The Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Meetup Group

America 250 Song Shop Concert & Strip District lunch

Sat, May 9 · 11:45 AM EDT

Pittsburgh Opera in the Strip, 2425 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, US

Please join us for a free concert performed by Pittsburgh Opera's incredibly talented Resident Artist singers -- to celebrate America’s sesquicentennial with an “America 250” theme -- as we also welcome new members to the Meetup group.

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, 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 2025-2026 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 2026

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 8.

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

1. If the weather is nice, walk over to the new Pittsburgh Walk of Fame with the installation of the first 10 stars (dedicated on October 20, 2025) near 19th and Smallman.
2. Lunch within a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Opera location.
3. Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (1212 Smallman Street)

Parking There are several websites with recommendations for parking in the Strip District, such as Strip District Neighbors | Pittsburgh Pennsylvania | Directions & Parking

The Strip District is readily accessible with PRT Buses 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.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon

Mon, May 11 · 7:15 PM EDT

Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, US

Please join Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures as they welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon who returns with an extraordinary novel for our times, a profound and incandescent narrative that explores our thirst for knowledge, the power of unexpected connection, and the lengths we will go to in pursuit of metamorphosis.

A chance meeting with father and son soon becomes a mind-bending trip for neuroscientist, Beatrix, that may eventually free her of her past and alter her life irrevocably. With The Night Garden, Michael Chabon offers a mind-expanding story of possibility and transformation.

TICKETS
In person tickets start at $31 Michael Chabon for the upper balcony (where it is easier for a group to sit together) Tickets may also be purchased by phone (412) 622-8866 or at the door starting at 6:30 PM

For Online Tickets ($31) Michael Chabon OnlineThe viewing link will be emailed on the day of the event. Viewers will have access to the recorded program for one week.

Parking While many visitors find street 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/

Carnegie International at Carnegie Museums plus Phipps, LACC Costa Rica Exhibit

Sat, May 23 · 12:00 PM EDT

Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, US

This event brings new people together and incorporates flexibility tailored to the interests of the group.

This event begins at Café Carnegie (inside Carnegie Museum of Art) so people can socialize and get coffee/tea/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.

After we're done meeting/eating at Café Carnegie, we'll gauge of the interests of everyone and possibility of smaller groups (perhaps 5-15+ people) exploring the following options.

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.

The incredible 59th Carnegie International is on display from May 2, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Organized every four years by Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie International is the longest-running exhibition of international art in North America. Titled "If the word we" the 59th Carnegie International considers the first-person plural as an open and evolving proposition—one shaped by listening, translation, and transformation—bringing together artistic practices that engage shared experience, circulation, and worlds in transition. Encompassing a wide range of media, from painting, photography, and sculpture, to installation, video, performance, and theater, participating artists traverse cultural, political, intellectual, and spiritual geographies that extend beyond national boundaries. The projects emerge through everyday acts, materials, and environments, offering spatially expansive portraits of collective life in the present.

In addition, we expect everyone will get into Carnegie Museums for free based on those in the group that already have Carnegie Museums memberships that allow them to bring guests. In addition, people can reserve free admission using their RADPass.

Option B -- Walk over to Phipps to check out the new Tropical Forest Panama exhibit -- as well as the Summer Flower Show: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on display May 16 through September 27. Although advanced timed tickets are required, we expect timed tickets will be available at the door. Several people may be able to get into Phipps for free as the guests of Phipps members.

Option C -- Walk over to check out the Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) permanent exhibit and special exhibit Costa Rica: Between Oceans and Continents on display through June 28, 2026. Admission is $12 Adult, $6 Youth/Students, and free for Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) members.

Option D -- 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.

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 June 5-7 & 11-14)

Fri, Jun 5 · 5:30 PM EDT

Cultural District, Pittsburgh, PA, US

The 67th annual Three Rivers Arts Festival takes place during June 5-7 & 11-14 featuring hundreds of visual artists, musicians, live theatre, dance performances, film, etc. over a ten-day period at numerous locations throughout the Cultural District, including the new Arts Landing outdoor civic space created by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

With over 65 hours of programming and a variety of activities for people of all ages, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

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, public art, free concerts, films, etc.

Because people have different schedules, they will naturally arrive and leave 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. 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 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, movies, etc.

Stay tuned for updates!