Pittsburgh, PA

Sorry for the teeny, tiny picture but I just had to mention that this Saturday is the Scary I Made It, featuring Halloween themed arts and crafts! Does it get any better?!

The craft show is being held in Braddock at 416 Library Street, between 12-5pm. If you were at Flux when it was in Braddock, then you should be able to find it easily; if not, just googlemap it.

For more information, visit their Myspace here or visit my previous post here.

Now on to the festivities!

There’s way too many to list, so here’s a couple:

(Click on the images for full size)

Krobar & Sport Rock Cafe’s Heaven & Hell Costume Ball:

Grannies, Trannies, and Booty Meat at Margarita Mama’s:
I’m going to this one, although I haven’t decided what kind of booty meat I’m going as yet haha

Buckhead’s Night of the Living Dead Party:
I’m only going to say this once: take advantage of the $2 U Call its!

Privilege’s Sexy Halloween Bash:

Halloween Mansion Party at Deja Vu:
My future husband Deshea Townsend is supposed to be at this one. Damn having to work!

Oh, how I love Halloween! I wish I could go to all of these.

Don’t forget to scroll down to see what else is going on this weekend!

Pittsburgh, Halloween, Margarita Mamas, Deja Vu, Buckheads, Privilege, costume, ball, Krobar

All this weekend, La Roche College is sponsoring a conference on global problems and solutions, awareness, poetry, music and more. The first part takes place at La Roche College and will feature speakers concerned with global problems and solutions, including Erin Brockovich, as well as sponsoring workshops that the community can take part in as a whole.

For more information on La Roche’s Global Conference, visit their site here. The events take place today and Saturday; check out the schedule on their website.

The second part of this event is being held at the Creative TreeHouse in Bellevue, which should be a lot of fun!

An Artistic Evening starts at 7pm and will feature poetry and art from La Roche students, as well as live music from Sean Atkins, Monkey Face with Steve Jarrett, and the Jim Dandies.

There is a $3 donation at the door, with proceeds benefiting the Brother’s Brother Foundation. For more information on this organization, go here.

And for directions and info, visit the Creative Treehouse’s website.

Don’t forget about the Haunted TreeHouse event next Saturday either!

Speaking of awareness, this Saturday is USA Weekend’s Make a Difference Day!

October 27th, is America’s largest day for volunteering, where millions of people will be doing their part to make a difference in our chaotic world, where charity is sometimes overlooked.

I urge everyone to participate in this holiday, even if it’s just smiling at a stranger or holding the door open for one; every little bit counts.

For more information and see what is taking place around the country, visit USA Weekend’s website.

Pittsburgh, La Roche College, global solutions, Erin Brokovich, Creative TreeHouse, Bellevue, Brother’s Brother, Make a Difference Day, USA Weekend, Sean Atkins, Monkey Face, Steve Jarrett, Jim Dandies, music, art, poetry

Bellevue, PA, October 24th, 2007 — Creative TreeHouse will hold a Halloween gallery and celebration beginning at 7:30pm Saturday, Nov. 3rd at 517 Lincoln Ave., 2nd floor in Bellevue. The event will include a pumpkin carving competition, with giveaways for the most creative pumpkin, in addition to a Halloween-themed art gallery. Costumes are encouraged, with a cover charge of $3 with costume, or $5 without. Treats and nonalcoholic beverages will be provided. BYOB is welcomed by anyone 21 and over.

Live music is scheduled to kick off at 8pm, with performances by Doughnuts In November, Children of October, and the Shutouts. Doughnuts In November was the crowd favorite in a battle of the bands in Mexico. They were offered two record contracts, but declined both of them so they could play this event. Children of October and the Shutouts are both quoted saying, “We wouldn’t want to miss this event for anything!”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Creative TreeHouse, a new facility in Bellevue dedicated not only to providing artists with work space, community and support but also to supplying local businesses with a new choice for all of their creative needs, including web design, graphic design, video production and photography.

Artists interested in contributing Halloween-themed work, submitting carved pumpkins for the contest, or who have questions regarding the event are encouraged to contact the Creative TreeHouse via e-mail, info@CreativeTreeHousePgh.com.

Creative TreeHouse LLC was created and is owned by Jesse Hambley, a 24 year-old photographer, designer and video editor. It is operated by a group of volunteers and members including Andy Rubacky, Josh Sager, John Bodnar, Jason Mosley, and many more. They can be contacted at info@CreativeTreeHousePgh.com.

What: 24 Hour Comics
Where: Creative TreeHouse, 517 Lincoln Blvd., 2nd floor, Bellevue, PA 15202
When: Saturday, October 20th, starting at 9am to 9am Sunday
Cost: FREE to attend, BYOB (food, drink and supplies)

Bellevue, PA, — On October 20th, 2007, cartoonists around the world will face the 24 hour comics challenge of trying to create a 24 page comic story in 24 straight hours. To help these cartoonists, some comic book stores, educational institutions, libraries, businesses, and comics clubs will host special 24 Hour Comics Day events. They’ll provide cartoonists with a space to work, access to food and drink, and camaraderie. This year Creative TreeHouse will be hosting the 24 Hour Comics Day on October 20th from 9 am to Sunday 9 am to help bring Pittsburgh cartoonists and illustrators together.

The cartoonist’s goal on the annual 24 Hour Comics Day is easy to explain, difficult to achieve. Each wants to turn 24 blank pieces of paper into a finished comic book in 24 hours. This “24 hour comics challenge” means achieving what might normally be months of work in a single (generally sleepless) day. During last year’s event, more than 1200 cartoonists gathered at event locations in 17 countries, working side-by-side while sharing energy, snacks, and camaraderie. While not everyone successfully completed 24 pages, among them they crafted more than 15,000 pages of comics.

At the end of the 24 hours the participants will submit a scan of their comics to the national 24 Hour Comics organization. To encourage safe travels after the 24 hours, participants will be required to have alternative transportation via bus, pick ups or walking. For complete rules and history, please visit http://www.24hourcomics.com. Please RSVP to info@creativetreehousepgh.com, but walk ins will be welcome.

Also check out this post you’re in to haunted attractions in Pittsburgh. It might be something fun you could do after your done at the 24 Hour Comics!

This Friday is the last chance you can catch the “Power” exhibit at Future Tenant’s gallery and while you’re out for the Gallery Crawl I’m sure you’ll check it out, right?!

“Power” is an exhibit curated by Christian D that explores the very essence and definition of feminine power.

The commentary on Future Tenant’s website suggests questions/concepts women can ponder while viewing the work: What is it to be a woman with power, a woman without power? How do we achieve it, share it, and reach it and why is it so important? As artists, we use art to express power, but there are so many areas where woman don’t have power.

As well as thinking about: We hear and live through the definitions of what men think of a woman’s power, daily. A man can be intelligent, but a woman is considered cold and calculating; a man can be assertive, but a woman is pushy; a man can implement plans and strategies, but a woman is a nagging mother hen; a man can be strong, but a woman’s strength is defined as bitchy and when a woman exhibits strong leadership abilities, she is accused of imitating a man. Though these definitions may apply to some, they do not apply to all and are limiting, as well as demeaning.

As women, how do we define POWER?

Artists include, Susan Constanse, Veronica Corpuz, Alexis S. Covato, Patricia Villalobos, Escheverria, Cara Erskine, Carolina Loyola-Garcia, Vanessa German, Stacy Rae Gross, Renee Ruth Ickes, Pamela Jennings, Monique Luck, Maritza Mosquera, Rise Nagin, Staycee Pearl, Suz Pisano, Rebecca Rose, Sam Thorp, and Two Girls Working: Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki.

According to the site, the “group exhibit will collectively express the definition of feminine power through the eyes, heart and souls of twenty women, a myriad of meanings of power. Each participating artist will have one piece on display. Why one piece, because more often than not, that is all one gets, one chance to make an impression, one chance to express your power.

The exhibit will represent diversity ranging from the mediums used, the age, experience and culture of the artists. The work can be realized in different media: paintings, photos, digital prints, drawings, sketches, fiber, video presentations, sound works, etc.”

For more information visit Christian D’s website and Future Tenants’.

And speaking of artwork, the Haunted TreeHouse show still needs gothic/Halloween themed artwork for its Halloween party/exhibit November 3rd. For more information view our previous post here.

Pittsburgh, Future Tenant, gallery, art, women, power, Creative Treehouse, Haunted Treehouse

Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, I think it’s only fitting that I list all of the haunted attractions going on between now and then.

If I miss any, let me know!

Haunted House at Hundred Acres Manor
where: South Park
when: now through Oct. 28th
cost: $13, VIP admission available
hours: dark-11:30pm Fri/Sat, until 10pm Wed, Thurs, Sunday
contact: www.hundredacresmanor.com
Proceeds benefit The Homeless Children’s Education Fund and Animal Friends

Haunted Hayride
where: 10 mins from Uniontown on rt. 51
when: every weekend in October & Oct. 29th-31st
cost: $10, children 4 and under are free, VIP $20, campfire sites $25
hours: 7:30-10pm
contact: www.allenshayrides.com/ 724-677-2589
They also have campfire sites, where groups can gather and eat (you bring the food or pay for their catering) at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm

Cheeseman’s Pumpkin Festival & Fright Farm
where: Off rt. 19 on Cheesman Road, Portersville
when: Pumpkin Festival-Saturdays and Sundays; Fright Far-Friday, Sat., Sunday
cost: $12 Fri/Sat, $10 Thurs/Sun and Halloween
hours: dark until 10pm
contact: www.cheesemanfarm.com
They have campfire sites as well as haunted hayrides; visit their website for more information.

The Scarehouse
where: 118 Locust Street, Etna at the former Elks Lounge
when: now until Oct. 28th
cost: $13, RIP passes $20
hours: Thurs 7-11, Fri & Sat 7-12, Sundays 7-10pm
contact: www.scarehouse.com
Not recommended for children under 13.

Haunted Hills Hayride and the Valley of Darkness Haunted Walking Trail
where: North Versailles, rt. 48
when: Every Friday, Sat, Sun in October, Nightly Oct. 18 & 24-30th
cost: $10 each attraction or $15 for both
hours: Fri/Sat 7-11pm, Sunday and weeknights 7-10pm
contact: www.hauntedhillshayride.com
Benefits the Autism Society of Pittsburgh

Phantom Fright Nights
where: Kennywood Park
when: now until Oct. 27th
cost: $21, $3 off if bought at Giant Eagle
hours: Fri/Sat 7-1am
contact: www.phantomfrightnights.com
Not recommended for children under 13.

Temple of Terror
where: Syria Shrine Center (Syria Mosque), Harmarville
when: now until Oct. 30th
cost: $12, $10 each for groups of 15 or more; discount coupon on website
hours: Fri/Sat 7-11pm, Sun, Mon, Tues 7-10pm
contact: www.templeofterror.net

Pittsburgh, Halloween, Phantom Fright Nights, Valley of Darkness, Haunted Hayride, the Scarehouse, Etna, Cheeseman’s Pumpkin Festival, Allen’s Hayrides, Hundred Acres Manor, hayrides, bonfires

Another party brought to you by 1337 productions and with these acts, promises to be even better than the last party!

Here’s the lineup:

Knifehandchop
Belladonnakillz
The Niceguys
Sunrize
Vapour
Rukkus with MC E.N.D.
Psyklone
Robotpilot
Darren Grant
Dynamic Uno
George WSR
Tika
RyuRy
Konztant
Red Ranger
Otagi

Saturday, Oct. 13th
8pm-4am (doors open at 7:30)
All ages, with 21 + reentry
$20 before 11/$25 after & free for Canadians (no joke, a bunch of the acts are coming from there)

China Town Inn
522 3rd Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

As an added bonus, there’s a bar inside the restaurant and Chinese food will be served all night.
Also, this event is expected to reach full capacity so come early!

For more info, click here or refer to a post I made on a previous party here.

See ya there!

Pittsburgh, China Town Inn, 1337, techno, electronic, drum n bass, music, digital, Knifehandchop, Belladonnakillz, Rukkus

As of October 9th you can walk the streets of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas without ever leaving your home. It’s called Google Street View, and it’s a service that offers photo views of city streets that you can navigate. The interface is intuitive and if you’re familiar with the classic game Myst you should feel right at home.

An article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette explains the service well. They go in to detail about how it works and how you can handle many privacy issues that may come up. For instants if you recognize yourself in a photo you can notify them and they will remove the photo and replace it with another.

I really don’t know how useful this service is or when I would use it. It may be helpful when you are going to a new place and you can at least know what the front of it looks like. Other then that I don’t think I will get much use out of it.

Maybe after reading this review of the Iguana Grill you can use it to check out what the outside of the place looks like before you go.

Dan Onorato is trying to introduce a 10% Drink Tax for Allegheny County. This 10% drink tax will be on all poured Alcoholic Beverages. This includes beer, wine and cocktails you order at your favorite establishments in Allegheny County.

I am not a fan of more taxes. I understand that the money would go to Public Transportation, there has to be a better way to fund it. I don’t think it a good idea to through more money in to a system that can’t seem handle the money they have now. I would rather see Pittsburgh and Allegheny County try to cut back on spending before taxing us more.

If you would like to learn more about this tax and how to fight it go to www.stopdrinktax.com!

Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, drink tax, public transportation

The Creative Treehouse in Bellevue, PA is planning a Halloween event for November 3rd called The Haunted Treehouse. The venue is known to have creative events like the 24 Hour Creative Marathon and this event is no different.

Since it is a Halloween themed event there is going to be a Pumpkin carving contest and a Gothic art sale. The details of the event are still being planned out, so make sure you keep checking the Creative Treehouse’s website for more details as they become available.

I am on the planning team for the event and they put me in charge of finding bands and artists. I am looking for bands that have a horror kind of feel to them. A Misfits cover band would also be a good time. As for artists, I think Gothic or Horror art would be very appropriate. If you feel your band or artwork fits the theme, send me an email at jmosley[at]MrBaconpants[dot-com}.

Also if you’re going to be attending the event, start thinking of costume ideas. There will be a discount in the cover fee for all that wear one. Also there will be prizes for the Pumpkin carving contest. If you would like to donate a prize contact Jesse of the Creative Treehouse.

Just in case your reading this and don’t know what the Treehouse is, it’s a creative co-working studio that offers shared creative space, a meeting/event spot, and creative services to the Pittsburgh, PA area.

Two other events that are happenening at the Treehouse this month are:
- 10/20 - 10/21: 9am to 9am - 24 Hour Comic. For a full description of this event please click here.
- 10/27 - La Roche Environmental Awareness Show. More details coming soon.

Pittsburgh, Bellevue, Creative Treehouse, Halloween party, pumpkin carving, cover bands, 24 hour comic, La Roche Environmental Awareness Show

My literary/art magazine is out with its second issue. Yay!

The magazine features talent from all over the world, but this issue has two very talented Pittsburgh people in it, namely John E. Bodnar and Rachel Arnold Sager, so please check it out here.

John’s photography skills are showcased and Rachel reviews a graphic novel. Rachel is also busy working on a continuing online novel, which can be viewed here.

The magazine is always looking for local talent, so check out the submissions page if you are interested. And that goes for poets, writers, essayists, artists, photographers and more!

I am always looking for submissions that fit outside the box, so don’t hesitate if your work doesn’t fit into a certain category. I think that’s especially true when it comes to art, since there are so many different kinds of art and I’m not one to judge what is and what isn’t.

I’ve had a couple of local artists already, such as Matt Gondek and Alanna Jackson and it really makes me happy to be able to showcase their talent. There’s so much of it here in Pittsburgh, but it just seems as if people are scared of showing it or something.

So be brave Pittsburgh! This magazine is seen by people all over the world and I would love for them to go away thinking that Pittsburgh is really developing as a literary and artistic mecca as it is slowly starting to be.

I posted a more detailed description of the magazine back in July here. You can view previously featured artists on the website, as well as last issue’s literary content and more!

www.debrismagazine.com

Pittsburgh, Debris Magazine, literary, art, John Bodnar, Rachel Arnold Sager, Stephen Clark, Bonni Reid, Matt Gondek, Alanna Jackson, poetry, short stories, magazine

Starting with today, I suggest everyone check out the Alternative Transportation Festival!

According to the festival’s website:

The Alternative Transportation Festival (ATF) is an event to raise public awareness of alternative means of transportation and advocate for the increased use of public transportation, car-sharing, alternative fuels, fuel efficient, hybrid and advanced vehicles, boats, bikes and other human-powered technologies.

Driven by locally-led innovation and a growing community of activists and operators, Pittsburgh has become a leader in the development of alternative transportation solutions to pressing national and international issues that arise from America’s fossil fuel dependence, including rising fuel costs, air pollution and global warming, economic and National security concerns.

The festival is being organized by Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities with support from Steel City Biofuels, Bike Pittsburgh, Restorative Events and Nakturnal.

If you’ve ridden the bus lately, you should have seen the flyer for this event, but just in case you didn’t, here’s some more info.

The event is taking place in three locations: Market Square, Schenley Plaza and South Side Works. Each location will feature live music and entertainment, as well as information on alternative transportation options and a chance to meet with other like minded individuals.

Schenley Plaza:
11am-1:30pm & 3-8pm
Music of Coz Serrapere, DJ Omar Abdul and the Zany Umbrella Circus

Market Square:
11am-1:30pm & 3-5pm
Music of DJ Zimmie

South Side Works:
11am-1:30pm & 3-8pm
Music by The Metropolitans

I am all for increasing public awareness on this issue. I think it’s nice that we participate in the National Dump the Pump Day and that more and more people are riding their bikes to work and despite most of them doing it to save gas money, it is still saving the environment and this is a step in the right direction.

I’m not sure Pittsburgh will ever be as non-reliant on cars as other cities, just because of how the city is laid out and the suburbs, but a step in this direction makes me happy. And since there’s no way we’re going to eliminate commuting to work via cars, I hope in the future there is at least a trend towards the usage of energy efficient cars.

And as for Saturday…

The Tom Museum is celebrating its one year anniversary!!

The event will be split into two halves; the first being a pre-event fundraiser for the Tom Museum with special guest Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, which will take place from 6 – 7 PM and will be in the lobby of the New Hazlett Theater. (Allegheny Square East)
Admission to this part of the event/fundraiser is $65.00.

After the fundraiser at 7:30pm, there will be a contest that sounds like a lot of fun!

From the Tom Museum’s website:
The New Hazlett Theater will host three teams of artists who will compete to build winning sculptures out of secret materials (read: junk to be unveiled at the event). The only supplies that the teams may bring with them to the challenge are the contents of one suitcase. Adding to the suspense of the evening is the arrival of Team West Virginia, led by WVU sculpture professor and artist Douglas Loewen. Tickets are $10.00 and will be available at the door.

Tom Sarver, Mike Cuccaro, Liz Hammond and Buddy Nutt will host the event. Music will be provided by DJ Mary Mack and Mr. & Mrs. Funky of Unfinished Symphonies. Judges for the event will include Heather Pesanti, Assistant Curator at The Carnegie Museum of Art; Mickey McManus, CEO of MAYA Design; Artist Thommy Conroy; and Karen Hartman from the Brew House Association.

For more information, visit the Tom Museum website.

Have a nice weekend everyone and enjoy the nice weather! I’ll be up at Clarion for their Autumn Leaf Festival, which is always a lot of fun!

And as always, go Steelers!!

Pittsburgh, public transportation, buses, alternative fuels, Tom Museum, art, Olympic Theater, Market Square, Schenley Park, South Side Works

If you remembered awhile ago I posted about the 24 Hour Creative Marathon at the Creative Treehouse in Bellevue. Well I would just like to let everyone know it was a great time. I created art, met new people, ate lots of pizza, and drank enough caffeine to kill a small child. You can view all the pictures taken at the event here.

Just in case you don’t remember what the Creative Marathon is here is a quick recap. The Creative Marathon is a two part event beginning with a 24 hour artistic marathon that culminates in a gallery show the following day. Beginning Friday, September 28th, at 8pm, artists had 24 hours to create a piece of work pertaining to the theme “Lost and Found”. At 8pm the very next evening, the Creative Treehouse featured the works in a gallery show, along with food, drinks and live music. You can found out more about the event at 24hourcreativemarathon.com!

This is the artwork I created during the event. I used colored ink, acrylic, and water color. I also scratched in a tree into the wood. In certain lighting it’s hidden, but if you look at it long enough you will find it.

Since my blog MrBaconpants.com sponsored the event, I thought that I would cook up some bacon Saturday morning. It was a big hit.

Me, a world class bacon chef. Everyone told me that they enjoyed waking up to the sweet smell of bacon. It was a good way to start off the day.

The gallery show after the marathon was a lot of fun too. It was a BYOB event with live music. The artwork was for sale and a lot of it sold, which was good for the Treehouse since it gets a percentage of the sales. The bands at the event were diverse, it went from nerd rock to blues with a little folk in the middle.

This was my view on the event, Emily also attended the event and said that she will be posting her views on it sometime this week.

Pittsburgh, Bellevue, Creative Treehouse, 24 Hour Creative Marathon, MrBaconpants, art, Some Other Band, Jim Dandies, Buddy Nutt, Paul Luc