Tag Archives: Carnegie Library

Guide to unique, interesting, and fun classes and workshops in Pittsburgh

School may be out for the summer but there’s still plenty of opportunity to get your learn on. From day-long workshops to weekly evening classes, there’s tons of chances to try something new or pick up long-forgotten hobbies once again.

Knitting/crocheting

Whether you’re picking up a pair of needles for the first time, looking to perfect your purling skills, or ready to make the perfect pair of socks, a knitting or crochet class is a great opportunity to pull out the yarn and needles. The following locations offer a variety of classes for all skill levels.

Dyed in the Wool
3458 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh,  PA 15237
(412) 364-0310

Yarns Be Design
622 Allegheny River Boulevard
Oakmont, PA 15139
(412) 794-8332

Natural Stitches
6401 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 441-4410

Knit One
2721 Murray Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA, 15217
(412) 421-6666

Wine and Whiskey

Dreadnought Wines in the Strip District has a variety of classes for different levels of expertise, including both Wine and Spirit Education Trust Certifications and more casual tastings.
2013 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(800) 565 2816

Wigle Whiskey, one of the Strip’s newest establishments, distills their own whiskey and gin onsite in traditional copper pots and using local ingredients. They offer tours on Saturdays, plus have events like labeling parties and the annual tar and feather celebration.
2401 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 224-2827

Arts, Crafts, and Tech

The Society for Contemporary Craft holds day-long and evening workshops using all kinds of crafts and materials: fiber, wood, book arts and paper, metal, and mixed media.
2100 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 261-7003

Union Project is a neighborhood space for people to come together and connect, create, and celebrate. They currently offer ceramics classes, Zumba, salsa, yoga, and hula hoop lessons.
801 N Negley Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 363-4550

Cut and Sew Studio offers a social sewing environment, with all tools and materials available, for people looking to learn how to sew, wanting to get better at it, or working on specific or independent projects.
5901 Bryant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 865- 6565

Saxifrage, described as a higher education nomadic campus, offers classes in woodworking, computer programming, organic agriculture, graphic and user-centered design, map and geographic information systems, and carpentry.

TechShop is a community-based workshopping space for people who want access to industrial tools and equipment. Classes are offered in a wide range of industry, such as woodshop, metal work, silk screening, welding, embroidery, computer design, 3D printing, and much more.
192 Bakery Square Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 345-7182

Improv/Comedy

Steel City Improv has multi-level 8-week classes for both budding and more experienced comedians to hone their craft. Students have the opportunity to perform on stage, plus the chance to audition for the house teams and/or form independent groups.
5950 Ellsworth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
404-2695

Improv Academy also offers weekly classes, as well as private sessions for actors or writers, film, television, on-set work with production companies, and improv troupes.
109 Market Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 407-3319

Arcade Comedy Theater explores the many different forms and type of improvisational and standup comedy through various weekly classes, including some aimed towards kids and teens. They also host monthly workshops taught by visiting and local professionals.
811 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh PA, 15222
(412) 339-0608

The University of Funny has a comedy 101 class to teach adults the basics of comedy. Mic technique, confidence in front of crowds, and the art of standup are all explored to find your inner funny.
(412) 573-9444

Miscellaneous

Free Ride in Point Breeze isn’t so much a bike repair shop as it is a bike education facility. The idea is that you volunteer your time, paired with a willingness to learn, and the staff at Free Ride teaches you how to build, and repair, your own bike. They have a variety of earn-a bike programs for both adults and children, as well as individual classes throughout the week.
Construction Junction
214 N. Lexington Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
(412) 254-3774

The Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park offers tours Thursday and Friday nights in the warmer months. Tours start with a short presentation, followed by a walking tour of the building, and then end at the 13-inch Fitz-Clark refractor telescope. Public lectures are also offered every month.
159 Riverview Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15214
(412) 321-2400

While not necessarily a class or workshop, we’d be remiss to not mention Trundle Manor in a list of unique learning opportunities in Pittsburgh. Billed as “the most unusual tourist trap in the world meets the most bizarre private collection on public display,” you can tour (by appointment only) the manor’s antique taxidermy, old world charm, sadistic medical devices, coffins and coffin like items, Steampunk influenced creations, cryptozoology, and much more.
7724 Juniata Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
(412) 916-5544

Of course, all locations of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have a plethora of classes, events, and workshops, from knitting book clubs and video game gatherings to language clubs and computer classes.

What cool classes and workshops did we miss? Leave us a message on Facebook, send us a tweet, or email Catherine@iheartpgh.com. And keep a look out for our posts on cooking/dining classes in the ‘Burgh and free/pay-what-you-can yoga!

A Weekend of Comfort Food Events – BBQ, Chili, Mc & Cheese & More –

Even if the weather outside isn’t so frightful – we have hit the long winter slump.  But there is a weekend full of comfort food events from BBQ to Mac & Cheese to Chili to help you make it through.  Here is a round up of the events we shared on the WDVE morning show today.

Two New BBQ Joints in the Burgh

  • Union Pig & Chicken opens on Highland Ave
  • YinzBurgh BBQ now open on Baum and Morewood

Bistro to Go Culinary Open House – Learn to Cook German Food for Free

  • Bistro to Go is located on East Ohio Street
  • On Friday, February 24, 2012, 5:30-7:30 – stop by for free lessons in making German foods and sample some German wine

Mac & Cheese Cook-Off

  • Saturday, February 25, 1pm @ Carnegie Library in East Liberty
  • 15 amateur Mac & Cheese lovers will compete for prizes

Mt. Lebanon Chili Cook-Off

  • Saturday, February 25, Noon-5pm @ Clearview Commons
  • Mt. Lebanon Fire Dept vs Mt. Lebanon Police Dept in a chili challenge
  • Plus Chili and Desserts from 10+ Local Restaunts

Kid-a-palooza 2012

  • Saturday, February 26, 2012, 10am-6pm @ Convention Center
  • Giant indor family fun festival
  • activities, indoor rock climbing, sports, princesses, cartoon characters

Title Town Soul Music Dance Party with Guest DJs The New Day from Austin, TX

  • after you eat your weight in Mac & Cheese, Chili or BBQ you can dance away those calories at Pittsburgh’s monthly Soul Music Dance Party
  • Saturday, February 25, 2012 9pm @ Shadow Lounge

“Take a Shot at Changing the World – FREE Youth Film Making Workshop @ History Center

  • Hosted by the Steeltown Entertainment Project
  • Sunday, February 26, 2012, 1:30pm @ Heinz History Center
  • Middle-school and high-school students will have the chance to learn from filmmaking professionals how to make videos that could win them and their schools over $10,000 in cash and prizes.
  • Workshop is open to everyone
  • Facebook event – http://www.facebook.com/events/274385809301868/
  • Will be followed by a FREE screening of My Tale of Two Cities

Submit Your Photos to the Bicycle Photo Show

  • Bike Pgh is partnering with The Carnegie Library to organize an exchibit of bicycle photos inspired by a publication in Sevilla, Spain
  • Submit a photo of your bike by February 26, 2012

Tickets Selling Fast – Bannf Mountain Film Festival

we have been noticing lots of great events are selling out quickly – so here is an early warning to pick up your tickets for the Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to town April 6-7, 2012.  Tickets available here.

Register Now for the Mac & Cheese Cook-Off

I know there are a few folks that read this blog that LOVE mac and cheese.  The Carnegie Library in East Liberty is hosting a Mac & Cheese Cook-off on Saturday, February 25, 2012.

Think you have the best mac & cheese recipe in town – you can enter to win fame and prizes too.

Registration is required.

Judges for the event include:

  • Danielle Brendel: Retail Manager of Sweet Tammy’s Bakery
  • Megan Lindsey, Co-owner of the Franktuary Hot Dog Truck

More details and registration information available here.

Was it Professor Plum, with the Candlestick … in the Library?

Wadsworth (Tim Curry) and the other guests ans...

Image via Wikipedia

One of my all time favorite movies is Clue – yes the Clue with Mrs. White, Professor Plum and the singing telegram – so I love that the upcoming fundraiser at the Carnegie Library includes a live action version of Clue.  This Friday, September 23, its After Hours @ the Library.  The Carnegie Library has been hosting these occasional fundraisers at different Libraries around town – this week the After Hours party is at the library in Oakland. For $25 you can support the library, have some snacks, enjoy some drinks, listen to the musical stylings of Joy Ike AND play live action game of Clue.

What’s Live Action Clue you ask? It is our optional, super low key and awfully fun way to win some cool prizes and help Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh solve a murder mystery. You’ll stroll through the party enjoying your drinks and some great snacks donated by local restaurants and may see Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green or Colonel Mustard having a fabulous time at the library too. You also may see the rope bartending and the wrench reading a magazine… Your job is to ask these characters if they have a clue for you. Once you get all the clues (or lack of clues, hint, hint), you’ll be able to figure out who done it, with what and in what room. It is easy, fun and optional.

Event Details:

After Hours @ The Library
Carnegie Library in Oakland
September 23, 2011, 6:30 – 9:00 pm

Tickets are $25 but there are still tickets available on Groupon here  for $13.

For my fellow Clue fans – the singing telegram…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui337e5D50E[/youtube]

Drinking in the Library – Friday, May 20

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Image via Wikipedia

Yes, the Library with books – the actual Carnegie Library on Carson St. – which should not be confused with the bar named “The Library” which is also on Carson St.  just a block away.  The bar has drinks but not many books.

On May 20 you will be able to drink in the actual library library – for their Deconstruction Party.  A fundraiser to benefit the library and a chance to check out the acutal library building which is over 100 years old.

Late Night @ The Library: Deconstruction Party

Friday, May 20, 2011, 7 – 10 PM
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – South Side
2205 East Carson Street, 15203

Spend your Friday night at the library! Join CLP for our second Late Night @ the Library: Deconstruction Party, this time in the South Side. Check out this century old building (which was once a bomb shelter) and help us kick off the upcoming deconstruction with an evening of local cuisine, specialty drinks, an exclusive auction, dance party and more.

Proceeds benefit Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s renovation of CLP – South Side.

  • Food and drinks from some of the South Side’s best eateries (3 drink tickets per guest)
  • Music and dancing
  • Antique Library furniture and memorabilia from the Library’s colorful history at an exclusive silent auction
  • After Party: Drink specials at The Library Restaurant and Bar (2302 East Carson Street)
  • Details and tickets are available here