When I moved to Pittsburgh last year from a big city, I have to admit that I was a little concerned about the lesbian scene here, or lack thereof–but I was very pleasantly surprised. Despite what I saw on Queer as Folk, it is NOT all about Liberty Avenue, especially not for women. We do have a regular hangout we can head to if we want to shoot pool, grab a cold one after softball, or get sweaty on the dance floor. OK, it’s not fancy or anything, but everyone knows that they can always head dahn Donny’s when they want to socialize with other dykes. But a lot more is happening outside the local bars…
Regent Square is probably the best place in town to spot lesbians in their natural habitat. Everytime I go there to meet someone, go for a jog or walk the dogs at Frick Park, I can’t go two steps without running into another dyke. I would definitely recommend this part of town to newcomers! While you’re there, step into The Square Cafe for the tasty food and lesbian eye candy, or D’s Six Pax and Dawgs, for a cheap, loaded hotdog washed down with a cold brew from their amazing selection of beer.
And I’ve discovered that some of the best stuff for gay ladies in the Steel City are things that women have organized themselves. Like the monthly Queers! They’re What’s for Dinner gatherings hosted by Ehrrin Keenan at the Gypsy Cafe on the Southside. If you’re new to town or maybe just want to get out there and meet some fresh faces, you should email Ehrrin–she can put you on her Evite list for the dinners, and on her queers mailing list, which will update you about other happenings of lesbian interest around the ‘burgh. You’ll find out about book clubs, game nights, karaoke, singles dinners, political actions, and all kinds of local performances.
Because another thing I love about Pittsburgh are all the talented performers! Soulful local veteran Joey Murphy hosts regular queer singer/songwriter nights featuring well-known acts stopping by on national tours, as well as up-and-coming ‘burghers. Joey also hosts an open-mic night for acoustic singer/songerwiters as part of MySpace Mondays over at Moondog’s. This coming Monday night you can check out the Emmy-winning Carol Lee Espy, get up onstage yourself (there are prizes for participants), or just enjoy a cold drink and soak in the sounds. And it’s not just for the gay ladies–anyone is welcome!
I heart Pittsburgh because of all the gorgeous and talented women who make it such a great place to live. If you want to know more about the local dyke scene, email Ehrrin to get on the mailing list, check out the Pittsburgh Dykes profile on MySpace, and read the Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondants’ newsy and political blog.
Really, there’s not enough Aqua Net in the world to do this show justice… But try, I will. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Poison frontman Bret Michaels (nee Bret Michael Sychak), as the Butler native headlines a show of two HUGE 80s hair metal bands. Cinderella got short-changed by a lot of folks, but they’re musically one of the better bands in the whole genre (or “zhon-durr” as a former coworker of mine used to say, that always went over well in client meetings, right up there with using “irregardless” without a trace of irony). The heat index out in Burgettstown is going to jump by about 15 degrees from the Bic lighters held aloft when Poison busts out “Every Rose”, so make sure you keep hydrated. Remember, though – Every bad boy’s got a soft side, at least accoring to the commercial for “Metal Ballads” or whatever that compilation disc was called, so don’t get all judgmental if the guy next to you in his mid-30s tears up, just a little, of course… Just a little…
So this is a screening of the movie, but it’s a sing-a-long version, which I think means there’ll be, I dunno, subtitles up somewhere. So it’s kinda like karaoke without the drunks. That’s probably a good thing for a family event. My singing at karaoke is something quite atrocious, and when I sing loud enough, I always sound precocious. Luckily, the crowd at Del’s is pretty forgiving. The Byham’s probably pretty much the same, except, y’know… not boozin’ it up.
Put on your red shoes (or moon boots) and dance the blues. This is hosted by MTV’s Susie Castillo, and one of the judges is Franco Harris. FRANCO HARRIS! This is an all ages event, and a dance party open to everyone will follow the competition. Sweet.
What’s a Saturday in Pittsburgh without fireworks? I’ll tell ya what it is, it’s a waste of bloody time, is what it is. This thing actually kicks off at 7 in the blessed AM with a fishing tournament, but the bands don’t start until 3ish. Trisha Yearwood is the headliner, which means she plays right before the fireworks start, but local country rockers and Big Ben favorites the Povertyneck Hillbillies take the stage at 5:30.
“Jam band Suvivors” and local legends return as part of their Summer tour. They do a great live show, and a homecoming should be even better, cause, y’know, their parents’ll probably be there, and you always try harder if mom’s watching.
No, not the Japanese horror flick, and no, this has no Hobbits. This is 
Natalie, darlin’… Call me. I’ll pick you up in the truck, we’ll go down to the Stew Ball, have a couple longnecks, shoot some pool, play a tune or two by Slim Chance and the Can’t Hardly Playboys on the juke box. At some point, I’ll say Yee-ha. Trust me on that, sweetheart. Hoo-ee, I love me some good geetar playin’ and fiddlin’, and this show should have it.
This benefits the greater Pittburgh Community Food Bank, and the lineup is good all weekend, but it seems especially so today, with Lee Rocker, The Yardbirds, and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Plus, there’ll be whole raft of local artists too. Go, listen, order four fried chickens and a coke. Or some dry white toast. Whichever.