Museums N’at

Inside the Rivers of Steel Museum
GIF Credit: Steven Baleno

By Steven Baleno

There are only so many times you can visit the Silver Clouds at the Andy Warhol Museum, the laser show set to Freddie Mercury songs at the Science Center, or the dinosaur exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History before you start desiring a change of scenery. I know, I know, you probably think I’m crazy, but after you’ve seen the Tyrannosaurus rex three, four or maybe nine times, the initial wonder starts to wear off.

If you find yourself in my shoes, or if you just want to brag to your friends about some cool new places they probably have never been to yet, don’t worry, there are plenty of other museums in the city just waiting for you to come by and have a good time.

Rivers of Steel Museum: Extending the city’s history beyond its walls

Over a century before the Waterfront became the go-to dining destination for the ’Burgh, the area served as the center for steel mills and workers’ rights.

Does the Pinkerton Strike jog any memories from your high school history class?

No? Well, the Rivers of Steel Museum, right on the main stretch of Homestead, offers exhibits that will give you a refresher course on Homestead’s vital part in shaping the Steel City. Operating out of the historic Bost Building, known for its role in the 1892 strike, this museum offers a look at the history of the Homestead Works, but also showcases steel factory pieces from private collectors.

It’s the glimpse into the lives of the sweat-and-blood workers that literally made this city.

Once you’ve brushed up on your history, make sure to stop by the Pump House, site of the bloody battle between the laborers and Pinkerton agents during the strike, located down in the Waterfront.  And if you manage to stop by on a Sunday, you may even run into one of Rivers of Steel’s Heritage Markets for a little bit of music and home cooked goodness to go with your foray into Pittsburgh’s past.

Toonseum: Proving your parents wrong about cartoons since 2007

A zoetrope spins in one of Toonseum's galleries
GIF Credit: Steven Baleno

Many might not think of cartoons as culturally significant, but here’s the thing: the Toonseum is located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District for a reason.

The museum, which recently wrapped up an exhibit giving a look into the black animated characters that appeared in the wake of the Civil Rights movement, is now showcasing works by Will Eisner, the graphic-novel godfather, who’s known for capturing the transformation of New York City’s landscape and soul pre- and post-Depression. If you’re looking for something thought provoking, don’t miss this collection.

But what’s coming up after Eisner’s works leave in May? Keep an eye out for a gallery of artwork from the comic strip “Pearls Before Swine” and an exhibition focusing on the Care Bears for the young at heart. And don’t miss the museum’s numerous lectures, most recently welcoming Playboy cartoonist Doug Sneyd.

With three rotating galleries, there’s always something worth checking out at the Toonseum and always something to learn.

The Bible Lands Museum: Where archaeology and theology make strange, fascinating bedfellows

The beauty of Pittsburgh lies in the fact that you’ll find a surprise in any neighborhood if you’re willing to look for it.

Lucky for you, I’ve already done the legwork to find one of East Liberty’s most unusual surprises, located at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary off of North Highland Avenue, which collects archaeological finds from the Near East.

Now, don’t let the word “Bible” in the name fool you, because even though the museum focuses on artifacts in and around historic cities with roots in Biblical narratives like Judah and Jericho, you’ll find it refreshing that the exhibits serve to contextualize the everyday life of the people featured in Hebrew and New Testament texts, rather than feeling like a religious polemic. In fact, one of the most interesting exhibits focuses on the archaeological expeditions led by some of the museums’ archaeologists from the early 20th century, giving a rare look into the history of the science over the past 90 years.

Additional exhibits include ones on burial practices, pottery, and early writing systems in the Middle East, even one on the discovery of a Hebrew alphabet dating from tenth century BCE.

If you’re into the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Ancient Egyptian exhibit (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), but you’re looking for something new, this is the place for you, especially since there is no admission charge (donations are encouraged) and it is open to the public during the academic year.

Museums N’at by Steven Baleno is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Pittsburgh Coffee Cravings

photos by Caia Caldwell

By Caia Caldwell

In Pittsburgh coffee shops are ubiquitous, making the choice for specialty coffee overwhelming. Whether you treat yourself to a blended beverage occasionally, or are a daily caffeine addict, this guide to Pittsburgh’s unique coffee shops will help you decide which shop to try next.

Crazy Mocha: Small & Unique

Wander just off Forbes onto Oakland Avenue and you will find the indie shop Crazy Mocha. The shop is small, and decorated in bright cherry reds and sunshine yellow. Facing out onto the street there is a long counter with stools, a small table, and two armchairs, and there is sidewalk seating in the form of three small metal tables. A colorful map of the world hangs on the wall, and the Crazy Mocha logo, a goat holding a mug, is everywhere. On the menu: espresso, cappuccinos, and four different types of mochas, plus muffins, biscotti, and large cookies. An alternative drink menu gives customers other options, from tea to Italian soda.

My hot White Mocha is creamy and tasteful, but not as sweet as I like it, and at $3.14 it is a bit small compared to what I might get at mainstream coffee shops. I was unable to get the Wi-Fi to work, which was frustrating, but only a small detractor. This shop has a small, cozy, and relaxed atmosphere that lends itself to people watching or to pulling a copy of the Pitt News off the free stack during breaks from working on a term paper. I can see meeting a friend here and having a long conversation. The quiet atmosphere is an advantage over another noisy coffee shop such as Starbucks.

Kazanda’s Café: Worth the Drive

Opened in 2010, Kazanda’s Café serves coffee brewed from Haitian-grown beans, plus sandwiches, and snacks. The coffee selection initially seems small, but broad categories, like “mocha” can then be specialized. After asking about a mocha, I am given half a dozen flavor choices including vanilla, pumpkin spice, and caramel.

Located on Penn Avenue in East Liberty near the intersection of Highland Avenue, Kazanda’s is a tucked away treasure for coffee lovers. The shop is cute and open with couches, two-person tables, and an ample wall of magazines to choose from. Bright Caribbean art adorns the walls. The owner, Kazanda Tamo, is originally from Haiti, explaining how the shop got its unique name and decorations.

The abundance of seating was relatively vacant when I came in, with only one person occupying a couch. The location of the shop seems unfortunate—that particular stretch of Penn Avenue is run down, dingy, and doesn’t lend itself to a gourmet coffee shop. That being said, the vanilla mocha I had was the best mocha I have had in the memorable past. The taste was simply beautiful. The coffee was strong, but not too robust, and perfectly mixed with milk. The sweetness was ideal, and consistent throughout the drink (no build-up of syrup at the bottom to ruin the last sips). There was also no bitter aftertaste sometimes found in espresso drinks.

Although the shop is out of the way for most college kids, if you want a really good coffee, it’s worth the ride.

Nicholas Coffee Co.: An Original

Market Square is located in downtown Pittsburgh near the Point. Hosting small restaurants and shops, the square’s clientele is generally businessmen and women on their lunch breaks. First opened in 1919, Nicolas Coffee Co. is located in the north corner, and as you go into the dark paneled shop the unique smell of cigars and coffee aroma hits you. If I had to pick one word to describe the store it would be vintage. The store’s primary purpose is to sell bulk coffee beans, tea, and cigars. However, a small café boasts an impressive menu of gourmet drinks as well as simple cups of Joe.

I chose the “white chocolate.” Filled to the brim and topped with whipped cream, the chocolate taste was more predominant than that of other mochas I’ve tried. The flavor was rich and deep, just short of overwhelming. Directly across from the store there is the paved center of Market Square with dozens of small metal tables. During the winter, you would not want to sit outside, but during the pleasant weather the spot is great to sit down and do schoolwork, or just people-watch.

Still want more choices? Try Beehive Coffeehouse (South Side), Coffee Tree Roasters (multiple locations), or La Prima Expresso Co. (Strip District).

Or perhaps you should stick with an established favorite:

Starbucks: The Safe Choice

The Starbucks in Oakland is doing a brisk business on a Saturday afternoon as students bring their homework and lounge in the tastefully decorated mock living room. Located on Forbes, the door is always swinging open to admit college kids. Cheerful flames dance in the fireplace, giving a cheery atmosphere, and the carefully mismatched furniture of faux leather chairs, wood tables, and benches provide enough seating even on a busy weekend. The music is soft rock, with crooning voices backbeat by soft snare drum.

The beauty and subsequent downside of Starbucks is that the consumer always knows what to expect. If they order a white mocha grande with a shot of espresso at a store in Seattle, the mocha will taste almost exactly the same at a store in Pittsburgh. The store and the product have been standardized, so you know exactly what your money will buy you. If you’re looking for a unique coffee experience, it’s not the place to go, but if you’re just looking to grab a well-made specialty coffee and sit with friends, it’s an excellent choice.

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