From heavy metal and cult-classic creature features to neighborhood sidewalk sales and restorative yoga, there are plenty of events happening this week throughout the Pittsburgh community. Whether you’re looking for a night out, a good bargain or a little peace and quiet, here are five events you won’t want to miss.
Pittsburgh Community Events Happening September 7-13
Cult-O-Rama: Y2K Killer Bugs!
Sept. 11, Row House Lawrenceville
Get comfortable for two weird, early-2000s movies, screened back-to-back as part of the recurring Cult-O-Rama series. The first film, Eight Legged Freaks, features David Arquette and Scarlett Johansson living in a remote mining town in Arizona; they encounter gigantic, mutant spiders the size of SUVs. Arquette and the town sheriff, played by Kari Wuhrer, naturally gather the townspeople to battle the creatures. As for the second movie: It’s a surprise! According to Row House, it’s the “directorial debut of a well-known auteur who has never lost their touch for the strange.” If you have a guess, head to the theater to find out if you’re right.
Night Market in Oakmont
Sept. 11, Oakmont
More than 60 vendors, food trucks, as well as beer and libation tents will line Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont for a lively night of shopping, music and socializing! Many of Oakmont’s charming brick and mortar shops and restaurants will stay open late for attendees.
Descendants of Crom VIII
Sept. 11-12, Thunderbird Music Hall
For those of you who secretly harbor a love of the more intense musical genres: a weekend of heavy metal descends on Thunderbird, featuring eight underground bands. For almost a decade, the Descendants of Crom has brought together all kinds of genres from the underground. It’s also a great opportunity to check out Thunderbird, Lawrenceville’s surprisingly atmospheric concert hall. Two days of experiential, crushingly loud metal shows await.
Bloomfield Sidewalk Sale
Sept. 12, Oakmont
Spend the day wandering Bloomfield at their annual neighborhood sale. Residents will set up shop on the sidewalks to sell goods — with local artists making up a good percentage of the vendors — and businesses will advertise special sales. A digital map of all the stops is online now, and printed versions will be available at YINZ Coffee and Linea Verde Green Market.
Restorative Yoga with Mindful Self-Care at Frick
Sept. 13, Frick Environmental Center
End the weekend peacefully by practicing deep breathing, intentional stillness, mindfulness and yoga at the Frick Environmental Center. The event is suitable for all levels and led by Dr. Pamela Nichols, who has more than 30 years of experience teaching yoga and wellness. She’ll teach attendees about self-massage and myofascial release techniques as well, including how to use Guasha tools, cork massage balls, traction tools and more.
Community Events in Pittsburgh August 31-September 6
The Sound of Music Brew & View
Sept. 2, Row House Lawrenceville
Watch the classic musical about the Von Trapp family — with Von Trapp Brewing beers! A variety of beers, from the brewery run by descendents of the real Von Trapps, will be available throughout the film. The beer pairing takes place during the 8 p.m. showing, but The Sound of Music will be playing throughout the week.
Golden Age Jazz Fest
Sept. 3-6, Golden Age Beer Co.
This community-focused Homestead brewery kicks off their second annual Jazz Fest with talented musicians from across the region. The lineup for the four-day event includes: the Boilermaker Jazz Band, Antonion Croes (solo piano), Dwayne Dolphin Fo’tet, Anton DeFade Quintette, Paul Cosentino’s Boilermaker Jazz Band (with Grace Elliott), Roger Humphries and RH Factor, Thomas Wendt Quartet and Paul Cosentino Swing Orchestra.
Introduction to Woodturning: Pens with Matt Iannacci
Sept. 5, Contemporary Craft
Beginners are invited to create their own wooden pens during this 3-hour workshop. Led by Matt Iannacci, a woodturner with more than 10 years of experience, students will learn the basics of using a lathe, methods of shaping wood and — importantly — shop safety.
Title Town Soul & Funk Party
Sept. 5, Spirit
Soul, funk, disco and Motown will be center stage at Spirit’s dance party! A lineup of expert DJs will be playing all 45s, all night. Title Town gets as close as you can to a vintage, 1960s New York soul party.
Live Music on the Lawn
Sept. 5, Bakery Square
Bakery Square’s summer music series continues through the end of this month. Be at one of the last shows of this summer, featuring this week’s musical guest, Kimmi Bitter. Enjoy food and drink on the patio, savor one of the last warm evenings and listen to a fun mix between surfer and Western-twang music.
Bloomfield Saturday Market
Sept. 5, Bloomfield
It’s getting to be harvest time — and you can shop for fresh, locally sourced produce, dairy, meat, prepared foods and more at the weekly Bloomfield Saturday Market. Free off-street parking is available, and you can find a full list of vendors available online.
Pittsburgh Community Events for Families and More August 24-30
Brewquet Making Night
Aug. 26, Cousin’s Lounge
Pittsburgh Petals, a floral design shop out of West View, is hosting an end-of-summer celebration at Cousin’s Lounge in Millvale. The ticket includes appetizers, a beverage and a bouquet. You’ll get to make your own arrangement with 10 stems, two focal pieces, four accents and two greens/fillers — and then you’ll leave with a bit of late-summer greenery to brighten your home.
Create and Connect: Needlecrafts and Fiber Arts
Aug. 28, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh — Lawrenceville
Hang out with other crafters and try your hand at needlecrafting and fiber arts. Bring your own yarn and needle or use the ones provided, while supplies last; whether you’re new to the craft or an old hand, it’s an opportunity to make your creative process a bit more social.
Full Moon Forest Bathing
Aug. 28, Frick Park
During a full moon, the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and moon, creating stronger tides in the ocean and a fully illuminated moon in the night sky. Whether you also believe in the metaphysical, spiritual element of full moons or not, this forest bath is a great way to reconnect with nature and use your non-visual senses to guide you through the trails as darkness falls.
The World’s Greatest Tribute To the Traveling Wilburys
Aug. 28, Kelly Strayhorn Theater
The Traveling Milburys — a tribute to rock supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, comprised of George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan — go beyond the songs. They’ll recreate outfits and performances from the ’80s — and even invite the audience to participate in the show. The spirited tribute happens one night only in East Liberty.
Wags, Whiskers & Wings End of Summer Pawty
Aug. 29, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh East Side Campus
Pawty like an animal all night long with Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh! Join them at their East Side location, located on Hamilton Ave., for food, cocktails and live music. It’s an evening of celebration in honor of the many devoted volunteers, donors and staff members who keep the shelter running.
Summer Recess
Aug. 29, Spirit
From 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., send off the summer at Spirit with a jam-packed music festival. The show’s headliner is Frankie and the Witch Fingers, a Los Angeles-based psych-punk rock group; more than a dozen other bands are lined up throughout the event. Plenty of food and drink vendors will be on site as well. Buy a ticket for the whole festival, an outside-only daytime ticket or admission to the 21+ indoor afterparty.
Pittsburgh Community Events for Families and More August 17-23
Jacob Pleakis Quartet
Aug. 17, Lorelei
Come out for great food, thoughtful drinks and lively jazz this Monday night at East Liberty favorite Lorelei. Jacob Pleakis is an accomplished, Pittsburgh-based musician; he’s a regular at New York jazz clubs and has led his quartet across the country (when he’s not composing for film TV and podcasts).
Frick Gardens Tree Walk
Aug. 19, The Frick Pittsburgh
The Frick is much more than a museum and historic home — among its many distinctions, the Point Breeze landmark is also a designated arboretum. That means it’s home to dozens of unique trees, some of which are centuries old. Take a guided tour of The Frick’s 10 acres of gardens and learn about the property’s history and horticulture. This event is part of The Frick’s Living Collection Series, which connects history and nature in Pittsburgh.
It’s Always Sunny Trivia
Aug. 20, City Kitchen Bakery Square
Put your knowledge of everyone’s favorite Philly-based sitcom to the test. Register your team or come solo to City Kitchen in Bakery Square for an evening of classic bar trivia themed around the enduring, irreverent series.
Run Around the Square
Aug. 22, Regent Square
In Regent Square, the end of summer is marked with one of the city’s most beloved 5K races. One of the region’s largest and most-anticipated runs, Run Around the Square is a chance for competitive and casual runners to race around the streets of Regent Square and the trails in Frick Park. Runners return year after year for the festival-like atmosphere, musician-lined course and community support. Register for either the 5K race or a 1.5-mile run/walk; participants are welcome to bring strollers and dogs along for the latter event.
Squirrel Hill Night Market
Aug. 22, Murray Avenue
More than 100 vendors will fill Murray Avenue for the penultimate night market of the summer! The free, outdoor festival is a family-friendly night out in Squirrel Hill. Check out artist tents selling one-of-a-kind pieces, live music and entertainment, food trucks, specials at local restaurants and activities for kids.
Shadyside Fall Arts Festival
Aug. 22-23, Walnut Street
Walnut Street’s open air art gallery returns for its 29th annual celebration. Artists from all mediums will display their works, including photographs, paintings, leatherwork, jewelry, drawings and more. Come for the art — then stay a while to enjoy Shadyside’s shopping and dining scene!
Story by Rachel Windsor
Photo From Frick Environmental Center