City Cast Pittsburgh
🍽️ Pgh’s James Beard semifinalists
January 23, 2025 · — Francesca Dabecco
It’s been a cold week, neighbor. Producer Sophia Lo and I are sharing our favorite places to warm up with a cup of hot tea in today’s newsletter and on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast 🌿
🫖 Scroll for all of the herbal, floral, and spicy goodness ⬇️
What's CITY Talking About?
⚖️ Trump Pardons Local Jan. 6 Rioters
Around 90 Pennsylvania residents, including at least eight from Pittsburgh, received clemency for crimes related to the 2021 insurrection at the Capitol. Many Democratic lawmakers, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, criticized Trump’s decision to pardon people who assaulted police officers, vandalized the Capitol, and disobeyed law enforcement. [90.5 WESA]
🍽️ Pittsburghers Nominated for James Beard Awards
Three local chefs were named Best Chef semifinalists in the Mid-Atlantic region: Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski of Apteka (the vegan Eastern European spot in Bloomfield) and Wei Zhu of Chengdu Gourmet (the Squirrel Hill restaurant known for Szechuan dishes). Bloomfield’s Fet Fisk, which specializes in Nordic seafood, made the national list of Best New Restaurants. Winners will be announced in June. [James Beard Foundation]
- Hungry? All of these restaurants made it onto our what-to-eat-in-2025 podcast episode. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
🎶 Pittsburgh Celebrates Black Dance
Now through Sunday, Pittsburgh is hosting a conference and festival entirely dedicated to Black dance. The international event, now in its 35th year, celebrates everything from modern to African diasporic styles. This year, it's held in partnership with Hill Dance Academy Theater and showcases our city's contribution to the art form. [City Paper]
Sponsored Content
Pittsburgh Opera presents Hayden’s spell-binding ‘Armida’
The Prince of Darkness sends the enchantress Armida to seduce and destroy the heroic knight Rinaldo. But when Armida falls in love with Rinaldo, will she obey her orders or her heart?
Fall into Armida’s clutches, January 25th through February 2nd.
Pittsburgh Opera – where can we take you?
What To Do
Thursday, Jan. 23
- 🎨 Word On The Street: Asphalt Art | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | free | virtual
- 💭 Pittsburgh getWITit | 5:30-8 p.m. | free | Friendship
- 🧀 La Raclette & Wine Dinner Party with The Cheese Queen | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | $65 | Mt. Oliver
- 🐭 “Three Blind Mice” Play | 7:30 p.m. — through Jan. 26 | $22 | Carnegie
- 🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Beyoncé at Omni William Penn | 8:45 p.m. | $40+ | Downtown
Friday, Jan. 24
- 🎤 Band Together Autism Open Mic | 6-9 p.m. | free | North Shore
- 🎨 6x6 Maker Night! at Assemble | 6-9 p.m. | free | Garfield
- 🏂 Yoga for Skiers + Snowboarders | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | $25+ | Point Breeze
- 🕺 Mid-Winter Dance Party at Franklin on Penn | 7-10 pm. | $23 | Strip District
- 🎭 Tim Murray is Witches at Greer Cabaret Theater | 8 p.m. | $22+ | Downtown
Sponsored Content
Pitt Basketball Family Four Packs Available Now!
Bring your family out to a Pitt Men’s Basketball game with the Family Four Pack deal! Fans receive 4 tickets and a $40 concessions voucher for only $125! Family Four Packs are available now at PittsburghPanthers.com/Family4Pack.
Pitt Men’s Basketball vs. Virginia
Monday, February 3rd at 7pm
Petersen Events Center
Yum alert! What do pierogi 🥟, almond butter lattes ☕, and hand-pulled noodles 🍜 have in common? They’re all items at new food and drink spots around town! Tune in to today’s City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to learn where to find ‘em.
Free · Daily