1.) What is CrossFit?
Unlike traditional gyms that focus on exercises that target specific muscle groups,(like bicep curls or shoulder presses) CrossFit focuses on exercises that are more functional and that mimic real-life activities. The goal is to improve overall fitness and functionality, rather than focusing on one specific area.
Sources: Rhapsody Fitness
2.) What is First Night?
“Highmark First Night Pittsburgh” is an event put on by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, a non-profit arts organization that focuses on the cultural and economic development of an area of Downtown Pittsburgh known as the Cultural District. “First Night” is a yearly six- hour New Years celebration that starts at 6pm New Years Eve and ends just after midnight. The event features live music, dance, theater, visual arts, comedy, magic, and kids’ activities from Pittsburgh’s vibrant artist community as well as acclaimed national artists. The event begins and ends with a spectacular Pyrotecnico Fireworks display.
This year's celebration is the 30th annual and the 21st year as a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Sources: Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and About PCT
3.) Music Smiles Fundraiser
Music Smiles is a program run by the Sonny Pugar Memorial Organization that aims to bring the empowering and uplifting energy that live music brings us to individuals in hospitals who otherwise would not be able to experience these events. They work with local musicians to put together live music events at area hospitals and other care places, creating a therapeutic and calming atmosphere that live music achieves. Sonny Pugar Memorial is a charity started to honor the late Sonny Pugar, famous Pittsburgh local drummer known as the “Upper St. Clair drummer”.
Sonny worked with many legendary musicians, but his favorite project was the Pittsburgh Gateway to the Arts school assembly program, which he did for over ten years with Etta Cox. It is because of this project that the Music Smiles program was started after his death in 2004. As of January 2010, the program has worked with 270 musicians and produced over 880 live music visits.
Sources: Sonny Pugar and Sonny Pugar Bio
4.) Dalai Lama's doctor - Barry Kerzin - Is he American?
Dr. Barry Michael Kerzin is an American physician and Buddhist monk, born in Hollywood, CA in 1947. He is the personal physician to the Dalai Lama, and travels around the world teaching workshops where he blends Buddhist principles with his medical training. In 2014, he founded the Altruism in Medicine Institute, an organization that aims to bring compassion back into the US healthcare system. AIMI currently has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.
Source: Wikipedia and City of Pittsburgh
5.) Traditional Monk Attire
Buddhist monks wear robes that vary in color and design according to individual sects, but one of the most prominent styles of robes is called the kasaya or chivara. The term “kasaya” describes the saffron, orange, or brown color common for Theravada Buddhist monks, while the term “chivara” refers to all three portions of a monk’s robe combined in one outfit. Monks wear a “threefold” robe style consisting of three individual garments.
Source: Panaprium
6.) Our Father Doc on Netflix
The documentary “Our Father” is about Dr. Donald Cline, a fertility doctor based out of Indianapolis, Indiana who impregnated his patients with his own sperm without their knowledge of who the sperm donor was. He is believed to have fathered over 90 children Between 1974 and 1987. You can watch the documentary on Netflix here.
Sources: Wikipedia
7.) Music Venue at the Warhol
The Andy Warhol Museum, as part of its Pop District initiative, has plans to build an entertainment venue in Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The proposed 57,776-square-foot entertainment venue is expected to be located on Sandusky Street and will include a first-floor concert venue with standing room for up to 1,000 people, a second floor mezzanine and an events space that could hold up to 360 people on the fourth floor. The third floor would be used for offices and support spaces. Final approval was given to The Warhol Museum in late October 2023 for the project, which is expected to cost $45 million and open in early 2026.
Sources: Trib Live, WESA, and NEXT Pittsburgh
8.) Black Eyed Peas Pre-Fergie
Founded in Los Angeles in 1995, the band Black Eyed Peas originally consisted of members will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo. The trio also featured singer Kim Hill on a select number of their tracks. The group released their first two albums during this time, debut, Behind the Front in 1998 and their second album, Bridging the Gap in 2000. It was during the production of their second album that Kim Hill left the band. The group started production of their third album in August 2001, which was highly affected by the September 11th terrorist attacks. This event led to much of the inspiration behind the songwriting for this album, but also caused several delays in its production. During this time, Stacy 'Fergie' Ferguson joined the group as the lead singer, replacing Kim HIll. Black Eyed Peas third studio album, Elephunk was released on June 24th 2003, which included popular tracks "Where Is the Love?" and "Let's Get It Started". This album was a commercial success, even winning the group their first Grammy Award and earned them the notoriety they have today. Links to their first three albums can be found below:
9.) Will I Am Net Worth
The singer will.i.am has a current net worth of $50 million.
Source: Celebrity Net Worth
10.) Adele Song That Was Written By Semisonic
Dan Wilson, the singer for the band “Semisonic” has written many songs for several different artists, but the one referenced in this episode is the Adele song “Someone Like You”. You can listen to the track here.
Sources: Wikipedia
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