Yinzerfest Features Pittsburgh’s Favorite Music, Food, Comedy, and More

Dahntahn Pittsburgh, the capital of Yinzerville.

The study of American dialect suggests there are four, maybe five, “tongues” in this country exemplified by the use of second person plural pronouns. In the south, there’s “y’all.” In the rural mid-Atlantic, there’s “you’uns.” In the midwest, it’s “you guys.” And along the Jersey shore up through Brooklyn, the local pronoun is “youse.” Pittsburgh, of course, is a special place; only here do we say “yinz.” It’s a point of great pride (if not deprecative humor) we openly share. In fact, we love the distinctive pronoun so much, we gladly identify ourselves by it. After all, Georgians don’t refer to themselves as y’allers nor New Yorkers as yousers. But we—we who celebrate our multi-ethnic, can-do, and got the T-shirt history—are yinzers.

And, so, coming to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for four days in April this year is Pittsburgh Yinzerfest, a family-friendly celebration of all that our hometown holds dear. We’re talking chipped ham sammiches and pierogies, the Jaggerz and Joe Grushecky, and a slew of jagoff comedians. From Thursday, April 25 to Sunday April 28, four days of delectable dining demonstrations, curious crafts, ethnic eats, fan-favorite bands and riotous regional comics will all come together to share Pittsburgh’s unrivaled spirit. 

Mahntins of Music

Thursday night features a musical line-up beginning with The Mazeroskis playing from 4:12  to 5:15 p.m. and Smells Like the 90’s, from 6 to 7 p.m. Headlining the evening will be a Celebratory Tribute to local icon Donnie Iris, featuring Joe Grushecky and The House Rockers with Rick Witkowski, Scott Blasey, Jeff Jimerson, Pete Hewlett, Hermie Granati, Kelsey Friday, Melinda Colaizzie, and Joe Wodarek starting at 8:30 p.m.. Friday night features (in order of appearance, beginning at 4 pm) Keely Singer, Totally 80’s, and the Jaggerz. Saturday evening’s musical score, beginning at 4 p.m., includes BB Steal 80’s Live, Bon Journey, and The Nied’s Hotel Band presenting a Yinzer Rock-n-Roll Tribute with Billy Price, Frank Czuri (of The Silencers,) KDKA radio’s Larry Richert, Jim Krenn, The Granati Brothers, Kenny Blake, and,  Mia Z, a former contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” Come back on Sunday and enjoy Ruffcreek, Joe Wodarek & the 51 South Band, and local country artist Amanda James from 1 to 5 p.m.. It’s a four day fest of oldies and originals performed by Pittsburgh’s finest.

Scott Blasey. (Photo: Rick Handler)

Jeet Jet?

For the foodie aficionado, Don’s Appliances Chef’s Stage will entice you with demonstrations of Pittsburgh classic foods “reinvented” by Executive Chef Anthony Marino. Scheduled, too, are Gosia’s Pierogies prepared by Chef Terry Smith-Rawecki, a vegan burger concocted by Braddock’s Rebellion Executive Chef Nicholas Saxon, and Grandma Cecilia’s cabbage rolls and halusky prepared by Chef Janet Loughran of Red Wagon Meals. For more demos and other delicious fare, be sure to check the cooking stage schedule on the Yinzerfest website. At all times, you can nosh on local favorites from many of Pittsburgh’s fantastic food trucks and festival caterers. Wine and the ‘Burgh’s best beers will also be available.

Hahzabaht Some Humor?

Whether from Carnegie, Carrick or Connellsville, many of our local comedians are national celebrities. No, Billy Gardell and Dennis Miller weren’t available, but there’s no shortage of comic talent set for the Yinzerfest Comedy Stage sponsored by Slapstick’s Comedy Club. An early show on Thursday will feature yinzer material deftly delivered by Tracie Jayne, Ryan McBride, John Benkart, Abby Elias, Zach Funk, Ellen Lundie, Ian Dougherty, Amir Abdullah, and the singular Wolfie. The Thursday late show, emceed by Tracie Jayne, headlines David Kaye. On Friday, come for the early show, including Nate Nagvajara and laugh with host Chris Nakis as Matty Malloy and Matt Light take the stage for a late show. And on Saturday, Kimberly Bennett and Brandon Johnson will perform in the early show, followed by Tracie Jayne and Matt Light, hosted by Ryan McBride. Clearly, in Pittsburgh, more laughs are never enough, so check the comedy stage schedule for additional comedy acts and artists as may be scheduled.

Pittsburgh Yinzerfest promises a lot more. Bring the little ones to frolic in the Yinzer Kid Zone, meet and greet Black & Gold sports legends, and, if you’re nebby for what’s next, learn about our area’s newest technologies in the Innovation Zone. As April 25 approaches a full floor plan of local artists, craftsmen, and small business owners presenting one-of-a-kind treasures and treats from our tri-river territory. 

Admission is free for kids under 12, and $18 for a full day of fun, food and festival fare.  A four-day pass is $60. And $1 from each admission will go to two local charities: Best of the Batch (batchfoundation.org) and Band Together Pittsburgh (bandtogetherpgh.org.) No parking chairs, babushkas or bumbershoots are necessary. It’s all indoors where there’s plenty of parking. Pittsburgh Yinzerfest promises to be plenny popular. So, unless you’re a rull jagoff, don’t yinz miss aht. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Dahntahn. 

C. Prentiss Orr is a Pittsburgh-based writer who covers theater and other topics for Entertainment Central. He is the author of the books The Surveyor and the Silversmith and Pittsburgh Born, Pittsburgh Bred.

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