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- Author Elizabeth Gilbert -- All the Way to the River lecture with audience Q&ACarnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
Please join Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures as they welcome Elizabeth Gilbert. In her first nonfiction book in a decade, the #1 bestselling writer who taught millions of readers to live authentically (Eat Pray Love) and creatively (Big Magic) shows how to break free.
In 2000, Elizabeth Gilbert met Rayya. They became friends, then best friends, then inseparable. When tragedy entered their lives, the truth was finally laid bare: The two were in love. They were also a pair of addicts, on a collision course toward catastrophe.
What if your most beautiful love story turned into your biggest nightmare? What if the dear friend who taught you so much about your self-destructive tendencies became the unstable partner with whom you disastrously reenacted every one of them? And what if your most devastating heartbreak opened a pathway to your greatest awakening?
All the Way to the River is a landmark memoir that will resonate with anyone who has ever been captive to love—or to any other passion, substance, or craving – and who yearns, at long last, for liberation.
Elizabeth Gilbert is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the novels City of Girls, The Signature of All Things, and Stern Men; the story collection Pilgrims; and the nonfiction books Big Magic, Eat Pray Love, Committed, and The Last American Man. A finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Hemingway Award, Gilbert began her career as a journalist.
Pre-signed copies of All the Way to the River are available to purchase from White Whale Bookstore in the lobby along with many books by other authors that have been part of the Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures series.
This lecture is sponsored by University of Pittsburgh - David C. Frederick Honors College
TICKETS
FYI, people can take advantage of their RAD Pass https://radpass.org/ which is easy to sign up for with their Carnegie Library or Allegheny County Library card. The RAD Pass allows people to reserve free tickets in advance for one day to many places, including this Elizabeth Gilbert lecture, several Pittsburgh Symphony concerts, Carnegie Museums, Carnegie Science Center, Warhol Museum, Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Zoo, National Aviary, Children's Museum, Mattress Factory contemporary art museum, and more!After logging into the RAD Pass website https://radpass.org/ a list of participating attractions will be shown with further links to reserve free tickets in advance. With RAD Pass, people will save $31 as compared to the regular ticket price (see below) for Elizabeth Gilbert on September 29.
In person tickets start at $31 for the upper balcony (where it is easy for a group to sit together when purchasing at the door) Elizabeth Gilbert - Pittsburgh | Official Ticket Source | Carnegie Music Hall | Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 7:30pm | Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures Tickets may also be purchased by phone (412) 622-8866 or at the door starting at 6:30 PM
Online tickets are $31 Elizabeth Gilbert Online - Pittsburgh | Official Ticket Source | Online Event | Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 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/
. - October Song Shop Concert & Strip District lunchPittsburgh 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.
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 October Song Shop 2025
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, October 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
- Lunch within a few blocks from the Pittsburgh Opera location.
- 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.
- "A Streetcar Named Desire" (2014) Encore Screening - National Theatre LivePittsburgh Playhouse (the new Pittsburgh Playhouse downtown), Pittsburgh, PA
Gillian Anderson (Sex Education), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), and Ben Foster (Lone Survivor) lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece, returning to cinemas. Back by popular demand!
As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace – but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski.
From visionary director Benedict Andrews, this acclaimed production was filmed live during a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre in 2014.
Check out the video trailer.
This National Theatre Live production of "A Street Car Named Desire" is 3 hours long with an intermission. It is a filmed version of the stage play.
Tickets are $20 (General Admission) and are available at the door at the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University, 350 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability where you can download apps, get garage availability via text messaging, or call 412-423-8980.
- "La Bohème" 65% off discount tickets and Cast Q&ABenedum Center for the Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, PA
Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
OCTOBER 18, 21, 24, 26, 2025 at the BenedumHave you ever wondered what it might be like to experience classic Italian opera?
Set against the backdrop of bohemian Paris, La Bohème follows four impoverished artists surviving with little more than friendship, passion, and their love for art.
When Rodolfo, a poet, and Mimì, a young seamstress, meet, the two are drawn into a tumultuous and passionate affair with a love that can only be broken by death.
La Bohème will make you laugh, and bring you to tears, with its timeless story and captivating music.
Emotional and dramatic, it’s no wonder Puccini’s most celebrated opera has transcended the genre, inspiring both a ballet and the Broadway hit musical RENT.
When a candle flickers, love sparks.
Antony Walker conducts. Kristine McIntyre directs.
Music Director Antony Walker conducts.
Understand Every Word: La Bohème is sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage at all performances.
Meetup Ticket Discount Offer
With promo code “POMEETUP” Meetup members can purchase discounted tickets of $50 (regularly $149) or $28 (regularly $86) or $17 (regularly $49) for either the Tuesday, October 21st, 7 pm or Friday, October 24th, 7:30 pm performance.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 Director’s Circle, First Tier, and Second Tier 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 213
There are a limited number of discounted seats. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and are not for sale at the box office.
This 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 2025-2026 subscriptions which have many benefits.
For more information about this production, including review articles, audio/video previews, cast info, etc., please visit LA BOHÈME | Pittsburgh Opera
PRE-SHOW DISCUSSION Tickets include a very interesting pre-show discussion (with colorful study guide) one hour before each performance. Thus, we can meet inside the Benedum at 6 PM (Tuesday, October 21) for this discussion.
AFTER-SHOW Cast Q&A Discussion After the show, please feel free to go downstairs in the Benedum Lower Lobby where cast members will discuss their experiences along with some insight about their training, other performances they've been doing around the world, their fun experiences while visiting Pittsburgh, etc. These cast Q&A discussions are often very funny and engaging. This is also a chance to see these opera stars out of costume and actually being quite down-to-earth in addition to their remarkable talents. These Q&A discussions last 30-60 minutes, including a chance for photos and autographs if desired.
The Meetup ticket offer is a really good deal, so think about treating yourself and family/friends for a truly memorable evening.
For more information about this production, including review articles, audio/video previews, cast info, etc., please visit LA BOHÈME | Pittsburgh Opera
If you prefer Friday, October 24, please RSVP to the other Meetup posting "La Bohème" 65% off discount tickets, Fri, Oct 24, 2025, 7:00 PM | Meetup
And if you can't make it on October 21 or October 24 with the Meetup ticket offer, please consider attending one of the other performances.
Saturday, October 18 at 8 PM
Tuesday, October 21 at 7 PM
Friday, October 24 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26 at 2 PM
Normally priced tickets and ticket availability for all performances may be found at LA BOHÈME | Pittsburgh Opera or by calling (412) 456-6666 or stopping by the Theater Square/Benedum Box Office.
Parking Here is the ParkPGH website with real-time info on downtown parking garage availability or call 412-423-8980.
