That Time I Had To Give Away Concert Tickets

I was recently given tickets to the Demi Lovato, Christina Perri and MKTO concert. Unfortunately, I had to give them away due to my work schedule but since I was given them to review the night on my blog, I was sure to pass them along to a friend who would enjoy them...Isaac. He has done a guest post in the past for me and since he's the only Demi fan I think I know, he seemed like the perfect choice. Here's his hilarious account of the event...

I’ll be honest: I’m not really a big “pop diva” fan. I’m not gaga for Gaga, I don’t listen to Katy Perry, and (looks around nervously)…I really don’t care about Beyonce. But occasionally I’ll make an exception and go to a big concert. One of those exceptions is Demi Lovato (it also helps when I get tickets from a friend).

Demi recently kicked off her world tour and one of the first stops was here in Pittsburgh, where she performed at the Petersen Events Center in Oakland. Due to some bus mishaps and general unfamiliarity with the Center on my part, my friend and I missed the opening act, a group called MKTO that seemed pretty cool for the 20 seconds I got to hear them. We were then taken to our lovely seats, which faced the side of the stage. We were close to the action but all picture attempts usually ended in blurriness.

Her second opener was Christina Perri, who I know of but don’t listen to. She opened with “Jar of Hearts” (“Oh, her.” I said to myself.) and then did her more recent songs. She sounded really great and the audience loved her. Even though I still don’t think I’ll be buying her albums anytime soon, I’ll give props and will openly testify that Christina Perri sounds great live.

Also before Demi came on she had a sort of motivational speaker. I forget his name, but he was a young man who’d lost his legs and told his incredible story of not letting that stop him from accomplishing things. He kept using the lyrics from Demi’s ballad “Warrior” as a mantra and kept telling everyone in the audience that they were warriors. Looking around at the crowd of teenage/college-aged girls taking duckface selfies, I have to respectfully disagree, but I get his intent.

Seriously, everyone in that crowd was so young. Which I had expected, but still it was jarring to look around at everybody. I am 25; I felt 47. The only people there older than me were the dads that had accompanied their daughters and looked miserable for 3 hours. By the end of the night I was frantically looking for my daughter, and then I would remember I don’t have one.

Anyway Demi put on one heck of a show. She kept things simple, with four backup dancers and two backup singers accompanying her. Unlike that Miley Cyrus with her “Look at this little person! Look at this bear! Look at my tongue! So much is happening!!!” routine. She had great energy for all her “dance” numbers, including the great single “Heart Attack” and “Let It Go” from Frozen. A surprise cover of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was also fantastic, especially since it took place after a quick costume change (girl was looking great all night).

But as fun as her fast-paced numbers are (my friend calls them “Club Demi”), my favorites are when Demi just sat on a stool with a piano and a guitar and belted out some ballads. Whatever jokes you want to make about a former Disney Channel Star (and you can make a lot), you have to admit that this girl’s got talent and she’s a pro. Her powerful voice soared above the audience during her power ballads like “Warrior” and “Skyscraper”, which never fails to move me in some way. I can’t remember all the songs she sang (girl has four albums) but she rocked them all and the crowd loved it.

So yeah, I’ve crossed “See Demi Lovato in Concert” off the bucket list I didn’t know I had. I’m very thankful to Chelsea for passing me along her tickets. I had a fabulous time at a concert that’s much bigger than the ones I usually go to. I’ve been told my hearing will return by Monday.

Bricolage PGH Presents: War of the Worlds (...& A Giveaway!)

I'll admit that when I was first invited to go to Bricolage for their "midnight radio show" of War of the Worlds, I was a bit skeptical. Considering I had to attend in person for a radio show, I was confused from the get-go. And knowing the history of the original War of the Worlds scaring the pants off of people in 1938 because so many people thought it was a real news broadcast over the radio, not just a show, I was very concerned about what would be going on, but as this blog claims, I'm up for anything that promotes Pittsburgh and well, Bricolage is in the heart of downtown, so off to this interesting event it was.

If you follow me on Twitter, then you already know that I was also asked to live-tweet the event, which made the experience all the more exciting, because I very much love living in a world where everyone can read my sometimes witty comments as they come to me in 140 character increments. Sorry to anyone who was thoroughly confused about my reporting of a meteor hitting McConnell's Mill and martians invading Pittsburgh. 

Anyway, Bricolage put on a damn good show. All skepticism out the door and excitement for the next show is within me. Honestly, this was AMAZING. For those of you (much like myself) who think watching a live radio show would be boring, hold up, there are plenty of visual aspects to this performance. Not only can you quite obviously see the actors and the band, but there is also a large screen behind them for full visual effects of the story, and the commercials, which were hilarious and probably my favorite part. (I'm biased, I just finish two years of non-stop analysis of advertisements and now appreciate a little commercial parody more than the average person. Thanks, grad school.) I also very much enjoyed the ability to see exactly how the sound effects were made for this story and am always charmed by people having fantastic radio voices. 

More than anything the amount of humor and overall fun in this production is really what sold it for me, and the fact that Bricolage has adapted the script to be very much Pittsburgh-based. The original script, if you never heard it, would have been pretty terrifying if you tuned in to the middle of it didn't know that is was just a story. But hearing it set in and around the Pittsburgh area, while sitting in a little dark theater in Pittsburgh, was also slightly scary. Trust me, it's something you do not want to miss!

And here is your chance to win two tickets for yourself to Bricolage's War of the Worlds, with a Pittsburgh twist, on the night of your choice (Friday or Saturday, November 1st, 2nd, 8th or 9th.)

Here's how to enter:

• Like Chels & the City on Facebook.
• Like Bricolage PGH on Facebook. 
• Email the correct answer to the following question to chelsandthecity{at}gmail{dot}com : In 2005, Steven Spielberg directed a film adaption of War of the Worlds, in which the fabulous, Dakota Fanning stared as Rachel Ferrier, daughter to Ray Ferrier, portrayed by Tom Cruise. The, then eleven year old, won what awards for her performance in this role? 

Simple enough in this age of technology, right? The winner will be selected at random from the participants who submit the correct answer and like both pages on Facebook but 10pm on Thursday, October 31st! The winner will be emailed back with details on how to claim their prize! Good Luck!

This is a sponsored post, I received tickets to attend this show 

and for the giveaway for this post, but, as always, all opinions are my own. 

Ending the Summer with Fun in Pittsburgh

Original photo from Knit the Bridge.

So the true purpose of this blog is to show that a lot is going on in Pittsburgh and that there really is something for everyone to enjoy. And this month of August is no exception. Here are so upcoming, and currently happening events that are going on that I am really looking forward to and hope that you get a chance to participate!

Style Week Pittsburgh - Now until Sunday, August 11th | Making it's official debut this week is Style Week Pittsburgh! With fashion-focused events everyday this weekend, you will not be disappointed as a fashion lover in the 'burgh. For all the information check out their calendar and visit Style & Steel for tickets to any of the fabulous events!

The Lt. Dan Band Benefit Concert for Cpl. Doug Vitale - Friday, August 9th | If you're local to the Pittsburgh region, I'm sure you've been hearing about Peters Township's own, Cpl. Doug Vitale, on the news recently. And all about his journey to Afghanistan, which led him to step on an IED, causing him to lose both legs below the knee and have a stroke in both sides of his brain. In the past week, we've heard about him meeting the Steelers and Pirates team members and on Friday, the Lt. Dan Band (yes Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump) with perform in his honor at Stage AE to benefit "Smart Home."

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week - Monday, August 12th until Sunday, August 18th | Can yinz spell YUM? Pittsburgh Restaurant Week begins on Monday for it's biannual "highlighting of fine dining, fresh harvests, outdoor seating and special diets." While the kickoff party is tonight (Thursday, August 8th) you can still enjoy other special events throughout the week as well as select from the the list of participating restaurants to enjoy great dining deals throughout the week! Bon Appetit!

Knit the Bridge - Monday, August 12th until Friday, September 6th | A grassroots, community-led art installation is currently in the works, thanks to multiple community groups and organizations to literally, knit the Andy Warhol Bridge. As you're reading this, people all over the city are creating fiber arts to later be set appropriately on the bridge to celebrate Pittsburgh as a strong city of bridges and steel, with a thriving arts scene. If nothing else, this will make get photo opportunities, but I'm pretty sure it will also blow people's minds.

Any specific events that you're looking forward to for the rest of the summer in Pittsburgh?

Bring in 2013 in the 'burgh!

Well, it's about that time when everyone finally decides what they will be doing when the new year rolls in. But just in case you haven't figured out your plans just yet, here's some suggestions about what's going on in the 'burgh on Monday!

On the top of the list is Highmark's First Night Pittsburgh 2013. By buying a button for the event (only $8 in advance or $10 the day of) you can have your pick of over 100 events and activities, installations, performances, crafts and a parade. All in, out and around the Cultural District that is sure to please everyone in your family, or group of friends. There is so much to do downtown from ice-skating, to watching fireworks and walking through (what I think is) the greatest part of the city, all while anticipating the drop of the ball above Highmark to welcome in the New Year!

If you want to avoid the busy streets and crowds of people, you can take a lovely trip around the city via the Gateway Clipper Fleet. As always, the Clipper has a variety of options for how to spend the holiday. Whether on a dance or dinner cruise, either is a great way to bring in the New Year with the family or with your friends. Either way, you'll get a great view of the city, prime view of the fireworks and a unique way to spend the last moments of 2012 and the first moments of 2013!

But if the "family friendly" vibe is not really what you're going for, then get dressed up and get out to WHIM Nightclub in Station Square. This event is always covered by the Trib and is the spot to be seen and party up with friends the end the year. At this event, there are prizes, giveaways, a balloon drop and a champagne toast to bring in 2013 in style. WHIM is also the only club in Pittsburgh to have a Kryogenifex system which keeps the dance floor up to 40 degrees cooler. So dress to impress knowing you won't have to worry about getting all sweaty and you hair will stay in place!

Any of these locations are sure to please on New Years because of course, it's more about who you're with then what you're doing. But remember, above all, be safe. Try to remember this New Year by enjoying the people you're with the time that you're celebrating. Enjoy your friends and family and enjoy Pittsburgh in 2013!