What we’re about
Meet others in your local area that are interested in attending, discussing, learning more about the local cultural arts scene. All art forms and art enthusiasts welcome. Share your interests in art, music, film, dance, theater, etc. with others. Have fun and meet new people who share an appreciation and enjoyment of the arts! Our meetups offer a chance to get out into the community, relax, socialize and enjoy activities such as: Movies, Symphony, Concerts, Museums, Plays, Bands, Comedy, and FUN!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" 57-64% off discount ticketsByham Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson
Play by Sandra Seaton / Original music by Carlos Simon / Additional Music from Carmen by Georges Bizet / Text for original music by Sandra Seaton. Based on a true story.
April 27, 30 & May 3,5, 2024
Byham TheaterPittsburgh’s unsung heroine who taught America to sing
In 1943, the National Negro Opera Company is set to perform on a floating barge to evade racially-segregated venues. But when bad weather threatens—pushing the performance to a segregated performance hall—visionary impressaria Mary Cardwell Dawson must find a way forward.Mary Cardwell Dawson’s dream to provide access for African Americans to perform on stages for all audiences changed the future of opera. Having founded the longest-running, all-Black opera company here in Pittsburgh and organizing opera guilds in the country’s biggest cities, Mary Cardwell Dawson would go on to train hundreds of African American youth to sing.
Written by Mark Twain Award-winning playwright and librettist Sandra Seaton, "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" celebrates the remarkable founder of Pittsburgh’s historic and groundbreaking National Negro Opera Company. This play with music includes selections from Carmen as well as original music by award-winning Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon.
Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival
Understand Every Word: "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" is sung in French and English with English translations projected above the stage at all performances.
Meetup Ticket Discount Offer
With promo code “POMEETUP” Meet Up members can purchase discounted tickets of $40 (regularly $120) or $20 (regularly $56.25) or $12 (regularly $28) for either the Tuesday, April 30th, 7 pm or Friday, May 1st, 7:30 pm performance.There are a limited number of discounted seats. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and are not for sale at the box office. With this link the discount is pre-applied (where discount seats are shown the Orchestra Level but if you click on the theater map, you can see discount seats in the balcony as well) - http://www.culturaldistrict.org/promotion/apply?promotion_code=POMEETUP
If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Parkulo, Group Services Manager, PITTSBURGH OPERA at 412-281-0912 x 213This is a very generous offer and a wonderful opportunity to experience opera, especially for those that perhaps have never checked out classic opera before. Naturally, this offer is not intended to be a substitute for Pittsburgh Opera 2023-2024 subscriptions which have many benefits.
For more information about this production, including review articles, audio/video previews, cast info, etc., please visit THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON | Pittsburgh Opera
If you prefer Tuesday, April 30, please RSVP to the other Meetup posting "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" 57-64% off tickets and Cast Q&A, Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 6:30 PM | Meetup
PRE-SHOW DISCUSSION Tickets include a very interesting pre-show discussion (with colorful study guide) one hour before each performance. It is also recommended everyone check out beautiful poster displays (about Mary Cardwell Dawson and National Negro Opera Company, including photos, history, etc.) throughout the lobby. Thus, the group can meet inside the Byham at 6:30 PM (Friday, May 3).
The Meetup ticket offer is a really good deal, so think about treating yourself and family/friends for a truly memorable evening.
And if you can't make it on April 30 or May 1 with the Meetup ticket offer, please consider attending one of the other "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson" performances.
Saturday, April 27 at 8 PM
Tuesday, April 30 at 7 PM
Friday, May 3 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 5 at 2 PM
Normally priced tickets and ticket availability for all performances may be found at THE PASSION OF MARY CARDWELL DAWSON | Pittsburgh Opera or by calling (412) 456-6666 or stopping by the Theater Square/Byham Box Office.
Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability or call 412-423-8980.
- May Song Shop Concert & Strip District lunch optionPittsburgh Opera in the Strip, Pittsburgh, PA
Please join us for a free concert (performed by Pittsburgh Opera's incredibly talented Resident Artist singers) as we also welcome new members to the Meetup group.
This concert is expected to include selections celebrating love and romance.
There will also be free coffee/tea and cookies.
The free, informal Song Shops feature Pittsburgh Opera's Resident Artists. Beginning at 12:00 PM on selected Saturdays of each month, September 2023–May 2024, these one-hour performances are free, fun, and open to everyone. Guests are encouraged to bring a friend and bring a lunch. FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera provide a reception after each Song Shop concert. Doors open at 11:30AM.
Attracting about 200 people each month, these free performances feature Pittsburgh Opera's Resident Artists for one-hour concerts to help showcase upcoming productions during Pittsburgh Opera's 2023-2024 season.
Free Family-Friendly Concert
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
This free performance takes place at Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters, 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip. It's free and open to everyone. However, to assist with logistics, please register in advance May Song Shop Concert (typeform.com)
Doors open at 11:30 AM.
Please note that the Pittsburgh Opera garage is available only for handicapped parking, by reservation. Handicapped parking reservations must be made by 4 PM Friday, May 10.
For more information about Pittsburgh Opera
So whether you're curious or just looking to take a little break while shopping in the Strip, please consider stopping by Pittsburgh Opera to enjoy their resident artists as they sing classics to give guests a little taste of opera.
And if you're relatively new to Meetup, this is a nice event to meet people in a very relaxed, convenient setting. Because the concert ends at 1 PM, your Saturday afternoon will still be open. Depending on the RSVPs, weather, and interests of the group, some people may go out for an optional lunch or walk around the Strip District.
Options for Spending Time After the Concert
- Lunch within a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Opera location.
- Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (1212 Smallman Street)
Parking Here are several websites with recommendations for parking in the Strip District Parking | Strip District Neighbors and https://www.parkme.com/pittsburgh-parking/strip-district
The Strip District is readily accessible with PAT Buses 2, 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops near the corner of 25th and Liberty which is directly across from the Pittsburgh Opera location.
- Carnegie Museums, Phipps Summer Flower Show, Urban Art HikeCarnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA
Let's welcome some new members! And if you joined Meetup a while ago, this event brings lots of new people together and incorporates flexibility tailored to the interests of the group.
This event begins at the wonderful Café Carnegie (inside Carnegie Museum of Art) so people can socialize and get coffee/tea/wine/drink or quick lunch Please note that Café Carnegie does not require museum admission which makes it particularly suitable as we plan the rest of the afternoon.
Because we expect a large turnout for this event (although we'll have a better idea once we know the weather forecast, etc.), we'll incorporate some flexibility.
We realize that while some people may only have a few hours of free time, others may enjoy spending the afternoon or early evening checking out all of the exhibits or perhaps meeting for an optional dinner.
After we're done meeting/eating/drinking at Café Carnegie, we'll gauge of the interests of everyone and the possibility of smaller groups (perhaps 5-20+ people) exploring the following options from 12-5 PM or even later with optional dinner.
Option A -- Spend the afternoon inside the many galleries and exhibits of the Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History Of note is that there will be a docent led tour at 1 PM for the Carnegie Museum of Art. We expect at least 10 people will be able to get into Carnegie Museums for free based on those in the group that have Carnegie Museums memberships that allow them to bring guests. For those that are interested, priority for free admission will be decided by the order of arrival and recognition of members that are relatively new to the group.
Option B -- Walk over to the nearby Phipps Summer Flower Show which is on display during May 4 – September 8. Advanced timed tickets are required, although we expect timed tickets will be available at the door.
Option C -- Walk over to check out the 31 Nationality Rooms inside the Cathedral of Learning Of note is there is an option for a very informative 90-minute docent led tour ($10 Adult, $6 Youth) from 1-2:30 PM and 2:30-4 PM. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door if the time slots aren't sold out before each tour begins.
Option D -- Depending on the weather, go on an urban art hike with stops featuring notable works of art in Oakland, including Schenley Park.
Option E -- People can discuss if they'd to have lunch or dinner at a nearby restaurant such as The Porch in Schenley Plaza or one of the many restaurants along Craig Street, Forbes Avenue, etc.
In terms of Admission Charges, we'll see if anyone has memberships (e.g., Carnegie Museums, Phipps) which allow them to bring guests in for free. We expect at least 10 people will be able to get into Carnegie Museums for free and several more people for free at Phipps.
Parking The Carnegie Museum has plenty of parking which is conveniently located near the museum entrance at the corner of Forbes Ave & S. Craig Street. Here is a link with more info about parking and directions http://cmoa.org/visit/directions-maps-parking/
Stay Tuned for updates!
- Three Rivers Arts Festival (during May 31 - June 9)Cultural District, Pittsburgh, PA
The 65th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival takes place during May 31 - June 9 featuring hundreds of visual artists, musicians, live theatre, dance performances, film, etc. over a ten-day period at numerous locations throughout the Cultural District. With over 95 hours of programming and a variety of activities for people of all ages, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Meetup Considerations While this is a general posting for the entire 10-day festival, we'll also organize some specific Meetup events to check out artist booths, galleries, and public art as well as free concerts, live theatre, dance, film, and other performances.
Because people have different schedules, they will naturally be arriving and leaving at different times throughout the festival. It is not realistic to post comments asking where other people in the group are and expecting a timely response. Many people are there to enjoy the festival without feeling the need to constantly check their cell phones.
Please be mindful that most people are simply happy enough to say hi to whoever they already know -- and happen to run into -- as they walk around the festival.
Please be mindful that whenever gathering times/locations are provided for Meetup events, there is always a tradeoff as to how long people that show up 'on time' should be expected to 'wait around' for others that may or may not show up at a given time.
Please note that at any given time during the festival, there could be anywhere from 0-30+ people from Meetup enjoying the festivities although they'll be dispersed among thousands of people. Thus, you'll run into more Meetup members by walking around.
For the complete schedule of this year's Three Rivers Arts Festival along with maps, history, and more info, please visit https://traf.trustarts.org/
Of course, as always, it is also fine if you prefer to attend the festival on your own with family/friends.
Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability where you can also download apps, get garage availability via text messaging, etc. You can also call 412-423-8980.
Weather While many joke about the association of rain with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, please note that in any 10-day period throughout the year, odds are that at least a few days will have some precipitation. But in case of bad weather, we'll let people know if any outdoor festival concerts may be cancelled. In any case, the Three Rivers Arts Festival includes numerous indoor activities such as art galleries, live theatre, movies, etc.
Stay tuned for updates!