Pittsburgh Light Up Night

Pittsburgh Light Up Night is this Friday and Saturday downtown.  Fireworks, free activities, and events to get you in the mood for the Holiday Season.  Make sure to check it out with your family, and remember it is free.



 Event: 52nd Annual Light Up Night & First Holiday Saturday
 

Location: Various locations throughout Downtown Pittsburgh
 

Date: Friday, November 16 through Saturday, November 17, 2012
 

Time: 5-10pm Friday, noon-8pm Sunday
 

Cost: Free
 

Description: Free and open to the public, this is Pittsburgh’s official kick-off of the Holiday season. Light Up Night – Light Up Weekend! For up to the minute Light Up Night – Light Up Weekend goings-on, please visit the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s website. Enjoy lots of live performances on multiple stages, the Bridge Party over the Allegheny River, the ceremonial lighting of six trees, an all new stage show – Celebrate Santa, and of course a grand fireworks finale.

For more information check out Living Pittsburgh.

Steelers Pull Out the Win

Everyone in the country is rooting for New York and New Jersey to help them overcome the tragedies of Hurricane Sandy.  However, that did not stop the Steelers from playing with all their heart against the New York Giants on Sunday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a yard to convert a fourth-and-1 from the New York Giants' 3-yard line early in the fourth quarter, and coach Mike Tomlin decided against a run up the middle for a first down, a pass for a touchdown or even the easy field goal to tie the game in favor of the backward flip to kicker Shaun Suisham.

It didn't work. And Foote was livid.

With the execution, not the call itself.

"I'm more mad we didn't execute it because we've been running that play for about five years now! And in practice, Heath Miller comes off and blocks me every time!" Foote told USA TODAY Sports, though he yelled it for about half of the Steelers' locker room to hear after their 24-20 victory at MetLife Stadium.

"We finally ran it and didn't execute!"

In a more measured tone, Foote then added, "That's football."

Foote's reaction summed up the way the Steelers handled a difficult Sunday that certainly wasn't easy for anyone â?? the away team, the home team or the fans.

The Giants were dealing with the worst problems, of course. Some of their players are still without power and have suffered severe damage to their homes because of Hurricane Sandy. Some of the fans lost their houses but showed up at MetLife Stadium on Sunday hoping their team could provide a reason for them to smile at the end of a long, difficult week.

The Steelers had their own comparatively minor issues.

They had to overcome an extremely questionable call that gave the Giants a 70-yard touchdown return on a fumble that should've been ruled an incompletion. Their defense needed to force a stop after Tomlin's head-scratcher of a call resulted in Suisham's easily being tackled by the Giants' Michael Coe, who didn't rush hard off the edge as the Steelers had hoped.

And all of this came after the Steelers flew in the morning of the game instead of arriving a day early because the hotel they'd booked was without power.

Again, compared to what others have been dealt, it's petty stuff. But as it pertains to what happened between the lines, that was a tough, gritty performance by a team that has for years prided itself on being mentally and physically strong.

"It was one of the craziest things ever," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said of the day-of-game travel, "but we might be doing that every week now, I don't know."

Said Foote, "I saw a lot of NFL superstar millionaires sleeping on the floor pregame in the hotel (lobby) with rolled-up shirts as pillows. But, hey, football's football. You put the ball down on the grass, and we'll play."

That's the kind of attitude a championship team needs to have. So when his team shows such a mentality, it's easy to see why Tomlin is encouraged.

"We combated a lot of adversity tonight, and were able to pull it out, particularly with a solid performance in the fourth quarter," Tomlin said, adding this of the failed fake field goal: "They overcame bad coaching sometimes, and that's on me."

But Tomlin's bad coaching might've had some solid reasoning.

You see, the Steelers' defense had just forced a three-and-out that ended with a sack of Eli Manning 
on a third-and-11. On the previous Giants' possession, Pittsburgh had held the Giants to a field goal despite Manning & Co.'s taking over at the Steelers' 33-yard line. Not since Andre Brown's 1-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter had the Giants crossed the goal line.

Tomlin, who was immediately clapping for his defense to get the ball back as soon as Coe tackled Suisham, must've had an inkling his defense would bail him out if his gamble didn't pay off.

"Making that call?" cornerback Ike Taylor said. "Yeah, of course."

Added nose tackle Casey Hampton, "To even do something like that in that situation when you can take the three (points) and tie it up, that lets you know he's got a lot of faith in this defense."

And why not? In their five victories, the Steelers have given up a total of 10 points in the fourth quarter. In their three consecutive wins, they've given up only a field goal in the final period.

They outscored the Giants, who tied an NFL record with seven fourth-quarter comebacks in their Super Bowl season last year, 14-0 in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

"They're one of the best teams in the fourth quarter, and we were probably one of the worst teams in the fourth quarter (early in) the year," linebacker LaMarr Woodley said, referring to the combined 40 points allowed in the fourth quarters of the losses to the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans. "We weren't doing a great job closing out games and playing against one of the best fourth-quarter teams, we answered today."

A bad decision by Tomlin? Overcome. Adversity? Overcome. A 1-2 start? Overcome.
Now, here they come. The Steelers are title contenders once again.

"We're just getting back to playing sound football, we're getting back to closing in the fourth quarter," Taylor said. "The games we lost, we didn't find a way to finish, but we did today."

For more information see News Press.
The Camelot

Daylight Savings Time Ends This Weekend

Do not show up an hour early for class on Monday.  This Saturday night to Sunday make sure to set your clocks back an hour for fall back time.  Enjoy your extra hour of sleep this weekend.

It's time once again for the annual ritual of resetting our clocks for a return to standard time. In fall, we turn daylight saving* time off, which means moving clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning, November 4, 2012. This return to "normal" time (Pacific Standard Time) moves sunset back an hour with the corresponding effect of an earlier sunrise.
 
Unless you plan on being awake and functional at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, set your clocks back one hour before retiring on Saturday night. You'll then be on time for Sunday activities and refreshed from getting an extra hour of sleep. 

For more information see About.com
The Camelot

Thursday Night Affordable Date

Thursday nights in downtown can include dinner, movies, and entertainment for an affordable price.  Here is a great Thursday evening plan that won't cost more than 25 dollars a person.  This plan includes a movie, dinner, and a comedy show with drinks.

Once again, we are here to show you that Downtown Pittsburgh doesn’t have to be an expensive place to play. Here’s how TWO people can enjoy an entire evening Downtown every Thursday for around $40 to $50 including parking and tips. That’s just $20-$25 per person, and this gets you A LOT!

If you’re not already Downtown, you can park your car in one of the local garages after 4 pm for only $5.00. The closest to your destinations will be the Theatre Square Garage, the one at 9th Street and Penn Avenue, or the one at 9th Street and Liberty Avenue.

The first thing to do, now that you’re in the Penn-Liberty Historic District, is to head straight to the Harris Theater. On Thursdays, you can catch a movie for just 5 bucks for KQV-AM’s  5:30 Thursday. Think of it as a special “after-work matinee”.

If you didn’t have time to grab a bite before the movie, by now you’re probably famished! Well, you’re in luck, because at the corner of 9th Street and Liberty Avenue, you’ll find Sammy’s. Sammy’s is famous for their Corned Beef Special. The sandwich is HUGE: a beyond-healthy portion of corned beef topped with the traditional Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and cole slaw on rye, served with a pickle, for $5.99.

When you’re done eating, stroll on over to the Cabaret at Theater Square for their Pittsburgh Improv Jam! For only $3.00 you can enjoy improv comics from all over the ‘Burgh, or even participate if you dare! Late night happy hour begins at 9:00 at The Backstage Bar with $2.50 craft brews and $3.50 select wines, so grab a drink before you head in to have a seat. The comedy show starts at 9:30.

The complete total for your hours-long excursion? $40 to $50 for two people, including parking, movie, food, live comedy, a couple adult beverages, and tips! Enjoy!

Better yet, don’t worry about driving or parking – take the bus! There’s more routes than we can mention that put you right in the heart of the Cultural District.  Use Port Authority’s Trip Planner to get a quick, customized route. Getting there couldn’t be easier! 

For more information check out Living Pittsburgh.

Famous Haunted Houses in Pittsburgh.

 Scarehouse has been receiving tons of attention the past few years.  However, there are many haunted houses in Pittsburgh that will be sure to send you running scared.  From creepy santa's and cannibals to zombies and murder there is something that will make everyone scream.

Creepo is not a clown you want hosting your son's 7th birthday party. The disgruntled ex-entertainer, who resides in The ScareHouse attraction in Etna, is out for blood.

This year, Creepo will don a red Santa hat and warn children, "I know if you've been bad or good, but I'll kill you anyway."

While it's barely October, the Halloween season has long been under way for owners and managers of haunted house attractions. Many spend the entire year preparing for October, when it's finally time to 
put their terrors to the test.

When patrons walk through Creepo's Christmas in 3-D, The ScareHouse's newest theme, they can experience "a little bit of twisted humor," said Scott Simmons, creative director and one of three owners, who also include his wife and father.

The new section of The ScareHouse will be strung with Christmas lights, best viewed through 3-D glasses for a "trippy, surreal spin." This is where Creepo abides, seething over the premature holiday decorations.

Inspiration for this seasonal syncretism came when Mr. Simmons went shopping this month and had to walk past Christmas decorations to reach the Halloween section.

"We thought, you know, this is a little annoying to us because Halloween is our time," Mr. Simmons said.

There is a fine line between humor and fear at The ScareHouse. Whether it's a clown dressed as Santa, a bunny carrying an ax or a living doll who giggles and flirts with patrons, the goal is to combine creepy with cute to defy expectations.

This confusion of the psyche lowers one's guard, which translates into a higher level of fear, said Mr. Simmons.

In addition to the new Creepo's Christmas section, changes have been made to the two other attractions, The Forsaken and Pittsburgh Zombies -- the latter of which will be "much darker, scarier and with many more zombies," Mr. Simmons said.
•
At Terror Town in the Strip District, the fright factor involves a few monsters but also real spirits said to be hovering in every corner. Preparing to open for its second year, the all-indoor basement-level attraction is "one of the most paranormal-active locations in Pennsylvania," said manager Chris Firman.

"You'll be walking through one portion and it's a normal temperature, and you turn a corner and it's freezing cold," Mr. Firman said of the unusual activity in the building, which was constructed in 1921 and used by Standard American Cable.

The 35-minute tour of post-apocalyptic Terror Town -- which sank underground and became inhabited by cannibals and other bloodcurdling creatures -- includes a walk through an abandoned bus, a funeral home and the kitchen of a family who wants to feed visitors severed appendages and entrails.
•
While the owners of many haunted houses have an affinity for the gruesome and gory, Castle Blood owner Ricky Dick takes a different approach. The Gothic theatrical attraction in Westmoreland County is suitable for children and adults alike.

"The 'blood' in Castle Blood doesn't mean carnage; it means that we're owned by vampires," Mr. Dick said. "Vampires don't need chain saws, they don't need Michael Myers and they don't need killer clowns."

Formerly based in Beallsville, then Bentleyville, the 20th anniversary of Castle Blood will be celebrated in a new location in Monessen this year.

City planners approached Mr. Dick and asked if he would move Castle Blood to Monessen to promote business and the town's revitalization efforts. He agreed, seeing the benefit of an all-indoor location that would enable Castle Blood to stay open on select dates year-round.

Plans are already in the mix for a spooky Christmas affair and a "terrifyingly bloody" Valentine's Day event.

Castle Blood is set up like a game for Halloween, and this year patrons will need to appease a phantom to reach the exit safely. "Phoenix Rising" will involve transformation, rebirth and resurrection of vampires -- a fitting theme for an anniversary celebration in a new location.

"After 19 years, a fresh start is good for the 20th," Mr. Dick said.

For more information see the Post Gazette.

Free Events in Pittsburgh

A day out in Pittsburgh with the family can be expensive for anyone.  Here are some great events throughout the week that you can do with your family for free.

There are more free admission days this weekend than you can shake a stick at! For kids, adults, and everyone in between, there’s no excuse not to do something fabulously fun and FREE this weekend!  RADical Days is a thank you to the public for its support of our regional assets, such libraries, parks, museums, cultural organizations, regional facilities and municipal services, through the RAD sales tax.

 Saturday, October 13

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Sketch Crawl
Free Tours of WQED – FM 89.3
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
South Park Hay Day
Pittsburgh Opera Brown Bag Concert

For more information see Living Pittsburgh.

STREB: Forces

Streb: Forces is a show with a little bit of everything.  Dancing, stunts, and acrobatics are just some of the performances included in this massive show.   Elizabeth Streb's choreography is called "Pop Action" as it combines circus arts with dance and stunt work.  This provides the audience with an amazing show that everyone should see at least once.

Elizabeth Streb is a mad scientist. 

How else would you describe a woman who devises diabolically dangerous-looking scenarios for her group of "action heroes" (a.k.a. "action engineers"), who dodge swinging cinder blocks, fall flat to the ground from multiple-story heights and run for their lives inside a monster-sized hamster wheel — all in the name of entertainment? 

In truth, Streb is an award-winning choreographer who has developed a unique movement form she calls "Pop Action." It combines science and human daring with elements of dance, the circus arts and Hollywood stuntwork. 

After a long absence, Streb and her self-named New York-based company return to Pittsburgh and the Byham Theater Sept. 28 and 29. Their latest "Action" spectacular, STREB: Forces, is the season-opener for the Pittsburgh Dance Council. 

The company is fresh off a stint at London's Cultural Olympiad, part of the festivities surrounding the London Olympics. There, STREB performed action events at seven London landmarks, including the Millennium Bridge and Trafalgar Square. Now, STREB brings to Pittsburgh perhaps its most theatrical multimedia production to date. 

For the all-ages STREB: Forces, the company is trucking in 15 tons of equipment, including machines designed to create artificial gravity and the illusion of flight for the performers.
Jam-packed with thrilling works and action events with names like "Crush," "Fall," "Invisible Forces" and "Roboto," STREB: Forces marries the scientific principles of motion with the adrenaline rush of a super coaster ride. 

Some elements of the show may be similar to past productions. For instance, there's "Spatial Rifts," a revamped version of Streb's popular vertical-wall piece "Run Up Walls," in which performers crash into, climb onto and throw themselves against a transparent wall. This time around, Streb says, the performers will be attached to one another in pairs to create a counterweight system: When one goes down, the other goes up. And much of show is new, including an action event that simulates moonwalking using a 30-feet-by-30-feet frictionless floor. 

 "These things burst into reality from playing around with new pieces of equipment at our Action Lab," says Streb by the phone from New York City, where the Lab is located. "They are the mad trajectories of what brings joy and action to people's lives."

For more information see The City Paper.