THE Football Rivalry

Hines Ward & Ray Lewis jawing.

I wonder if there's a Baltimore Ravens fan, residing in Pittsburgh, who was born in Pittsburgh. Pittsburghers have this really keen obsession with wearing black n' yellow and their Pittsburgh pride whether it be on a Stillers Sunday or during a quick trip to the local Giant Eagle.  Wearing the 'Uh huh, you know what it is. Black n' yellow. Black n' yellow.' is something so ingrained into the Pittsburgh culture that I adamantly believe there isn't a single yinzer dawning those intense purple and black colors.  On the other hand, Steelers Nation runs so vast that there are certainly Terrible Towel wavers tucked into the Baltimore Harbor ready to stand proudly for this Sunday's rivalry game.

There are a lot of historic match-ups in the NFL--cowboys and indians personified with the Washington Redskins versus the Dallas Cowboys, the New England Patriots and their Super Bowl kryptonite New York Giants, and even the Chicago Bears versus the Green Bay Packers--but the best rivalry in the National Football League is between the Pittsburgh Steelers and their mid-Atlantic neighbor, the Baltimore Ravens.  You will not see a harder fought game, a harder hitting game, or a more passionate game than this AFC North battle.  Allow two of the games fiercest competitors in Hines Ward and Ed Reed to narrate their time playing in these battered games.

Think about some of the League's best players and coaches who have shaped this match.  I'm talking about Bill Cowher, Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, Ed Reed and HEEAATH Miller.  Current general commanding Baltimore's vaunted defense, Terrell Suggs, put it simply on Thursday saying, "These games will define you."  We haven't forgotten Psycho Ward's vintage knockout hit against Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu's Super Bowl clinching interception in the 2008 AFC championship.  Coaches keep their jobs and players make their legend in these dog fights.  No matter the records of these two teams or who's on the field, both franchises come to hunt and kill. 

That violent smash-mouth style of football this very rivalry has been predicated on is the by-product of the Steelers blue-print.  The style of play that captivated the original Steelers Nation and came to epitomize the  identity of the rust-belt region it was played in--a gritty Steel Curtain defense with a big-play, ground-and-pound offense--has been mimicked and schemed against since the 1970s dynasty.  The Ravens have been the most effective imitators of the Steelers' football ethos.  In 1996, the franchise went out and drafted its own Hall of Fame tone-setting linebacker in Ray Lewis.  Then, in '98 the franchise plucked a former Steeler and Hall-of-Famer in Rod Woodson to upgrade their defense.  After Ben Roethlisberger proved impervious to the harsh mid-Atlantic weather and tormented opposing defenses with his cannon of an arm and escapability, Baltimore invested in their own strong-armed quarterback, Joe Flacco.  

The 45th meeting of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is set to be a redeeming one for the six-time Super Bowl champions, as the last time the Steelers were victorious came five meetings ago on November 2nd, 2014.  Tomorrow's Week 9 game is also an opportunity for the Stillers to get their season back on track after losing two straight games.  Injuries to core defensive players, like Cameron Heyward and Ryan Shazier as well as Big Ben's awkward torn meniscus in his left knee, have stymied the progression of this talented Steelers squad.  Ranking 21st in defensive efficiency, the Steelers are playing uncharacteristically on the defensive-side of the ball.  Running backs are flipping two hundred yard games and we are barely touching opposing quarterbacks.  The return of Heyward will add much needed pressure on Joe Flacco, while Shazier will be able to nullify some of the Ravens' playmakers.  Twenty days after undergoing knee surgery, Big Ben is anticipated to play, surprising no one on the Ravens defense.  His presence for the rest of the season controlling the 9th most efficient offense in the League will hopefully ignite Antonio Brown and maximize the usage of Le'veon Bell.  Nothing in this game will come easy though, as a first place lead in the division is on the line.

I don't hate the Ravens.  It's hard to have hatred for a team that brings out the best in their opponent.  Twelve of these cage-match games in the last decade have been decided by three points or less.  And despite the recent regular season success of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers and Ravens have long been considered the class of the AFC North, combining for eleven fist place finishes.  I would call it more of a respected disdain.  After all, imitation is the purest form of flattery. 

"TWO HUNDRED" Collection by farESH Brand Praises Pixburgh History

Pittsburgh celebrates its rich history achieved by all of the people who have called the city home. Regarding the arts, government or sports, anything in Pittsburgh has prideful supporters. For 200 years, the city's natives and transplants remain a part of a community simply by residing in The 'Burgh.

Proving to be a valued member of the community, local lifestyle label farESH Brand champions the city with a new clothing collection. Titled "TWO HUNDRED," farESH's fall range for 2016 commemorates the bicentennial of Pittsburgh.

Specifically, "TWO HUNDRED" combs the figurative archives and keys in on past and present cultural influences. In particular, farESH Brand recognizes Revolutionary War soldier Ebenezer Denny as a Pittsburgh hero for being the city's first mayor. Black and gray baseball jerseys feature in the new collection with Denny's last name stitched on the back with bicentennial patches on the front left chest.

Nicknames are important here, too. They reference the culture of the city which is affected by its geographic location, production, or slang. "The Paris of Appalachia" adorns the front of a white fleece jacket and Pittsburgh's seal hits on the back. The phrase "comes from the fact that Pittsburgh is the largest metropolitan city that is part of the Appalachian Mountains," Ryan Brown, creative director of farESH, says. Also, in current and previous work from farESH, the brand successfully applies "Pixburgh" to their movement to represent a united and unique bunch. The term is "a play on the city's accent... Growing up, that's how we stylized the name," Jimmy Schaffer, a local photographer enlisted to shoot the collection's lookbook, says.

Back of The Paris of Appalachia fleece Jacket

"farESH Brand has always embraced the variety of culture, music, and art that the city has to offer," Schaffer continues.

To that end, the "TWO HUNDRED" lookbook features those who participate in Pixburgh's creative community along with Schaffer. For instance, hip-hop artist Tucker Pillsbury, a.k.a. Dillis, models the streetwear, like hats and T-shirts that praise the city's "152XX" zipcode. Creative phenom, artist Mathias Rushin models the clothing with Dillis, and locals Brendyn Irvin, Greg Scelp, and Gabe Searles assist in the visuals and styling of the lookbook.

While farESH utilizes a cast who advocate for creativity in Pixburgh, the city is "very collaborative. It seems like people are working to build the city as a mass, not individuals," Dillis says.

Fundamentally, farESH Brand's "TWO HUNDRED" collection has the respect for the 200 years the city has thrived. "Pittsburgh has grown to be a more diverse and forward thinking city... It would be amazing to look back even in 10 years and see where the city heads and to see the work that my peers and myself put in to make the city better," RB says.

"TWO HUNDRED" is a reflection of Pixburgh's progress, which farESH Brand makes tangible in the form of wearables. For those interested, shop the collection here and use the code "ITR" upon your purchase for 10% off your bill.

View the full lookbook below.

Two Men Who Feed Pittsburgh Culture Join Drinking Partners Podcast

Day Bracey and Ed Bailey of Drinking Partners with Thomas Agnew and D.S. Kinsel of Boom Concepts

On the latest episode of Drinking Partners podcast with Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, Thomas Agnew and D.S. Kinsel join the conversation.

Both D.S. and Thomas operate Boom Concepts, which the Drinking Partners combo claims has heavy influence in Pittsburgh's popular culture.

"Fuck the culture," Thomas says. "I feel like everybody just rides the waves... We don't follow any standards."

Instead of latching on to the trends or playing it safe, D.S. and Thomas are a part of the formula which makes Pittsburgh culture pop. D.S. is a self-trained artist and creative businessman. Thomas has been the brain behind the city's "word up magazine" since 2007, Jenesis.

Together, D.S. and Thomas combined to create Boom three years ago, which promotes and provides resources to a creative community in The 'Burgh.

"We feeding the culture [and Boom is] a place to cook," D.S. says.

Fundamentally, Boom Concepts is a workspace foremost, then a gallery (voted the third best gallery for local artists by the Pittsburgh City Paper) and incubation hub for art and entrepreneurship.

Through all the gentrification happening in the city's East Liberty neighborhood where Boom locates, the venue is a constant beacon for African American business and fun.

Whether it is from D.S.'s roots in The Hill District or Thomas' transfer from Toledo, Ohio to the city for schooling at the Art Institute in the early 2000s, both men are tapped into Pittsburgh.

The young men have created a safe space where people are "comfortable not being judged," Thomas says. Events like breastfeeding class, yoga class, and Wine and Trap have featured at Boom. Rap video has filmed in their basement and on their stage. 

Additionally, "we show artists how to be professionals... we support you conceptually," D.S. continues.

One of the ways the partners get support and show support is through grants. "Talk to Heinz Endowments, talk to Pittsburgh Foundation, the money is there for you to get," Thomas urges. There is free money available to artists in The Steel City. They just have to apply themselves to receive it. "We tell all the young niggas, you're not an artist, you're a creative entrepreneur," D.S. says. People need to think of themselves as a small business and find the money opportunities that will allow them to live off their craft.

Along with talk about D.S. and Thomas' joint and personal pursuits, episode 92 of Drinking Partners podcast comments on African Americans doing better at supporting one another. We have to "team up," Thomas says. "Throw the rope back over" once you make it to a place of stability and achievement, D.S. adds.

Listen to D.S. and Thomas' advice and their stories about hood awareness here in the newest episode of Drinking Partners, the best local podcast according to the City Paper.

More than anything, the effort from all the parties involved continues to contribute to the progression of the city of Pittsburgh.

Boom Concepts

5139 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

An Appropriate Place to Discuss Sneakers

Curated by Sean Beauford

There is cultural significance in sneakers. Beyond wearing a shoe for comfort and function, some people wear certain brands and silhouettes because they symbolize a popular adoration for sports, music, creativity, and style. Some people have accomplished great achievements in their shoes that the footwear itself becomes historical in-line with the person's legend. Heroes like athletes Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan, musical talents like Pharrell Williams and Kanye West, as well as genius Steve Jobs all triumphed in their Reebok, Jordan, adidas, Nike, and New Balance sneakers respectively. Factors such as these, along with special colorways and limited collaborations with exemplary design houses, make many sneakers attractive to wear and valuable to collect.

Frequent curator of art exhibitions in the Pittsburgh area Sean Beauford expounds sneaker culture with his new forum. "GRAIL abandons the idea of sacred material possessions, reconsiders consumption, and urges thoughtful creating," is written at ongrail.com. 

Through an exhibit and panel discussion, artists John Geiger, Dylan Graves, LinShuttr, as well as entrepreneur Soley Ghost, and moderator Grits Capone underline the significance and complexity of iconic shoes, nicknamed after the Holy Grail.

GRAIL's cast mates all have their own contribution to or appreciation for sneaker culture. John Geiger's imagination has led him to craft many unique designs with Nike's Air Force 1 and his own collection of footwear. Artist Dylan Graves offers an abstract representation of Jordan Brand's beauty while illustrator LinShuttr plays into MJ's icon. Soley Ghost is the proprietor of a couple sneaker shops, like East Coast Boutique in New Jersey. Poet and journalist Grits Capone will concentrate the conversation on an all-encompassing culture.

Establishments in Pittsburgh's East Liberty support Beauford's GRAIL and GRAIL TALK. The Kelly Strayhorn Theater presents the show, and sneaker consignment store Refresh PGH sponsors the affair. Music by iB-Rease will aid the atmosphere. GRAIL will open on Thursday, October 13 at Ace Hotel, also in East Liberty. Discussion will be held from 6-7 p.m. and after the gallery will unveil.

Ace Hotel

120 S Whitfield St

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Gil Veni Vici Presents "East Side Story"

Gil Veni Vici photographed by Wain Tan

Gil Veni Vici, best known for his image in streetwear campaigns for Los Angeles stalwarts like The Hundreds and Menace, is about to level up in the creative industry. The young, East L.A. native appears poised and ready to embark on his career as an artist and businessman, but first, he celebrates the city that raised him.

"East Side Story," is his multidisciplinary art exhibition on display at HVW8 Gallery in L.A. With large installations, a performance piece, and photographs, Gil shares his perspective on life and style rooted in the culture representative of where he is from. "Eastside Story" draws on his real-life experiences in L.A.'s El Sereno neighborhood, and his lifestyle while being influenced by his Mexican-American heritage and urban community. "Don't forget where you come from," Gil says.

The exhibit mostly features portraits of Gil taken by local photographers, like Castro Clifton, Adri Law, and Estavan Oriol. Leading the creative direction, Gil selected his friends and legends to capture the feel of East Los Angeles through his own natural persona. Inside the gallery, viewers become exposed to Gil's mind. The performance piece demonstrates a poker game sequence with the players being opposing gangsters and a mermaid card dealer. Here viewers are invited to visualize a fantasized scene from Gil's childhood. A large Virgin Mary shrine also stands surrounded by holy candles and rose petals. A wall tagged by Spanto of lifestyle label Born and Raised serves as a backdrop. "Details are important," Gil said about the curating process and inspiration for his exhibition.

Later into the night of the exhibit's opening reception on September 23, guests gathered in the gallery's parking lot which quickly turned into a party. Lowriders and quads added to scene. L.A.'s community was also out in full support - Jordan Clarkson of the Lakers, OverDoz's Joon, and Anwar Carrots were a few of the local legends in the crowd who came out and enjoyed the show. The whole experience was "overwhelming [with] so much love and positive energy in the air. I was really appreciative," Gil recalls.

On behalf of his efforts, he says, "I had to represent and show people you can do anything you want, just be creative."

Visual impressions, captured by Wain Tan, from the opening reception can be seen throughout this write-up, but experience Gil's "East Side Story" for yourself from now until October 16.

HVW8 Gallery

661 N Spaulding Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90036