Tag Archives: Pinball

PAPA World Pinball Championships: Aug. 8-11 2013

Yesterday, a few of the Yinzterns took a trek out to Carnegie, PA to check out the World Pinball Championships. With no idea what to expect, it is no exaggeration to say we were floored by the experience.

In Carnegie, a large white nondescript warehouse holds hundreds of pinball machines. Opened to the public only four days a year, people come from all over the world to participate in the 16th Professional & Amateur Pinball Association’s (PAPA) World Pinball Championship. From the outside, I didn’t expect much of the space, but the moment I opened the door, my jaw dropped.

As you step inside the warehouse, you are immediately overwhelmed by the electronic sound of 100s of machines playing pinball at once. It’s all at once alarming and comforting to hear the tap-tap-tap of the flippers returning the metal balls back into play. There are pinball machines as far as the eye can see, each flashing its own high score and challenging passersby to beat it.

Competitors hug and riff on each other, creating an immediate sense of a close-knit community. They line up to register, wishing each other luck while simultaneously swearing they’ll outdo their score from last year. Perhaps the most startling observation was the wide range of ages that participate in the competition. Kids, sometimes dragged unwillingly by parents, stand patiently waiting their turn. 20-somethings, clearly there by their own accord, watch the floor with anticipation, unsure of what game to tackle first.

As you make your way onto the floor, the atmosphere quiets. Competitors are sequestered into divisions: A,B,C, or Classic Pinball–and wait their turn to play. They watch as players before them concentrate solely on the game. Almost painfully committed to each game, it’s a wonder players can last 4 days. They stand in front of the machines, muscles tense and eyes trained on the microcosm under the glass–legs kick back almost involuntarily as a finger snaps the flipper up to return a ball into play.

The A Division area is quiet, except for the machines announcing bonuses and extra balls. Cameras positioned above the machines record a live feed of the games below so spectators can marvel at the skill. This year the PAPA added real-time online electronic scorekeeping, so players from across the world can see the scores immediately. Real-time TV monitors announce high-scores.

The outskirts of the warehouse are filled with pinballs machines–rows and rows of graphics and flashing lights. Anyone is welcome to play these machines with tokens purchased at the front. The proceeds of these games go straight to charity.

The Pinball World Championships are a truly unique event that we’re lucky enough to host in Pittsburgh. The still fervent pinball community lives on here. If you don’t get a chance to check out the championship this weekend, take a look at Special When Lit, a documentary about pinball. A great deal of the film was shot in Carnegie. You can check it out on Hulu.

PAPA WORLD PINBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

WHEN: August 8-11

WHERE: 100 Keystone Dr, Carnegie, PA (Note: According to the PAPA this is an arbitrary address, keep your eyes peeled for a white warehouse and a bunch of people).

View Larger Map

HOW MUCH: Free to watch, tokens can be purchased to machines, all proceeds go to charity.

MORE INFO: Check out PAPA’s Official Site or Facebook Page

Pinball Perfection

2013-07-27 12.30.50Tucked away in a two-floor complex in West View, my first reaction to Pinball Perfection was “woah”. Then, “how do I start playing?”

Open since 1991, Pinball Perfection is the premiere spot in Pittsburgh to get your pinball fix. Or ogle over the 100s of pinball and other classic machines. The machines are divided up by era and theme, ranging from baseball to Flash Gordon. The earliest machines date back to the 1920s.

The top floor of Pinball Perfection is dedicated to gaming. The lower floor features a show room for sales.

Pinball Perfection has an eclectic feel, every corner you turn there’s a new game to be discovered. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about the machines, and are happy to share the tips and tricks of their favorite games.

 

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Pinball Perfection is a unique place to spend a weekend night. The upper level is open Fridays from 7-10pm and Saturday from 12-5pm. Bring a couple friends and spend a few hours testing out your favorite games.

Don’t worry about bringing quarters here. An hour of unlimited play is $5, the entire day $10. For more information, check out their website or Facebook page.

The Tribune Review posted a slideshow of Pinball Perfection earlier this year. The photos barely give the place justice–there’s so much going on.

Pinball Perfection

(412)931-4425

231 Perry Highway

Westview, PA 15229

 

 

This Weekend in Pgh – German Traditions, A Secret Pinball Clubhouse, Historic Murals

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Happy Friday – here is a list of the events we discussed on WDVE this morning.  With Halloween and Election Day behind us we are officially in the holiday season.  Our first, of what is sure to be many holiday events is the Historic Harmony German Christmas Market.

Thanks to the DVE Morning Show for letting us share a few events around town this weekend.  You can hear our segment most Friday mornings at 6:45 am.

We have been working on some updates to the blog!

  • Updated Events Calendar – an easy way to see whats happening in town & we now have an easy form to submit your events to the calendar
  • Daily or Weekly Newsletter  – we made a big upgrade to our email blasts you can subscribe or update your subscription here

Weekend Events

Oakland Chili Contest

  • Friday, November 9, 2012
  • 5-8pm
  • $1 for Chili Samples at Participating Restaurants
  • Vote for your favorites and you could win prizes too
after Hours @ The Library

  • Friday, November 9, 2012
  • 5:30-7:30pm
  • Carneige Library on Smithfield Street
  • Happy Hour benefit for the Library
  • Includes drinks, snacks from Bar Marco
Historic Harmony German Christmas Market

  • Saturday, November 10, 2012 & Sunday, November 11, 2012
  • Traditional German Christmas Market
  • Food, music, horse drawn carriage rides
  • Harmony Museum
Lawrenceville Pinball Classic

  • Saturday, November 10, 2012
  • 1pm-Midnight
  • one day only pop-up pinball arcade experience located at 4115 Butler Street!
  • a local pinball crew will open the doors to their secret clubhouse for the first time before the space gets gutted for renovation.
  • Expect pinball machines from all eras, live DJs, contests for beginners, mini tournaments for players of all levels, and see some of the world’s best in professional pinball!
  • FREE admission! Prizes! Food! Drinks available, and BYOB.
  • Facebook Event
Traditional German Sauerkraut Supper

  • Saturday, November 10, 2012
  • 4:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, 237 37th Street
  • The dinner costs $8 per person, with all proceeds going to benefit the Lawrenceville United Summer Youth Programs
  • will featured roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes, baked beans, sauerkraut, applesauce, red beets, and desert. Call 412-621-2760 for tickets.
Maxo Vanka’s Masterpiece: The Murals at St. Nicholas Church

  • As part of the Three Rivers Film Festival
  • Sunday, November 11, 2012
  • 3pm
  • Regent Square Theater
  • Documentary about the Maxo Vanka Murals at St. Nicholas Church in Millvale

Maxo Vanka Murals, Millvale - 1

Maxo Vanka Murals, Millvale - 1 (Photo credit: the justified sinner)

Steel City Roller Derby – Battle of the Burgh

  • Sunday, November 11, 2012
  • Doors open at 5pm, actions beings at 6pm
  • Allegheny Avengers vs. Penn Bruisers

 

World Champion Pinball Right Here in Pittsburgh

The Professional & Amateur Pinball Association, aka PAPA, happens to be headquartered right here in Pittsburgh.  PAPA has a huge, 30,000 square feet, facility just outside of Pittsburgh, with more than 400 pinball machines and it is only open to the public a few times a year.

This week is PAPA 14 World Pinball Championships – pinball players from around the world are heading to Pittsburgh to compete for over $40,000 in prizes.

We have blogged about PAPA events before – but this is definitely worth another mention as the PAPA  event is free to attend and something that is pretty unique here in Pittsburgh.

The tournament is free to watch and it looks like anyone can enter to compete.  Complete competition details are available here. Online registration has ended but you can still sign up at the tournament.

Check out this nifty video from artist and CMU professor Douglas Cooper and CMU’s PigPen Theater in which the city of Pittsburgh becomes a pinball game.  (h/t pair Networks blog for the video)

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/15749259[/vimeo]

PAPA 14 World Pinball Championships
August 11-14, 2011
PAPA HQ, Scott Township – directions are available here.
Facebook Event – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121552544586672

This Casino and Pinball Night is for the Dogs – Rare chance to check out Pinball Collection

UPDATE: The event has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2010

UPDATE: This event has been postponed due to the snow – will be rescheduled for a later date.

This Saturday, February 6, 2010 is an extra special fundraiser – Cupids and Canines benefits the Western PA Humane Society and Bow Wow Buddies, a foundation that was set up to contribute to canine cancer research.

It is also a rare opportunity to check out the PAPA World Headquarters I have posted about the PAPA tournaments before and this is one of my favorite Pittsburgh finds.  PAPA is the Professional and Amateur Pinball Association and is housed in a 30,000 square ft facility in Scott Township.  The PAPA facility is only open to the public for the annual tournament in the summer and for rare special events.  The PAPA facility was devastated by flooding in 2004 which destroyed most of the pinball machines.  The facility has been restored and is now home to some 400 pinball machines and some classic arcade games.

papa.cupidsCupids and Canines

Where: PAPA World Headquarters in Scott Township, PA (directions)
When: Saturday, March 27, 2010  February 6, 2010, from 7pm to 10pm (or later)
Why: A fun Valentine evening for you and your date!
Price: $30/person, $50/couples (also available at the door)
What: Casino games, raffles, prizes – including a trip to vegas and a pinball machine and lots more.
More Info: http://www.papa.org/cupids/2010/

Click here to see this event on Facebook