Denial

Is there a way all of Pittsburgh can unite and completely deny that both Dance Moms and Rick Santorum hail from our beloved black and gold city? C'mon guys, it'll be easy! We can be all, "Hmmm? Rick who? Abby what? No, no,no - we've never heard those names before. Must be from Portland."

pic from toxichominid.com

I am a strong believer that neither accurately represent Pittsburgh....

pic from gawker.com

In very different ways.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra IDOL!

There's four words I thought I'd never consecutively say in the same sentence.
Alas, I have... and I have to admit, I'm kind of pumped and not just because I'm a music freak.

Last night, as I was watching the news, Sally Wiggin told me that - starting Thursday, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will host a concerto competition via YouTube, on which people who play any one of 10 instruments — piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet or harp — can upload clips up to 10 minutes long on YouTube until March 22 (AP). The orchestra senior VP explained that they wanted to apply  "21st century technology" as means to scout young, unknown talent. I say unknown because one of the stipulations to the contest is that any contenders can not already have representation.
There's also a couple of other stipulations:The contenders are required to play certain concertos without accompaniment, and at any time the PSO reserves the right to over rule public opinion - or not even choose a winner at all.


After March 22nd, some PSO musicians and other officials will judge the clips and post 20 semi-finalist videos on April 13. AT that point, the public will vote on the four finalists until April 30, and those four will get a paid flight to the 'Burgh to audition for conductor Manfred Honeck. IF Honeck picks a winner, he/she will receive gets $10,000 and a paid trip to perform with the orchestra at Heinz Hall this fall.


I have to say.... I'm pretty impressed and proud. Even though it seems like PSO is hesitant in regards to completely letting the public determine a winner; wanting to maintain ultimate control over the decision, I'm excited that such a well-established organization from Pittsburgh would be the first to do something new, exciting and original.  Even though reps from the PSO don't want to call it a "Mozart meets Idol," that's exactly what it seems like. Except no drunk Paula Abdul or Steven Tyler, or whoever the heck is on American Idol these days.


For the record, PSO is calling it " PSO Concerto Competition."


Here's more details from Sally.

Just thought yinz should know...

.... I ate Nancy B's cookies for after lunch the other day. Be jealous - very, very jealous.

I took a picture before I inhaled them all one. Just for yinz.

Meet Pittsburgh Dad!

My twitter feed just told me about an event this Tuesday where you can meet the team of The Mercury Men & Pittsburgh Dad at The Hollywood Theater in Dormont at their screening starting at 7pm! The Mercury Men is a throwback to the movies that inspired Star Wars and Indiana Jones.. Before the screening of Mercury Men, various Pittsburgh Dad episodes and clips will be shown. Basically, you can get your Sci-Fi and your Pittsburgh on all at once.Tickets are seven bucks for Adults and 5 bucks for the kiddos.

Immediately following the movie will be a Q&A/Meet & Greet with writer/director Chris Preksta, co-star Curt Wootton (the Pittsburgh Dad), and co-star Mark Tiern.


In case you are unfamiliar with the genius of these gentlemen, here's a new Pittsburgh Dad for your viewing pleasure:

Letang Le Sigh

Tuesday:

Burned in my mind's eye:

I prefer the latter.

LETS GO PENS

Real Quick N'at

1. I found this magnificent Pittsburgh t- shirt on Pinterest and desperately want it. What I don't want is to pay the $7 in shipping fees. Here's hoping Ford will read this post before Valentine's Day and get it for me. If Ford doesn't read it until after Valentine's Day, here's hoping he'll feel guilty enough to buy it for me anyways. 

2. Ford doesn't like this shirt, even though he loves Geno, the Pens, et al. What's not to love about this shirt?!

.......................................

3.. Pittsburgh has been named the 6th most Literate City in the country. Of course, being that you're reading this blog, this comes as no surprise to you, you genius, you.


4. I automatically assume all of you readers are geniuses. You're reading my blog, arent you?


5. I still never did eat that cap egg sandwich from Primanti Bros. Don't worry it's on my "To Eat  Do" List. 


6. I don't have a "To Eat" List. That would be ridiculous.  Or would it!?!?

Pittsburgh Food

1.  It's voting time! Go on over to Pittsburgh Magazine and vote for your favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh! If you even consider Eat n' Park, I will find you, throw breadcrumbs in your yard, so you wake up to scores of scary-ass city pigeons outside your window. Get your ass to NOLA, or BRIX, or Girasole for the love of Sauerkraut Saul.  Hugs!


2. The Pioneer Woman is coming to Pittsburgh! I stumbled upon her blog about a year or two ago, and absolutely love her recipe ideas. She has already written and published cookbook #1, and will include the 'Burgh in part of her cookbook #2 tour. On her facebook page, she is taking suggestions of where to hold her book signing, and places to visit during her time in the Steel City. 


3. I'm jonesing for a Primanti Bros capicola and egg sammich. Thought you should know.

Happy Friday! It was 53 degrees when I woke up this January 27th morning!