Wide View

Frankie Fridays

He’s a one-man-band singing Elvis tunes to a dancing monkey. Frankie Capri recently played at The Original Oyster House as part of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s “Frankie Fridays.” Mr. Capri, who began in the early 1980s playing at the Liberty Belle Tavern and later the Lava Lounge, delighted crowds with his offbeat Vegas lounge act, including magic tricks and animated animals dancing to his music. Mr. Capri hasn’t had a regular club gig lately, but fans can still find him at numerous festivals and fairs in the region. View The Gallery >

In Focus: Propel Hazelwood students learn to go beyond the selfie

What has always captivated me about photography is its ability to be a tool for exploration. A camera has opened doors to so many places and experiences for me. These days, most kids know how to use a smart device and take selfies. One group of Propel Hazelwood second- and third-graders got to delve deeper into photography during an after-school program I led. From the initial excitement of “meeting” their cameras to learning more about the medium, the students explored their vision of the community through photography. I was there to teach them, but they’ve taught me a lot about myself as a photographer and as a person. Having to teach the elements of photography — breaking down a photograph into its individual parts, whether it is color, shape, framing, facial expression, foreground, background — has reminded me to pay better attention to the creative devices that have become second nature to me. The students’ way of seeing isn’t inhibited by the aesthetics of photography. Watching how they experimented with their cameras has pushed me to take risks while photographing. The students’ photography will be on display along with the artwork created at other Propel after-school sites from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Mattress Factory. The show and main gallery are free and open to the public. View The Gallery >

In Focus: Pilot for a day

Norah Carter, 12, got the chance of a lifetime when she was chosen “pilot for a day” at the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon. On May 11, 2016, Norah, a sixth-grader at Pine-Richland's Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, was chosen as a pilot and sworn in as an honorary Air Force 2nd lieutenant aboard a C-130 Hercules. She spent the day participating in routine activities on the base and said it was the best day of her life. “I can't believe they let me ride on this big government plane that they use for actual missions,” she said. “Becoming a pilot for a day is the most amazing ever. I am so honored to be able to do this.” Norah was chosen by the staff at Allegheny General Hospital. She has had several painful surgeries as a result of a genetic disorder that causes orthopedic abnormalities, including scoliosis and hip dysplasia. — Nate Guidry View The Gallery >

Pascha begins

Five weeks after some Christians celebrated Easter, the congregation of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead marked the Resurrection of Christ. Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar, and Pascha, as they call Easter, can often be several weeks after Western Christians celebrate Easter. View The Gallery >

Costumes rule at Steel City Con

A number of years ago, William Shatner, the captain of the Enterprise (aka James Tiberius Kirk), appeared on a television comedy and faced Starfleet-costumed fans of his series at a convention and told them to get a life. He later backed off on his rant, but the “get a life” statement has long been applied to the obsessed fans of any television show, movie or computer game who try to dress up like a character, speak in a created language or role play. View The Gallery >