Category Archives: Outdoors

Accordion Pool Party in Lawrenceville

chicago accordion
Image by gadgetgirl via Flickr

On Saturday, September 12 from 3-7PM, Leslie Park swimming pool at 4700 Butler St. in Lawrenceville will thrum with activity-and not a drop of water.  The site will host Accordion Pool Party, an ethnic music and dance festival and quirky spectacle of culture and community pride.  The one-day event is a also a catalyst for a more lasting civic endeavor, Pool Planning Workshops to involve residents in shaping the future of the Leslie Park Pool site.

Accordion Pool Party involves about 20 seasoned Pittsburgh accordionists and 30 costumed folk dancers performing in the empty pool a mix of genres including Cajun, tango, polka, French, Israeli and Balkan music. Special guest Guinea West African Drum and Dance Ensemble will open the program.  The event will be emceed by Michael “Zombo” Devine.

The event will also feature refreshments courtesy of the Estelle S. Campbell Boys and Girls Club (neighbors to Leslie Park Pool), and light fare by Lawrenceville’s eclectic cafés and restaurants.  Several eateries will also host busking accordionists on the day of the event. There is a $5 suggested donation for the event.  Visit  http://www.accordionpoolparty.org/ for more information.

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Pedaling the Bike Blender (plus find out how you can get a $25 REI gift card for test driving a Subaru)

The folks from Subaru are having a little streed festival outside of REI this weekend – the Subaru Frontcountry Tour.
Come down and check out the bike blender and some family activities. They have music from local bands too. If you stop by you can get a flyer to test drive a subaru – then you can get a $25 gift card to REI.
Saturday 10 to 4 and Sunday 11 – 5.

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Help Name the New Park on Mt. Washington

Grandview Park View
Image by william.k via Flickr

I saw this on the Venture Outdoors blog this week and thought it was worth sharing.

Visit Pittsburgh has a poll on their site – vote on a name for the new park or suggest a name – deadline is August 31, 2009. Cast your vote and enter to win a night at the Renaissance hotel.

Cast Your Vote, Submit Your Big Idea, and Enter the Prize Drawing!

Pittsburghers know Mt. Washington provides the perfect vantage point of the city’s legendary three rivers and triangular urban center. Just an incline ride away from downtown and the place to dine with out-of-town guests, Mt. Washington now has a green side to show off, too. And we need your help to give this lush urban wilderness a name.

The new park that crosses Mt. Washington, Duquesne Heights and Allentown, offers 235 acres of green woodlands, trails, playgrounds, playing fields and majestic views from all sides. It’s the perfect place for Pittsburghers and visitors to hike across hillsides on quiet, sun-dappled paths or take yoga lessons, watch free movies, or enjoy a festival. Now consider: What name can describe this regional treasure? Something, perhaps, that combines the present with the area’s rich past and highlights the Park’s wild and green character, urban setting and spectacular view.

Click here to cast your vote at Visit Pittsburgh

Here is an interesting video that is a) amusing and b) gives some history of the park.

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Venture Outdoors Kayak Giveaway

Twitter Bird on the Fence
Image by kopp0041 via Flickr

To celebrate the 2009 Venture Outdoors Festival (which is this weekend)!!! and Great Outdoors week – Venture Outdoors is giving away a a kayak to one lucky Twitter follower.  Here are the details…

The Venture Outdoors Festival is only a week away on May 16th at Point State Park! To celebrate our new location we’re giving away a kayak, thanks to Emotion Kayaks, to one lucky Twitterer. Just follow the two steps below and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a free Emotion kayak!

Step 1: Retweet the EXACT message below on Twitter:

RT @ventureoutdoors is giving away a FREE Kayak! Join us May 16 at the VO Festival. To enter visit: http://tinyurl.com/VOFestraffle

Step 2: Follow us on Twitter. It’s easy. Click the link below and click the follow button below our logo: http://www.twitter.com/ventureoutdoors

That’s it! The winning name will be drawn at the Venture Outdoors Festival on May 16th. We’ll announce the winner via tweet and at the WYEP tent at the Festival!

Good luck and we hope you can join us May 16th for the region’s premiere outdoor recreation event with tons of exciting activities for the whole family – from kayaking, canoeing, fishing, yoga, biking, climbing and more! For more info click here

It is that easy to enter. Continue reading →

Meet the Real Geeks Who Ride Bikes on Friday

Back in February I read this blog post on The Blog Herald about 2 guys who were planning a bike ride across the country to encourage more geeks to ride bikes to work.  When I looked at the map and saw they weren’t planning a stop in a geek friendly, bike friendly city like Pittsburgh – I sent Joe and Carlos an email about making a stop in Pittsburgh.  

 

Joe and Carlos and the Susquehanna River

Joe and Carlos and the Susquehanna River

Last week Joe and Carlos started their bike ride and tomorrow, May 28 they will be making a stop here in Pittsburgh.  They have been updating their blog daily and you can read about their adventures and check out some great pictures at RealGeeksRide.com or follow along on twitter @realgeeksride

Meet Real Geeks Ride
Friday May 29, 2009, 2:30pm
Pittsburgh Technology Council Office, 2nd Ave 

More info at BikePGH and Techburger