Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Gina Mignogna Vensel, a resident of Stanton Heights, finds more to love about her hometown every day. A partner at Revive Marketing Group, new mom, live music fanatic, and events geek, Gina gives NEXT a snapshot of her plans for the week of October 13th.
Monday, October 13
My little one’s daycare is closed for Columbus Day so after a morning of juggling emails, we plan to meet my sister Kelly and nephew Lennox at Square Café for lunch. They are so welcoming to dining with kids and Square just launched their new seasonal menu. After work my husband Scott and I will take Giavanna and our two dogs on a hike through Frick Park.
Tuesday, October 14
Bright and early on Tuesday, Revive will venture Downtown to KDKA-TV for Pittsburgh Today Live’s segment for Saturday’s Pittsburgh Pierogi Fest. Following the show, I’ll swing by Espresso A Mano for a cappuccino in honor of Pittsburgh Specialty Coffee Week, then onto an evening of live music in Lawrenceville with my bestie Amy. We’ll start with cocktails and Gypsy Swing at Tender Bar + Kitchen then off to Thunderbird Café to see Black Francis of the Pixies!
Wednesday, October 15
I love taking my work with me to local spots around town. I’ll be typing over tacos at Verde for lunch on Wednesday. I’ll set up shop on their WiFi or as they call it PorquéFi (too funny!) and munch on their delish seitan tacos. Then I’ll have an evening music making session with my favorite one-year-old. Currently we’re exploring percussion instruments. We have a future rocker on our hands!
Thursday, October 16
I’ll venture to Pittsburgh Public Market in the Strip on Thursday. There is no place in town where I can get lunch, specialty coffee, buy organic groceries including wine and craft beer. I can’t help but sip a sample of Black Strap Stout by East End Brewing after work before returning home with fresh locally sourced foods for dinner. After rocking the babe to slumber, my sweet husband will watch our sleeping beauty so I can unwind with my friend Sara at Allegheny Wine Mixer. They have DJs spin on Thursdays and this week is one of my local faves, DJ Gordy Greenawalt, of TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party.
Friday, October 17
My secret spot (I guess not so much anymore) for busy bee computer work is taking my laptop to 720 Music, Clothing & Cafe on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. The coffee is amazing and Fridays are always better when I can to shop for vinyl and vintage clothes.
Recently my Friday evening routine includes tuning into Grand Groove Radio with Selecta on WYEP from 6-8 p.m. There is no better way to kick start the weekend than this show filled with R&B, Soul, Funk, Reggae, Jazz, House and Hip Hop. We’ll listen to the show on our way to Schramm’s Farms and Orchards for their Fall Festival. We’ll take Giavanna to the pumpkin patch, hop on a hayride, sip cider and explore the corn maze.
Saturday, October 18
Before the sun rises, Revive will arrive at Stage AE in the North Shore to set up for the 2014 Pittsburgh Pierogi Fest. I’ll spend my day with thousands of guests as we celebrate the City of Dumplings. Afterwards, I hope to swing by Rivers Casino’s Level Lounge to see Nina Sainato perform.
Although, I couldn’t call myself @eventsgeek without mentioning a few other incredible shows happening on Saturday night like Hip Hop is Dead at Most Wanted Fine Art, SOUNDCRASH ¡BOOGALOO!: PANDEMIC vs. TITLE TOWN Soul & Funk Party, at Brillobox, Afroheat 8 Dance Party at Round Corner Cantina, theCause performing at Thunderbird Café, and The Rocking Bones at Maggie’s Farm Rum in the Strip.
Sunday, October 19
Sundays are family days. Scott and I will make brunch at home before dressing Giavanna in a Halloween costume for Zoo Boo at Pittsburgh Zoo. We’ll love spending time at PPG Aquarium where our little one is mesmerized by the sharks and stingrays. Then we’ll pick up dinner to go from Pusadee’s Garden before heading home for a relaxation session of Thai food, red wine, Boardwalk Empire and Homeland!
Photo by Isabella Rae Photography.