pop culture, pittsburgh, and potpouri

Monday, June 16, 2008

This is My Last Pittsburgh Bashing Post I Promise...


For Some reason I have been in a rut with the Burgh lately. Maybe it was the Penguins losing the Stanley Cup, the Kenney Chesney concert, or the fact that I was out of town for a bit. I'm not sure, but whatever it is I can't stop thinking of reasons why Pittsburgh can't compete with other cities. This story in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette caught my attention, and is a blatant example of the city's struggles. AARP was scouring the Pittsburgh Arts Festival for 50 and over models. Yeah thats right 50+ models. The arts festival is a place were the young scenesters of Pittsburgh should come out to play. It should be a place for young singles and young professionals to mingle, but if you have ever been to the arts festival in Pittsburgh, it kind of is the opposite. The art mostly sucks and it is a lot of fannypacks. They usually have a couple of outdoor concerts worth seeing, but that is about it. AARP has set up a tent the last four years at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival "because the city is known for its senior citizens." Awesome, just the reputation that Pittsburgh needs. 

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I think art festivals are for people of all ages. I would hope they would at least attract people of greater maturity and acceptance than you

jwormyk said...

I actually love the Pittsbugh Arts Festival, although I do think the art has been kind of crappy lately. Anyone who wants to argue Pittsburgh is not an old city can try all they want, but when we cannot even get an Arcade Fire show here, we have a problem.

jwormyk said...

One other thing - I am not going to accept bad art and trashy people. I expect more of my city.