What to Do: Old as Funk

If Joe Wos is right, then I am, indeed, as old as Funk. Older, actually, since "Funky Turns 40"  opens at the ToonSeum this week and is celebrating with a huge exhibit opening and par-tay following the Gallery Crawl on January 27th, and I turn 41 in mere weeks and it will largely be a non-event.  So, to re-cap, Funky is younger, cooler and has more friends than I do.
Seriously, ToonSeum's latest exhibit, according to Wos, celebrates "the legacy of the first wave of positive Black animated characters of the 1970's."  He adds, "Until the Civil Rights movement of the late 1950s and 60s, African-Americans were treated as second-class citizens. While prevalent in music and popular culture, Blacks still faced extreme political, economic, and social prejudices. In comics and animation, Blacks were largely ignored or were depicted in broad, derogatory stereotypes. But as laws and attitudes began to shift, the Saturday morning cartoons of the 1970s became a direct conduit of social change, introducing a host of new Black characters. For the first time, audiences were exposed to positive, relatable images of Black life through animated series like Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Jackson 5ive, Josie and the Pussycats, I Am The Greatest, The Harlem Globetrotters and Star Trek: The Animated Series."
Undoubtedly a reason to celebrate.  "Funky Turns 40" is co-curated by Pamela Thomas of the Museum of Uncut Funk. The exhibit runs January 18th Through March 10th.  The ToonSeum will open at 8pm on Saturday, January 27th for the event, which runs until 10:30.  Tickets are $5 for ToonSeum members, $10 for non-members, and a special $50 Donor admission will get you a free gift!  You can purchase tickets here.  Attendees must be 21. Can't make the it?  Consider making a donation, so the ToonSeum can continue to offer great events like this in the future!

For more information contact:

ToonSeum

945 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA  15222

412-232-0199

I am a proudly serving member of the ToonSeum Board of Directors.  Ask me how you can get involved!

Casting Call: Want to Move to Paradise?

We've all done it.  Traveled to an exotic locale on vacation, and pondered the "What-if's".  "What if I never went home?", "What if I quit my job and lived here FOREVER?".  Well, an upcoming reality show is putting those questions to the test, and a local casting director is looking to give the perfect Pittsburgher their 15 minutes (or more) of fame.
Here is what they told me.....(lazy cut and paste alert ahead):

Do you, like everyone else, know someone that has been saying that they're going to quit their job and move somewhere tropical? Or maybe they're tired of their life up north, in the snow, and yearn for California. Whatever their dream residence, a major cable network has an opportunity for them. We're casting a pilot that will give this "dreamer" a real look at their ideal locale, discuss the feasibility of actually quitting their job and living comfortably in a new environment. They WILL get to travel to their dream location to investigate realistically. At the conclusion of the episode, they'll have all the information needed to actually follow through on their claims -- or return to their life and job back home. The ideal candidate is 30+, has a job and family that will be impacted by their decision, and has a destination in mind (for the first episode, we're focusing on North America and the Caribbean). Candidates will be expected to film a short, 3-5 minute video of themselves answering a series of questions. Please send the following information to the e-mail address below, and I'll respond with the video instructions FULL NAMES (your own, your spouse's, any children or family members who will be involved) MARITAL SITUATION (single, married, divorced, etc) AGES (of everyone) OCCUPATIONS (and the duration at current job) CURRENT LOCATION (city and state) DREAM LOCATION REASONS FOR A CHANGE OF SCENERY (will be more in-depth in the video, just a summary) CONTACT INFO (phone numbers and e-mail addresses).


Michael Petrella Casting Director 
casting@michaelpetrella.com
www.michaelpetrella.com


Good Luck!  

'Burgh Watching - MCG Jazz

We are back at the Manchester Craftsmens Guild, with an epic episode!  Of course, an exploration of MCG Jazz could be no less than epic, with all that they have accomplished over the last 25 years.  A very special thanks to my talented panel (Executive Producer Marty Ashby in particular for our musical interlude).  Of course, 'Burgh Watching is made possible as always by the hard work of Producer Ron Modro and the staff and crew of RAM Productions.  I just show up.
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas! - A Perfect Pierogi

Every year, little sis and I get together to whip up a few hundred or so of my families' traditional pierogi (pierogies?).  I shared the recipe a few years back, but forgot to mention about that whole "1 Tbsp butter" thing that you need to add to the dough.  VERY important...
Needless to say, we have refined our technique over the years. mostly thanks to this little guy:

It is very clearly named a "Tart Maker" (it is stamped right on the top), however, when Grams handed it down to me she called it a "Pierogi Punch", and since the darn thing is 2 generations older than I, who am I to tell it differently? Plus, it literally changed my life as far as annual pierogi making goes.  I did find it for you, under the Antique Gadgets on Amazon.  Merry Christmas! There is also this one, if you go for new-fangled stuff.  Also, I added a Silpat Mat last year.  Not quite as hard to find, and worth every penny.

Visit the orginal recipe here.  As far as punching goes, these were our steps.  It is entirely possible I am using this thing wrong, but since the instructions probably landed in the trash oh say, 50 years ago, I'm not stressing about it.  Besides, our methods worked.

Step one: Use the circular edge to make a lovely, perfect circle.

Step two:  Fill with a generous spoonful of filling.

Step three: Fold over and lightly press to seal

Step four: Lay punch over sealed pierogie, and press down firmly on the handle

and, Voila!

A Perfect Pierogi.

Here's wishing you a very Happy Holiday filled with your own family traditions!!

PS. A very special "Thank You" to Giant Eagle Market District (Shadyside), for coming through with the elusive Dry Cottage Cheese again this year!!

Santa Shops the 'Burgh - East End Brewing Company

Our recent "sneak peek" at East End Brewing's new digs inspired me to pick this bad boy up for the BF's father.  It is so perfect, for so many reasons......
I adore that old Nebster.

East End Brewinng's "Old Nebby Stock Ale"  $12.00, limited availability

Hidden Gems

Pittsburgh is often referred to as a "hidden gem".  If this is truly the case, then the ToonSeum is a hidden gem within a hidden gem, and this video is a hidden gem within.....oh, you get it.
Produced by Pittsburgh Community Television, this video was released in early October, and my spidey senses missed it.  If you watch very carefully, Steeler Max Starks makes a "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" cameo.

I am a proudly serving board member of Pittsburgh's ToonSeum. Ask me how you can get involved!

Behind the Scenes - 'Burgh Watching with MCG Jazz

We recently shot the fifth and final video in our series for the Manchester Bidwell Coporation.  MCG Jazz is the (swinging) heartbeat of the organization, and this interview was quite enjoyable.  My panel included Executive Producer of MCG Jazz Marty Ashby, Pittsburgh Jazz great Roger Humphries, MCG Jazz Board Member Tony Taccone, and Walt Straiton, Manager of Institutional Solutions at Yamaha.  All photos are courtesy of, and copyrighted by, the official photographer of 'Burgh Watching; Bright Eye Productions.  If all goes according to our master plan, this episode should air sometime in January.

PS.  You didn't miss episodes three and four, we haven't shot them yet.  It's TV, so it's like magic. Plus, we can time-travel.  In our blue Police Box.

PPS. If you got that last reference, then you will really love this. You're welcome.

Marty Ashby, MCG Jazz Executive Producer.
©Bright Eye Productions

The panel onstage at MCG Jazz
©Bright Eye Productions

Marty's Grammys!
©Bright Eye Productions