Pittsburgh's Summer Living Guide

Make sure to check out the Summer Living Guide from Living Pittsburgh.  This blog below has some great summer events that are happening throughout the city.  There is something almost everyday, and there are things for all ages. Keep reading to learn more.

Summer is here and you won’t believe how many things there are to do, see, and enjoy around Pittsburgh and Allegheny County….without needing to spend a dime! To make things easy for you, we’ve put together this handy-dandy “Free Summer Fun Guide” filled with some of Living Pittsburgh.com’s FREE fun picks for this summer in the ‘Burgh. And keep in mind, this is just the free stuff! There’s plenty more low cost events and activities to do this summer, so be sure to check out our Events Listing for even more summer fun on a budget.

Keep checking back though (this guide included), because we add new free & affordable events, deals & bargains EVERY DAY during the week. If you’re new to Living Pittsburgh, here are some suggestions so you get the most out of the site and don’t miss a thing! The best way to keep current is to sign up for our daily emails (enter your email address to the right of this page, right below our Events Listing box), like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our weekly LP Newsletter.

Now, on with the summer fun!
Live Music

Deutschtown Music Festival - 40+ bands will rock Pittsburgh’s Northside at this FREE all day event!

Southside Works Summer Concerts – Enjoy free live music outside at South Side Works’ Town square this summer, going on now through September.

Mellon Square Summer Concert Series - Free noon concerts at Mellon Square to enjoy during your lunch hour downtown this summer. More info coming soon!

JazzLive at Katz Plaza – This fun free jazz concert series take place outside on Katz Plaza downtown throughout the summer months.

Reservoir of Jazz Series – Enjoy live jazz music in Highland Park this August. More info coming soon!

WYEP Summer Music Festival - Free summer music concert at Schenley Plaza, complete with kids activities and an indie craft marketplace.

Lunchtime Music Series at Schenley Plaza - Free lunchtime entertainment can be found multiple times per week at Schenley Plaza.

Bach, Beethoven and Brunch – You can pack your brunch and enjoy free classical concerts every Sunday morning at Mellon Park. More info coming soon!

Allegheny County Summer Concerts - Take advantage of free live music at Hartwood Acres and South Park all summer long.

Stars at Riverview – You can enjoy free live jazz concerts in Riverview Park throughout the warm summer months.

WYEP Final Fridays – Even more FREE live music this summer at Schenley Plaza! More info coming soon!

Monroeville Summer Concert Series – This find includes free live music, followed by a free movies in Monroeville Community Park.

Summer Jams on Walnut – These free annual block parties include loads of local live bands!
The Arts



Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District – The Gallery Crawl is a quarterly free showcase of art and entertainment.

Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn – The First Friday of each month, various galleries in the Penn Avenue Arts District showcase a variety of artwork and performances to view for free.

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival - This premiere Pittsburgh event features free activities for the whole family, live music, art exhibits and so much more.

Taming of the Shrew presented by Poor Yorick’s Players – Bring a blanket, chair, or even a picnic to see Poor Yorick’s Players return in 2013 with their seventh season: All is fair in love and war!

Squonk Opera’s Go Roadshow - An amazing and spectacular performance unlike any other! Think circus meets performance art meets holiday parade – all for FREE! More info coming soon!
Dancing

Summer Soul Line Dance Classes - Experience not required for these free fun outdoor dance lessons.

Free Dance Lessons at Saddle Ridge - You’ll find complimentary line dancing lessons at Saddle Ridge on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Salsa Around the City - Salsa Pittsburgh offers Salsa dancing lessons all around Pittsburgh, many of which are absolutely free.
Movies

Cinema in the Parks – TONS of free outdoor movies in Pittsburgh’s local parks this summer.

Summer Movie Clubhouse – Not free, but for as little as 50 cents per movie, it’s pretty darn close!

Movies by Moonlight - Free flicks at the Tall Trees Amphitheater in Monroeville

Denis Theatre’s Last Saturday Cinema - Last Saturday Cinema is a FREE outdoor film series. Come experience great movies while surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants – just a few steps from the historic Denis Theatre.
Festivals



Pittsburgh Neighborhood Community Festivals - Various neighborhoods in Pittsburgh hold FREE festivals throughout the 2011 Summer and Fall season.

African Arts in the Park – Free cultural event at Point State Park this August. More info coming soon!

Lawrenceville Garden Tour - Find out how gardens grow on this FREE annual garden tour in Lawrenceville!

Three Rivers Regatta - This is the largest inland regatta event in the United States, and ALL activites and performances are free to attend.

Wings Over Pittsburgh – Celebrate patriotism, and enjoy this spectacular September show for free, oh- and parking is free too. More info coming soon!

A Fair in the Park - A Fair in the Park is an annual contemporary craft festival held in early September, presented by The Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh. The fair features high quality art and craft displays and demonstrations ,a concert weekend, a children’s activity and project area and a variety of Pittsburgh’s fabulous foods. More info coming soon!

South Side Works Exposed – This annual event has free live music, food vendors & lots of family fun activities.

Red, Ripe & Roasted: Tomato & Garlic Festival - Enjoy free admission to this yummy summer food festival AND Phipps Conservatory with your fresh produce donation this August. More info coming soon!

WYEP Summer Music Festival - Free summer music concert at Schenley Plaza, complete with kids activities and an indie craft marketplace.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix – check out the largest road race in the United States this summer… for free!
Family & Kids

Pittsburgh Spray Parks - Cool down this summer with these free city spray parks - no swimming required!

Roving Art Cart - Kiddos take can take advantage of free arts & crafts… in various locations around the ‘Burgh.

Blue Slide Park - Be sure to check out this great freebie for kids, as well as some of our other great free finds!

Reading Room at Market Square - Books aren’t free, but browsing is… and books are just $1-$2.

KidsPlay at Market Square - Free stories, crafts, treats, and special guests for kiddos at Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Mini Golf at Schenley Park - Play a round of mini-golf at Schenley Park’s ice skating rink, for a very affordable price!

Learn-to-Swim Camp - Free swimming lessons at select City of Pittsburgh pools this summer.

Swim Lessons at Allegheny County Pools - FREE swimming lessons for kids ages 5 and older. No pre-registration required!

Allegheny Observatory – Take a FREE tour of the Allegheny Observatory this summer and learn about celestial objects & more.
Sports & Fitness

Pirate $10 discount - Use your GE advantage card for $10 Pirates Sunday home games this summer.





Fish for Free - No fishing license required to enjoy fishing on these two specially designated days of the year.

Free Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Demos - Enjoy this free demo opportunity for a brief paddle on the Irwin Run Pond (Lagoon) of North Park Lake.

Yoga in the Park- Free Yoga for the fitness enthusiast, starting in June.

Tai Chi in the Park - Reduce stress and gain focus before the work week starts with FREE Tai Chi at Schenley Plaza

Dust and Your Electronics

Did you know that dust can hurt or damage all of your electronics?  The blog below has some great tips on how to keep your electronics dust free and running smoothly.  You can learn more about technology tricks by visiting apartment therapy.

Desktop Computer: Many towers have fans on the back and vents on the sides. At least once per year, perhaps more in dust ridden regions, use compressed air, then wipe down with an anti-static microfiber cloth. Start with the fan, then move to the vents to release any dust build up. You may be surprised what resides inside your computer's internal regions.

TVs: Wiping down the screen is pretty standard, but like computers, many large TVs also have a fan in the back helping to prevent the television from overheating. A little compressed air will help here too.

Keyboards: Keyboards won't overheat, but low profile keyboards will get "soft keys" (sticky) if there's too much built up gunk under a key. Unplug the keyboard and blow on it gently every once in a while, using that handy can of compressed air for bigger jobs, and a dollop of hand disinfectant on a paper towel to remove grime on top. 


Mouse with Rolling Balls on Top or Bottom: My old Mac had a mouse with a small rolling ball on the top. It was great for web browsing, but on a nearly monthly basis the ball would get stuck and would roll sporadically. Even small amounts of dust will cause a mouse with delicate parts to operate poorly. A little compressed air on a regular basis will go a long way, with an alcohol based cleaner to wipe the top and bottom from smoother scrolling.

Add an Air Purifier: protect your home electronics further by installing an air filtration system nearby to keep dust, pet fur, and other debris out of digital devices and appliances in the first place. 

Check out our How to Shop for an Air Purifier shopping guide, alongside Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping, and Consumer Search for recommendations.

2013 Pittsburgh Art Exhibits

Pittsburgh has a great art community. There are many art exhibits that open every weekend in Pittsburgh. Check out some of the great art museums in the city this summer! You can find out what exhibits are opening where in the blog below.  For more information check out Pittsburgh Arts.



Presented by the Fiberarts Guild Of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
April 19, 2013 to August 18, 2013


Fiberart International 2013 is the 21st triennial juried exhibition sponsored by the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh. Chosen by a distinguished panel of artists and curators, Fiberart International 2013 will feature works by established and emerging artists and provides an opportunity to see current trends and innovations in this evolving medium. The exhibition includes works by artists from across the world.
Read more about Fiberart International 2013


Rites of Passage


Maggie Mills
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
In partnership with the Center for Emerging Visual Artists
April 19, 2013 to August 18, 2013


Through her oil paintings, the artist explores anxiety, nostalgia, and social and environmental themes. Mills received her BFA from Tyler School of Art and her MFA from The Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts. In 2011, Mills was awarded a Career Development Program Fellowship at the Center for Emerging Visual Artists. She is currently working on a series of paintings documenting children's interactions with surrounding fragile ecosystems as part of a residency at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia.


Read more about Rites of Passage


Coming Home


Kay Healy
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
In partnership with the Center for Emerging Visual Artists
April 19, 2013 to August 18, 2013


This life-sized fabric installation features three hand-drawn, screen-printed, sewn and stuffed fabric rooms. Each is based on descriptions of childhood homes in the Philadelphia area. The interviewees are from different neighborhoods, time periods, and cultural backgrounds, but the piece weaves together these distinct memories emphasizing the commonalities of the human experience to form a collective representation of home. Healy received a BA from Oberlin College, and an MFA from the University of the Arts in Book Arts and Printmaking.
Read more about Coming Home


30 : 2


Presented by Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
April 19, 2013 to August 18, 2013


30:2 is a group exhibition presented by Associated Artists of Pittsburgh. This survey style exhibit is a cross-section of the more than 600 members of the 102-year-old Pittsburgh institution. The selected works display the breath and complexity of AAP's diverse membership in the continually evolving organization. Three large upstairs galleries feature a variety of paintings, videos, sculptures and installations.
Read more about 30 : 2
Friday Nights at Guitar Center


Allison Kaufman
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
In partnership with the Center for Emerging Visual Artists
April 19, 2013 to August 18, 2013


This looped video explores the impromptu in-store performances of predominately male customers at a musical instrument store. The artist examines issues of loneliness, the fantasy of rock stardom, the packaging and stereotyping of identities that American chain stores perpetuate, and the simultaneity of exhibitionism and vulnerability. Kaufman is a photographer and video artist living in New York City. She received a BFA in Film and Television Production from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, and an MFA in Photography, Video, and Related Media from the School of Visual Arts.

Pirates 2nd Half of the Season

Have you been to a Pittsburgh Pirates game yet this year?  We just started the second half of the season with the first game this Friday!  The Pirates have an excellent record, and tickets are selling fast.  Check out the schedule below to see what game you want to go to.  You can find out more about the games at MLB.com

Fri, Jul 19	@ Cincinnati	7:10 PM
Sat, Jul 20	@ Cincinnati	4:05 PM
Sun, Jul 21	@ Cincinnati	1:10 PM
Mon, Jul 22	@ Washington	7:05 PM
Tue, Jul 23	@ Washington	7:05 PM
Wed, Jul 24	@ Washington	7:05 PM
Thu, Jul 25	@ Washington	12:35 PM
Fri, Jul 26	@ Miami	7:10 PM
Sat, Jul 27	@ Miami	7:10 PM
Sun, Jul 28	@ Miami	1:10 PM
Mon, Jul 29	vs St. Louis	7:05 PM
Tue, Jul 30	vs St. Louis	4:05 PM
Tue, Jul 30	vs St. Louis	7:05 PM
Wed, Jul 31	vs St. Louis	7:05 PM
AUGUST	OPPONENT	TIME (ET)
Thu, Aug 1	vs St. Louis	7:05 PM
Fri, Aug 2	vs Colorado	7:05 PM
Sat, Aug 3	vs Colorado	7:05 PM
Sun, Aug 4	vs Colorado	1:35 PM
Tue, Aug 6	vs Miami	7:05 PM
Wed, Aug 7	vs Miami	7:05 PM
Thu, Aug 8	vs Miami	12:35 PM
Fri, Aug 9	@ Colorado	8:40 PM
Sat, Aug 10	@ Colorado	8:10 PM
Sun, Aug 11	@ Colorado	4:10 PM
Tue, Aug 13	@ St. Louis	8:15 PM
Wed, Aug 14	@ St. Louis	8:15 PM
Thu, Aug 15	@ St. Louis	1:45 PM
Fri, Aug 16	vs Arizona	7:05 PM
Sat, Aug 17	vs Arizona	4:05 PM
Sun, Aug 18	vs Arizona	1:35 PM
Mon, Aug 19	@ San Diego	10:10 PM
Tue, Aug 20	@ San Diego	10:10 PM
Wed, Aug 21	@ San Diego	6:40 PM
Thu, Aug 22	@ San Francisco	10:15 PM
Fri, Aug 23	@ San Francisco	10:15 PM
Sat, Aug 24	@ San Francisco	9:05 PM
Sun, Aug 25	@ San Francisco	4:05 PM
Tue, Aug 27	vs Milwaukee	7:05 PM
Wed, Aug 28	vs Milwaukee	7:05 PM
Thu, Aug 29	vs Milwaukee	7:05 PM
Fri, Aug 30	vs St. Louis	7:05 PM
Sat, Aug 31	vs St. Louis	7:05 PM
SEPTEMBER	OPPONENT	TIME (ET)
Sun, Sep 1	vs St. Louis	1:35 PM
Mon, Sep 2	@ Milwaukee	2:10 PM
Tue, Sep 3	@ Milwaukee	8:10 PM
Wed, Sep 4	@ Milwaukee	8:10 PM
Fri, Sep 6	@ St. Louis	8:15 PM
Sat, Sep 7	@ St. Louis	7:15 PM
Sun, Sep 8	@ St. Louis	2:15 PM
Mon, Sep 9	@ Texas	8:05 PM
Tue, Sep 10	@ Texas	8:05 PM
Wed, Sep 11	@ Texas	2:05 PM
Thu, Sep 12	vs Cubs	7:05 PM
Fri, Sep 13	vs Cubs	7:05 PM
Sat, Sep 14	vs Cubs	7:05 PM
Sun, Sep 15	vs Cubs	1:35 PM
Mon, Sep 16	vs San Diego	7:05 PM
Tue, Sep 17	vs San Diego	7:05 PM
Wed, Sep 18	vs San Diego	7:05 PM
Thu, Sep 19	vs San Diego	12:35 PM
Fri, Sep 20	vs Cincinnati	7:05 PM
Sat, Sep 21	vs Cincinnati	7:05 PM
Sun, Sep 22	vs Cincinnati	1:35 PM
Mon, Sep 23	@ Cubs	8:05 PM
Tue, Sep 24	@ Cubs	8:05 PM
Wed, Sep 25	@ Cubs	2:20 PM
Fri, Sep 27	@ Cincinnati	7:10 PM
Sat, Sep 28	@ Cincinnati	4:10 PM
Sun, Sep 29	@ Cincinnati	1:10 PM

Lunch Concerts at Buhl Park

 Enjoy Pittsburgh’s own “green” concert series, where the summer sun powers the sound system! Concerts take place every Wednesday at 12:15pm in July and August in front of the Children’s Museum at the Buhl Community Park at Allegheny Square. This concert series is a project of the New Hazlett Theater, the Saturday Light Brigade, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

July 3: Tom Roberts (ragtime and jazz) - Considered one of today’s leading exponents of early jazz piano, Tom Roberts has performed throughout the US and Europe, on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, and has recorded over 40 CDs.

July 10: AppalAsia (Asian-bluegrass fusion) – AppalAsia combines influences of Appalachian and Asian music traditions with original composition and inspired improvisation to create their unique musical voice. Using erhu, dulcimer, banjo, and vocals, they create a cross-cultural musical experience that draws on a collaboration of traditions with an ear toward the future. For their Solar Concert Series appearance, AppalAsia will be joined by Jeff Grubbs on bass. Performing with AppalAsia for the first time, Grubbs will add a new depth to the ensemble’s music.

July 17: The Wreckids (folk-rock) - Big Snow Big Thaw is 2/3rds Pennsylvania bred and 1/3 Kentucky fed. They’ll be bringing their own brand of rootsy and americana originals for banjo, guitar and percussion, coupled with lively and beautiful vocal harmonies.

July 24: The Squirrel Hillbillies (acoustic country and folk) – From within the urban forest of Pittsburgh’s East End, the Squirrel Hillbillies emerge to share their eclectic mix of folk, country and blues. The duo has been writing, arranging and performing original music since 2010, with appearances at Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival, Folk Alliance International, and Calliope: Pittsburgh’s Folk Music Society. Through collaborative, nonlinear songwriting process, duo partners Jenny Wolsk Bain and Gary Crouth draw from personal experiences, third-hand stories and vivid imaginations to craft songs that are unpredictable and quirky yet widely accessible. www.squirrelhillbillies.com

July 31: Mark Dignam (original contemporary Irish and folk) – Born in Ireland, Mark Dignam grew up in the Dublin suburb of Finglas, where his mother sang and filled his childhood home with song. In 1995, Mark released his acclaimed Poetry and Songs From the Wheel, named a top 10 Best Debut by Ireland’s Hot Press Magazine. Mark’s album, Box Heart Man, was selected as one of WYEP’s top picks for 2005. Mark has performed with The Swell Season, David Gray, Billy Bragg, Joan Armatrading, and Richard Thompson. When he isn’t touring with his band The House of Song, or at home with his family, Mark can be found in the studio preparing his highly-anticipated new album, Monumental Way, at Treelady Studios in Turtle Creek, PA. http://markdignam.com/

August 7: The Josh & Gab Show (anti-bullying kid rock) – Gab Bonesso is a nationally renowned comedian, performer and comedy writer. Josh Verbanets is an award-winning songwriter, singer and musician. Together, they have developed a unique and unforgettable live anti-bullying musical comedy program for students of all ages. Josh and Gab’s performances utilize humor, original songs, interactive exercises, and energetic storytelling in a fun and heartfelt educational program. Watch for Josh and Gab at a school, community center or family-friendly event near you in 2013! www.joshandgab.com

August 14: Members of Timbeleza (Brazilian batacuda drumming) – Timbeleza is a Pittsburgh-based ensemble that performs African influenced Brazilian percussive style music called batucada. Working closely with master drummers from Brazil, Timbeleza works to expand its repertoire and reach new audiences. Among its goals is exposing people to samba music invigorating the local community with its authentic music and performance style. http://timbeleza.org/#0f0/custom_plain

August 21: The Flow Band (reggae) - Pittsburgh’s premiere reggae dance band, The Flow Band has a legendary history of fusing neo-soul rhythms over tropical world beats. Formed in the 1980s, the five-piece Flow Band has opened for many acclaimed figures in reggae and African music, including Dennis Brown, Ziggy Marley, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Jimmy Buffet. They have received 15 awards, including Best Local Reggae Artist and Performance Band of the Year. http://myspace.com/daflowband

August 28: Crusic Percussion (percussion ensemble) – Crusic Percussion is a local percussion ensemble based out of Carnegie Mellon University. From 1920′s rags to 1990′s street drumming, their show has it all. They perform dynamic music with their own special twist.

More info can be found online at: http://solarconcertseries.org/
Have you ever heard of a "green" concert series.  The sun powers the sound system in this unique concert.  These concerts take place every Wednesday at 12:15pm in the summer.  You can check them out at Buhl Community Park in Allegheny Square.  You can find the schedule below so you can plan your next lunch break with some great music.  Check out Living Pittsburgh for more information.

Jazz Concert and Movie in the Park

Are you looking for something to do this summer?  Check out this great series in the city.  You can check out some great jazz musicians, and then stay to catch a movie after the concert.  These events are held Saturdays at Riverview Park.  You can find more information at Living Pittsburgh.



The Stars at Riverview Jazz Series hosts live jazz performers every Saturday night this summer. These FREE concerts are held at Riverview park every Saturday from 7 until 8:30 pm starting June 8 and continuing through August 31, 2013.

Here’s the 2012 list of performers:
June 8 – Charles Wallace Band
June 15 – Mark Lucas
June 22 – Colter Harper
June 29 – Roger Humphries
July 6 – Eric Johnson
July 13 – Jeff Grubbs
July 20 – Spanky Wilson
July 27 – Chelsea Baratz
August 3 – Kevin Howard
August 10 – Elevations
August 17 – Marty Ashby Quartet
August 24 – Salsamba
August 31 – Kenny Blake

For more information, call 412-255-2391 or visit the City of Pittsburgh website.

Make sure to stay after the concert because you can catch a free movie afterwards at Cinema in the Park.

10 Healthy Living Tips

Are you trying to live a healthier lifestyle?  Check out these great tips on how to eat healthy!  What are your healthy eating tips? Check out more tips at Clarke.

1. Eat a good breakfast - Studies show that skipping breakfast detracts from scholastic achievement. When there isn’t time to sit down and enjoy your morning meal, grab a bagel, piece of fruit, and some juice. Most of these items can be easily stored in your residence hall room.
2. If you must eat fast foods, choose wisely - Choose pizza with half the cheese, a regular size roast beef sandwich, baked potato, or green salad with reduced calorie dressing. Limit high fat offerings like French fries, fried chicken, or fish sandwiches and watch out for salad dressing!
3. Keep healthy snacks on hand - This way, if hunger strikes during a late night study session, you won’t be tempted by vending machine candy, chips, or ice cream. Possibilities include fresh or dried fruit, pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, rice cakes, or whole wheat crackers. If you have a refrigerator, consider raw vegetables with low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese dip.
4. Eat plenty of foods rich in calcium - People in their early twenties need to be building up stores of calcium in their bodies to prevent osteoporosis later in life. If you don’t like milk, try to include ample amounts of low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, and green leafy vegetables in your diet.
5. If you need to lose weight, do it sensibly - Starvation and/or diets that offer a quick fix usually backfire and are harmful. There is no truth to the theories that suggest eating foods in any particular combination will promote weight loss. The only safe way to lose weight, feel good while doing it, and keep it off, is to eat a balanced diet and exercise.
6. Limit your sugar intake - Sugar provides calories in your diet but few other nutrients, and it contributes significantly to tooth decay. Use it sparingly and consider sweetening coffee, tea, cereal, and fruit with diet sweeteners instead.
7. Visit the salad bar - The dining hall salad bar can be either an asset or a detriment to your diet depending on how you choose from it. Of course, leafy greens, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits are beneficial. But, if you choose a lot of creamy dressings, bacon bits, and mayonnaise-based salads, the calories and fat may equal or even exceed those of a burger and fries—so choose wisely!
8. Limit your alcohol intake - If you drink alcohol, keep in mind that it supplies calories but no nutritional value. A light beer, a glass of wine, or an ounce of liquor each has about 100 calories. There may also be health problems associated with drinking alcohol.
9. Drink lots of water - Your body needs at least eight glasses a day, and, if you exercise vigorously, you may need more. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along to class and keep it handy during late night study sessions.
10. Enjoy your food - Food is a lot more than nourishment for our bodies, so take the time to enjoy and savor it!

Happy Fourth of July!

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July!  How are you celebrating today?