Photo by Justin Criado

The Deutschtown Video Premiere Oct. 15 attracted the Northside’s best and brightest.

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By Justin Criado

For one night, the Northside became Hollywood as neighborhood stars attended the Deutschtown Video Premiere Oct. 15 at Bistro to Go in Historic Deutschtown.

Limos carried community leaders and politicians to the red carpet on East Ohio Street where the paparazzi captured them dressed to the nines.

“I just think it’s wonderful,” Councilwoman Darlene Harris said. “We should do this once a year.”

The idea of a neighborhood promotional video was the brainchild of Pitt student Abe Stuckey, who worked for the Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) this past summer.

“This video started because we were looking to highlight the good that was happening in Deutscthown so a small group got together and decided to make this video,” Stuckey said. “There’s a lot of development happening and businesses opening like Arnold’s Tea and the floral shop (Farmer’s Daughter). It’s really starting to grow.”

Cody Walters, also of the NSLC, explained how the project was funded through various efforts, including Buhl Foundation’s One Northside initiative and Sprout Fund, a Highmark employee grant courtesy of Cynthia Shea, and an Ioby crowdfunding campaign, among others.

“We were able to get (the video) done and also pay for this great little shindig,” Walters said.

The East Allegheny Community Council and NorthSide/NorthShore Chamber of Commerce were also involved with the process.

The finished video, which is just under four minutes long and features interviews with community members and business owners, received a warm reception from the 80 audience members, including actor Tom Atkins.

“I’m tickled to be here,” Atkins said.  “Deutschtown is great. I love the Northside.”

Atkins, who was born on the Northside, is most known for his role in the one-man play “The Chief,” which is about Pittsburgh Steelers founder, and Northsider, Art Rooney.

Chamber of Commerce executive director Robin Rosemary Miller and NSLC director were also in attendance. Pittsburgh Community Television, which is stationed in Manchester, was on hand to capture the red carpet revelry.

The video was shown several times during the evening, and can be viewed online.

“I just love the neighborhood. It’s a growing area. It’s walkable to downtown,” Walters said. “There are a lot of great businesses and a lot of great things happening.”