Hi,
Tomorrow’s the anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Spotsylvania (1864), British coronation of George VI (1937), the odometer was invented (1847), American Indians Rights were recognized (1879) and recognition of the founding of Jamestown Day and Limerick Day. Birth anniversaries include actress Katharine Hepburn (1907), English artist and author Edward Lear (1812) and composer Burt Bacharach (1929).
Want to watch the filming of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior? It will be filming down in Rankin at the Carrie Furnace over night on May 22 and 23. It’s free, but you do need tickets and must be at least 12 years old. The timed tickets are for 8 and 10 pm and 12:30 and 2:30. You can reserve tickets at their website.
Three big annual events this year have their dates and lineups all set. The Three River’s Arts Festival runs from June 4 through the 14 (I wonder if it will rain the first day, that seems to be a tradition). 🙂 The Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival runs from June 19 through 21. And the Three Rivers Regatta runs July 3 through 5. Details on their websites.
Did you know Pittsburgh’s rated number 8 in the top ten cities for flipping properties? The average rate of return on a flip in Pittsburgh for the first quarter this year was 55.2% compared to the national average of just 35.1%. There’s not a lot of flipping going on in Pittsburgh as there is in Florida and California, but we are getting noticed. National real estate firm Jones, Lang, LaSalle are moving their offices to a much larger space in the new Piatt development The Gardens at Market Square and plan on increasing their staff by 25% in the new location. JLL doesn’t do flipping, they do corporate relocation for companies like Shell & Whirlpool. Having a Downtown hub will showcase what a vibrant city we have when corporate clients come in to meet with them.
I found the coolest (and cruelest) had bag at that antique mall on Ohio River Blvd. It’s an old purse made out of a crocodile:
And here it is spread open showing the front and back:
The Rex Theater on the Southside is hosting Art Attack Pittsburgh this Wednesday, May 13 starting at 7 pm. They are going to have 12 artists creating paintings live in front of the audience competing against each other. There will be three thirty minute bouts and the audience will vote on who’s the best. And the best won’t necessarily be the most skilled artist, but also which artist engages the audience more to encourage them to vote for him/her. The winning artists of the first heat will then move on to the next round. In between rounds DJ Keeb$ and the bands Fortified PhonetX and Wire Riots will perform. At the end of the events, the artwork will be auctioned off. A little different take on the old gallery crawl to see new artwork.
Southside’s 24th Annual Historic House Tour will be next Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. It’s a self guided walking tour featuring 13 sites including historically accurate houses, contemporary adaptations and even industrial sites. The price is $18 for pre-purchased tickets and $20 the day of the tour. The gathering point is UPMC Mercy on Mary Street. More details at their website.
In Cranberry, Bill Schaudt Wood Creations has been chainsaw carving for about ten years. He gets logs from arborists and boards from demolition jobs. With 14 different chain saws, he creates bears over eight feet tall as well as eagles, benches, tables and much more. He has stuff on hand and will make custom creations for you.
Patrick Jordan’s Barebones Productions is opening next Thursday premiering American Falls. This play written by Miki Johnson is similiar to the play Our Town and travels the interconnected lives of six people living in American Falls, Idaho (and two dead). Tickets are $30 ($55 for the premier with apps by Patrick’s next door neighbor Kevin Sousa who should be opening his new venue Superior Motor soon next door). The shows are at 8 pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 6 pm on Sundays through May 31. Barebones is located at 1211 Braddock Avenue, Braddock and tickets can be purchased on line.
Also in Braddock the Saints Tour will be given May 21 through June 14 starting at 7:30 pm. The tours cost $60 and originate at the Braddock Carnegie Library. This is being done in conjunction with Bricolage on Penn Avenue. Billed as “immersive theater” they will lead you through Braddock to uncover the corners of Braddock that are unsung, magical or made alive for this tour (ie artists, musician, etc will be on tap). A little different evening entertainment, if you’re tired of the same old, same old.
I hope all you mothers out there had a great Mother’s Day (Mother’s Day turned 101 years old this year).
Cut your grass, plant a flower or tree or do other things to enjoy this great weather we’re having,
ed
