The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News
The University of Pittsburgh's Daily Student Newspaper

The Pitt News

Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor

Jessica McKenzie is a senior majoring in English writing and communication. She is a Stephen King fanatic and avid ukulele player.

All content by Jessica McKenzie
Pitt students at a Lauv concert on Schenley Drive at PPC’s annual Fall Fest in 2021.

Column | Drawing the curtains as culture editor

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
April 17, 2023
Phat Nguyen (left), bartender and owner of Phat’s in South Oakland.

Ruling Oakland’s bar scene with good vibes, teamwork: Phat Nguyen wins ‘Best Bartender’

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
March 21, 2023
Models pose in the William Pitt Union after the Fashion Business Association Fashion Show on Saturday.

FBA explores upcycling in first fashion show since 2018

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
March 19, 2023
Carly Rae Jepsen performs on Day 1 of the Austin City Limits Music Festival's first weekend at Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Austin, Texas.

PPC announces Carly Rae Jepsen as Bigelow Bash headliner

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
February 26, 2023
Performance during the “Be Gay [Do Crime]” drag concert series.

‘Be Gay [Do Crime]’ concert series spotlights drag as an art form

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
February 12, 2023
Brenden Peifer and Saige Smith perform during the Pittsburgh Public Theater's performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream In Harlem.”

PPT blends Black culture, African spiritual traditions with Shakespeare classic in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream In Harlem’

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
February 6, 2023
Ariana Starkman as River and Christopher Staley as Franz in a production of "Appropriate" by UPitt Stages in 2020.

Pitt alumni reflect on finding success in arts and entertainment industry

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
February 3, 2023
The Cathedral of Learning.

10 perks you may not know you have as a Pitt student

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
January 30, 2023
Local events to enjoy during the spring semester

Local events to enjoy during the spring semester

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
January 25, 2023
5 New Year’s resolutions that are actually attainable

5 New Year’s resolutions that are actually attainable

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
January 8, 2023
Kate’s Book Bash yesterday at the Kingsley Association in East Liberty.

Kate’s Kid Book Bash commemorates late Pittsburgh children’s book author

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
December 4, 2022
Holiday lights in Schenley Plaza.

‘Glowland’ fills Schenley Plaza with giant seesaws, produces motion-based art

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
December 1, 2022
Five books to add to your winter break TBR list

Five books to add to your winter break TBR list

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
November 27, 2022
A Pitt student models in Friday’s Fall Fashion and Food Truck Fest in the William Pitt Union Plaza.

Pitt’s first fall fashion and food truck fest benefits United Way

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
November 7, 2022
Review | Taylor Swift finally embraces her unpolished side on ‘Midnights’ 一 because she can

Review | Taylor Swift finally embraces her unpolished side on ‘Midnights’ 一 because she can

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
October 23, 2022
Zakiya Young (right) with other cast members on the set of “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin”

‘Don’t dim your light’: Pitt alumna acts in ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
October 12, 2022
Pitt students selling “freezer pops for people in period poverty,” according to a sign on their booth, at the Pitt Arts Fest on the WPU lawn on Friday.

PittARTS Fest offers students activities, networking opportunities

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
September 11, 2022
A fall day in Pittsburgh.

Local events to get hype for the fall season

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
September 6, 2022
Pamela’s Diner on Forbes Avenue.

Five local spots for the breakfast buff

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
September 1, 2022
Members of the Pitt Dance team perform during the Pitt Program Council’s annual bonfire and pep rally Tuesday night.

PPC spreads football hype during annual bonfire and pep rally

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
August 31, 2022
Jessica McKenzie, culture editor.

Meet the editors: Culture

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
August 29, 2022
Yung Gravy, left, and Sheri Nicole at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on Sunday.

Pitt Program Council announces Yung Gravy as Fall Fest headliner

By Jessica McKenzie, Culture Editor
August 28, 2022
The Cathedral of Learning seen from the Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain.

A guide to the best outdoor study spaces around campus

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
August 25, 2022
Shenay Jeffrey: ‘Unmatched’ energy

Shenay Jeffrey: ‘Unmatched’ energy

By Jessica McKenzie
April 26, 2022
Dancers perform at Pitt Dance Ensemble’s “Awakening” at the Richard E. Rauh Theatre on Saturday.

Pitt Dance Ensemble hosts ‘Awakening’ spring concert

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
April 3, 2022
Pitt students perform a reading of Kelly Trumbull’s “Morning Reckoning” at the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre on Saturday night.

Pitt playwrights experiment during one-act play reading

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
March 27, 2022
Zach Hartman, a computer engineering and classics major, nationality room tour guide and the Quo Vadis president in the Cathedral of Learning’s Polish nationality room on Monday.

Nationality Room tour guides gain cultural, educational experience

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
March 1, 2022
A group of six Pitt faculty, students and Center for Creativity staff gather at the Center this past Thursday.

C4C encourages writing, performing during One Minute Monologue workshop

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
February 14, 2022
Jessica Erceg is the owner of What’s Good? on South Craig Street.

What’s Good? clothing shop redefines thrifting in Oakland

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
February 1, 2022
Orrin Evans, one of the featured musicians during Pitt’s 51st annual jazz seminar and concert running from Jan. 24 to 29.

Pitt to host 51st annual jazz seminar honoring Pittsburgh pianist Erroll Garner

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
January 24, 2022
Mariko Turk is a Pitt alumna and author.

Q&A: Pitt alumna Mariko Turk discusses writing, publishing

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
January 21, 2022
Yunge Xiao, a sophomore statistics and sociology major, sits at Color Park with her ukelele on Nov. 6.

Sophomore Yunge Xiao named winner of 91.3 WYEP’s singer-songwriter competition

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
December 6, 2021
Pianist Jeanne Golan performed in Bellefield Hall on Saturday evening.

Music On the Edge hosts performance by contemporary pianist Jeanne Golan

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
November 16, 2021
Aly Raisman, a retired gymnast and two-time American Olympian, spoke at a Pitt Program Council event on Monday night.

‘Continuing to speak up’: Aly Raisman discusses gymnastics journey at PPC event

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
November 9, 2021
Caroline Waters (left), Paige Taylor (center) and Abby Morgan (right) are the head editor, web designer and president of Cherry Pitt, a new Pitt literary magazine for undergraduates.

Cherry Pitt Literary Magazine prepares for spring 2022 launch

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
November 2, 2021
Characters at Scare House Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s Halloween attractions up their scare game this year

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
October 26, 2021
Pitt students at a Lauv concert on Schenley Drive at PPC’s annual Fall Fest on Sunday.

PPC’s first in-person Fall Fest since 2019 delayed for two hours

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
October 10, 2021
A scene from Pitt Dance Ensemble’s fall 2019 in-person performance.

Pitt dance minor faces uncertain future

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
October 5, 2021
Students dance to the band Karibe Son in front of the William Pitt Union on Saturday night at the annual Latin American and Caribbean Festival hosted by Pitt’s Center for Latin American Studies. The festival included live music, business stands and free tacos.

Latin American and Caribbean Festival takes over front of WPU

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
October 3, 2021
The Pitt community had the opportunity to dive into zombie movie legend George Romero’s work on Tuesday during the lecture series “The Zombie Rebellion: the Evolution of George Romero’s ‘Day of the Dead.’”

ULS hosts virtual lecture on George Romero’s ‘Day of the Dead’ film

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
September 23, 2021
Victoria Bistarkey, a former alto saxophone section leader who graduated last May, was responsible for maintaining a positive environment during her section’s Zoom rehearsals last year. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Pitt.

Pitt band prepares to celebrate alumni in homecoming performance

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
September 21, 2021
Mark Santora, a junior biology and classics major, is the club president of RollPlayers. RollPlayers is an on-campus organization dedicated to playing tabletop role-playing games such as “Dungeons and Dragons.”

Pitt’s gaming clubs gear up for hybrid fall semester

By Jessica McKenzie, Senior Staff Writer
September 14, 2021
A scene from the Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks’ all-female production of “Hamlet.” The show will run for free every Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 26 across Pittsburgh's parks.

Shakespeare in the Parks presents all-female ‘Hamlet’ production

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
September 7, 2021
“Making home here” debuted on Thursday night with a free community block party, which included games of hopscotch, jump rope, a DJ and vegan food trucks.

‘Making home here’ exhibit debuts quarantine inspired art at The Mattress Factory

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
September 2, 2021
Pitt Tonight will return for its seventh season on Oct. 2, hosted by Victoria Chuah. The show is expected to film in front of a live studio audience in the Cathedral of Learning — a change from last year’s production which consisted of sketches on YouTube or guest interviews over Zoom.

Pitt Tonight ready to return in-person for next season

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
August 31, 2021
Crowds of students flocked to the Global Carnival on Monday night to enjoy food and performances from a variety of cultural student organizations.

Pitt kicks off Welcome Week with Global Carnival

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
August 24, 2021
Jeff Bergman has voiced many characters throughout his career, such as Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, and more recently, Bugs Bunny.

What’s Up, Doc?: Q&A with voice actor and Pitt alum Jeff Bergman

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
August 24, 2021
Picklesburgh, pictured, is one of several upcoming Pittsburgh food fests, taking place Aug. 20-22 on the Andy Warhol Bridge in Downtown.

A guide to Pittsburgh’s must-see fall food festivals

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
August 17, 2021
The Carnegie Museum of Art is hosting Inside Out, an outdoor event series of art, food and music, as a way to unite the Pittsburgh community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carnegie Museum of Art shakes up summer with Inside Out event

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
July 13, 2021
Xandria Phillips was selected as the newest creative writing fellow at the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics from 2021-2023.

CAAPP names poet Xandria Phillips as new creative writing fellow

By Jessica McKenzie, Staff Writer
June 22, 2021
The Three Rivers Arts Festival returns for in-person activities spanning across the entire Cultural District this year, with art and food vendors at Point State Park.

Three Rivers Arts Festival brings live music, art and food back to the Cultural District

By Jessica McKenzie, For The Pitt News
June 8, 2021
Argyle Studio held its grand opening last Thursday, offering Oakland a unique space for artistic retail. The pop-up shop represents the diversity of the Oakland community through a variety of products, including the creative work of over 30 local artists and vendors.

Local Pittsburgh artist studio opens on Forbes Avenue

By Jessica McKenzie, For The Pitt News
June 1, 2021
Pitt women’s lacrosse gears up for inaugural competitive season in 2022

Pitt women’s lacrosse gears up for inaugural competitive season in 2022

By Jessica McKenzie, For The Pitt News
April 13, 2021
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