Question about entertainment tax. (Pittsburgh, Greensburg: house, theater, construction)

[Perryview22]

I've been whining about the fact that a favorite music band skipped over pittsburgh in favor of some cities in surrounding states, including one that...well, I don't want to insult anyone from there. In fact, they skipped over the whole of PA. What? Do they think we have cooties here?

My sister tells me that performers are not coming to Pittsburgh because of an entertainment tax. Now, I vaguely recall some controversy a while back over some type of tax such as this. Is my sister right?

[tranceFusion]

I don't know anything about the tax, but I wouldn't get too upset over getting skipped by a specific band. There are so many things that go into getting an artist from partnerships with promoters to demands regarding equipment that is on hand locally to what the artist is going to eat backstage...

[raubre]

I know many, many bands skip over Pittsburgh (Blondie is the big one one my list, they haven't played here since 1980) but lots of themskip the city but willplay in Burgettstown or Greensburg. That drives me up the wall since I don't drive and many bands I like my friends either hate or don't know. I think the taxes are a huge part of it. The other huge part of it is that some acts ask for a lot of money to play here and our local promoters can't afford them.

[Drover]

Are there any decent mid-sized venues in Pittsburgh?

I remember going to see the Chieftains at the "IC Light Amphitheater" some 10 years ago. The "amphitheater" turned out to be an elevated platform and about 4,000 folding chairs under a big-ass tent down by Station Square. Every time a train rolled by, the band literally had to stop playing and wait for at least the locomotives to pass. It was the crappiest venue at which I've ever paid money to go see a band. I wouldn't blame any band that decided not to return after playing there. If a band too big for Mr. Small's and too small for CONSOL wanted to come to town, where would they play?

[bbrian12]

hopefully the new north shore amp. will take some of the mid-sizes shows that dont come to pittsburgh, cause we havent had a decent mid sized venue since the syria mosque which is now a parking lot.
i think more shows should come to the peterson center cause it holds about 8000 people and a half house would be 4000 to 5000 that would be perfect.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by Drover

Are there any decent mid-sized venues in Pittsburgh?

I remember going to see the Chieftains at the "IC Light Amphitheater" some 10 years ago. The "amphitheater" turned out to be an elevated platform and about 4,000 folding chairs under a big-ass tent down by Station Square. Every time a train rolled by, the band literally had to stop playing and wait for at least the locomotives to pass. It was the crappiest venue at which I've ever paid money to go see a band. I wouldn't blame any band that decided not to return after playing there. If a band too big for Mr. Small's and too small for CONSOL wanted to come to town, where would they play?

I don't know that they're optimal, but I've seen mid-sized shows at the Carnegie Library in Homestead, the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, the Byham, the New Hazlett Theater on the North Side, etc. They tend to be pricier, though.

[Geeo]

If I remember correctly, the entertainment tax was halved from 10% to 5% sometime in the early 90s to make it on par with the tax in most other major cities in the northeast and midwest.

[Perryview22]

Originally Posted by bbrian12

hopefully the new north shore amp. will take some of the mid-sizes shows that dont come to pittsburgh, cause we havent had a decent mid sized venue since the syria mosque which is now a parking lot.
i think more shows should come to the peterson center cause it holds about 8000 people and a half house would be 4000 to 5000 that would be perfect.

Speaking of the Syria Mosque, I'm still harboring resentment about the destruction of that venue - took a great deal of character out of Oakland. Anyway, a couple of smaller to mid-sized venues where I've seen concerts: Manchester Craftsman's Guild, The Palumbo Center, Some of the outlying Carnegie Music Halls.

[Perryview22]

Originally Posted by Geeo

If I remember correctly, the entertainment tax was halved from 10% to 5% sometime in the early 90s to make it on par with the tax in most other major cities in the northeast and midwest.

Well, if the 5% is on par with other major cities, it must be something else, maybe just a promoter thing as someone suggested. Thought maybe Pgh's was out of line somehow.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by Drover

Are there any decent mid-sized venues in Pittsburgh?

I remember going to see the Chieftains at the "IC Light Amphitheater" some 10 years ago. The "amphitheater" turned out to be an elevated platform and about 4,000 folding chairs under a big-ass tent down by Station Square. Every time a train rolled by, the band literally had to stop playing and wait for at least the locomotives to pass. It was the crappiest venue at which I've ever paid money to go see a band. I wouldn't blame any band that decided not to return after playing there. If a band too big for Mr. Small's and too small for CONSOL wanted to come to town, where would they play?

Stage AE is currently under construction next to Heinz Field.