The Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Meetup Group

Please join us to check out the wonderful exhibits as well as the new monthly Speaker Saturday series at the Fort Pitt Museum

On Saturday, May 10 from 1- 2 PM, there will be a very interesting lecture on Powder Horns of the Forbes Road and Fort Pitt with historian Mike Burke. Discover the fascinating history of powder horns. Valuable as historical documents, these humble containers for gunpowder also represent some of the region’s earliest examples of folk art. The program will take place in the Fort Pitt Auditorium on the museum’s first floor and is included with museum admission.

Admission Tickets (available at the door)
Adults: $10
Senior Citizens (65+): $8
Students with a valid school ID: $6
Children ages 6-17: $6
Children ages 5 and under: Free
Heinz History Center Members: Free

Meetup Considerations
We'll also have a chance to check out the nearby Fort Pitt Block House which is free.

Depending on the weather, size and interests of the group, and how much time people have, we may also include an option for a group walking tour of nearby public art displays, various galleries, or having dinner/drinks downtown.

As always, it is also fine if you'd like to attend the museum and speaker discussion on your own with family/friends instead.

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.

Stay tuned for updates!

Please join us at the Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum on May 11 ... and enjoy Taste of Asia which takes place from 11 AM - 3 PM and is included with regular museum admission.

Experience Asian culture and flavors at the Taste of Asia program. Join the History Center on a cultural and culinary journey to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Taste of Asia.

Presented in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh, the program will highlight Asian American contributions of the past and present in Pittsburgh.

Indulge in delicious bites from an assortment of local Asian restaurants, explore the history of Pittsburgh’s of Asian American community with the Detre Library & Archives, and watch live performances to learn about cultural celebrations.

Engage with local chefs and expand your palette by sampling food from participating restaurants, including:

• Amazing Dumplings
• Bombay & Burgh
• Chengdu Gourmet
• Hong Kong Dim Sum
• Yujian Bao
• Sushi Fuku
• Senyai Thai Kitchen

Restaurant vendors will also have takeout food available to purchase.

In addition, explore vintage textiles and how the quilts of Pittsburgh artist Louise Silk reflect her life’s journey as part of the History Center’s exhibition, Louise Silk: A Patchwork Life in the museum’s fifth floor Barensfeld Gallery. Due to popular demand, this remarkable exhibit has been extended through May 26, 2025.

This is also a chance to check out the dynamic new exhibition Pittsburgh’s Hidden History (on view through October 5, 2025) where visitors wander through a whimsical world of wonders featuring rarely and never-before-seen objects that tell stories from Pittsburgh’s past like never before. From scary to stunning, tiny treasures to magnificent marvels, the everyday and the extraordinary, the exhibition takes you on a thematic journey through artifacts, photographs, and documents that connect with our region’s history. Explore objects from iconic Pittsburgh institutions like The Original Hot Dog Shop, Primanti Bros., Kaufmann’s, and Kennywood. Inspect the getaway sleigh used in an infamous shootout with the Pittsburgh police and the notorious Biddle brothers following a prison break in 1902 – a story so dramatic that it was later made into a Hollywood film! Other highlights include:

• A spooky section on Scary Pittsburgh, featuring creepy dolls, haunting clown masks, and the ghoulishly green Vampiress from Kennywood’s now-shuttered dark ride Le Cachot
• Some of the oldest objects in the collection, from an 18th century key to Fort Duquesne to an unfinished flint tool unearthed at Meadowcroft Rockshelter that dates back 14,000 years
• Rare sports treasures like a 1910 Honus Wagner trading card and the Oakmont jacket worn by Eric Springer, the first African American member of Oakmont
• Couture clothing, like an Alcoa aluminum mini dress by legendary fashion designer Oscar de La Renta, an 1880s pink afternoon dress made by Madame Vignon, and a Gilded Age gown

Admission Tickets The Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum contains 7 floors of exhibits and is open daily from 10 AM - 5 PM. Admission is $20 Adult, $18 Senior, $11 Student. While tickets may be available at the door, the lines may be longer as compared to visitors who purchase admission tickets in advance.

Directions & Parking - Heinz History Center
Depending on the weather and dinner plans, some people may wish to park downtown and then walk to the Heinz History Center.

The Heinz History Center is also accessible with PRT Buses 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops within a couple blocks walk.

North Side is perhaps Pittsburgh's most eclectic region with its unique residential neighborhoods (Mexican War Streets), historic buildings (tracing back to its founding as Allegheny City), West Park, The Warhol Museum, The National Aviary, Children's Museum, Mattress Factory contemporary art gallery, Randyland, and so much more including many wonderful works of public art while offering a wide variety of restaurants and riverfront views. And in this Meetup event, the group will even have the option of attending a 4 PM Pirates game at PNC Park after enjoying an afternoon of arts, including the Riverlife Chalk Fest taking place May 24-25.

With so much to chose from (and decide for planning purposes), the Meetup will begin at 12:30 PM outside the large front courtyard patio entrance to Federal Galley. This will also the group to socialize a bit, grab a coffee/drink, and discuss how to the spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening among the below options:

1. Lunch Option at Federal Galley where guests can enjoy indoor dining and outdoor patio experience from unique restaurants
   Sokah Caribbean BBQ -- Beef Graffiti -- Mijo -- Given To Fly

FAQ Federal Galley Federal Galley is located in Nova Place a 30-acre mixed-use, urban redevelopment project at the site of the former Allegheny Center Mall.

For those that aren't interested in lunch, smaller groups may break off among the various options:

1A) Smaller groups that only want to spend an hour or so doing something else before circling back to Federal Gallery at 1:45 PM to regather with those after lunch and then decide how to spend the rest of the afternoon together.

1B) Smaller groups enjoy the rest of the afternoon with the various options without circling back to regather with the Federal Gallery lunch group.

Other Afternoon Options
Warhol Museum Because some people on the RSVP list have Carnegie Museums memberships, we expect that 10-12+ guests would be able to get into the Warhol for free and stay as long as they want as the Warhol Museum closes at 5 PM

The National Aviary which is open until 5 PM

Mattress Factory contemporary art museum which is open until 5 PM. We expect at least 1 guest will be able to get in for free.

Museum of Illusions Pittsburgh which is open until 9 PM on Saturdays

Northside Urban Art Hike (depending on the weather)

Riverlife Chalk Fest taking place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 2–6 PM and Sunday May 25 from 10 AM – 2 PM. This free, family-friendly event invites visitors to the most colorful kick-off to summer with interactive chalk art, food, drink, music, and more. The Riverlife Chalk Fest is very close to the Warhol Musuem and PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates versus Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park 4:05 PM. This also allows the group to pursue some other arts/culture options (earlier in the afternoon) before going to the game and buying tickets together.

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh which is open until 5 PM

Carnegie Science Center which is open until 5 PM. Because some people on the RSVP list have Carnegie Museums memberships, we expect that 10-12+ guests would be able to get into the Carnegie Science Center for free.

Dinner Option
Depending on the interests of the group and weather, the group could re-gather again at 5:15 PM at Federal Galley to decide dinner plans -- which could include simply staying at Federal Galley (Sokah Caribbean BBQ -- Beef Graffiti -- Mijo -- Given To Fly), or walking to another Northside restaurant, such as:
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
Max Allegheny Tavern
Legends Eatery
The Modern Cafe
Peppi's
Giorgio's Place
Carmi Express

The 66th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival takes place during June 5 - June 8 featuring hundreds of visual artists, musicians, live theatre, dance performances, film, etc. over a four-day period. With about 40 hours of programming and a variety of activities for people of all ages, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Where: 15th Street Plaza | Strip District
While downtown Pittsburgh has been home to the Festival since 1960, due to construction of the festival's future home at the 8th Street Block Civic Space, this year's Festival will take place in the riverfront lots at the 15th Street Plaza along Waterfront Place in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Thanks to The Buncher Company, who owns the property, and lot operator, Alco, the Festival will take place near its namesake three rivers, not far from its future long-term home in the Cultural District.

The Cultural District is a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, producer of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Headliner Concert Schedule
Thursday, June 5:
Megan Paullet & The HR Department (6-7 pm)
Las Cafeteras (7:30-9 pm)

Friday, June 6:
Tiera Kennedy (6-7 pm)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band (7:30-9 pm)

Saturday, June 7:
Souls of Mischief (6-7 pm)
Cautious Clay (7:30-9 pm)

Sunday, June 8:
Lisa Loeb (6-7 pm)
Suzanne Vega (7:30-9 pm)

Meetup Considerations While this is a general posting for the entire 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.

Of course, as always, it is also fine if you prefer to attend the festival on your own with family/friends.

Three Rivers Arts Festival Parking link with Map
In addition, there is also 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. Other nearby parking options include Directions & Parking - Heinz History Center

The Three Rivers Arts Festival Strip District location is also accessible with PRT Buses 54, 86, 87, 88, and 91 which have stops within a couple blocks walk.

Weather While many joke about the association of rain with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, please note that in any 4-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 case of bad weather, there are numerous nearby indoor activities such as many restaurants in the Strip District, Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, etc.

Stay tuned for updates!