Knit the Bridge

Hey everyone! Sorry for being a horrible blogger the last couple weeks - I promise to get back to all your emails and things in the next couple days, so if you're waiting on my reply, hang on just a bit longer. Today, I'm bringing you guys some photos I took of Knit the Bridge about a week ago and just haven't got to sharing yet. It honestly is so awesome. Unless you think that a bunch of people in Pittsburgh making quilts and then putting them all over the Warhol Bridge is ordinary, then well, you can skip this post I guess.

To find out all the ins and outs of this project, you'll have to go to the Knit the Bridge website and read all they have to say about why they decided to do this. But if you're just looking for some pictures, you've come to the right place! Keep in mind that if you haven't seen the bride in person, there are some upcoming events that you can check out while seeing it all until September 6th, when they plan to take it all down. Don't worry though, those beautiful and colorful blankets will be washed and given to homeless people through out the 'burgh.

And some of my favorites...

Have a colorful Monday, everyone!

Meeting Andy Warhol

Wall along the entrance to the museum.

If you've been around this blog for a while, then you know that I have a (possibly larger than) minor obsession with Andy Warhol. You probably know him, or at least have heard of him as the king of pop art. He was quite possibly one of the most keen observers of the world around us and knew how to make everyday objects into art, and he was from a suburb of Pittsburgh. He's one of my favorite artists because what he calls "pop" I call designing, or advertising, which you also probably know, I love.

Andy once said, "I don't want to get involved, I just want to watch." Which is what I did in his museum yesterday. Because of International Museum Day, The Warhol was free to visitors, and although it is always free for Point Park students, I had the day off and this finally gave me the push to go. I made my way from top to bottom (well 6th floor to 1st since the 7th and 2nd were being prepped for new exhibits) and took my time, though I could have stayed much longer. The 6th floor, filled with Andy's films, the 5th and 4th with the pop art that everyone is probably most familiar with, the 3rd with his "Time Capsules" and Interview Magazine covers and the 1st with the timeline of his life, August 6, 1928 - February 22, 1987.

I loved being his observer. Going alone also allowed me to take the time I wanted to, although I made note that I should have gone there earlier so I wasn't worried about the fact that the museum closes at 5pm, but that just gives me all the more reason to go back, like I plan to. But now, even after I have studied Warhol in college, read books about him and saw a play about him, I now feel like I know him. At least know him better. The museum is a fantastic way to see inside the mind of the unbelievable Warhol, his actual works and works inspired by him and I encourage you to visit. Especially because you aren't allowed to take photos of the exhibits, so you won't see any more visuals here, meaning you have to go see it all and experience it for yourself! Enjoy!

Pittsburgh Gift Guide: For Her

Well you last minute shoppers, I have your solution. If you are right here in Pittsburgh, there are plenty of shops and stores you can easily pop in to and grab some last minute items, or that you can order from them online. So in the spirit of encouraging you to buy local, today I am featuring gift guides that you are welcome to use for your girlfriend, sister or mom and tomorrow I will feature gift guides for your boyfriend, brother or dad. And all of these items are found at shops located right here in Pittsburgh. I tried to stay away from the big name stores that are in town too so you can get a perfect and unique gift for the last people you need to check off your lists. And those of you who think you'll be able to figure out what you're getting from me by looking at these lists, think again! This year I did an ALL handmade Christmas, so nothing here is something you will unwrap. Good try though! And for these Pittsburgh gift guides, as it should be always...ladies first...

For your girlfriend...

#1 Chandelier Earrings from Jupe Boutique | #2 Tickets for two for an upcoming show at the Benedum  

#3 Leather Jacket from Figleaf | #4 Lips Mug from Andy Warhol Museum 

#5 Emerald Green, One Shoulder Dress from ModCloth   

 #6 LOVE Typewriter Necklace from Boutique 208 by juNxtaposition

For your sister...

 #1 Marilyn Monroe from Andy Warhol Museum | #2 Pittsburgh Painting Poster by Johno's Art Studio

#3 Peacock iPhone Cover from ModCloth | #4 Pittsburgh Neighborhood T-Shirt from Neighborhood Teaze

#5 Ugg Slippers from Littles Shoes

For your mama...

 #1 Laser Cutout Handbag from Serendipity | #2 Woodcut Painting from Tugboat Printshop

#3 Unique Necklace from Boutique la Passerelle | #4 Candle from Pittsburgh Candle Company

#5 Spa Giftcard from any Pittsburgh-based Spa

Happy Shopping! Hopefully this little guide - and tomorrow's guide for the men on your list - will help you pick the perfect gifts from some of the great shops we have right here in Pittsburgh!

An Andy Warhol Musical

Ever have such a fabulous night out that once you get home you just want to go out again? Tonight is one of those nights for me. I'm sitting in my bedroom, next to one of the huge windows that shows the most wonderful view of downtown, in my cute (and super cheap) Saks Fifth Ave. dress, wanting to go back out. I have two reasons for this wanting to stay out feeling...1) my beautiful and always a great time friend, Lindsay and 2) City Theatre's production of POP! a new Musical by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs.

POP! a Musical at City Theatre from May 5th through the 27th

POP! is about the Pittsburgh-bred artist, Andy Warhol, and is based around the summer of 1968 event that almost killed him. Who shot Andy Warhol is the question this brilliant musical asks over and over again. While the answer can easily be found out, either by looking on Wikipedia or taking an art history class (which is how I know), is never really told straight out in the musical.

Andy Warhol, one of my absolute favorite artists, is portrayed by one of my absolute favorite actors, Anthony Rapp. You might know of Anthony from his most recognized appearance in the renown musical, RENT, as Mark. I was so star-struck the moment the show started and Anthony appeared on stage and remained so throughout the show, because of how absolutely phenomenal he is as an actor and singer, but especially in this role.

Anthony Rapp & Andy Warhol's picture: CityPaper's Heather Mull photo

But I knew that Anthony would be fabulous. What I didn't know is how outstanding the rest of the cast would be as well. Each one was perfectly cast for this show, I could not imagine their parts being done by anyone else. I loved that three members of the cast where, like Warhol, Pittsburgers. Paul Victor (Ondine) and Courtney Bassett (Edie) are recent Point Park graduates and Jesse Carrey-Beaver (Gerard) is a current CMU senior. These three young, local actors were so amazing. They were joined by Alyse Alan Louis (Valerie), Bria Walker (Viva) and Brian Charles Rooney (Candy Darling), also all amazing.

Alyse does every feminist proud as Valerie Solanas, who is known most for writing the S.C.U.M. Manifesto and basically being a super man-hater. Anyway, Alyse is a little fireball on stage and had my attention every time she took center stage with her huge voice. Bria was the perfect Viva and during the song The Last Laugh, I wanted to shout "get it girl," but obviously that wouldn't be proper for a theater-goer so I just clapped, but she was so fierce and very reminiscent of Jennifer Hudson. And finally I learned my lesson to always read the program before the show starts because Brian, who played trans-woman, Candy Darling, had me guessing the entire show. But regardless of which gender, Brian was also a perfect pick for this cast.

The amazing cast: Post Gazette's Lake Fong photo

Besides just the amazing talent of the cast, the set was also beautiful and used remakes of many of Warhol's work to create "The Factory" were he created his pieces, hung out and was ultimately shot. Every bit of this show screamed fabulous. Some of my favorite parts were; the mocking of some expressionist artists, Paper Doll, Screen Test, Retrospective and the Big Gun song. Paper Doll was a beautiful song sung by Edie that could have easily brought tears to anyone. Screen Test was another beautiful song that involved the entire cast and remade parts of Warhol's Screen Test film where he simply filmed people he knew sitting in front of the camera, saying nothing. Retrospective was a song of just Warhol, giving the audience the first real look inside the mind of the artist. Those two pieces, really did bring a couple tears to my eyes they were so beautiful. However, on the total opposite side of emotion, Big Gun was the most hilarious and well-played song of the entire show, very ball-busting and full of girl power.

The fabulous show was topped off with a wonderful, small get-together for Seton Hill alumni and Lindsay and I loved being the youngest alums there. Representing the class of 2011 in style at an event is always easy to do for me and my girl. It was also fun to be able to interact with not just fellow former Griffins, but a few members of the cast as well. Too bad Anthony didn't make his way over to the party, or else the night would have been completely perfect. Sigh. Maybe next time. And since Lindsay and I plan on seeing the show again before it closes on May 27th, we still have a chance to meet him and of course, see another fabulous performance at the City Theatre!