Tag Archives: Regent Square

Jane Jacobs Documentary at Pittsburgh Filmmakers May 12-18

Today’s blog post is a double header, I guess I should say double feature, of historic preservation information. Just in time for preservation month, the new documentary about Jane Jacobs opens in Pittsburgh this weekend and it is screening at one of Pittsburgh’s oldest neighborhood movie theaters.

Last Saturday was the annual Jane’s Walk, a community walk celebrating the work of Jane Jacobs in advocating for walkable communities. Jane Jacobs is the author of the book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” (Amazon affiliate link). The book was first published in 1961 as a response to the 1950s urban planning policies of urban renewal. Many cities took on massive urban renewal projects which dramatically reshaped the urban landscape. The effects of urban renewal are still felt today across the country and right here in Pittsburgh.

Urban Renewal in Pittsburgh

Urban renewal and its impact on both the North Side and East Liberty was the topic of a panel discussion hosted by Preservation Pittsburgh in March.  Past Tense | Future Perfect was moderated by Don Carter who is the director of the Remaking Cities Institute at the Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture and provided an interesting discussion of how preservationists could think about urban renewal and the impact on these neighborhoods today. Yesterday, I wrote about the memorial that Andrew Carnegie erected for Colonel James Anderson. I was surprised to learn that the memorial was moved from it’s original location as part of the urban renewal plan which demolished over 500 buildings to create the Allegheny Center mall and apartments.  The mall closed in the 1990s, the mall building has been used as office space and has recently been rebranded as Nova Place. And today, The Atlantic’s CityLab blog published a post about the response to a proposed fried chicken restaurant in East Liberty, The New Urban Fried-Chicken Crisis. Author Brentin Mock provides some historical context around the fried chicken crisis, explaining that East Liberty was and continues to be impacted by the urban renewal policies:

At one point in the early 20th century, East Liberty was one of the largest commercial corridors in the Allegheny Valley region—a third downtown for Pittsburgh. Then urban planners got all bright-eyed and decided to experiment with the street layout and ended up choking East Liberty off from the rest of the city, killing most of its commercial enterprises off in the process.

Even if you don’t care about what restaurants are coming or going, the CityLab article is worth a read, I think Brentin Mock does a good job of explaining what is happening in East Liberty today.

Jane Jacob’s book continues to be one of the key texts around urban planning and creating vibrant communities. I was first introduced to the book in one of my urban planning courses in college. If I had known that after college I would spend years writing about the city of Pittsburgh, I would have majored in city planning.  I went to college at a time when email was so new that we had to take an introduction to email class the first week of school. This was back in the days before cell phones, Facebook and blogging.

Jane Jacobs Documentary Screening in Pittsburgh

Jane Jacobs Pittsburgh

The city lovers and urban planners that I know are quite excited that the new documentary about Jane Jacob, “Citizen Jane: Battle for the City“. Pittsburgh Filmmakers will be showing the documentary at the Regent Square Theater May 12-18, 2017.

You can read Al Hoff’s review of “Citizen Jane: Battle for the City” in this weeks Pittsburgh City Paper.

Showtimes for “Citizen Jane: Battle for the City at the Regent Square Theater:

  • Friday, May 12 @ 8pm
  • Saturday, May 13 @ 3:30pm, 5:45pm & 8pm
  • Sunday, May 14 @ 3:30pm & 5:45pm
  • Monday, May 15 @ 8pm
  • Tuesday, May 16 @ 8pm
  • Wednesday, May 17 @ 8pm
  • Thursday, May 18 @ 8pm

You can follow the film on Facebook, Twitter @JaneJacobsDoc & Instagram @JaneJacobsDoc.

The Regent Square Theater

Photo credit: Cinema Treasures.

It seems fitting that a documentary about Jane Jacobs is screening at a neighborhood theater. The Regent Square Theater has been around since 1938 and is one of the last single screen theaters left in the area. The theater was purchased by the nonprofit Pittsburgh Filmmakers in 1998 and continues to operate as a movie theater screening movies 7 days a week. I was hoping to find out some more history about this building. If you know more about the history of the Regent Square Theater, please share.

If you like local movie theaters, check out our Guide to Pittsburgh’s Independent Movie Theaters.

Regent Square Theater is premiering the new AMC series Low Winter Sun on July 29 for free

Regent Square Theater is showing a sneak peek of the premiere of Low Winter Sun, the newest AMC series, on Monday, July 29 at 8pm.  Described as “a story of murder, deception, revenge and corruption in a world where the line between the cops and the criminals is blurred,” hopes are high for this complex drama.

Up to 4 tickets are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis at the theater’s box office or the Pittsburgh Filmmakers front desk (open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). There’s a nationwide Q & A session via Skype afterwards with the director, producer, and some of the cast members.

Filmed on location in Detroit, director Ernest Dickerson describes it as a film noir. “It’s about a hero who finds himself at the center of some very dark events, who has to try to get out, who wants redemption.”

Lennie James, one of the show’s main stars (Walking Dead viewers will remember him as Morgan, Rick’s saving grace in the first episode), said “this isn’t a story about the minutiae of police work. This is a thriller about people who have secrets and have ulterior motives.”

AMC has produced some of the most promising shows in recent memory, such as Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Walking Dead. Low Winter Sun is set to premiere on TV on August 11, after the premiere of the final season of Breaking Bad (who else cannot wait for this??). And by the way, Breaking Bad fans, David Costabile aka Gale has a role in this new series.

Guide to Pittsburgh’s Independent Movie Theaters

When the weather starts heating up, sometimes the only thing to do is go inside. This season many of us will take to the air-conditioned refuge of our local megaplexes. To switch things up, I offer you a list of local independently owned theaters. Many of the theaters screen the same new releases, but also provide character and unique programming.

Hollywood Theater475193_275212485896001_1501098987_o

1449 Potomac Ave., Dormont

(412)563-0368

The Hollywood plays a wide variety of movies as well as special film events. Known for its Rocky Horror Picture Show performances, as well as its “Breakfast and a Movie” series (just what it says, breakfast, and a movie) there’s something for everyone. The single-screened theater is a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing Potomac Avenue and Dormont by providing a theater and community center.

The Strand

119 North Main St., Zelienople

(724)742-0400

The Strand offers a variety of films as well as live performances. The Rocky Horror Picture Show screens regularly (17 & over only) and yes, you can throw things at this performance. The theater screens classics like Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, but you can also find live shows at The Strand. The nonprofit theater was restored in 2002, and wants to expand the project.

The Manor

1729 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh

(412)422-9851

The Manor theater screens both wide-release and independent movies, at often lower prices than the megaplexes. The Manor also boasts “The M Bar” in the lobby where patrons can bring alcoholic drinks into the theater. Check out the “Manor at Midnight” series, when the theater screens classic movies Saturdays at midnight.

Harris Theater

a little history?

a little history? (Photo credit: macwagen)

809 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)682-4111

Owned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and programmed by Pittsburgh Filmmakers ,the Harris Theater is a classic movie house in the heart of the Cultural District. The theater screens foreign and contemporary independent films, and is also part of the Three Rivers Film Festival.

Oaks Theater

310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont

(412)828-6322

The single screen Oaks Theater screens both new releases and cult classics. Check out the summer series “Moonlit Matinees”, where Oaks screens a cult classic every Friday and Saturday night. Once a month, the theater hosts the “Cine Bruch”, where movie fans can watch and munch on a delicious Oakmont Bakery brunch.

Regent Square

Regent Sq Theater

1035 South Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)682-4111

Owned and operated by Pittsburgh Filmmakers, this single screen theater plays limited release independent movies seven days a week. In addition, every Sunday night the Regent Square theater hosts “The Sunday Series”, a monthly series of film screenings based around a theme, era, or director.

Melwood Screening Room

477 Melwood Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)681-5449

Located within the Pittsburgh Filmmakers building, the Melwood Screening Room is the youngest of the independent theaters on this list. The screening room plays independent features, and hosts “Film Kitchen” on the second Tuesday of every month.“Film Kitchen” is a series featuring local short films. The filmmakers are present at the screening and available for discussion after the show.

 


View Independent Theaters in Pittsburgh in a larger map

What’s your favorite theater in Pittsburgh? Seen any good movies lately?

Urban Hike Scavenger Hunt – Be There or Be Square

Each year the folks who plan all of the Urban Hikes end the season with a huge scavenger hunt around a Pittbsurgh neighborhood.  I have competed in the past – it is tricky, educational and a ton of fun all at once.  There are some serious competitiors and lots of folks who are just there to explore a new neighborhood.

Previous UH Scavenger Hunts have visited East Liberty, Squirell Hill, Lawrenceville and Bloomfield.  The 2012 Urban Hike Scavenger Hunt will be tackling the neighborhood of Regent Square.  This is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon – plan for at least 4 hours for the hunt and for scoring.

IMPORTANT TRAFFIC INFO – According to PennDOT’s website the Squirrel Hill Tunnel will be closed on Sat. October 20.  What this means is that the traffic going into the tunnel which is slow on a good day will be a complete mess – allow extra time to get to the starting point.  We’ve made a map to show you how close the starting point and the Squirrel Hill Tunnels are to each other.  Forbes and Braddock will likely serve as the detour for traffic.

Here are the details from the Urban Hike folks….

It’s here. The hunt.
Regent Square.Mark your calendars for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 20. Teams can be up to five people. If you don’t already have teammates picked out, come as you are and we’ll help you find folks to hunt with!Urban Hike will provide you with a map, dozens of clues, and a time limit for wandering up and down the streets of Regent Square. You provide the answers. Some of the clues require taking pictures, so bring a camera with a blank memory card and a cable to download those pictures onto a computer. Bring a pen or pencil too.

The hunt will start in Frick Park at the corner of Forbes and Braddock. The hunt ends at a nearby local restaurant where we will score the answers, announce winners, and hand out prizes from our *awesome* neighborhood sponsors including:
    • Ambiance Boutique
    • Clipps Salon
    • D’s Six Pax & Dogz
    • Dunning’s Grill
    • Glenn Greene’s Stained Glass Studio
    • McBroom’s Beer Distributor
    • Paws-itively Pets
    • Square Cafe
    • Styles by Cardamone
    • Typhoon Lighting
If you have any questions in the meantime, as always, you can find us at info@urbanhike.com.Be there or be, um, square.
Here is the Facebook Event for the 2012 Urban Hike – RSVP and invite your friends to attend too!

What Do Tequila, Yard Sales, Lawn Bowling Have in Common? (Radio Round Up – May 14, 2010)

phipps agave plant
Image by marshlight via Flickr
You can sample all of these and more in Pittsburgh this weekend – This is the weekend when Pittsburgh wakes up from its long winter nap. Lots of great reasons to get outside and check out the neighborhoods!  Lots of good – free (and low costs) ways to check out the city.

Agave Nights @ Phipps Conservatory

  • The agave plant at phipps is blooming – the agave plant can live for 100 years and only blooms once in its lifetime, currently the plant is growing 12 inches a day
  • Tequila is made from agave, Phipps is showing off the agave plant on Friday nights 5-9pm – the cafe will be serving margaritas and appetizers made with tequila

East End Brewing Keg Ride

  • Each year the folks at East End Brewing invite the community out to literally bike the first keg (or kegs) of pedal pale ale to the bar.
  • Friday, May 14, 2010, Meet @ the Brewery in Homewood at 6pm. Bike ride will be accessible for all levels of cyclist
  • Last year 500+ cyclists helped to bike the first kegs.
  • $10 to participate – the keg ride supports cycling charities – and your ride includes your first beer at the keg destination
    East end brew + bikes

    Image by michael and anna via Flickr

Regent Square Yard Sale Day

  • Saturday, May 15, 2010 – Neighborhood wide yard sale
  • Book sale at the Wilkins School Community Center
  • While you are in the neighboorhood – stop by the Frick Park Lawn Bowling courts on Reynolds St for the Frick Park Lawn Bowling Club open house