What’s going on this week in Pittsburgh, June 13-19? Find out here. Visit each organization’s website and social media for changing Covid protocols.
Friday, June 17, and Sunday, June 19: Juneteenth at Allegheny RiverTrail Park
7-10 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Head to Aspinwall for this two-day Juneteenth celebration. The waterfront festivities feature dancing with Afro Love Pittsburgh, music by Let’s Groove Tonight, a performance of “Lift Every Voice” by Karen Arrington and food vendors. Throughout June, visitors are invited to write their hopes and dreams on a quilt-based installation that amplifies collective voices and documents inspiring quotes from historic leaders.
Monday, June 13: Doodle Bowl Experience at Carrie Furnace
5-8 p.m.
Tired of the same old “sip and paint” parties? DIY meets BYOB during this evening of making, swilling and socializing at the historic landmark. Inside the site’s sprawling Power House, Rivers of Steel’s metal artists will help you design your own aluminum cast bowl to take home. Buy tickets.
Tuesday, June 14: Queer Craft Market at the WBU Event Venue
6-9 p.m.
Show your pride and get crafty in Spring Hill. Showcasing Pittsburgh’s talented queer maker community at the Varley Street venue, the market’s largest event to date will feature 50 vendors selling everything from artwork, jewelry and crafts to zines, vintage goods and funky home decor.
Photo courtesy of Phipps.
Wednesday, June 15, through Friday, June 17: Nature of Place Virtual Symposium with Phipps
12-1:30 p.m.
Reconnect with the natural world — and help drive sustainable climate action — at this online symposium. Leaders across disciplines — from design, engineering and public health to education, biology and the humanities — will come together to discuss the influence and impact of biophilia. Keynote lectures, panel discussions and pre-recorded talks will explore climate communication and solutions, equity, grassroots community-building and transformative change. Buy tickets.
Thursday June 16: Pittsburgh Opens at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
4:30-8 p.m.
Be among the first to swoon over the spectacular views from the convention center’s newly renovated rooftop terrace. At the free premiere preview, attendees can check out the site’s expansive walkways, rooftop gardens and cozy seating pods while sampling free hors d’oeuvres and desserts. The happy hour is part of a welcome back series was developed to reengage workers, residents and visitors with Downtown offerings.
Photos courtesy of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
Thursday, June 16, and Friday, June 17: Theatre Communications Group Conference at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater
Various times
Local artists will shine when this national organization hosts its annual summit in Pittsburgh. Serving as a hub, the KST will present commissioned performances highlighting the city’s diverse theater community at various venues. Not to miss is Lyam B. Gabel’s movement work, “the dance floor, the hospital room and the kitchen table” and VR installation, “An Archive of Queer Care.” Highlights include dance parties with TQ Live! and Operation Sappho, Adil Mansoor’s performance “Amm(i)gone” and Vibes N’at theater productions. View a schedule and buy tickets.
Photo courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Thursday, June 16: Cephalopod Movie Night at Carnegie Library Lecture Hall
6 p.m.
Calling all octopus, cuttlefish and squid lovers to this convergence of cinema and cephalopods! Watch science documentaries, hear from cephalopod experts and ask all of your burning deep-sea questions. The event includes a pre-show reception with refreshments and a chance to rub elbows with fellow cephalo-enthusiasts. Buy tickets.
Photo by Matt Metrovich courtesy of RealTime Interventions.
Thursday, June 16 through Saturday, June 18: Angelmakers: Songs For Female Serial Killers at Pittsburgh Winery
8:30 p.m.
What would a song about a female serial killer sound like? Find out when RealTime’s “true crime concert cabaret” returns for three nights only. Spanning post-punk, indie rock and country, the compelling show features 10 original songs exploring the “moments and motives of female serial killers throughout history.” Along with Beirut-based performer Milia Ayache, “Angelmakers” features eight Pittsburgh-based female-identifying vocalists. Buy tickets.
Juneteenth. Photo courtesy of Rossano Paul Photography.
Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19: Juneteenth in Downtown Pittsburgh
Various times
Honoring the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S., Point State Park and Market Square will transform into the Western PA Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration. Highlights include a Grand Jubilee Juneteenth Parade, Juneteenth Minority Vendor Plaza, Voting Rights Forum and headlining bands. For more Juneteenth celebrations, check out these events presented by the August Wilson African American Culture Center, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Heinz History Center, Focus on Renewal and 1Hood Media, Mikael Owunna Studios and The Redd Studio. Read more about Juneteenth celebrations in Pittsburgh.
Friday, June 17: Sanctuary Block Party at the Mattress Factory
6-8 p.m.
Block party season kicks off in the Mexican War Streets at this event celebrating Shrine, the newest exhibition opening at the museum’s Monterey Annex. In partnership with Sibyls Shrine, the 1400 block of Monterey will teem with local small businesses, art-making in the City of Asylum garden, a Mommas’ Market and music from DJ Yadirtydaughter. Attendees can check out the installations and buy tasty cuisine from Mommalicious and ShadoBeni. Register for free.
Friday, June 17: In Bed By Ten Dance Party at Trace Brewing
6-9 p.m.
One of Pittsburgh’s fave dance parties is back at a new home to rock the early crowd. Dance outdoors in the brewery’s courtyard with host DJMB, plus Ricky Moslen from Jellyfish. Donations will benefit Proud Haven.
Friday, June 17: 18+ Night: Game Night at Carnegie Science Center
6-10 p.m.
Ready, player one? Grab your besties for a no-kids, after-hours party on all four floors of the North Shore attraction. Transforming into a retro arcade, the site will boast 50 board games, a 100-player Jackbox game and Pittsburgh-themed fun led by Brookline’s Looking for Group and Arcade Comedy Theater. Join lively tournaments, try your luck at games of chance and explore tabletop role-playing games. Buy tickets.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Downey.
Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19: Badass Cross Stitch at Contemporary Craft
Various times
Empower your inner craftivist during a weekend of events led by Shannon Downey of Badass Cross Stitch. Founder of Seriously Badass Women, Downey will lead introductory and intermediate embroidery classes and talks on using crafting to drive social change. Attendees will connect via making while learning about Downey’s creative interventions, open-source street art campaigns and global craftivism projects. Buy tickets.
Saturday, June 18: Really Big Faces at the Energy Innovation Center
12-3 & 6-9 p.m.
Be there for the long-awaited unveiling of 80 colorful portraits depicting Pittsburghers of various ages, nationalities and walks of life. To create the images, Pittsburgh artist Tom Mosser began with sketches and then used his signature “loop and flow” painting technique. Mosser’s subjects include Tony Burke, a first responder at the Tree of Life massacre, PA second lady Gisele Barreto Fetterman, “Pittsburgh Dad” Curt Wootton and Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild founder Bill Strickland.
Saturday, June 18: Inside Out at Carnegie Museum of Art
12-5 p.m.
Clear your Saturdays for al fresco fun. Visitors and families alike will enjoy pop-up performances and music by STAYCEE PEARL dance project and DJ Soy Sos, food trucks and creative experiences. As a precursor to the 58th Carnegie International, artist Rafael Domenech will transform the Sculpture Court into a site-specific pavilion. View a schedule.
Saturday, June 18: Allegheny SolarFest at Hazlewood Green
12-6 p.m.
This one-of-a-kind festival rings in the summer solstice at a new HQ that’s home to the country’s largest single-sloped solar array and Pittsburgh’s biggest solar installation. Festival-goers can explore solar energy technologies, see demonstrations, watch solar-powered concerts, peruse local vendors and tour the region’s largest electric vehicle show. Buy tickets.
Photo courtesy of Pride Millvale.
Saturday, June 18: Pride Festival in Millvale
12-8 p.m.
For its second annual event, this volunteer-run celebration spotlights the safe spaces and friendly faces throughout the borough and business district that nurture diversity, inclusivity and the LGBTQIA+ community. Enjoy live music, food and drink specials, an artisan fair, painting, games and performances showcasing queer artists. View a schedule.
Saturday, June 18: Stand with Ukraine at Sweetwater Center for the Arts
6-9 p.m.
As conflict continues abroad, this exhibition is dedicated to the rich cultural traditions of Ukraine. The event features work by nine Ukrainian artists, a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Clarion Quartet and homemade Ukrainian cuisine. Proceeds from artwork sales will benefit the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee. Register here.
Sunday, June 19: Father’s Day Weekend at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
How many animal dads can you find throughout the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in one day? Find out on June 19, when dads accompanied by their kids get in for free. Buy tickets.
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Buffalo Bill’s House.
Sunday, June 19: Father’s Day Tours at Buffalo Bill’s House
10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-3 p.m.
Forget golf shirts and grilling accessories — why not take dad to a fictional serial killer’s house?! In Fayette County’s sleepy Perryopolis, you’ll wander together through the Silver Screen home of Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb, played by Ted Levine in Jonathan Demme’s terrifying 1991 horror flick. Attendees will receive a pair of commemorative socks designed by Fright-Rags. Buy tickets.
Sunday, June 19: Bach, Beethoven and Brunch Classical Music Series at Mellon Park
10:30 a.m.
Add some classic music and fresh air to your breakfast routine. Hosted by WQED-FM DJs, the long-running series is back to lull listeners in Mellon Park’s tranquil Rose Garden Lawn. Enjoy a free concert by the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra plus the “Best Brunch” competition during intermission.
Sunday, June 19: Allegheny County Summer Concert Series at Hartwood Acres
7:30 p.m.
The county’s free summer concert series raises a glass to dads with tonight’s Father’s Day Car Cruise event featuring King Solomon Hicks and Bobby Thompson & the Groove. Arrive hungry and thirsty because food trucks, Black Dog Winery and Hop Farm Brewing will be on-site.
