Pittsburgh is a cultural powerhouse. Home to iconic pop-artist Andy Warhol, over 30 museums and galleries and legendary architecture, the former steel city has forged a new name for itself over the past few decades today offering visitors cutting-edge tech, green outdoor ventures and innovative festivals and events.
Often referred to as “Hollywood of the East’, Pittsburgh’s film industry dates back to 1914 and is home to the world’s first movie theatre. Since then, the city has been the location for more than 120 films and TV shows, including Fences, Jack Reacher, The Dark Knight Rises, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Foxcatcher, Flashdance, Dear Zoe, A Man Called Otto and Mindhunter. More recently, Prime’s popular American musical drama miniseries, Daisy Jones & The Six, saw the fictitious band hail from Pittsburgh and perform at the Staircase Lounge – an iconic late 60s rock music venue located in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Hollywood film crews are continuously drawn to Pittsburgh for its endless variety of architecture, neighbourhood charm and local support. This rich film history has also brought a wave of cultural festivals to the city such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Barrel and Flow Fest – the nations first black beer festival and Pittsburgh’s International Jazz Festival, a soulful weekend with more than 140 jazz musicians.
Pittsburgh is also home to many iconic music venues located in Pittsburgh’s downtown Cultural District – a cluster of theatres, art galleries and cultural landmarks including the grand Heinz Hall, home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Benedum Center for the Performing Arts stages big-name musicals, and the 1903 Byham Theater. This musical offering has seen many music legends born and raised in the city, including Thea Austin- lead singer of SNAP and most famous for the hit ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’, iconic noughties pop culture icon Christina Aguilera and the late American rapper, Mac Miller. Other famous Pittsburghers include actors Gene Kelly, Fred Rogers and Jeff Goldblum who also has a day dedicated to him on 13 July. An extensive list of famous Pittsburghers can be found here.
In May, American Grammy, Emmy, and 2x Tony winner, Billy Porter, will debut his Billy Porter Presents: A Summer Flower Fashion Show at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Now open, the exhibition will run until 24 September, and will feature elaborate costumes inspired by the iconic looks and roles of Porter.
For more information, please visit www.visitpittsburgh.com
