Dormont’s beloved Hollywood Theater has been through more plot twists than a three-act noir, but this chapter is the good one — the comeback montage.

In late 2023, the local independent legends at Row House Cinemas bought the historic 1926 movie house and decided to renovate it not into “just another theater,” but into a full-blown Metropolis-themed, 389-seat atmospheric movie palace. Think soaring Art Deco, big-screen grandeur, and the kind of lighting that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a dream — or at least a movie about one.

They fixed what was broken without killing what was sacred. It's the cinematic equivalent of restoring a classic car: new engine, fresh paint, same soul. And then Row House said, “What if we had more?”

So they added:

Go see it for yourself this weekend in a brand new way with a screening of The Passion of Joan of Arc, screened with a live performance by the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh. A silent film from 1928 + a 75-person choir is sure to make your first visit a memorable one.

There are a few tickets left for Saturday or Sunday – snag them before they’re gone.

You know that feeling when your friend suddenly becomes famous for doing something genuinely good? That’s what just happened to the Mt. Lebanon Public Library. They took home the honors for Pennsylvania’s library of the year by the Pennsylvania Library Association.

They didn’t do it by chasing trends, installing a kombucha tap or adding a video game room. They just kept doing what they’ve always done — handing out well-curated books, amazing programming, and creating a quiet refuge from the unrelenting hum of our overstimulated lives.

Speaking of Mt. Lebanon’s library, they are hosting an Author’s Chat with Andrew Moore to discuss his book Pawpaw: The Story of America's Forgotten Fruit.

Andrew has made it his mission to remind us that the pawpaw, this lumpy, sweet, mango-adjacent miracle, grows quietly in our own backyards. At his talk this week, he’s telling tales of forgotten orchards, moonshiners, and the kind of biodiversity that makes you wonder what else is hiding in our hills. 

Thursday, November 13th at 7:00pm - Mt. Lebanon Public Library

This Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Mt. Lebanon hideaway sits on a wooded cul-de-sac, with sunlight pouring through oversized windows onto hardwood floors and an 884-sq-ft deck suspended in the trees. A renovated kitchen, panoramic family room, true primary suite, and finished basement round out this rare mid-century find.

Leaving the South Hills is an emotional commitment. But this weekend’s lineup across the rivers might actually be worth braving the Parkway crawl.

🎨 Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District – Nov 14
A choose-your-own-adventure through downtown art and chaos. Ground Loops drops 10,000 drum machines at Wood Street Galleries, Frank Lloyd Wright rises from the drafting table at 820 Liberty, and free improv at Arcade Comedy Theater.

🌲 Phipps Holiday Magic – Nov 14 – Jan 4
Every year Phipps proves that no one does Christmas like people who’ve already spent a year tending plants. This season’s “Wild Winter” theme turns the gardens into a glowing zoo of topiary creatures and twinkling serotonin. Go early, stay late, lose track of time in the orchid room.

⚽ Conference Final: Riverhounds vs. Rhode Island FC – Nov 15
Highmark Stadium, 6:30 p.m. under the lights. This is playoff soccer, Pittsburgh-style — loud, cold, and slightly unhinged. Wear black, lose your voice, and remember: this is our year until proven otherwise.

👋 That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading, neighbors.

Have something you think deserves a little local love — a new business, fundraiser, or rumor that’s too good to waste at the coffee shop?

Email us at [email protected] and we just might spread the word