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Pick your passion, Pittsburgh…
This Saturday, July 27th there are three extra awesome events happening across the Burgh. Chose your favorite, or make one crazy day of all three!
DOWNTOWN
What: One Whirl Yoga Fest & Healthy Lifestyle Expo Where: Point State Park in the Golden Triangle
When: 6AM – 6PM
How Much: $35 for an all day yoga pass, or just stop by to check out the vendors, talk to the experts, and more!
Why? If you’re into fitness, it’s gonna be great. If you’re into food trucks, it’s also gonna be great. If you’re into both, that’s some extra great.
EAST END
What: Jam On Walnut Where: Walnut Street in Shadyside
When: 6PM-11PM (the show starts at 7:30)
How Much: $5
Why? This event only happens three times a summer, and this time two Pittsburgh bands, Donora andRadio Tokyo, are coming together at this outdoor concert that brings thousands of people to Shadyside! That proceeds go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation just makes the night even sweeter.
EVEN EAST-ER
What: Steel City Con Where: Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville
When: 10AM-8PM
How Much: $15 for a day passWhy? Okay, okay. So the Comicon is actually a three day event, starting Friday and ending Sunday. Why should you go on Saturday? I have no idea. But you should definitely go at least one of the days it runs. Winston will be there! From Ghostbusters!!!
Pittsburgher Brings Home Tony!
In 2005, The New York Times reviewed “Ghetto Superstar,” an autobiographical one-man musical about growing up in Pittsburgh as a poor, black, gay Pentecostal Christian who loved musical theater and, despite fearsome struggles along the way, went on to work on Broadway.
In his review of the show, Charles Isherwood wrote, “Empirical data in his resume do not support the claim for superstardom, clearly. Mr. Porter has appeared in a handful of Broadway shows and movies, and he once recorded a solo R& B album on A&M Records. But his is by no means a household name. It is Mr. Porter’s endearing belief that superstardom is a kind of supreme personal achievement, and that it can be attained irrespective of outward indicators of success. After an arduous but ultimately triumphant struggle to embrace the fierce gay man within, Mr. Porter here asserts, with every vibrant note he sings and defiant pose he strikes, that he has earned the title of superstar, at least emotionally, and woe to those who would dare to gainsay him.”
If the story had ended there, it would be beautiful. But what is even more amazing is that eight years later, at Sunday’s 67th annual Tony Awards, Mr. Billy Porter won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Lola in the original musical, “Kinky Boots.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Porter, a graduate of Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPA) and Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, gave a nod to Pittsburgh and a deeply heartfelt thank you to his mother, who still lives and volunteers in the city.
Congratulations, Billy Porter!
Ever since I heard that the amazing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are headlining this summer’s Three Rivers Arts Festival, I have been indefatigably excited. Now, any time I stub my toe, burn my toast, or miss my bus, I don’t care. Because I have another fantastic, free concert to look forward to thanks to Dollar Bank, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and the generous Pittsburghers who have kept the Three Rivers Arts Fest going for 54 years.
The festival opens this weekend, running from Friday, June 7th through Sunday, June 16th, and features an incredible number and variety of performing and visual arts, the details of which are found here. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of summer in the city. And if you’re into music, it’s just the start to a fantastic season of free sounds in the Burgh…
The following list is a short selection of some of Pittsburgh’s greatest FREE summer music venues and concerts. Check them out!
Schenley Plaza features free music in the summer on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as on special dates, like WYEP’s 16th Annual Summer Music Festival on 6/28!
Riverview Park in the North Side offers a free Jazz Series starting this Saturday, 6/8 from 7-8:30PM, and continuing every Saturday through the end of August!
Hartwood Acres & South Park are the venues for the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, which features everything from opera to funk, and best of all, almost all of the concerts are, of course, free.
100th Anniversary of Kaufmann’s Clock
Ever met someone under Kaufmann’s clock? A Pittsburgh treasure and National Historic Landmark, Kaufmann’s Clock is celebrating its 100thanniversary this weekend! Located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street downtown, the clock will be the focal point for the two-day event held this Friday and Saturday.
Old-timey picture of Kaufmann’s Clock-check out that cobblestone!
What will the celebration have in store? (Pun intended: this event is being thrown by Macy’s, which took over the Kaufmann’s flagship department store—but saved the clock—in 2006.) Hundreds of Macy’s giveaways, the chance to meet Mr. Rogers’ own Mr. McFeely, and a themed street carnival, to name a few! Check out Macy’s website for the full schedule of events!
YB Hotspots: 3 Brilliant Yoga Deals in the Burgh!
Yoga is great for relaxation, focus, and strength. Do it on the cheap at the following locations around the city…
What: Yoga Chill Sundays
Where: GLCC, 210 Grant Street, Downtown When: Every Sunday from 4:30-5:30PM How Much? $5
What: Lululemon Complimentary Yoga Class
Where: Lululemon, 5520 Walnut Street, Shadyside
When: Every Sunday from 10-11AM
How Much? FREE!
What: Yoga With Phyllis
Where: Carnegie Library, 5801 Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill
When: Every Tuesday (5:30-7PM) and Saturday (10-11:30PM)
How Much? FREE!
And a bonus: starting June 1st, every Saturday (10-11AM) and Monday (12-1PM) there will be FREE outdoor yoga in Schenley Plaza in Oakland. Hooray!
YB Hotspot: Blue Slide Park
Confession: I used to think that the “Blue Slide” portion of the Blue Slide Playground in Frick Park was the group of royal blue slides on the jungle gyms. For locals enjoying a nice face palm right now, yeah. For anyone who isn’t familiar with Frick Park or the playground, let me explain.
The Blue Slide Playground is legendary amongst local children. I first heard about the playground five years ago, getting directions to go to a production of Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, which performs annually right across the path. In my defense, it’s a big playground, and there are a lot of blue slides. I’d reached my destination, and I didn’t think to explore any further.
It was only recently that I discovered that, while I’ve been to that same area dozens of times since, I had never actually seen the famous blue slide. It isn’t on the jungle gyms at all, but behind them, carved into the ground on a hill. It’s also the inspiration for Pittsburgh born rapper Mac Miller’s first album, “Blue Slide Park.”
This weekend I went to the park for the first time with the intention of exploring the playground. And by exploring, I mean playing in. And on. And under. And it was extraordinarily and absurdly fun. And I’m a grown woman. I do my own taxes.
Spring is here. The sun is shining. The park is free, and beautiful, so you have no excuse not to go and play. A few tips: obviously, you don’t want to go when kids are there, because then if you take up adult time on the equipment, you’re a jerk. So go at the end of the day. Also, consider wearing slick pants. Hear me out on this one: I was wearing yoga pants and my friend was wearing khakis. Guess who got better speed going down that slide? Yeah, this kid. I mean adult.
I mean kid.