Cool Things About to Happen in Popular Pittsburgh

Photo by Jimmy Schaffer for Faresh Brand

People around the Steel City take matters into their own hands when it comes to finding things to do, they simply do it themselves.

Youth and popular culture in Pittsburgh, Pa. flourishes because the actors are extremely active in pushing their innovation, creativity, community, and business minds. With this, events, masterpieces, projects, and products are popping up all over the city for residents and tourists to enjoy.

The following reports on cool things about to happen in Pittsburgh to look out for.

1. The City Presented by Faresh Brand

"Pixburgh" apparel company, Faresh Brand hosts a mini festival on April 30 at Spirit Lodge. The mixed-genre event, with blues, rock, and hip-hop, will feature some of the 'burghs best musical acts, and attendees will represent the city's movers and shakers. See PK Delay of The Company Only, hot boys Choo Jackson, producer Christo, and DJ Socratee, along with talents Grandadchilds and Comancheria perform. Admission is free and the show starts at 8 p.m.

242 51st Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15201

2. 'I'm Just Being Nice' by Mars Jackson and Nice Rec

After local rapper Mars Jackson became the first hip-hop artist signed to label Misra Records, he announced a nine-track project executively produced by Pittsburgh's own Nice Rec to drop before his debut Unemployed Faith album. The new work titled 'I'm Just Being Nice,' is "for those whose been on this journey with me,"  and dedicated to his mother, Jackson says. The alternative hip-hop artist declares through his Instagram that the offering will drop before the end of April.

Photo by Keep Pittsburgh Dope

3. Market Street Block Party

Grocery, eatery, and beverage hookup, Market Street Grocery turned one year-old today. To celebrate, the shop, in collaboration with influencer and city advocate Cody Baker, is having a block party downtown. Join them for food, fun, and to listen to DJ Pete Butta on the tracks April 28 from 6-10 p.m.

435 Market Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

4. Creatives Drink 5

At the Mattress Factory on cinco de mayo, May 5 for non-Spanish speakers, people of creativity can connect, dance, network, and drink together in a motivated and energized atmosphere. Visual artist, food photographer, and event planner Cody Baker, along with partner in crime Chancelor Humphrey of lifestyle platform Keep Pittsburgh Dope, host the party where attendees drink for free. Go to Creatives Drink from 6-9 p.m.

500 Sampsonia Way

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

5. Cam'ron with Hardo and Choo Jackson

On May 13 at the iconic Mr. Smalls Funhouse, hip-hop descends on Pittsburgh as one of Harlem, New York's most entertaining talents comes to town for a headlining performance. Cam'ron, along with local rappers Hardo and Choo Jackson, will be hosted by DJ Afterthought and DJ Motor Mane of Taylor Gang. Buy tickets to the show here and show up before the show starts at 9 p.m.

400 Lincoln Avenue

Millvale, PA 15209

6. Pretty Chill Kickback

In the spirit of intimate and underground parties, representatives of The Company Only and Team Epic rap collectives Joel Kellem, PK Delay, and Norman Dean will throw a chill get together with music, BYOB, and hookah. Southside Hookah will hold the event, and you can get tickets for the night here. Catch the rappers perform and sets by Alex Rivera and DJ Noel on May 21 at 5-8 p.m. 18-year-olds and up are welcome.

57 South 10th Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

7. Hendawg Millionaire Release Party

Via @boomconcepts

To celebrate the release of his upcoming mixtape, Hendawg Millionaire, which releases May 9, Palermo Stone will have a party at incubation hub Boom Concepts. Stone's Rare Nation mate JKJ, KH of Mo'$crill Hotel, DJ Spillz, and others will accompany Stone at the release party. $10 for all ages to enter, $5 admission with a bottle of Hennessy, bring your own beer, and Hook's Chicken comes free with admission. The night kicks off at 8 p.m. on May 14. Promotion for the event, along with others on this list, is provided by Jenesis Magazine, a cultural cultivator whose owner, Thomas Agnew, also runs Boom Concepts with D.S. Kinsel.

5139 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

'Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee' featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Will Ferrell

Jerry Seinfeld and Richard Petty's 1970 Plymouth Road Runner

Entertainer Jerry Seinfeld returns for a cool ride and some coffee with a friend in the latest episode of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.

Seinfeld drives a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner SuperBird originally designed for NASCAR driver Richard Petty, and creatively inspired by Looney Tunes cartoon The Road Runner. He and the, self-described, "happy silly" car appropriately pickup funnyman Will Ferrell.

Together, Seinfeld and Ferrell stop for regular and decaf coffee at a Los Angeles café, and chit-chat about the pretentious nature of the film industry, body image, Ferrell's iconic cat bit SNL audition, as well as marital qualms. 

Watch the newest episode of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee here in full.

Donald Glover's 'Atlanta' Comedy Show Receives 10-Episode Series from FX

Someone recently made the observation, "Childish Gambino is an actor who can low-key rap." Formally known as Donald Glover, the artist showcased his talents doing standup comedy and writing for NBC's 30 Rock show. These achievements were followed by Glover's role as Troy Barnes on the Community sitcom. Glover's on-screen prowess is natural, while plots and characters may extend outside his reality or even beyond the solar the system, like in his latest The Martian performance, he brings quirky Donald Glover with him. Watch "Clapping for the Wrong Reasons," below to make yourself familiar.

In light of Glover's popularity and creativity, FX has decided to give his comedy show, Atlanta, a 10-episode series beginning in 2016. Created by and starring Glover, Atlanta documents two cousins' journey through Georgia's iconic music landscape. Directed by Hiro Murai, the genius behind "Clapping for the Wrong Reasons," Glover plays Earnest "Earn" Marks, described as an "artistic loner" who returns to ATL to face his failures in business and a strained relationship with a woman whom he shares a daughter with.

Nick Grad, president of original programming for FX tells Variety, "Atlanta draws on Donald's considerable talents as a musician, actor and writer to give us something unique."

Source: Complex

The Revenant Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio is in search of an elusive Oscar from the Academy Awards. While he has starred in a number of films that received Oscars for Best Picture, like Titanic in 1997 and The Departed in 2007, the Academy has yet to acknowledge DiCaprio's individual excellence. However, fans and film buffs know the actor is capable of reaching the mountaintop-- use his five nominations for Best Actor as evidence, the last thanks to a greedy, cheat named Jordan Belfort. When asked in a 2014 interview just before the 86th Academy Awards, "How much would you love to win that Oscar?" DiCaprio very politically responds, "One thing I've learned a long time ago is you have absolutely no control of that... All you could do is really try your best." There is no sense in worrying about things he cannot control, but viewers sense his disappointment each time he falls short.

"Try, try and try again," I imagine adorns one of DiCaprio's walls in his living quarters. His next shot at Best Actor will come via the film The Revenant directed by Academy Award-winner Alejandro González Iñárritu. The picture tells the tale of frontiersman Hugh Glass (played by DiCaprio), a fur trapper now tagged as a folk hero due to his mid-winter, cross-country trek after being mauled by a bear that he kills. Modern interpretation has Glass's friend John Fitzgerald (played by Tom Hardy) abandon him and kill his son after the bear attack, forcing Glass to seek revenge.

See The Revenant on December 25 in limited theatres and on January 7, 2016 when it receives a wider release. Enjoy the trailer above.

Russell Westbrook Covers NBA Live 16

In the spirit of basketball, Russell Westbrook has been named the cover athlete for the video game NBA Live 16. Last night KicksOnFire.com posed a question to its Instagram in response to the news, "Will this persuade you to buy the game?" After NBA Live 10 EA Sports placed the game on a four-year hiatus due to overwhelming success by rival NBA 2K from 2K Sports. Moves like making Jay Z and LeBron James executive producers of 2K13 and 2K14 gave the game preference over the Live version. Curated playlists, player input, and keen attention to basketball culture bolstered 2K14 to the best-selling sports video game on next-generation consoles (Xbox One and Playstation 4) and five to seven million copies sold worldwide. However, NBA Live 14, 15, and now 16 have EA Sports poised for a comeback in NBA video game series. The addition of Russell Westbrook to 16's cover will entice gamers to buy Live over 2K thanks to Westbrook's dominance this season. Sport games are popular because they allow users to emulate and imagine otherworldly athletic talent that amazes us on playing fields. Consumers will see Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and director-producer Spike Lee representing NBA 2K16 and think dramatic storyline. Meanwhile, NBA Live 16 will be more attractive as Russell Westbrook represents ferocity and intensity. After all the Point guard recorded 11 triple-doubles--seven more than the any other player, almost willed his team to the playoffs without help from teammate Kevin Durant, and showed supremacy with an MVP performance in this year's All-Star Game. His speed-strength combo makes him a runaway train any gamer would love to ride to an NBA title, and updated graphics from NBA Live makes the experience all the more real. So, to answer KOF's question, yes Russell Westbrook's NBA Live 16 cover will persuade you to buy the game.