue. If you’ve never seen the space before, or never met Andy, Jesse, Josh and the rest of the Treehouse team, this is a great opportunity.

If you don’t know what PodCamp is check out their site for last years event. It was a great event and since everyone enjoyed it they are having another one in August. If you would like to see what’s going on in “new media” in Pittsburgh then come down to this meeting. Also if you like what the Creative Treehouse has to offer you can become a member at the meeting, just ask to talk to Jesse.

WHAT: PodCamp PGH Meet-Up
WHEN: Wednesday, May 23 @ 7 PM - 9 PM
WHERE: Creative Treehouse (517 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue PA 15202 - 2nd floor)
PLUS: Pizza and coffee will be provided

TOPICS:
BootCamp PGH recap and follow-up
PodCamp PGH 2 preparation (for August)
Pittsburgh Pirates‘ offer to local podcasters
And more…

PodCamp, meet-up, Creative Treehouse, BootCamp, Pittsburgh Pirates

If you don’t have a big cookout planned don’t worry, Pittsburgh has you covered. At the David L Lawrence Convention Center this weekend (May 25th-27th, 2007) you will find the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. It’s only $10 at the door to get in and enjoy the festivities, but parking may be an issue so you may want to take public transportation to Downtown.

This is what their website PGHFolkFest.org, has to say about the event:

A Memorial Day weekend multicultural celebration of more than 30 nationalities featuring traditional ethnic entertainment, food and refreshments. Shop in the international bazaar, learn a dance, see traditional crafts or visit the cultural exhibits to learn more about a country and its people. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

I was checking out the site and it looks like there will be something going on everyday. So if your cookout gets rained out or you forget to buy hotdogs, come down to the Folk Fest.

international bazaar, cultural exhibits, pittsburgh, folk, food, ethnic food, traditional crafts

Pittsburgh is the place I have called home for a long time. I have traveled to a lot of other cities, but never found one like this one. It has so much to offer, everything the big guys have but in a smaller package. Every time I am away from here I miss it and can’t wait to come home.

Since I get sick of people saying that there is nothing to do in Pittsburgh I asked 451 Press if I could write for this blog. I want to let people know that there is stuff to do in Pittsburgh; you just have to look for it. So I hope I can help people not be sick of this place by bringing attention to everything that happens in this big city in a small package.

This blog is a two way street. If you know of an event or place I should know about just send me an email. Also if you don’t like my view on something let me know about it in a comment. I hope you enjoy the new blog; I know I will.