Pittsburgher Spotlight: Ali Spagnla

Whether it be a US Steel career, a Fedex Pittsburgh career, or one of the many other career options available within the great city of Pittsburgh, there is no doubt that Pittsburgh is a city of opportunity. And yet, amongst all the opportunity presented throughout the city, there is still room to create your own. In fact, that’s exactly what one Pittsburgher decided to do, and so far she really seems to be the life of the party. Ali Spagnola, a Pittsburgh native, has developed a Power Hour Concert which, after dubious amounts of success within Pittsburgh, has now taken to the road.

Ali’s Power Hour Concert is a simple and fun concept. With 60 original one-minute songs, Ali plays an hour of music and every time a song changes party goers are challenged to take one shot of beer. An upbeat mix of pop, rap, punk and rock, Ali’s music is danceable, clever and catchy to ensure an incredible time for even non-drinkers. It’s an original concept that’s been featured in Forbes, the New York Post, The Huffington Post and many other notable media sources. And it all stemmed from Pittsburgh.

A native to Beaver County, Ali grew up with a mother in the local judicial system and with a father as a local beer distributor. For undergraduate, she attended Carnegie Mellon University, and while Ali now resides in one of the many Pittsburgh neighborhoods, she is proud to be an alumni of CMU. For after all, CMU is where it all began.

“I was playing ‘non-alcoholic’ shows while attending Carnegie Mellon,” Ali explained, “...it just seemed easier to get people to attend a party than it was a normal show.” And so the Ali Spagnola Power Hour Concert was born!

As of now Ali has toured to over 20 states and has a growing national fanbase, including over 1.5 million Twitter followers. Though, at the end of the day the only place Ali wants to be is the place she knows and loves, Pittsburgh. “It’s easy to pursue something creative in Pittsburgh,” Ali points out. “If it’s not, it certainly seems like one of the most affordable places to live, which lends you a lot of opportunity to do what you love.”

Pittsburgh: Thanksgiving Tradition

Can you smell that? Do you smell the warm scent of turkey softly floating through the Pittsburgh neighborhoods? Well, maybe you can’t yet, but you will in just a few days! Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and while it is a time to think about the delicious foods you’ll soon be eating, it’s also a time to indulge in the comforts of tradition. A leader in cutting edge technology and medicine, Pittsburgh is also a city which takes great pride in tradition. In fact, every year around Thanksgiving, the city of Pittsburgh has a few traditional events of its own.

Thanksgiving Events

My Macy’s Holiday Parade. While this year it’s actually taking place the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the My Macy’s Holiday Parade is a 33 year old tradition celebrated by the city of Pittsburgh. Starting at 9am, the My Macy’s Holiday Parade will be marching through Downtown, highlighting v staples and kicking off the holiday season for all Pittsburgh families. To learn more about the parade, click here: http://bit.ly/1e1lsec

PNC YMCA Turkey Trot. A 23 year old tradition, the Turkey trot is an annual 5k starting at 8:30 AM on the day of Thanksgiving. Now featuring a 1 mile sign up, as well as a 5 mile sign up, the Turkey Trot is held at PNC Park and is a great way to burn off those calories to make room for the nights Thanksgiving feast! For more information about the Turkey Trot, click here: http://bit.ly/19oGsd6

Winter Flower Show at Phipps. While the age of this tradition is a little less clear, the Winter Flower Show at Phipps is an annual holiday event often opening the day after Thanksgiving. Running through mid January, the Winter Flower Show is a chance to see a beautiful array of flowers and, as an exciting new addition for 2013, this Winter Flower Show will feature a showcase of lighted glass sculptures. For more information on the Winter Flower Show, click here: http://bit.ly/v2URb7

Whether it’s the traditional roots of the long planted Pittsburgh families, or one of the many traditional events offered during the Holiday season, there is no doubt that Pittsburgh is a city of tradition. While we may be a city which leads in technological advancement, those of us living in one of the most affordable cities in America continue to know and appreciate the rich history that got us here. This holiday season, enjoy the delicious turkey and cranberry sauce, participate in one of the many Pittsburgh holiday festivities, and remember to appreciate not just those around you, but the ones who came before you, too.

The Andy Warhol Museum

Whether you work for Fedex Pittsburgh, in one of the many US Steel careers offered within the area, or a different Pgh job, you will eventually have free time. And when you do have free time, why waste it? When you live in one of the most affordable places in the country, Pittsburgh, and free time is at hand, there is no point in watching re-runs on the TV and avoiding being productive. Pittsburgh offers unlimited opportunity for a good time. One such place that’s affordable, fun and informative, The Andy Warhol Museum.

To give a quick overview, Andy Warhol was an American artist, native Pittsburgher, and leader in what’s become known as the pop art movement. To get an idea of pop art, it’s an art recognized for its combination of traditional fine art with aspects of modern culture, such as advertisements, comic books, and even video games. One of Andy Warhol’s most prized pieces from the pop art movement is the Campbell’s Soup Can, a work of art consisting of 32 canvases of identical paintings of a Campbell Soup can.

With an emphasis on pop art, The Andy Warhol Museum celebrates and hosts a diverse array of artists year round. It takes pride in its ever-changing interface and consistency in its own redefinition, as well as relationship to contemporary art. At The Andy Warhol Museum, one has a chance to discover and reflect on modern times, in addition to seeing where such modern reflection began. It’s a step into contemporary history and one that is located right here in the beautiful city of Pittsburgh.

Located in the North Side, The Andy Warhol Museum is open from 10AM - 10PM on Fridays, and 10AM - 5PM all other days of the week. Only $10 for students and children, and $20 for adults, The Andy Warhol Museum is a life changing experience that is available for the whole family. So, get up off the couch, expand your horizons and use your free time productively when you take time to visit The Andy Warhol Museum.

Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh

With all the hustle and bustle of moving into one of the many Pittsburgh neighborhoods, it’s easy to put your life on hold and forget to make plans for the holidays. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, and you still getting your life in order, preparing a Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t really seem plausible. What do you do? Fortunately, now that you’re living in one of the most affordable places in America, there are plenty of options how you can get your Thanksgiving feast on.

Habitat Restaurant. If you’re looking for a delicious way to start off your Thanksgiving, try giving the Habitat Restaurant Holiday Brunch a chance. Starting at 11 am and going until 2 pm, this Holiday Brunch will feature live entertainment, a delicious menu, and the opportunity to meet new people while enjoying a delicious meal. And if you’d rather spend your Holiday in the comfort of your own home, the Habitat Restaurant is offering Turkey Dinners to go! For more information, click here: http://bit.ly/1aImhYN

Lidia’s Pittsburgh. This holiday season Lidia’s Pittsburgh will be hosting a delicious Thanksgiving feast! Located in the Strip District, Lidia’s Pittsburgh will have seating available from 12 pm to 5:30 pm so you can enjoy a famous Lidia’s Pittsburgh three course meal. For more information, click here: http://bit.ly/smgsoe

Frescos. Located in Wexford, Frescos is another delicious option for the holidays. Offering their Traditional Thanksgiving Buffet starting at 12 pm, Frescos is a great place to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends. And if it was the cooking you didn’t have time for this Thanksgiving, no need to worry. Frescos offers To-Go packages for parties of 8 to 20 people! For more information, click here: http://bit.ly/kkGie4

Just because you moved to a brand new city for your Pgh job doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holidays. Enjoy Thanksgiving with one of the many restaurant options offered here in the great city of Pittsburgh! And for a larger list of restaurants opened during the holiday season, click here: http://bit.ly/HsCh72

Giving Back

In just a few weeks, Thanksgiving will be here and Pittsburgh will transform from one of the most affordable places to live into one of the most delicious. And yet, as most of us know Thanksgiving isn’t just a time to eat as much as you can and then go pass out on the couch next to weird Uncle Jerry, rather Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, it’s a time to appreciate what you have and it’s a time to give back to the community. That’s why we here at Vibrant Pittsburgh will let you in on one the of best ways to give back and provide others with a filling delicious meal...minus weird Uncle Jerry.

Located at 2005 Wyandotte Street in the Pittsburgh borough of Uptown, the Jubilee Kitchen has been serving the Pittsburgh community with a hot meal at noontime for over 25 years. And that’s no longer all it does, either. With a mission to provide different comprehensive social services to the homeless, disadvantaged and marginalized people of the Pittsburgh area, the Jubilee Kitchen is a soup kitchen, a medical clinic, a John Heinz Family Center, job corner, and an after school program. There is no doubt that the Jubilee Kitchen does it all, but on top of that the volunteers there like to take it a step further, too. At the Jubilee Kitchen, whether it be a conversation, handshake, hug or different expression of friendship, volunteers are encouraged to interact with the guests because at the Jubilee Kitchen acknowledgements such as these are thought to have a transformational effect on guests, volunteers, and even the world.

If you’re looking to give back to the Pittsburgh community this Thanksgiving, or at any time of year, the Jubilee Kitchen may be the best place to start! Whether it be to serve, prepare food, wash dishes, child care or help with one of the many other services the kitchen offers, the Jubilee Kitchen is open 365 days a year and is always looking for volunteers. It’s important to give back to the community, especially when the community is as gracious as the city of Pittsburgh. Give a hand this holiday season. Help others find jobs hiring in Pittsburgh. Help others find a warm meal to satiate their hunger. Help out at the Jubilee Kitchen!