The Pittsburgh Cultural Arts Meetup Group

Author & TV Host Padma Lakshmi lecture, Q&A Discussion

Tue, Mar 31 · 7:00 PM EDT

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

Please join Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures as they welcome Padma Lakshmi to discuss her latest book, Padma's All American. The lecture will include audience Q&A which will be followed by a book signing. Padma's All American merchandise will also be available in the lobby.

Based on the award-winning Hulu series Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi. This book is a love letter to the people who create and evolve American cuisine every day. It is also a road map to the foods that give America its vibrant palate.

“I never had to leave the country to taste the world’s flavors. Wherever you live, come along with me.”

When Padma Lakshmi arrived in New York City in the 1970s, she witnessed firsthand the cuisines of the immigrant communities around her: uniquely their own and yet quintessentially American. Here, in this very personal book—the result of seven years of traveling and tasting, listening and observing for her show Taste the Nation—Lakshmi compiles dozens of recipes from the immigrant and Indigenous communities she visits, as well as many from her own family, showing us what really comprises American cuisine.

For Lakshmi, food is a lens. Through it, we can explore the influence of an eclectic array of cultures—and come to see, clearly, who we are and how we eat as a nation. Padma’s All American gives us a kaleidoscopic view of the vast range of incredible dishes she delighted in tasting on her travels, from coast to coast, and everywhere in-between.
From Indian coconut rice and Peruvian tamales with chicken to Afghani dumplings with leeks and scallions—from Oaxacan mushroom tacos to a strawberry, cardamom and cream cake that will be your new favorite celebration treat—Padma’s All American is filled with mouth-watering recipes, adapted here for the home cook—along with profiles and stories from the people who inspired the dishes. Padma’s All American is a joyful book—a reflection of who we truly are as a nation, from one of our most essential culinarians.

Padma Lakshmi is an Emmy-nominated food expert, television producer, and New York Times bestselling author. She is the creator of the critically acclaimed Hulu series Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, and served as host and executive producer of Bravo’s Top Chef for nineteen seasons. She is co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and an ACLU Artist Ambassador for immigrants’ rights and women’s rights. She is the author of Easy Exotic, Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet, The Encyclopedia of Spices & Herbs, her New York Times best-selling memoir Love, Loss, and What We Ate, and the best-selling children’s book Tomatoes for Neela.

Padma's All American is available to pre-order through bookseller White Whale Bookstore that will be set-up in the lobby with many books available for purchase by other authors that have been part of the Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures series.

TICKETS Because this lecture will sell out, it is recommended people purchase in person tickets before March 31.
In person tickets start at $31 Padma Lakshmi | Carnegie Music Hall | Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures 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, it us OK to wait until the day of the lecture. Online tickets are $31 Padma Lakshmi Online | Online Event | Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures The 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/

La Prima Espresso & Vintage Pittsburgh retro fair at Heinz History Center

Sat, Apr 4 · 10:30 AM EDT

Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA, US

Please join us for the Heinz History Center’s 12th Annual Vintage Pittsburgh retro fair where old is new again! Presented in partnership with the Neighborhood Flea, you’re invited to shop ‘til you drop for far-out finds and groovy goods on Saturday, April 4 from 10 AM-3 PM. Dozens of local makers and vendors will be selling one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, home décor, vinyl records, and more! This is also the last day to check out Pittsburgh’s Hidden History exhibition 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.

The Meetup will begin 2 blocks from the Heinz History Center at La Prima Espresso Downtown 1100 Penn Avenue (at the corner with Smallman Street, near Convention Center) as the group gathers from 10:30-11 AM to enjoy coffee/tea/breakfast together and discuss how much time they have to spend before they walk over to the Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Because the Heinz History Center will be crowded, it will be easier to meet at La Prima Espresso Downtown (1100 Penn Avenue) beforehand.

Once inside the Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, the group may check out all of the exhibits at a leisurely pace since the museum is open until 5 PM.

It's also OK if people wish to enjoy La Prima Espresso Downtown, meet/socialize with others in the group but decide to do something else during the afternoon together in the Strip District or Downtown, such as downtown art galleries, shows, etc.

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. Tickets are available at the door.

Because Vintage Pittsburgh will be crowded, the group can regather inside Heinz History Center's 5th Floor Barensfeld Gallery (across from 5th Floor Elevator) at 3 PM sharp to check out My America: An Illustrated Experience exhibit.

Depending on the RSVPs, weather, and interests of the group, some people may go out for an optional late lunch or optional dinner in the nearby Strip District or downtown. Stay tuned for updates.

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.

April Song Shop Concert, Pittsburgh Walk of Fame & Strip District lunch

Sat, Apr 4 · 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) 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 April 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, April 3.

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. The group can then walk over to Option 2 or Option 3 below.
2. Heinz History Center & Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (1212 Smallman Street) with the 12th annual Vintage Pittsburgh fair taking place from 10 AM-3 PM. This is also the last day to check out Pittsburgh’s Hidden History exhibition (which will be open until 5 PM) 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.
3. Lunch within a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Opera location.

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.

Author Merlin Sheldrake -- New York Times bestseller "Entangled Life"

Mon, Apr 13 · 7:15 PM EDT

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

Please join Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures as they welcome Merlin Sheldrake to discuss his New York Times bestseller, Entangled Life, a lavish visual journey into the hidden lives of fungi.

When we think of fungi, we likely think of mushrooms. But mushrooms are only fruiting bodies, analogous to apples on a tree. Most fungi live out of sight yet make up a massively diverse kingdom of organisms that supports and sustains nearly all living systems. Fungi provide a key to understanding the planet on which we live, and the ways we think, feel, and behave.

In the first edition of the mind-bending, “gorgeous” (Margaret Atwood), ”brilliant [and] entrancing” (The Guardian) Entangled Life, Sheldrake introduced us to this mysterious but massively diverse kingdom of life. This new edition, abridged from the original, features over 100 full-color images that bring the spectacular variety, strangeness and beauty of fungi to life as never before.
Fungi throw our concepts of individuality and even intelligence into question. They are metabolic masters, earth makers, and key players in most of life’s processes. They can change our minds, heal our bodies, and even help us remediate environmental disaster. In vivid, surprising images, Sheldrake reveals how these extraordinary organisms—and our relationships with them—are changing our understanding of how life works.

Entangled Life is available for purchase through bookseller White Whale Bookstore who will be set-up in the lobby with many books available for purchase by other authors that have been part of the Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures series.

TICKETS
In person tickets start at $31 Merlin Sheldrake 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) Merlin Sheldrake Online The 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/