Hudson Rush, Author at I 💛 PGH

The Northside hosted the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival earlier this year. As expected from preview press nights and word-of-mouth, the Northside proved to be a vibrant, bustling location for this innovative art-filled event. Between the great food and drink from East Ohio Street establishments – including Max’s Tavern, the Park House and Arnold’s Tea Room – and the open-minded people embracing creative happenings and impromptu street exhibitions, any and everyone involved will forever connect the Northside to special memories of their Fringe weekend.

What did come as a pleasant surprise was my introduction to the Neu Kirche Contemporary Art Center. Located at 1000 Madison Avenue, this 125-year-old renovated church is quickly becoming a hub of activity with programs ranging from public art and urban regeneration initiatives to residency opportunities and weekly youth yoga classes. To find out more about all the center has to offer, please visit their website at http://neukirche.org/.

Interior view of the Neu Kirche space. (Photo credit: Neu Kirche website)

While you peruse what there is to see online, just know pictures could never do this space justice in both atmosphere and acoustics. When my Fringe Festival show, Resurrection, was moved to their sanctuary, the gift of presenting while surrounded by stained glass windows and serene silence brought a new level to the piece that could not be matched.

Floor plan of studio space at Neu Kirche.

Artists of all disciplines are welcome to apply for studio spaces at the Neu Kirche, while organizations can use other rooms for meetings and events, including the chapel. The staff, Lee Parker, Sarah Keeling and Oreen Cohen, are so inviting and approachable that even the most introverted of creatives can feel at ease with any questions and/or joining any programs of interest.

I would strongly suggest signing up on their mailing list to make sure you do not miss the latest and greatest from what is an inspiring Pittsburgh spot for innovative artistic practices.

Follow Neu Kirche on Facebook & Twitter @Neu_Kische.

If you are looking for experimental plays, one-person shows and performance art without a filter, the second annual Pittsburgh Fringe Festival comes to the North Side this weekend, May 8-10. If you are anything like me, I hadn’t heard about the Fringe last year when it took place in Shadyside. And, like so many of the more subversive events I find so fascinating in this city, I found out through old school word-of-mouth. So, after doing my own research, becoming involved and now preparing to participate in Pittsburgh Fringe, here is a quick and easy guide to what you need to know and what you can learn about this hidden Pittsburgh treasure:

A 5 Point Guide to the 2015 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival

1. Festival Details: For show descriptions, tickets and volunteer opportunities on the Fringe, please go to the official website: pittsburghfringe.org

2. Location, location, location: the North Side is hosting this year’s artists. Fringe Central is at Arnold’s Tea Room. Here you can see the entire layout: http://pittsburghfringe.org/images/map@2x.jpg

3. Explore the Neighborhood: In between shows, please take advantage of all of our hosting establishments as seen in the map. From food and beverage to art, tattoos and recreation, find more of what they offer here:

Arnold’s Tea Room: http://www.arnoldsteapittsburgh.com/
Bistro To Go & Company: http://bistroandcompany.com/
Max’s Allegheny Tavern: http://www.maxsalleghenytavern.com/
Neu Kirche: http://neukirche.org/
RandyLand: http://randy.land/
City of Asylum: http://cityofasylum.org/
The New Bohemian: https://www.facebook.com/thenewbohemian
Allegheny Commons Park North: http://www.alleghenycommons.org/

4. Podcast: For a more personal touch , listen to an AP collection podcast with Pittsburgh Fringe Artistic/Executive Director, Dan Stiker, and two Fringe artists (yes, one of them is me!) here.

Pittsburgh Fringe Festival // Dan Striker, Hudson Rush, the Mad Muse

5. Social Media Stuff: Follow the Fringe on social media for updates, news, shares and retweets at the following: (and don’t forget to use the official hashtag #makeityourfringe)

Facebook: facebook.com/Pghfringe
Twitter: @pghfringe
Instagram: @pghfringe

And who knows? Once you experience life on the Fringe, you may be inspired to join us next year as the international Fringe phenomenon becomes a local staple for alternative creative practice. Hope to see you there!

5 Things to know about the 2015 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival @pghfringe #makeityourfringe

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