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Archive for the 'Pittsburgh Events' Category
JAZZAM, a well-known touring act based out of Pittsburgh will be playing Wednesday, June 11 at 5:30 in Market Square at the Arts Festival. I urge all art fest-goers and Pittsburgh music lovers to check them out! JAZZAM, my personal favorite band of all time, has become well-known in the area after a few years playing regional music festivals and a touring stint with Rusted Root. Check them out this Wednesday…
and check out a few more very cool Arts Fest features!
(In order of appearance)
And, if you are looking for a fun Pittsburgh family activity, check out what the Arts fest has to offer for the young ones!
Enjoy one of Pittsburgh’s fantastic summer activities! Oh, and speaking of which, my family and I attended the Yonder Mountain String Band concert at Hartwood Acres Park this past Sunday. What a great park and concert site! It ’s very family friendly and we had a blast. Check out the Pittsburgh free summer concert series at the Hartwood Acres Park as well as other locations in and around Pittsburgh. These free concerts runs all summer long, so take an advantage to save some gas money!
So, whomever you are planning on voting for, I just want to say first that I am glad to see the recent wave of political activity and especially that among the younger generation in Pittsburgh and, overall, Pennsylvania. Of course, this has nothing to do with the fact that this is one of the closest Democratic primary elections in years or anything… 
Speaking of Democratic primaries… I would like to publicly express my belief that Barack Obama, who is speaking at 9:30 tonight at the Petersen Event’s Center in Oakland, is by far the best candidate for United States President. And, I would like to remind you all to vote - tomorrow!
I just can’t feel comfortable endorsing over 30 years of the same two parties ruling in the United States - I mean, it just feels a little too anti-democratic, if you ask me. Further, after reading Barack’s The Audacity of Hope, I can’t help but feel that even though he may be lacking some experience that others could CLAIM to have, he entirely makes up for it in smarts, logic, and common sense (something we ALL know politicians, especially those TOO caught up in the political system may not quite embrace).
Hopefully, the smear attacks and negative campaigning don’t affect people’s good sense too much and Barack receives the support he so deserves.
For those of you against the man, please read one or both of his books just to hear what he has to say - it’s honestly pretty brilliant. And, those of you for him, please help all of us spread the word! And, if nothing else, at least I was reminded by my friend who told me I said a year ago “You watch out for that Barack Obama…he’s going to be something one of these days soon! Probably the next President” Let’s just see if I was right!
But, no matter what, just VOTE! 
A Pittsburgh Parade to Remember…or Forget!
Pittsburgh is well-known for its exciting St. Patrick’s Day Parade [official site] held each year (rain, sun, snow, or shine), which is noticed as one of the largest in the country. Due to many reasons (my honeymoon, broken leg, etc), I have only celebrated St. Patrick’s Day one time in Pittsburgh - and it certainly was one to remember (despite the fact that I forget most of the day LOL!).
But, a TYPICAL St. Patty’s Day in Pittsburgh may follow a similar schedule to this:
- Wake up - 5:00 AM
- Jello Shots - 5:30 AM
- Party - 6:00 AM
- Keg Stand - 6:30 AM
- 6 Green Beers Later - 8:30 AM
- Head Downtown - 8:45 AM
- Bar - 9 AM
- Wait…was there a parade?
Okay, so this may be an exaggeration (although I’m sure some of my readers could share some crazy stories and schedules that are worse than this one). But, you get the point - this is an adult parade and the Irish like to drink - and so do the Pittsburghers!
I am really excited for this year’s parade and will definitely be capturing some footage to re-post on this site. Be careful what you’re doing downtown when my video camera comes around! The parade starts at 10 AM this year (as always) and you can continue reading this post for more info on the parade this year (and past years too!)
Here are some fun facts about the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: Full Story »
Funk It Up with Pittsburgh Band JAZZAM
And, once more, I have to write about my favorite Pittsburgh band, JAZZAM. After the loss of their lead singer a few months back, the future of JAZZAM was uncertain. I spent many a night listening to their “It’s About Time” album and praying to the music gods that the band could work it all out.
Needless to say, as you could tell from a prior post, New Year’s Eve brought this amazing funk jam band back to Pittsburgh. And, you could say that this past weekend has re-established their rank as one of the most popular regional bands in Pittsburgh. Music fans from around the city showed up to Thunderbird’s Cafe this Saturday to see JAZZAM, with Morgantown, WV opener, Symmetrical Kickboxing. In fact, the band was so missed that the Thunderbird sold out + 10 people!!
I’m just glad the band is back and touring again. Keep an eye out for them in the near future in Pittsburgh and other (relatively) local dates. AND, for you festival-goers - keep an eye out for this summer because JAZZAM will be out and about!
- Molly Brannigan’s - February 8, 2008
- Docksider’s (Erie, PA) - February 9, 2008
- The Shadow Lounge (with Ryat) - February 29, 2008
- The Empty Glass (Charleston, WV) - March 7, 2008
- The V Club (Huntingdon, WV) - March 8, 2008
- Agora Theater with Ekoostik Hookah (Cleveland, OH) - March 28, 2008
- Thunderbird Cafe - March 2, 2008
And stay tuned for more! This is my favorite band in the whole wide world and I want to share them with as many people as possible!
While I’m just about fully recovered from New Year’s Eve, my tapping feet will not recover for weeks after the amazing musical show put on by regional touring band, JAZZAM, at Molly Brannigan’s this Monday night.
I attempted to get some video on my new camera so I could post it here. While the picture was fantastic, the audio is horrible - and the most important part - so, yinz will have to wait until I get my new digital video camcorder to see these guys in action (PS: donations are welcome!) Until then, check the band out on Archive.org, YouTube, or Myspace!
Finally, if you’re looking to see JAZZAM again, they will be playing on January 26 at the awesome Thunderbird Cafe! Here’s a collection of pictures from New Year’s Eve so you can see the fun you missed!
Are you still debating what to do in Pittsburgh this New Year’s Eve? Well, stop worrying - I can tell you exactly where you SHOULD be!
The place to be is Molly Brannigan’s in the South Hills. This will be the first time in months that Pittsburgh’s most established funk jam band JAZZAM will be playing together and I can’t wait to see the most talented and amazing local band onstage in the area again!
Molly Brannigan’s is a great authentic Irish pub on Rte 19 in Mt. Lebanon. Molly’s has great drink prices, fantastic food, and a large enough establishment with plenty of room for people to sit and congregate at tables to talk; to sit at the bar for easy drink access; to dance on the floor; or to simply stare at the amazing talent on the stage in your very own backyard!
And, for those of you who have never seen JAZZAM - this is one show that is not to be missed. After their recent stint touring with Rusted Root (some of you may have seen them at the Homegrown Hoo-Ha with the Clarks and Rusted Root at the Post Gazette Pavilion this summer), JAZZAM had taken some time off to re-group. Luckily for all of its fans, this is their first show in months…and let me tell you again - you will be sorry for missing this band!
Anyone interested in listening to JAZZAM can go to their Myspace page (link above), listen to a live show on Archive.org, watch a video on YouTube, or simply purchase their CD online (if you haven’t heard it - it’s AMAZING). The duet with Liz Berlin of Rusted Root, who also does all background female vocals, will truly knock your socks off. Even if you can’t make it this time around, do keep an eye out for JAZZAM shows and other great Pittsburgh bands (more posts on them to come). Support live music!
I hope to see you all there, but even if not, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’s to all!
Venturing Outdoors around Pittsburgh
 Many residents of our great city don’t know that within an hour and a half’s drive radius, there are opportunities to participate in almost every outdoor sport imaginable, from rock climbing to caving to kayaking to hiking and biking. Many more also don’t know that Pittsburgh was rated as National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s #1 Urban Adventure Town in September 2006.
It is the mission of Venture Outdoors, a ‘Burgh-based, not-for-profit organization, to change that trend. More specifically, Venture Outdoors seeks to transform our region into one where the outdoors becomes an integral part of our culture, identity and lifestyle. They hope to achieve their mission by increasing local residents’ and visitors’ participation in outdoor recreation in the hopes that it will foster a greater appreciation for and deeper understanding of the region’s natural resources. Venture Outdoors offers a great number of themed public programs each year (over 400, to be more specific) designed to get beginners and experts out-of-doors and having a blast.
That’s right, I said ‘themed’ events. They range from Doggie Day Treks (designed to get you and your pup outside having fun together) to Tyke Hikes (meant to introduce your wee ones to the stroller-friendly trails of the area) to Full Moon Paddles and Happy Hour Paddles (great social kayaking events) to Beer-Tasting and Wine and Cheese Hikes (some people require this extra motivation to get them out in the wilderness *wink wink*). Winter events include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (provided there’s enough snow). They also offer geocache trips and a weekly lunchtime fishing session in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh during the summer. And more. Full Story »
“If It’s Magic - Then Why Can’t It Be Ever-lasting…
Like the Stevie Wonder Show (Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena, November 9 2007)
It’s amazing how fast a performance can change a person’s mood. Last night, I was honored and privileged to attend, what I consider to be the best concert that I will ever see in my entire life - by my all-time favorite musician. The night started out kind of crappy (keep reading) but, from the moments the first song (Love’s in Need of Love Today) began, Stevie’s moving performance and the message of unconditional love, peace and, well, some more looooove was enough to instantly turn my frown upside down. Because this is my only outlet to do this, I’d like to thank you, Stevie, for spreading your music and your message across the world. Please don’t let this be your last trip to Pittsburgh (PS: his first wife, Syreeta Wright, was from the Burgh) - and if it is the last, at least I was there to see it. Full Story »
STEVIE WONDER: SIR DUKE
Stevie in concert at the Mellon Arena: November 9, 2007
Normal English Usage:
Music is a world within itself
With a language we all understand
With an equal opportunity
For all to sing, dance and clap their hands
But just because a record has a groove
Dont make it in the groove
But you can tell right away at letter a
When the people start to move
They can feel it all over
They can feel it all over people
Da translation is:
Music is a world witin itself
wit a language we alls understand
wit an equal opportunity
fer alls to sing, dance and clap their hans
But jest cuz a record has a groove
Dont make it in da groove
But yinz can tell right away at letter a
whenever da people start to move
They can feel it alls over
They can feel it alls over people
This posting is in celebration of the Stevie Wonder concert tomorrow night at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena, which is bound to be just about the greatest night of my entire life. All Hail Stevie! and Pittsburgh - Thank you so much for bringing Stevie to the city! November 9, 2007! Starting to hyperventilate…and, i’m out.
I recently learned about TRAX Farms, a fantastic farm and country store located in Finleyville, about a half hour outside Pittsburgh. The farm has been in the TRAX family for six generations, and today the family’s farm encompasses the farm itself, an antique loft, wine shop, garden shop & greenhouse, bakery, grocery store, deli, and last, but certainly not least, fantastic seasonal festivals including its recent Fall Festival. (Read more to find out about the event!) Full Story »
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 Rant and Rave!
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