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The Summer Fun Never Ends with These 19 Concert Inspired Cocktails

By
Star Laliberte
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0
a look in on a light green tile surface and white background of a dark pink cocktail in a tall glass with mint, blueberry and watermelon garnish, and a honey yellow cocktail tin a stemmed glass garnished with honeycomb and a drip of honey from a honey stir stick held by a woman. Beyoncé cocktail

Yes, it’s fall. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still have some summer fun. Mix up a refreshing, summer cocktail and dance to our favorite music!

All summer, TABLE Magazine has been rolling out musician-inspired drinks as part of our 2023 Summer Concert Cocktail Series. When top artists arrived in Pittsburgh, we created “pregame” drinks for readers to try before the live music began.

So call up your friends, mix a few cocktails, turn up the stereo, and as Dua Lipa says in her hit track from the Barbie: The Album: “Dance the night away!”

The Playlist

The Cocktails

Dreams Cocktail

This beauty is an upscale version of a Gin and Tonic. Named after the quintessential Fleetwood Mac song, “Dreams,” and inspired by Stevie Nicks.

Summer Baby Cocktail

A wooden surface with 2 cocktails in green tinted collins glasses, garnished with a lemon wheel and a tiny clothespin.

Our Summer Baby recipe is a low-carb cocktail inspired by the Jonas Brothers’ recent pop hit. It is an appropriate title for a drink that, like the song lyrics state, “feels like summer.”

You Proof Cocktail

Two mason jar mugs with what looks like ice tea garnished with lemon and mint on a wooden surface with melting ice. cubes

This bourbon cocktail offers a nice kick with a spicy ginger finish, great for summer sipping. Just maybe stay away from porta-potties while sipping on this Morgan Wallen-inspired drink…

Forever Young Cocktail

Two layered cocktails, orange on the bottom and red on the top, in clear square glasses with citrus flames as garnish and 2 lemon wedges to the right of the glasses.

British rock and pop singer-songwriter, Rod Stewart is the inspiration for our Forever Young Cocktail. With a career that’s still going after over 60 years, one might suggest this icon is, himself, forever young.

Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset Cocktail

Two orange colored cocktails in rocks glasses with peach fan garnish and a dark background

Luke Bryan’s “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” tells the story of a summer romance. We’ve been romancing all summer long with this cocktail that proves a tasty Bourbon base nip is for more than just country music fans. Enjoy the Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset cocktail on a hot evening with your summer crush.

Appetite for Destruction Cocktail

Two light purple cocktails with smoke and skull ice cubes on a black background

Appetite for Destruction was American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses’ debut solo album. It took about a year after its initial release in July of 1987 for the LP to succeed. But we think this cocktail will be an immediate hit with those who choose to imbibe.

Like a Virgin White Cosmo & Material Girl, Golden, Glitter, Ginger, Appletini

a look in photo with a black background and 3 cocktail glasses. 2 are the shape of a woman's body with a very pale yellow cocktail garnished with a long lemon twist and maraschino cherry, and a single glittery gold cocktail in a shorter glass

Like a Virgin and Material Girl were two of the top-performing songs by ’80s Queen of Pop, Madonna. This music icon not only set the standard for the dance-pop genre, she helped pave the way for a less “narrow-minded” approach to women’s sexuality. Her popularity continues to thrive on controversial, provocative lyrics, fed by a rebellious personality that has been celebrated by women for over three decades.

Sunflower Cocktail

2 orange cocktail in rocks glasses on a black surface with dehydrated orange slices as garnish. The front cocktail is being poured by a woman's hand

The Sunflower Cocktail is inspired by Post Malone’s song of the same name with Swae Lee and his alleged drink of choice, the Screwdriver. Like Malone, the Sunflower Cocktail takes a blend of different “genres” to create a unique flare. Mixing the concept of a classic Screwdriver Highball with the less acidic elements of a Cosmopolitan results in a delightful cocktail you’re sure to adore.

Man, I Feel Like a Woman Cocktail

2 glasses with peach colored cocktails garnished with peach slice fans and jalapeño slices sitting on a vibrant green wooden surface

It’s a totally crazy, forget your a lady, kind of cocktail. You can’t sip on Man, I Feel Like a Woman without those classic Shania Twain lyrics making their way into your head, and probably out of your mouth. Is it because you love that catchy tune, or is it the tequila talking? Whichever it may be, it’s your prerogative to have a little fun.

Baker’s Dozen Cocktail

two cocktails that have a light brown color with round cocktail ice cubes and mini cake, powdered and chocolate coated donuts as garnish

Our Baker’s Dozen Cocktail, Inspired by Phish, comes with a little fun fact moment for those who are not “aphishianados.” In 2017, between July 21st and August 6th, this polarizing jam-band played 13 shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Each performance featured a unique set list with no repeated songs, and get this, a special donut served to the audience from Philadelphia’s hometown hero, Federal Donuts. During the course of the 13 shows, Phish performed 237 total songs that were recorded live and sold as a special, limited-release boxed set titled The Complete Baker’s Dozen on November 30th of the following year.

So What Cocktail

a look in at 2 identical dark peachy pink cocktail on a black background with ice cube and peach wedges as garnish

The song may have been written as a joke — so says Pink — but our So What Cocktail, inspired by the singer-songwriter, is no-joke, dangerously delicious!

Prickly Pear Lemonade & Queen Bee Cocktails

a look in on a light green tile surface and white background of a dark pink cocktail in a tall glass with mint, blueberry and watermelon garnish, and a honey yellow cocktail tin a stemmed glass garnished with honeycomb and a drip of honey from a honey stir stick held by a woman. Beyoncé cocktail

We hoped our Prickly Pear Lemonade and Queen B cocktails might lessen the sting of Queen Bey’s Pittsburgh Renaissance Tour stop cancellation. About a month before Beyoncé was set to hit Acrisure Stadium, a statement from stadium officials was released citing “production logistics and scheduling issues” that would prohibit the artist from visiting Pittsburgh. While we may have lost the big venue opportunity to groove with the Queen, that didn’t stop us from paying homage to the R&B pop icon with not one, but two cocktails. In the words of Beyoncé herself, “We gettin’ f…. up tonight!”

Lover Cocktail

2 tall narrow orange cocktails with a pick sugar petal and raspberry garnish with a deep red background, Taylor Swift cocktails

Pop sensation Taylor Swift has taken a generation by storm. Don’t let the incredibly personal, poetic stories of heartbreak fool you. She may sing about her misfortunes with love, but this fierce singer-songwriter stands tall and confident on stages all over the world with red-painted lips representative of her passion for entertaining and the love she has for her fans, for life, and for helping others.

It’s a sentiment widely reciprocated by her fanbase, which continues to grow in loyalty and number, perhaps because she uses her platform to give back. It has been reported that, during her ‘Eras Tour,’ Taylor is quietly making generous donations to food poverty charities along the way. It’s this altruistic nature that inspires our tall Taylor Swift-themed cocktail topped with sweet sugar petals and red raspberry.

Crush Cocktail

a deep red cocktail in a hanging glass with a small bird hole type opening with a dark background and smoke

Right side up or upside down? It’s real, even though it feels like you’re dreaming. This rum-based cocktail, inspired by Dave Matthews Band’s “Crush,” will leave you sitting, smoking and feeling… well, you know.

Typical Average Cocktail

two yellow cocktails in small glass cartons with mint sprig garnish on a white tile surface

A Typical Average Cocktail for a “typical average teen, if you know what I mean.” We went all the way back to the year 2005 when Ed Sheeran self-released his first EP, The Orange Room, for this cocktail inspo. The third track on the album was titled Typical Average.

Rio Cocktail

Two identical cocktails in iridescent wine glasses garnished with dragon fruit pinwheels and mango rolls made to look like roses.

Like a river that twists through a dusty land, our Rio Cocktail will leave you dancing in the sand. It was created with the tropical flavors you’d sip on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, John Taylor’s original inspiration. But it was Simon Le Bon who wrote the track’s lyrics and switched it to a girl named Rio. It’s part of Duran Duran’s musical legacy now!

Summer’s In Your Blood Cocktail

2 cocktail glasses rimmed with tajin and fanned strawberries over a gradient of red/orange cocktail on a brown wood table with a lime wedge and jalapeño slices. A Boygenius inspired cocktail

“You can’t help but become the sun” when you’re sipping on Summer’s In Your Blood, a cocktail inspired by Boygenius’ song “True Blue.” Step away from unpredictability and sip a cocktail with your besties. Soak in the vibe of this American indie rock supergroup.

Recipes by Sarah Cascone / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce / Story by Star Laliberte and Jordan Snowden

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Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

By
ZAIN
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0
Asian-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup served in a bowl, with lemon water, a spoon, and salt on the side

Liz Fetchin started making her Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup with rice noodles, and the recipe organically evolved to include other Asian-inspired flavors. She serves up ingredients such as sesame oil, garlic, coconut aminos, red pepper flakes, bok choy in place of celery, and a cilantro and green onion garnish in a savory broth. Shred up a soy-free rotisserie chicken, and a nutritious, delicious dinner is on the table in less than half an hour. Plus, you can always store the leftovers and save them for your lunch the next day.

Are Rice Noodles Gluten-Free?

Yes! Rice noodles are gluten-free alternative to other types of noodles, especially in soup. Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free because they use primarily rice flour and water. Unlike wheat-based pasta, rice noodles do not contain gluten since the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, is not present in rice. This makes them a safe and unique texture option for individuals with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or those simply choosing to follow a gluten-free diet. Just like any other ingredient though, we recommend reading nutrition labels just to ensure there is no gluten in a specific product.

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Asian-Inspired Chicken Noodle Soup served in a bowl, with lemon water, a spoon, and salt on the side

Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

  • Author: Liz Fetchin
Print Recipe

Description

The infusion of Asian flavors is ready to heat you up on a cold winter day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb of rice noodles (I like Mama brand vermicelli-style rice noodles)
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 green onions, cleaned and thinly sliced (white and green parts)
  • 1 medium-sized carrot, peeled and sliced into ¼ inch rounds
  • 6 oz shiitake mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • 4 cups chicken stock (I love Kitchen Basics)
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced thin, or the shredded meat of one soy-free rotisserie chicken
  • 3 cups chopped bok choy or baby bok choy
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish: cilantro and sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions (you can do this while making the soup). Set aside.
  2. Heat sesame oil over medium heat in a large stockpot.
  3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add green onion, reserving about 1 tbsp for garnish, then add carrot, mushrooms, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and thyme.
  5. Cook until carrots start to soften, about 5 minutes.
  6. Carefully pour in chicken broth, then add coconut aminos and rice wine vinegar.
  7. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil.
  8. If using raw chicken, carefully add to the pot, then bring the soup back to a simmer and allow to cook for about 8 minutes or until the chicken pieces are cooked all the way through (color will be consistent throughout and juices will run clear). If using a rotisserie chicken, add it with the bok choy in the next step.
  9. Add bok choy and allow to cook until soft and bright green.
  10. Portion out the rice noodles into bowls, ladle soup over top, then garnish with sliced green onions and cilantro, and serve.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Recipe by Liz Fetchin of Octofree®
Food Styling Anna Franklin
Photography by Dave Bryce

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Kitchen Garden Quick Bread

By
Keith Recker
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a loaf of bread sits cut up on a round wooden plate next to apples and blackberries. Kitchen Garden Quick Bread

Fall is harvest time, with farm stands and farmers’ markets overflowing with produce. Make a few loaves of this Kitchen Garden Quick Bread recipe and freeze them for the long winter ahead.

Behind-the-scenes fun fact: the above photograph was taken in a beautiful Mount Lebanon kitchen, redesigned by architect Gerald Lee Morosco, principal at Gerald Lee Morosco Architects. Discover the story behind the renovation here.

Kitchen Garden Quick Bread Recipe

Quick Bread Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp neutral vegetable oil, plus more for the pan
  • 1/2 cup whole-milk plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup butter, room temperature
  • ¼ tsp fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 cups shredded vegetables (just 1 or any combination of beets, carrots, summer squash, or zucchini)

Quick Bread Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with olive oil.
  2. With a mixer, beat eggs, sugar, and oil together.
  3. Add yogurt and butter. Beat till smooth.
  4. Add dill. Mix briefly.
  5. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined and not a second longer.
  6. Add vegetables and combine with spatula.
  7. Place batter in loaf pan. Compress gently with knuckles and spread mixture evenly across pan.
  8. Bake for just over an hour, until crusty and golden.
  9. With soft rubber spatula, gently separate loaf from sides of pan. Let cool to room temperature.
  10. Remove from pan and slice. Spread with whipped cream cheese and sprigs of fresh dill and/or parsley. Or, wrap tightly in wax paper, and then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. You’ll enjoy these farm-fresh veggies on winter mornings with a cup of coffee.

Recipe by Keith Recker / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Pittsburgh Happenings: September 26-October 2

By
Jordan Snowden
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PITTSBURGH GAMING EXPO | 2023
Photo by Carl Raw

We blinked; summer is now officially over, and fall emerged with its crisp, cool air. Might as well embrace the season, right? We’ve gathered a few PSL recipes so you can taste the flavors of autumn. We’ve also rounded up a selection of Southwestern PA farms for pumpkin and apple picking. Don’t forget to visit these fall festivals to really embrace all things autumn! Or maybe you’d rather just curl up with a good book. Oh, and have you checked out your fall horoscope?

Now, onto what you came here for… upcoming events in Pittsburgh!

Duke Ellington at piano, with dancer Charles ‘Honi’ Coles and Billy Strayhorn looking on, in the Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, c. 1942 – 1943. (Photo by Charles ‘Teenie’ Harris/Carnegie Museum of Art/Getty Images)

Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For

O’Reilly Theater, September 19-October 11
Last week, Pittsburgh Public Theater debuted the world-premier of Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For. In this musical, directed by Kent Gash and written by Rob Zellers, the career and impact of the jazz legend and Pittsbugher come to life through a stunning score. The show was originally set to end on October 8 but now runs through October 11.

Photo Courtesy of Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh’s Facebook

Oktoberfest

Hofbräuhaus, September 29-30
Sure, you could book a trip to Germany, or you could take part in Oktoberfest celebrations right here in the ‘Burgh. During this third weekend of Hofbräuhaus’s 2023 festivities, enjoy live music in the Bier Hall and Biergarten, good food, and plenty of beer.

PITTSBURGH GAMING EXPO | 2023
Photo by Carl Raw

Pittsburgh Gaming Expo

Monroeville Convention Center, September 30-October 1
From pinball to board games, Street Fighter, and the Oregon Trail, when you step into the Pittsburgh Gaming Expo, you’ll be transported into a game-filled rabbit hole. No need to stock up on quarters beforehand!

Stevie Nicks

PPG Paints Arena, September 27
Seeing the OG witchy queen is the perfect way to transition into spooky season. Pregame the concert with our Dreams Cocktail, Inspired by Stevie Nicks.

A general store lost by Armand and Fanny Dreyfus in Cayeux-sur-Mer. Photo courtesy of Rosenberg’s website.

The Fruits of Hate: A French City During the Holocaust Grand Opening

Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, October 2
Previously titled Who is a Jew? Amiens, France, 1940-45, Dr. David Rosenberg’s international exhibition has already been featured at the University of Pittsburgh, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, Bower Hill Community Church, Temple Emanuel, and Duquesne University. However, this will be the first time the exhibition is shown at a public library in the U.S. The exhibit delves into questions of official, cultural, and religious Jewish identity in the French city of Amiens from 1940-45 through personal correspondence, photos, and audio recordings.

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The Latest Pittsburgh Restaurant News: A New Sushi Bar, Vegan Spot, and Bagel Storefront

By
Jordan Snowden
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0
Four hands, three with chopsticks, hover over a table full of Japanese cuisine
Photo by Emily J. Davis

What’s happening in the Pittsburgh restaurant scene? Read on to find out…

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

There’s now a new place to order sushi in Pittsburgh. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opened in SouthSide Works on September 17. It serves its preservative-free and artificial sweetener-free Japanese cuisine on a lively conveyor belt system.

Sia’s Garden Grown

Pittsburgh Vegans, rejoice! Opened in June, Sia’s Garden Grown in East Liberty is a 100% plant-based casual eatery offering a menu ranging from sandwiches to salads and smoothies. Try one of their grab-and-go options or get something made-to-order, just for you.

Condado Tacos

To celebrate their recent naming as one of the country’s top restaurants for “Cheap Eats,” by USA Today, Condado Tacos is making the food even cheaper with its Throwback Happy Hour. During this time, enjoy $1 off tacos, $5 house margaritas, $7 seasonal margaritas, and more money-saving deals.

An aerial shot of various bagels from Pittsburgh's Three Brothers Bagels
Photo courtesy of Three Brothers Bagels’s Facebook

Three Brothers Bagels

From Instagram to IRL. At the end of August, Three Brothers Bagels opened their first storefront location in Glenshaw. Alongside their signature hand rolled bagels made from locally milled flour from Butler Co., the family-owned and operated business offers pastries (like pumpkin cheesecake muffins and salted chocolate eclairs) and yummy breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Ordering ahead is recommended — Three Brothers Bagels tends to sell out quickly.

City Kitchen

Two new restaurant concepts opened this month at food hall City Kitchen. First came Shaka, serving up Hawaiian cuisine like house-smoked Kalua pork, hula chicken, and expansive poke offerings. Most recently was Charred, which focuses on gourmet burgers and elevated American comfort food. City Kitchen is the former Galley Bakery Square, and you can find out the key difference between the two businesses here.

Redhawk Coffee Roasters

You can now delight in the flavors of Redhawk Coffee from the comfort of your home. The local coffee brand can now be found in the coffee and tea aisle of participating Giant Eagles.

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Relaxing Chamomile Guava MOMosa

By
Star Laliberte
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A deep pink, almost ruby red cocktail in a champagne flute on a black reflective surface surrounded by a handful of scattered dried chamomile flowers.

Our Guava Chamomile MOMosa is calling every mom to a moment of relaxation with a champagne flute in hand. Think chamomile tea, vitamin C, and your own personal esthetician is a glass. It’s like that vintage “Calgon, take me away” moment, only better. And with vodka! This isn’t your traditional mimosa, it’s healthy… “ish.” Maybe something similar to a taller version of the popular health shots you find next to the fancy juice drinks and kombucha at the local grocery store. Are we stretching a little too far here? Eh…

So what makes this cocktail healthy”ish.” you ask? Well… prepare yourself for a laundry list of the, what we want so desperately to believe, benefits of this relaxing cocktail.

Chamomile is commonly used to reduce stress, aid in reducing inflammation, promote sleep, and help relieve symptoms of menstrual disorders. Guava, a nutritious fruit rich in vitamin C, is an immunity booster that may help to reduce your risk of cancer, reduce menstrual cramping, boost brain function, support eye heath, aid in digestion, reduce stress, and enhance skin health. Collagen is a protein that is known to improve your skin’s hydration and elasticity, as well as aiding in the replenishing of dead skin cells, may prevent bone loss and reduce joint pain, may help in the reduction of anxiety and improve mood, strengthens hair and nails, and is believed by some to promote weight loss and increased metabolism. Arguably a health drink, yes?

There you have it! Moms, you work hard to keep everything running smoothy, often running to and fro, from here to there. Take a moment to unwind with our Relaxing Chamomile Guava MOMosa, your new favorite health shot.

Relaxing Chamomile Guava MOMosa Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 ounces of chamomile infused vodka (recipe below)
3 ounces Goya Guava Nectar
Circle Vanilla Pear Sparkling Collagen Water

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pour 1 1/2 ounces of chamomile infused vodka in a champagne flute.
  2. Add 3 ounces of guava nectar to the glass.
  3. Top off with 1-2 ounces of Circle Vanilla Pea Sparkling Collagen Water.

Chamomile Infused Vodka Recipe

INGREDIENTS

4 tbsp dried chamomile flowers (we used these)
4 ounces vodka

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Add 4 tbsp of dried chamomile flowers to 4 ounces of vodka.
  2. Leave in a sealed container overnight.
  3. Using a fine mesh strainer, press the flowers to extract as much of the vodka as possible. You will end up with closer to 3 ounces of infused vodka, enough for approximately 2 of our MOMosa cocktails.

Recipe, Styling, and Story by Star Laliberte / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Pittsburgh Artist Steve Alexis’s Work is Emotion Manifested in Form

By
Jordan Snowden
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a black man with short dreads leans against something that looks like a cat scratcher in his studio. artist Steve Alexis

Artist Steve Alexis’s genre-defying work is an exploration of life, feeling, and the experience of being in and of this world.

Although he thinks he’s always been an artist, Alexis didn’t always realize he was making art. “When I was younger, I would make these small sculptures out of whatever I could get my hands on and just mess around like that for a while,” he says. “It took until my third year of undergrad to finally realize I had passion for making work.” After graduating in 2020, he accepted a spot in Carnegie Mellon’s Master of Fine Arts program, and he continues to make art around the city.

Alexis makes abstract works that speak to the ideas and emotions that mold him day to day. “Whether these feelings and sentiments are explicit or, if I’m even fully aware of them,” he says, “they manifest through abstract forms.”

He says the only unique thing about his work is that it comes from him and his hand. “When I have enough space and time to focus on making, meaning my life outside the studio is rich as well, the work flows from the amount of time I put into it,” he shares. “A great studio can run from 12 to 18 hours and barely feel like I’m working until I actually stop.”

Alexis recently had a solo show at 707 Penn Gallery. This career path has helped him see how malleable he is — “how much making objects can change the way you orient yourself in the world.”

Story by Corinne Whiting / Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Pittsburgh’s Rainbow Serpent Celebrates Black, Queer, and Multimedia Art

By
Jordan Snowden
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Pittsburgh rainbow serpent group poses while covered head to tow in blue. they lean to the left with one arm up

Marques Redd and Mikael Owunna run Pittsburgh’s Rainbow Serpent, with a mission to advance Black LGBTQ culture through multimedia art, emerging technology, advanced healing protocols, and African cosmologies. The organization evolved via a pandemic-era Zoom book group; their exploration of Nigerian-Igbo cosmology introduced them to a captivating myth involving two deities who create the universe through dance — the catalyst for their first film Obi Mbu (The Primordial House). The collective has since collaborated on public art installations, literary works, and more.

Owunna says, “This work holds deep significance for us, as it allows Black LGBTQ people to rediscover our spiritual purpose in a world that strives to deny our humanity.” He explains that in many traditional African contexts, “the Creator was understood to be the Primordial Androgynous Blackness from which all life emerges.” The vision they’ve created has proven healing for many Black LGBTQ people who face trauma and rejection.

From Rainbow Serpent’s first performance piece, The Four World Ages

The Power of Reclaiming

At the core of his art, Redd — a traditional African cosmologist, independent scholar, and multimedia artist — focuses on reclaiming, modernizing, and expanding indigenous African knowledge systems, with emphasis on ancient Egyptian and West African (Yoruba, Dogon, Dagara and Igbo) contexts. Owunna, a multimedia artist, filmmaker and engineer, strives “to give birth to an emancipatory vision that is grounded in the splendor of ancient African worldviews and ritually elevates everyone who engages with the work I create.”

On July 29, they’ll debuted their first performance piece The Four World Ages on Martha’s Vineyard at The Yard, featuring four dancers adorned in body paint who reenact the history of humanity from the perspective of Nigerian-Igbo myth. In spring 2024, at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, they’ll premiere a series of glass sculptures of Black queer deities.

Bridging a Gap

As the president of the City of Pittsburgh’s Public Art & Civic Design Commission, Owunna strives to bridge the gap between artistic expression and civic engagement. “By applying my artistic sensibilities to public decision-making, I aim to create a more inclusive, connected, and inspiring environment that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Pittsburgh and empowers its residents to shape the city’s future through art and civic design,” he says.

Redd’s background in art, literature, and indigenous African knowledge systems also provides a unique lens through which to address community issues. “By emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and spiritual connections,” he says, “I aim to bring about a deeper understanding of the communities we serve and the challenges they face. In collaboration with fellow artists, my goal is to create spaces where everyone feels heard, valued, and inspired to contribute to collective betterment.”

Relearning

In addition to drawing upon his engineering background to dissolve the Western world’s artificial boundaries between art and technology, Owunna cherishes the opportunity to reshape and share understandings of Blackness and queerness in our cultural landscape. “This work has not only given me a sense of purpose and direction on my spiritual journey,” he says, “but it has also been life-changing.”

Redd deems the last three years in Pittsburgh some of his most productive and invigorating yet. He most values “the freedom to create, to think, to feel, to nurture a vision of the world to come.”

Story by Corinne Whiting / Photography courtesy of Rainbow Serpent

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6 Wild Game Recipes to Enjoy After the Renaissance Fair Ends

By
Jordan Snowden
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0
Rabbit Confit with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Eggplant Compote on an orange plate with two dishes of sauces at the top of the plate

A thick, crispy turkey leg as big as your hand, juices pouring out with each bite… is your Renaissance Fair experience truly complete without one? If your answer is no, there’s a good chance you dream of feasting on exotic meat long after the fair festivities are over. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of wild game recipes that can be prepared any time of year and are a lot less messy to consume.

Crispy Duck Leg Confit

Duck legs arranged in a line with various sauces

The timeless elegance of French cuisine dives into the realm of delectable indulgence with Crispy Duck Leg Confit with roasted potatoes, fragrant basil pesto, and a tantalizing blood orange beurre blanc. Imagine the tender and succulent duck leg, lovingly cooked in its luxurious fat, until the meat is imbued with a depth of flavor that only time and patience can create.

Venison Sloppies

Venison Sloppies, or wild game sloppie joes on a green plate at the top corner of the frame, next to a spread of various other foods like fresh fruits and veggies

Get the party started with an unruly pack of appetizers. These Venison Sloppies, or wild game Sloppie Joe’s, on poppyseed slider buns from Mediterra Bakehouse, are intriguing, especially when paired with goat cheese dredged in wild sumac berries and slathered in local honey, poached pears flavored with the fruits and twigs of wild spiceberry bushes, and homemade membrillo (quince paste) from foraged fruits.

Wild Mushroom-Crusted Wild Boar

An aerial shot of a round bowl with Wild Mushroom-Crusted Wild Boar. On the side sits Root Vegetable Porridge. Wild Boar Recipe

For this wild game recipe, Wild Purveyors brought the boar from the Southwestern region of the United States, where this aggressive, hard-to-manage animal is treasured for its unique taste. Wild Purveyors’ CEO Cavan Patterson comments, “Their omnivorous diet of small animals, wild fruits and tubers, and tons of acorns creates a place-specific flavor. There’s nothing docile about a boar, but it’s worth the trouble.”

Mushroom Ragout Over Garlic Crostini With Spiced Duck

An aerial shot of Mushroom Ragout Over Garlic Crostini With Spiced Duck

Chef Cory Hughes of Fig & Ash sears Wild Purveyor’s farm-raised duck breast and plates it with an aromatic mushroom ragout. A party for the palate ensues!

Rabbit Confit with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Eggplant Compote

Rabbit Confit with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Eggplant Compote on an orange plate with two dishes of sauces at the top of the plate

The Fluted Mushroom pairs tender rabbit confit with a savory eggplant compote and chanterelle mushrooms, locally foraged and simply prepared to preserve their flavors. Once a kitchen staple, rabbit, with its light flavors, pairs beautifully with the piquant green peppercorn and compote seasoning without overpowering the chanterelles.

Roasted Potato Venison Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

At the intersection of colder weather and the time for hearty fare lies Roasted Potato Venison Shepherd’s Pie. The layer of potatoes helps keep moisture in the venison, as does the wonderful mix of butter, herbs, vegetables, and wine. If venison’s not your thing, try the recipe with ground bison or ground pork.

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Wild Mushroom-Crusted Wild Boar

By
Jordan Snowden
-
0
An aerial shot of a round bowl with Wild Mushroom-Crusted Wild Boar. On the side sits Root Vegetable Porridge. Wild Boar Recipe

Chef David Bulman of the now-closed Pittsburgh restaurant Seasons paired this sculptural rack of boar with a simple crust of egg white, mushroom dust, and herbs. Wild Purveyors brought the boar from the Southwestern region of the United States, where this aggressive, hard-to-manage animal is treasured for its unique taste. Wild Purveyors’ CEO Cavan Patterson comments, “Their omnivorous diet of small animals, wild fruits and tubers, and tons of acorns creates a place-specific flavor. There’s nothing docile about a boar, but it’s worth the trouble.”

Wild Mushroom-Crusted Wild Boar Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 egg white, beaten with a bit of water until smooth
Rack or loin of boar Handful dried porcini mushrooms
1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp. cooking oil

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Beat the egg white with a bit of water until smooth. Brush the loin or rack with it, season liberally with salt and thyme. Grind mushrooms in food processor until very fine. Roll meat all over in the powder.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the cooking oil in a cast-iron or heavy pan. Brown the meat on one side, then the other. Continue searing all over, being careful not to break the crust, until rare to medium-rare, then allow to rest for a few minutes.

Root Vegetable Porridge Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 yukon gold potato, large
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 leek, washed and thinly sliced
1 celery root, diced small
2 carrots, diced small
1 turnip, peeled and finely diced
1 apple, peeled, cored and finely diced
3 cups stock (vegetable, beef, or chicken)
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup cream
2 tbsp. butter
Fresh herbs: chives, thyme, parsley, or chervil
Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Measure and prepare all ingredients as noted.
  2. Wash the potato well. Poke holes in it all over with a fork, place in a microwave, and cook on high for 5 to 7 minutes or until very tender. Remove skin and pass the potato through a food mill or strainer. Reserve 1/4 cup of the potato puree. The rest can be used for something else.
  3. Place the leek in a heavy-bottom saucepan or very wide sauté pan with enough oil to coat the bottom lightly; add a little bit of salt. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and sweet. Do not brown. Add the celery root, carrots, turnip, and apple and continue to sauté for a couple minutes. Place heat on high and add stock. It should be enough to cover the vegetables completely by a ¼ inch. The amount needed will vary based on the size and shape of the pan. Bring to a fast simmer and cook uncovered until almost all the liquid is gone.
  4. With the heat still on high add cream and potato puree. Mix well. Simmer for a couple minutes until mixture is thick and resembles risotto or oatmeal. When thickened to desired consistency, and the vegetables are quite tender, remove from heat. Rest for a couple minutes and cool.
  5. Add the butter and stir until it’s completely mixed in. Season to taste with honey, salt, and herbs of your choice.

Recipe by Chef David Bulman / Photography by Adam Milliron / Styling by Ana Kelly

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