We are dedicated to bringing out the soul of underground culture in the city of bridges and helping build a community interconnected with the elements beneath the surface. Our goal is to promote collective creativity through a fluid intersection of people, places, ideas and vibrations. In doing so, we seek to connect independent arts and culture to the urban development of Pittsburgh and unlock the potential energy through the poetry of people in motion....

April 22nd to 27th	May 1st @ Club Havana	May 2nd and 3rd @ The Quiet Storm   Coffeehouse

Apr 17^th, 2003 Update –  Lot's of goodies happening this week. Enjoy culture beneath the surface.  Our picks for this week are listed below. For comprehensive event listings & happenings, dig through the Culture sections of this website. In addition, Bridgespotters , Ground Zero , emayhem, splashmax and MAP maintain regular email lists of events in the Steel City.  MAP also maintains a comprehensive database of music venues, bands and event promoters.  So dig deep and find your vibe - and keep the feedback rolling. Our website is a two way dialogue - Please feel free to drop us a line anytime. 

·       [Feb 28th 2003] - Volunteer Request - The Union Project

element 5 picks [Thurs Apr 17^th –  Wed Apr 23^rd, 2003]:

Thurs Apr 17^th - LABCO Dance presents... An ecclectic night of Dance Performance including works by Jennifer Keller & Gwen Hunter Ritchie that feature video projection of text onto the skin, Mollie McClelland with a piece inspired by Tibetan Buddhist Mandalas, and a duet presented by Kyle Abraham with bodies interplayed in a mirror like imagemoving in and out of unison and then in sudden speed through space. A night not to be missed. Element 5 recommended. $10. 8pm. @ Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. 5941 Penn Ave [East Liberty]. www.kelly-strayhorn.org

Thurs Apr 17^th - Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited. One of world's most reknowed chimurenga artists. A native of Zimbabwe who's songs and lyrics have spoke the word of the massess through the problems of AIDS and poverty to the upliftment of spirit and soul towards hope. Check it out. @ Club Cafe. 56-58 12th St. [off E.Carson st, Southside]. Info:  www.clubcafelive.com  

Thurs Apr 17^th - Jai Alai (Los Angelos, CA) live w/ Barrett Black Band.  @ Shadow Lounge. 5972 Baum Blvd [East Liberty]. 412.363.8277.

Thurs Apr 17^th - Club Havana -  Weekly House/Techno/ and other groovy music courtesy of residents DC Space, Jason C, and weekly guest DJs. Rotating DJs weekly with a touch of class. $2 Yuengling / $3 well drink special. FREE. 10pm-2am. @ Club Havana - 5744 Ellesworth Ave. one block from Negley, behind the UniMart. [Shadyside].   email:  jasonc_clubhavana@hotmail.com

Fri Apr 18^th

Fri Apr 18^th - Good Fridays: J.T. LeRoy is the young gay author of the breakthrough novels Sarah and The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, as well as a lyricist and a founding member of the rock group, Thistle. LeRoy is being heralded as a saint by the literary world and his writing is in demand by publications such Spin
and Paper. The Los Angeles Times described LeRoy as "an authentic wunderkind" and director Gus Van Sant is currently making a film version on Sarah. LeRoy's themes include sexuality in all of its forms and Middle American at its least idyllic, but most fantastical. The evening will feature a series of readings from LeRoy's work by Showtime TV series, "Queer as Folk" star Randy Harrison and author and University of Pittsburgh professor of English, Lewis Nordon. LeRoy and his band Thistle will also perform. $5.  6pm @ The Andy Warhol Museum. 117 Sandusky Street [Nortthside]. 412.237.8300 or www.warhol.org

Fri Apr 18^th - The BRIDGESPOTTERS return with their next installment of the Midnight Expresso Series (MES). Tonight - "Roll Call": poems against police brutality. Spoken word, live art, live music, and DJs intertwine. Bring your own wine. 9pm-2am. @ Penn Avenue Theater. 4809 Penn Ave [Friendship/Garfield].

Fri Apr 18^th - MINDFLAYER. From providence--brian c. from LIGHTNING BOLT on drums plus MYSTERY BRINKMAN on busted out electronic blast to the beat makes crazy dance crap nightmare visionsz Plus "Female Jesus" and other bands. $$$cheap$$$ @ 1877. 4805 Penn Ave @ Mathilda St.  Info: (412) 363-1877
 

Fri Apr 18^th - Hip Hop & Reggae w/ Nate Da Phat Barber and Donsville. 10pm @ the Upstage. 3609 Forbes Ave [Club Laga]. 412-682-2050 or www.clublaga.com

Fri Apr 18^th - Barrat Black Band. Live funky rock soul. @ Valhalla Microbrewery & Restaurant. 1109 Smallman St. [Strip District]. 412-434-1400

Fri Apr 18^th -  The Johnsons Big Band and The New Alcindors. Yo, if you've never seen these two bands, here's a chance to kill two birds with one stone. This is live rockin' soul at it's finest. Expect some funky drumz and a full horn section!!! @ Club Cafe. 56-58 12th St. [off E.Carson st, Southside]. Info:  www.clubcafelive.com  

Fri Apr 18^th - Garfield Artworks: Color of Memory - New paintings by Frank Santoro. Memories of Pittsburgh past revisited all the paintings were executed in New York City from sketches done earlier ­­- sometimes days, sometimes years -­­ in Pittsburgh. music at 8:00 PM from Damon (Don Caballero) Shea's: Delmer Special Olympian. Free!!! @ Garfield Artworks. 4931 Penn Ave [Garfield]. Info: 412-802-7096 or www.garfieldartworks.com

Fri Apr 18^th - Hip-Hop Cafe Series. Live music by the Rain Quartet. Open mic for MC's & Poets. Hosted by Ezra. @ The Shadow Lounge. 5972 Baum Blvd. [Corner of Baum & S.Highland, East Liberty]. 412-363-8277.

Fri Apr 18^th - Reggae, Dub, and Dancehall.  Feat. The Reggae Bus Crew. DJs spinning the Deepest Dub and the Roots Reggae. Chill atmosphere. Every Friday @ Pub. I.G. 328 Atwood St [Below India Garden in Oakland].  412-682-1900

Fri Apr 18^th - UK Brand presents an afterhours of “head-nod” music to bring your night to a mellow groove. 1am-? @ The Shadow Lounge. 5972 Baum Blvd [Corner of Baum & S.Highland, East Liberty].  412-363-8277.

Sat Apr 19^th

Sat Apr 19^th - Curtis Presents a Benefit for Slacker's Legal Defense Fund. Chai Baba, Selena Catalina, Ritual Space Travel Agency, The Bull Seal! Collective, Phat Man Dee and others. All proceeds donated to Slacker defense fund. If you didn't hear, Slacker fell victim to the empire when they along with TeleRopa were targeted for providing certain paraphenelia to the massess. Come support a store that's supported the scene for more than 10 years. $5-10 suggested donation. 2pm-5pm and 8pm-2am. @ The Rex Theater.

Sat Apr 19^th - GREEN MANNEQUIN PRODUCTIONS & CALLIOPE present...OPEN ROAD. Another swingin' night of bluegrass. For those DJs who need to be schooled on bluegrass, look up the band Area Code 615 & then peep at the cover of Marvin Gaye's classic LP "I Want You". Yo, that's what the vibe is about. $10. 8pm. @ Quiet Storm Coffeehouse. 5430 Penn Ave [Friendship]. 412.661.9355. www.quietstormcoffee.com

Sat Apr 19^th - Flowdown. Live Funk. Funk. and more Funk. @ The PGH Deli Co. 728 Copeland St. [Shadyside]. 412-682-DELI or www.pghdeli.com

Sat Apr 19^th -  Toots & Mayall. Roots Reggae. Live. 'nuff said. @ Rosebud. 1650 Smallman St. [Strip District]. Info: www.rosebudstage.com

Sat Apr 19^th - "Salsa". Shake your hips to the sounds of Tropa Orchestral.  @ Cozumel. 5505 Walnut St. [Shadyside]. Info:  Pittsburgh Salsa Web

Sun Apr 20^th 

Sun Apr 20^th - Film: Seven Days in May. This gripping account of an attempted military take-over of the government, has gotten even better with age. It begins with the president (Frederic March) signing a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviets, and in the process he outrages some of the top brass. It offers a stark warning about the potential abuse of military power. (Directed by John Frankenheimer, USA, 1964,120 min). Part of Nuclear War Sundays III.  7:30pm . @ Regent Square Cinema.  1035 S. Braddock Ave [Regent Square].  Info: www.pghfilmmakers.org/regent.html

Sun Apr 20^th - THE ALL STAR GAME. This night brings out the best of the best djs spinning deep house, old soul, disco, afro beat and anything else with a vibe. An element 5 favorite! Drink special: 1/2 off all Martins until midnight. No Cover. 10pm-2am @ PUB I.G on the lower level of India Garden, 328 Atwood St [Oakland]. (412)682-1900 or The All Star Game Website

Sun Apr 20^th -  Bros. Peck Jazz Satellite. Live Jazz. Good Coffee. ‘nuff said. @ Shadow Lounge.  5972 Baum Blvd [corner of Baum & S.Highland]. 9:30pm-1am. 412.363-8277

Sun Apr 20^th - Spoken Word Sundays (open mic). 8pm @ Quiet Storm Coffeehouse. 5430 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh. 412.661.9355. www.quietstormcoffee.com  

Mon Apr 21^st 

Mon Apr 21^st - The Mattress Factory Presents...Plato's Cave and the Light Within. A screening of the video documentation of artist James Turrell's March 12 lecture. Check out one of the most important modern 3D artists of our time. Free, but tickets required. 7:30pm. @ McConomy Auditorium, University Center, Carnegie Mellon University. For more information, please contact Andi Georgiana at 412.268.5279. Tickets available at the Information Desk in the University Center lobby at CMU or at the Front Desk in the Mattress Factory lobby.

Mon Apr 21^st - Agave Mondays:  Tonight's DJ, Momentum Alumnus John Eperjesi @ DeJa Vu Lounge.  2106 Penn Ave [Strip District]. Info:  www.innerchild.biz

Mon Apr 21^st - Revolve w/ Resident DJs Kerem & Kaleo.. @ Zythos. 2108 E.Carson St. [South Side]. 412.481.2234.

Mon Apr 21^st - The Crawford Grill IS OPEN every Monday night from 8-12.  NO COVER!!!   Live Jazz Feat: Kenny Blake - Sax. Jeff Grubbs   -  Bass. James T Johnson III - Drums. Howie Alexander – Piano. @ The Crawford Grill. 2141 Wylie Avenue. [Hill District]. 412-471-1565.

Tues Apr 22^nd 

Tues Apr 22^nd - The Mattress Factory Presents...Plato's Cave and the Light Within. A screening of the video documentation of artist James Turrell's March 12 lecture. Check out one of the most important modern 3D artists of our time. Free, but tickets required. 4:30pm. @ McConomy Auditorium, University Center, Carnegie Mellon University. For more information, please contact Andi Georgiana at 412.268.5279. Tickets available at the Information Desk in the University Center lobby at CMU or at the Front Desk in the Mattress Factory lobby. 4:30pm

Tues Apr 22^nd - Splice: cutting edge film festival. CMU's Annual Film Festival returns with some of the world's best cutting edge films. Take a break from the usual multiplex movies, step beneath the surface.$3 per movie.  http://www.cmufilmfestival.org Full Schedule: http://www.cmufilmfestival.org/Schedual.htm

Tues Apr 22^nd - Urban Youth Action Night. @ Shadow Lounge. 5972 Baum Blvd. [East Liberty] 412.363.8277.

Tues Apr 22^nd - Ya Dig?! 720 Soul night. Featuring rare grooves, jazz, and scratchy funk records of DJs Selecta and Bus Pass. 9pm-1am [kitchen open until midnight]. @ Kelly's Bar & Grill. 6012 Penn Circle South [East Liberty, just down the street from Shadow Lounge]. 412.363.6012

Tues Apr 22^nd - Jazz Lounge. Featuring Reggie Watkins. @ The Rex Theater. 1602 E.Carson St. [Southside].  www.rextheatre.com 

Wed Apr 23^rd 

Wed Apr 23^rd - Splice: cutting edge film festival. CMU's Annual Film Festival returns with some of the world's best cutting edge films. Take a break from the usual multiplex movies, step beneath the surface.$3 per movie.  http://www.cmufilmfestival.org Full Schedule: http://www.cmufilmfestival.org/Schedual.htm

Wed Apr 23^rd - Topaz. Live Jazz Funk with a twist of Afro Beat, Latin, and Dancefloor sounds. @ Club Cafe. 56-58 12th St. [off E.Carson st, Southside]. Info:  www.clubcafelive.com  or www.topazmusic.com

Wed Apr 23^rd - Troth Trio. Live Jazz. Good Food. Libations. 8pm. @ The PGH Deli Co. 728 Copeland St. [Shadyside]. 412-682-DELI or www.pghdeli.com

Wed Apr 23^rd - "Salsa". Salsa Lessons & DJs spinning salsa music @ Club Havana. 5744 Ellsworth Ave [Shadyside]. 10pm. 412-661-2025.visit the Pittsburgh Salsa Web.

Wed Apr 23^rd - Nostalgia. Every Wednesday, DJs SMI and Nate Da Phat Barber spin the most Classic Hip hop, R&B, and Reggae with a new school vibe. 21+. $8.  10pm-2am. @ Kayla's Place. 4923 Penn Ave [Garfield]. Info:  www.soulgardenlive.com

[This page is updated every Thurs + Fri. Check back for more current info. For more comprehensive event listings, dig through the Music and Culture sections of this website]