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| - The Artworks essentially a very long hallway with a stage and a PA at one end. It is a low(200) capacity venue catering to the off-center art crowd, and if you identify with that then you have probably already been called here by one of the many shows that it hosts. Shows here can range from 'The-Biggest-Name-You've-Never-Heard-Of" to simply "The-Name-You've-Never-Heard-Of". The art is usually local, and can obviously be hit or miss. The sound and conditions could be better, depending on what show you're seeing. In the summer the place can get unbearably hot, with people running for the exits between sets.
Parking on the street is plentiful and free, and while there usually isn't too much within walking distance on a sparsely crowded night, Liberty Avenue is only a few blocks away to grab a bite to eat beforehand. The trip downstairs to the bathroom is somewhat disturbing. The toilet, appropriately, also lies at the end of a long hallway, behind a door which may or may not be able to close completely. Cleanliness of this one was an afterthought.
However, while you hesitantly make your way towards the bathroom, be sure to check out the posters lining the wall of the stairs. Some of the past line-ups may astound you(And the prices you could have seen them for). Make no mistake, there is a fairly solid quality to the music here(especially from touring bands) and over the years many of them go on to be influential in one way or another. So if it's your thing, but sure to stop out and catch a show - the music will probably be solid, and the tickets are cheap!
They're the only place on the street that requests donations for entry during Unblurred, but honestly I can't imagine the place is a gold mine regularly and the music they host is important to Pittsburgh(in my opinion), so I never mind tossing in a few bucks. Also, IMO, promotion isn't the best here, so check the website to find out the latest shows, or stop in during Unblurred.
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