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I just did so myself, and be assured: It’s quick ‘n’ easy.

There was a rather obvious sincerity to Smokey Robinson’s declaration of his love for Pittsburgh and his extreme pleasure at performing in the gorgeous Benedum Center last night. Smokey may not have been here as part of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts, but his sentiment was similar to the sum of that project: The cultural assets in Pittsburgh could go toe-to-toe with any American city

13 Most Beautiful

I feel a little sad and a little relieved entering the Byham Theater for the world premiere of 13 Most Beautiful…Songs for Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests. The 2008 Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts is at an end, and the entrancing performance of 13 Most Beautiful was a perfect toast to a truly memorable and transformative festival.

I arrived at the New Hazlett Theater on Thursday night to the buzz of yet another sold out show. The Department by the Jo Stromgren Kompani opened with much anticipation on the closing weekend of the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts.

The Department

 

Recently, I tried to see the Gravity of Light exhibit by the revered Starn twins. In addition to moonlighting as a PIFOF blogger, I work a 9 to 5-er. Seeing that Gravity of Light was only open from noon-6pm during the week, I had to duck out early to get to the Strip District by 5. At 5:10, I am clearly standing in front of worn brick warehouse with the number 3000 tattooed across it. “3000 Liberty Avenue” the brochure says.

Gravity of Light

But I can’t find the entrance. I recognize a blurry poster of a gray-faced monk from promo materials, which is pasted over a small door that opens onto Liberty. I pull on the door. I yank. I push. Nothing. I try knocking. I knock louder. Perhaps I’m just at the wrong place. Luckily, I know who to call — Doug McDermott, technical theatre guru extraordinaire, and with Rob Long the heart of Clear Story Creative, the production company managing the festival.

13 Most Beautiful...

 

 

 

Ann Buchanan is crying. She’s always crying, and always will be crying, and it’s likely that no one can ever – ever – tell you why.

Special Dean & Britta/13 Most Beautiful ticket offer to Blog readers!

Dean and Britta

 

 

 

 

As many most of you know, Dean and Britta (formerly of indie-dream-pop superstars Luna) will be in town this week

“…For light doth seize my brain…” – Wm. Blake

Jo Stromgren Kompani The Department

Interview with Jo Stromgren

This weekend the whirlwind that is the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts will close with a work by the internationally revered Jo Stromgren Kompani from Norway. The company is led by multi-faceted performing arts entrepreneur, Jo Stromgren who directs, writes, and choreographs a wide range of theatre, dance, and original works around the globe. He was gracious enough to speak with me briefly before hopping on yet another international flight

I like to imagine theater bars as little enclaves of the dramatic world’s anarchic traditions – the type of tavern Richard Harris and Peter O’Toole would dive into for a swift half during some second’s soliloquy.