Inaugural Northside Music Festival will feature more than 70 bands

Music in the middle of July returns once again to Pittsburgh’s North Side, but with a new name. The inaugural Northside Music Festival is happening July 14-16 within the heart of Deutschtown. Previously known as the Deutschtown Music Festival, the free, three-day event will feature more than 70 musical acts,

Source: Inaugural Northside Music Festival will feature more than 70 bands

Traditions celebrated during Fort Ligonier Days festival

“Honoring Historical Traditions” is the theme of this year’s three-day Fort Ligonier Days festival, which will kick off Friday with more than 300 food and crafter booths, live musical entertainment and tours of Ligonier’s reconstructed 18th-century fort.

Food, crafts and wine-tasting will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Source: Traditions celebrated during Fort Ligonier Days festival

Hunter Biden art exhibition led to Rep. Michael Waltz’s transparency bill

A Florida Republican congressman is set to introduce a bill requiring presidents and vice presidents provide financial disclosures for their non-dependent children ahead of Hunter Biden’s much-criticized art exhibition.

Rep. Michael Waltz told Fox News Tuesday his legislation, the Preventing Anonymous Income by Necessitating Transparency of Executive Relatives (PAINTER) Act, is a bid to stop “the obvious and shameless grift that’s going on with Hunter Biden’s art sales, for which he is obviously not qualified to do and is only doing to continue to profit off of his family name.”

The first son will present a solo exhibition of 15 paintings at galleries in New York and Los Angeles this fall. Prices for the art will range from $75,000 for works on paper to $500,000 for the larger canvases.

Critics have warned that would-be purchasers of Hunter’s art could spend big money not to purchase a masterpiece, but to curry favor with the West Wing.

“The whole thing is a really bad idea,” former George W. Bush chief ethics lawyer Richard Painter told The Washington Post earlier this month. “The initial reaction a lot of people are going to have is that he’s capitalizing on being the son of a president and wants people to give him a lot of money. I mean, those are awfully high prices.”

Source: Hunter Biden art exhibition led to Rep. Michael Waltz’s transparency bill

Hunter Biden’s art dealer said he wanted to be the ‘lead guy in China’ in 2015 | Fox News

Georges Berges, who is representing Hunter Biden as he ventures into the art world, has talked about his business dealings in China in the past, but his reported ties could pose an ethics issue as he sells Biden’s art to anonymous buyers.

A representative for Berges previously told Fox News that the sales of Biden’s art will be kept “confidential.” The White House has said they have an ethics plan in place to ensure the president’s son doesn’t know who buyers are, though Hunter has raised eyebrows with plans to attend art shows where potential buyers will be in attendance.

HUNTER BIDEN STILL OWNS STAKE IN CHINESE INVESTMENT FIRM

Berges said in a 2015 interview with Resident that he wanted to be the art world’s leader in China.

“My plan is to be the lead guy in China; the lead collector and art dealer discovering and nurturing talent from that region,” Berges said. “I plan to find and discover and bring to the rest of the world those I consider China’s next generation of modern artists.”

He also said that that he believes “China’s economy is transforming the global economy and everything is changing because of a rising China,” and that he was fascinated by “cultural impact” China is “having on the world.”

Source: Hunter Biden’s art dealer said he wanted to be the ‘lead guy in China’ in 2015 | Fox News

CNN panel agrees Hunter Biden art sales are a ‘huge’ optics, ethics issue: ‘Obviously, this is a problem’

 A CNN panel reacted to Hunter Biden’s plans to meet with potential buyers of his new artwork in New York City and Los Angeles, where his art could be sold for upwards of $500,000, calling it an “ethics problem.”

Source: CNN panel agrees Hunter Biden art sales are a ‘huge’ optics, ethics issue: ‘Obviously, this is a problem’

WYEP, Pittsburgh musicians to honor Bob Dylan on his 80th birthday | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bob Dylan never said anything about hoping to die before he got old. He just told the old people to get out of the way if they couldn’t lend a hand.

On Monday, rock’s greatest poet turns 80, and — despite some rough concert performances here and there — his true fans will tell you they’re glad he never got out of the way.

Last year, the Hibbing, Minn., man who gave us “Blowin’ in the Wind” in 1962 grabbed us by the collar during the pandemic with “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” one of his most lyrically dense, playful and challenging albums.

It was his 39th studio album, not counting the reams of unreleased bootleg stuff, and on the quality scale, it probably cracks the top 20. There’s reason to believe that there will be a 40th, that we’ll leap to hear it, that critics will gush, and that it will further this 60-year narrative in one fascinating way or another.

Source: WYEP, Pittsburgh musicians to honor Bob Dylan on his 80th birthday | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Katie Couric Goes Makeup-Free for PEOPLE’s Beautiful Issue | PEOPLE.com

When Katie Couric was first asked to go makeup-free for PEOPLE’s annual Beautiful Issue, she had an instant gut reaction.

“Are you out of your mind? Hell no,” the award-winning journalist remembers. But after some thought, the 64-year-old star decided, “Why not?”, and stripped down to her natural, makeup-free self.

“Doing a shoot without makeup, makes you feel both liberated and vulnerable,” Couric tells PEOPLE. “You feel great because you’re being true to who you are and how you look. It’s a huge dose of reality! On the other hand, let’s face it, people feel prettier when they have some makeup on that enhances their features. So I think doing a shoot like this requires a lot of trust.”

Source: Katie Couric Goes Makeup-Free for PEOPLE’s Beautiful Issue | PEOPLE.com

‘Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?’ And ‘Goldbergs’ Star George Segal Dead At 87 | HuffPost

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Segal, the banjo player turned actor who was nominated for an Oscar for 1966′s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and worked into his late 80s on the ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs,” died Tuesday in Santa Rosa, California, his wife said.

“The family is devastated to announce that this morning George Segal passed away due to complications from bypass surgery,” Sonia Segal said in a statement. He was 87.

Source: ‘Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?’ And ‘Goldbergs’ Star George Segal Dead At 87 | HuffPost

Amanda Gorman’s Super Bowl poem: Read it here – CNN

For Amanda Gorman, Inauguration Day was just the beginning. Now, she can cross the Super Bowl off her bucket list, too.

Here’s her poem from Sunday evening:
Today we honor our three captains
For their actions and impact in
A time of uncertainty and need.
They’ve taken the lead,
Exceeding all expectations and limitations,
Uplifting their communities and neighbors
As leaders, healers and educators.
James has felt the wounds of warfare,
But this warrior still shares
His home with at-risk kids.
During Covid, he’s even lent a hand
Live-streaming football for family and fans.
Trimaine is an educator who works nonstop,
Providing his community with hotspots,
Laptops and tech workshops,
So his students have all the tools
They need to succeed in life and in school.
Suzie is the ICU nurse manager at a Tampa hospital.
Her chronicles prove that even in tragedy, hope is possible.
She lost her grandmothers to the pandemic,
And fights to save other lives in the ICU battle zone,
Defining the front line heroes risking their lives for our own.
Let us walk with these warriors,
Charge on with these champions,
And carry forth the call of our captains!
We celebrate them by acting
With courage and compassion,
By doing what is right and just.
For while we honor them today,
It is they who every day honor us.

Source: Amanda Gorman’s Super Bowl poem: Read it here – CNN

Christopher Plummer Dead: ‘Sound Of Music,’ ‘All The Money In The World’ Star – Deadline

Christopher Plummer, who starred in The Sound of Music, won an Oscar for Beginners and was nominated for All the Money in the World and The Last Station, died peacefully today at his home in Connecticut, his family confirmed. Elaine Taylor, his wife and true best friend for 53 years, was by his side.

Along with becoming the oldest person to win an Oscar, Plummer also won a pair of Emmys and two Tonys during a nearly 70-year career.

Christopher Plummer Remembered: Ridley Scott, Chris Evans And Many More Pay Tribute

Lou Pitt, his longtime friend and manager of 46 years, said; “Chris was an extraordinary man who deeply loved and respected his profession with great old fashion manners, self-deprecating humor and the music of words. He was a national treasure who deeply relished his Canadian roots. Through his art and humanity, he touched all of our hearts and his legendary life will endure for all generations to come. He will forever be with us.”

Plummer spent the past nearly 70 years as a stalwart of stage and screen, including more than 200 films and TV shows. He is best known for starring as Captain George Von Trapp opposite Julie Andrews’ Maria in Robert Wise’s 1965 classic The Sound of Music. The beloved musical won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, beating David Lean’s Doctor Zhivago, among others. The movie’s soundtrack, which features such classic songs as “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title track, spent two weeks at No, 1 in the U.S. and an astounding 109 weeks — more than two years — in the top 10.He won his Oscar for the 2010 film Beginners and most recently was Oscar nominated for the Ridley Scott-directed All the Money in the World. In that film, he replaced Kevin Spacey in the role of J. Paul Getty after Spacey had an #MeToo downfall. Plummer most recently co-starred in the ensemble of the Rian Johnson-directed Knives Out.

Born on December 13, 1929, in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Plummer began his professional career on stage and radio in both French and English. After his New York debut in 1954, the actor went on to star in many celebrated productions on Broadway and London’s West End, winning accolades on both sides of the Atlantic.

Source: Christopher Plummer Dead: ‘Sound Of Music,’ ‘All The Money In The World’ Star – Deadline

Pittsburgh casting call for extras in Sandra Oh-starring Netflix dramedy ‘The Chair’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The show is written and created by Amanda Peet and executive produced by the creators of “Game of Thrones.”

A few lucky local actors who meet very specific qualifications may soon get the opportunity to work on a new Netflix show set to film in the Pittsburgh area.

The Pittsburgh Film Office announced in December that Netflix series “The Chair,” starring Sandra Oh (“Killing Eve” and “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Jay Duplass (“Transparent”), would be filming in the Pittsburgh region in the near future. The show will be written and co-created by Amanda Peet, mostly known for her acting work, and executive produced by “Game of Thrones” creators David Benioff (Ms. Peet’s husband) and D.B. Weiss.

“The Chair” is a six-episode dramedy that is part of the $200 million “multiyear film and TV” deal Netflix struck with Benioff and Weiss in August 2019.

Source: Pittsburgh casting call for extras in Sandra Oh-starring Netflix dramedy ‘The Chair’ | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Worst Movies of 2020 According to Variety Critics – Variety

1. Dolittle

Drug dealers used to have the mantra “Don’t get high on your own supply.” Maybe movie stars should live by the credo “Dolittle — just don’t do it.” The 1998 reboot was merely another middling Eddie Murphy comedy, but this Robert Downey Jr. remake achieves the staggering feat of being much, much worse than the fabled, creaky-boned 1967 Hollywood musical debacle. Is the problem the charmless critters? The ungodly mess of a story? Or the mechanical whimsy of Downey, who barely talks to the animals because he’s so busy talking to himself? All of the above. “Dolittle” is a movie that’s more excruciating than the sum of its frenetic yet lifeless kiddie-blockbuster parts.

2. The Last Thing He Wanted

The first mistake made by the gifted filmmaker Dee Rees (“Mudbound,” “Pariah”) was deciding to adapt one of Joan Didion’s worst forays into fiction: her 1996 tale of a Washington Post reporter who becomes an arms dealer for the U.S. government. The second mistake was to bold-face every only-in-a-Didion-novel twist and contrivance, and to have Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, and Willem Dafoe chew on the turgidly incoherent espionage dialogue as if they were acting in some breathless political noir. The result is a movie that gets so lost in the thickets of its pretension that you need a machete to cut through it.

3. I’m Thinking of Ending Things

used to create lyrically spiky head trips that teased your brain and heart at the same time. Now he makes sodden puzzles that don’t quite add up because they’re too busy telegraphing their cantankerous oddity. His latest trip down the rabbit hole of scrubby dream logic centers on a morose geek (Jesse Plemons) who’s too gnarled to connect to anyone, from his girlfriend (Jessie Buckley) to his Samuel Beckett sitcom parents (David Thewlis and Toni Collette) to the audience. But the spirit of disconnection is mother’s milk to Kaufman, and “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is a depressive half-baked Twilight Zone — it’s all about the janitor! yeah, keep telling yourself that — that unravels before your eyes.

4. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

There are bad movies everyone hates and bad movies some people like (like “Ishtar” or “Xanadu”), and there’s no question that Will Ferrell’s I’m-an-idiot Nordic songfest burlesque has its cult of fans, who view it as an ironic expression of pop sincerity. Yet what about the jokes — as in, all of them — that just lie flat and sit there, like something on a plate of warm herring? Or the way that the movie can’t decide if Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, as an Icelandic duo who stumble into the Eurovision Song Contest, are bad singers, so-bad-they’re-good-singers, or good singers? The movie doesn’t satirize the annual Europop competition so much as it presents it, as if its very existence were funny. It’s not.

5. Guest of Honour

Atom Egoyan keeps masticating his old tropes — noodgy inspectors and disreputable bus drivers, secrets within mysteries within flashbacks, sexual indiscretion with a minor — in this jaw-droppingly convoluted and unconvincing family melodrama, which is centered around a restaurant that serves fried bunny-rabbit ears. Both the dish and the movie are supremely unappetizing, yet Egoyan, whose best films (“The Sweet Hereafter,” “Felicia’s Journey,” “Chloe”) now seem a world away, is increasingly content to play in Egoyan World, a jungle gym of ludicrous contrivance.

Source: The Worst Movies of 2020 According to Variety Critics – Variety

Sean Connery: James Bond actor dies aged 90

He was the first to bring the role to the big screen and appeared in seven of the spy thrillers.

Daniel Craig paid tribute to Sean Connery, calling his fellow 007, “one of the true greats of cinema.” Connery died overnight in his sleep. He was 90.

In a decades-long career, Connery won an Oscar for “The Untouchables” and appeared in such hits as “The Rock,” “The Man Who Would Be King,” “Time Bandits” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” He was best known, however, as the man who introduced James Bond to moviegoers with 1962’s “Dr. No.” Connery would go on to play the suave super-spy in six more films, including “Goldfinger,” “Thunderball” and “From Russia With Love.” As Bond, a ladies man with a license to kill, Connery was witty and sophisticated, with an ever-present hint of danger.

Craig became the most recent Bond in 2006’s “Casino Royale.” He’s played the role a total of five times, with the upcoming “No Time to Die” as his final outing. In recent times, Craig is generally considered to be the best Bond…with the exception of Connery’s original.

“It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema,” Craig said in a statement. “Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style. The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster. He will continue to influence actors and film-makers alike for years to come. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course.”

Source: Sean Connery: James Bond actor dies aged 90

Stage Right plans outdoor, circus sideshow-inspired ‘Rocky Horror Show Live’ | TribLIVE.com

Get ready to do the time warp again.

Stage Right Theatre Company will stage “The Rocky Horror Show Live” under a big top tent on Oct. 23-24 and 30-31.

There will be a few pandemic-driven changes to the company’s long-running Halloween season production, including the outdoor venue, said director and Stage Right founder Tony Marino.

“What won’t change is the blast people are going to have,” he said.

The 40-by-80-foot “glorious, giant circus tent” sheltering the production will be set up in Stage Right’s parking lot at 105 W. Fourth St., Greensburg.“It was really important to us that if we were going to do this (that) we did it safely,” Marino said. “So the tent is huge and will have sides rolled up to provide airflow, (and) we are only selling 200 tickets per show.”And where there’s a circus tent, there should be a circus atmosphere, he said.Members of the show’s ensemble will be costumed as iconic sideshow and circus freak characters.“That seems to fit 2020 more than anything,” Marino said. “More than being a Halloween staple, that seems to fit the intersection of where we are now.”

Source: Stage Right plans outdoor, circus sideshow-inspired ‘Rocky Horror Show Live’ | TribLIVE.com

The Palace Theatre’s new livestream system will bring arts into homes | TribLIVE.com

While audiences are unable to come to The Palace Theatre, Westmoreland Cultural Trust will bring programming to audiences with a new livestreaming service.

“Livestreaming will allow us to bring back much-needed entertainment and cultural experiences that have been missing since the pandemic began,” said April Kopas, CEO of Westmoreland Cultural Trust, which operates the theater. “With the easing of restrictions for indoor gatherings, there is the potential for an event to offer both an online experience to the public and a smaller, intimate (but socially distanced) in-theatre live experience, while adhering to our increased safety protocols.”

The virtual platform will allow regional cultural organizations and nonprofits to showcase local arts and entertainment in live performances viewed from the comforts of home, according to a release.

Source: The Palace Theatre’s new livestream system will bring arts into homes | TribLIVE.com

Emmys 2020: List Of Winners – Succession Is Best Drama, Schitt’s Creek Sweeps Comedy Awards

Succession also fetched the Outstanding Actor, (Drama) Award for Jeremy Strong and Outstanding Direction and Writing (Drama) awards

Here’s the list of winners at the Emmys 2020:

Outstanding Drama Series:Succession

Outstanding Comedy Series: Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Variety Talk Show: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Outstanding Limited Series: Watchmen

Outstanding Television Movie: Bad Education

Outstanding Actor – Comedy: Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek)

Outstanding Actor – Drama: Jeremy Strong, (Succession)

Outstanding Actor – Limited Series or Movie: Mark Ruffalo (I Know This Much Is True)

Outstanding Actress – Comedy: Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)

Outstanding Actress – Drama: Zendaya, (Euphoria)

Outstanding Actress – Limited Series or Movie: Regina King (Watchmen)

Outstanding Supporting Actor – Comedy: Daniel Levy, (Schitt’s Creek)

Outstanding Supporting Actor – Drama: Billy Crudup, (The Morning Show)

Outstanding Supporting Actor – Limited Series or Movie: Yahya Abdul-Mateen 2 (Watchmen)

Outstanding Supporting Actress – Comedy: Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek

Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama: Julia Garner, (Ozark)

Outstanding Supporting Actress – Limited Series or Movie: Uzo Aduba (Mrs America

Outstanding Director – Comedy: Daniel Levy, (Schitt’s Creek)

Outstanding Director – Drama: Andrij Parekh, (Succession)

Outstanding Director – Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special: Maria Schrader (Unorthodox)

Outstanding Writing – Comedy: Daniel Levy, (Schitt’s Creek)

Outstanding Writing – Drama:Jesse Armstrong, (Succession)

Outstanding Writing – Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special: Damon Lindelof, Cord Jefferson (Watchmen)

Outstanding Competition Program: RuPaul’s Drag Race

 

 

Governors Award: Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation

Source: Emmys 2020: List Of Winners – Succession Is Best Drama, Schitt’s Creek Sweeps Comedy Awards

YWCA’s 15th annual ‘Girls in Pearls’ fashion show goes virtual | TribLIVE.com

Set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26, the 15th annual show will feature clients, customers and friends of the YWCA modeling clothing from the YWCA Thrift Shop in downtown Greensburg, along with a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and information on the YWCA’s childcare, racial justice, technology, health and wellness and adult education programs.

“You will enjoy previewing all of the beautiful fall clothes you can buy at our thrift shop at unbelievably low prices while learning about all of the programs that we offer,” said Y interim director Gina McGrath. “The winners of the basket raffle, 50/50 tickets and mystery envelopes will also be announced.”

Source: YWCA’s 15th annual ‘Girls in Pearls’ fashion show goes virtual | TribLIVE.com

Artist creating huge street mural in Downtown Pittsburgh | TribLIVE.com

The mural, titled “Colorful Growth/Soft Waves,” should be finished by Friday and will remain there until Nov. 2.

Jayla Patton’s piece is one of several temporary public art works commissioned by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership as part of its REFORGE Downtown initiative.

Source: Artist creating huge street mural in Downtown Pittsburgh | TribLIVE.com

Pittsburgh teens get launched in the music biz thanks to the Reimagination Project – NEXTpittsburgh

When Na’Chelle Simone submitted a song to WYEP’s Reimagination Project, she hoped it was good enough to be released on the compilation album featuring young musicians from the area.

Na’Chelle, an 18-year-old  from Homewood, had no idea “Rise Up” would earn national attention through a story featured on National Public Radio. But the most significant benefit was how the song ameliorated a family issue: “Rise Up” became a bridge back to her mother, with whom Na’Chelle had been having difficulties.

“It was just a misunderstanding between me and my mom,” Na’Chelle says. “But once she heard the song and liked it, we talked about it. I feel like it helped us.” (Listen to it here, along with other Reimagination Project songs.)

Source: Pittsburgh teens get launched in the music biz thanks to the Reimagination Project – NEXTpittsburgh

Pittsburgh Ballet And Opera To Be Seen On Pittsburgh’s CW | Newsradio 1020 KDKA

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, presented by BNY Mellon, has moved to Pittsburgh’s CW for this year.

The concert series continues this Sunday Aug. 16, with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Opera.

Tune in to the CW this Sunday at 7:00 p.m. to catch the weekly concert series.

You can watch a replay of every concert on the Allegheny County Parks’ Facebook page or the Allegheny County YouTube channel.

To see the full concert lineup or to replay past shows, visit the the Allegheny County website.

Source: Pittsburgh Ballet And Opera To Be Seen On Pittsburgh’s CW | Newsradio 1020 KDKA

Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival canceled | TribLIVE.com

 

The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival, scheduled for July 2-5 in Twin Lakes Park, has been canceled.

“It was a difficult decision for the board to make, and we waited as long as we possible could,” said Executive Director Diane Shrader. “But public safety has to come first, and there are still so many unknowns.”

A major factor in the decision was concern for the vendors.

“Our vendors come from as far as California and Florida,” Shrader said. “Would they be able to travel? Could they find hotel rooms? Could we provide for their safety?”

The festival will go on in virtual form, Shrader said. Links to vendor and band websites will be available on the festival website.

Source: Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival canceled | TribLIVE.com

Woodstock 50 Canceled By Its Investors : NPR

The Dentsu Aegis Network, which had been funding the ambitious, three-day 50th-anniversary music festival with headliners including Jay-Z and Santana, says that the August event will not happen.

“We are committed to ensuring that the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture,” Woodstock 50 LLC said in a statement. “Although our financial partner is withdrawing,  we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners. We would like to acknowledge the State of New York and Schuyler County for all of their hard work and support. The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be,  and it’s going to be a blast.”

In This Article: Woodstock

Source: Woodstock 50 Canceled By Its Investors : NPR

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