Pittsburgh is awesome – and Pittsburgh in August is extra awesome. Now many Pittsburghers have fled to the beach before back-to-school and that is their loss. Pittsburgh in August is awesome – it isn’t too hot AND with a weekend like this – Pittsburgh makes the perfect staycation spot.
While there are a ton of awesome events this weekend – here are four fabulous events that are totally free to attend.
http://storify.com/iheartpgh/four-free-events-in-pittsburgh-august-10-11-12
Caribbean Queen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Thanks to the DVE morning show – I learned that Billy Ocean is coming to Pittsburgh this weekend.
Billy Ocean @ Rivers Casino
Saturday, August 4, 2012
8pm
FREE
Here is a selection of Billy Ocean videos along with some of the tweets from Pittsburghers who are looking forward to the performance on Saturday night.
http://storify.com/iheartpgh/billy-ocean-on-the-three-river
Image via Wikipedia
The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation is a great organization that has been doing some great work here in Pittsburgh since 1964. This workshop is just one of the many programs they offer throughout the year.
If you are looking to learn more about historic buildings or just want to meet some great people – check out one of their SOTS events. SOTS is short for the Society of Tavern Seekers – every few months they meet at a historic bar in Pittsburgh for a happy hour event.
‘Building Green’ with ARTEMIS Environmental
What does “building green” really mean?
Green building is an often over-used and not entirely understood term. For our February workshop at the Landmarks Housing Resource Center in Wilkinsburg, Ian Miller, managing partner of Artemis Environmental in Lawrenceville, will discuss elements of green building and design.
He will also talk about Artemis Environmental’s wide range of products, which include everything from boards made of sustainable materials such as bamboo and sunflower seeds to toxic free finishers and recycled tiles. Mr. Miller’s show-and-tell of sustainable building products will include a demonstration of American Clay plaster and cork flooring.
Date: Saturday, February 18
Time:10:00am to 11:30am
Location: Landmarks Housing Resource Center
744 Rebecca Ave, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Map and driving directionsJanice Webb Donatelli started Artemis Environmental, which is located at 3709 Butler Street in Lawrenceville, in 2005.
Mr. Miller is transforming Artemis from a high quality green building products supplier into a full-scale design, supplier and installation business.
Mr. Miller is owner of Zambano and Sons, a general contracting firm focused primarily on residential remodeling and exterior hardscape projects. He lives with his wife, Carla, a landscape architect, their daughters, Stella and Rose in a 100-year old house in Friendship that has no shortage of green remodeling projects on the horizon.
This workshop is FREE
RSVPs are appreciated. Contact Mary Lu Denny: marylu@phlf.org or 412-471-5808 ext. 527.
Ambridge is a borough located north of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. The borough was incorporated in 1905 and named after the American Bridge Company. I haven’t been out to Ambridge in a while. A few years ago there was a lovely little coffee shop there – I think it was called the Silk House.
This Saturday is your chance to check out Ambridge with the folks of Urban Hike. Urban Hike is a group that plans out hikes around different urban areas. The organizers do a great job of mapping out the hike ahead of time and planning out interesting stops along the way. Usually local experts join along to share history and info about each area. There was a great group of hikers for the last Urban Hike in Oakland. A great way to explore a new area with a nice group of folks. There is no charge to participate in the hike – just make sure to thank the organizers.
I just returned home after a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Art for the Culture Club. As much as I love blogging about museums here in Pittsburgh – I had not been to the Carnegie in at least a year. It was great to see the new exhibit – Biennial. And another great thing about tonight’s Culture Club – is that the museum was open for free.
Pittsburgh has great cultural ammenities like museums – and thankfully they are open to everyone for free for different events through out the year.
Which brings me to the Mattress Factory. Another amazing cultural amenity is the Mattress Factory which is a contemporary art museum on the northside. Each year the Mattress Factory hosts an annual fundraiser called the Urban Garden Party – which is rumored to be one of the best fundraisers in town. More on that below.
But in addition to a fancy fundraiser, the MattressFactory always opens the museum to the public for a free community day too – The Community Garden Party. A free day, filled with extra fun activities for kids of all ages.
I stumbled upon the Community Garden Party a few years ago (maybe more than a few years ago because I think it was before I had started IheartPGH). We has a lovely afternoon enjoying the museum and I came across one of my favorite art pieces at the museum – “Bob-ettes Feast” by Bob Sendell – you can see photos of the feast here.
The line up for the 2011 Community Garden Party:
The details on the 2011 Urban Garden Party:
Here is a little trailer for the party with photos from last years event
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbz8ooJr8iU[/youtube]
Read more about the party on the Mattress Factory blog here.
