County Executive Rich Fitzgerald today announced that the Allegheny County Wine & Spirits Festival is back and tickets are on sale now. The event which includes an afternoon of wine and spirits, food trucks, and live music is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Hartwood Acres on the Mansion Lawn. There are two sessions available:  2 to 5 PM or 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

"Now in its third year, the county Wine & Spirits Festival has become one of our most well-attended events," said Fitzgerald. "Residents have used the festival as an opportunity to hang out and picnic in our parks, before or after enjoying a few hours of sampling. We're thrilled that people are finding new and different ways to enjoy our parks. This event is certainly no exception as it has sold out in the past. If you're interested in attending, get your tickets now."

With the grandeur of the 1920s Tudor Mansion as the backdrop, this event will feature samples from some of the best wineries & distilleries in our region and food can be purchased from food trucks. Distilleries, Cideries, and Wineries confirmed so far include Bella Terra Vineyards, Black Dog Wine Company, KingView Mead, Wine, Hard Cider, Mazzotta Winery, Pittsburgh Winery, Refucilo Winery, Wine O’Clock Somewhere Winery, Boyd & Blair, Maggie’s Farm, Lucky Sign Spirits, Quantum Spirits, Threadbare, and Wigle Whiskey. Live entertainment will be provided by Samantha Sears.

Presale tickets are available now for $20 and may be purchased online at https://www.alleghenycounty.us/special-events/wine---spirits-festival.aspx. Prices will go up Tuesday, June 20 at midnight to $30. Designated drivers and those under 21 are free. Valid proof of age must be provided at the event to sample.

 The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy invites families to join them for a new ‘Movie Nights in the Park’ series. Throughout the summer, the nonprofit will show a series of five popular, family-friendly movies beginning at dusk in Schenley Plaza, Robert E. Williams Park, and August Wilson Park. 

Movie Nights in the Park is part of the Parks Conservancy’s more extensive summer programming series happening at various parks throughout the city. The movies are free to the public and generously sponsored by Peoples Gas, an Essential Utilities Company. 

“Our city’s parks are such a valuable asset to the region, and we’re glad to support Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and sponsor Movie Nights in the Park,” said Peoples President Mike Huwar. “Our commitment to enhance our local community is an essential part of our company’s mission. I hope residents get out there to enjoy a free movie night in the park – or two!” 

The movie nights will begin on June 11 in Schenley Plaza, with “Elvis,” and will conclude with a showing of “Hocus Pocus” in Schenley Plaza on Oct. 21 or Oct. 22 in case of rain. Registration is not required, and guests are encouraged to bring their family, friends, lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic.  

“We are always looking for unique ways to engage with park lovers across the city,” said Shawn Fertitta, Director of Visitor Experience for the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “Our summer programs, including Movie Nights in the Park, allow park users to unwind and enjoy the open spaces for all they offer.”  

Additional movies in the series include “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Sonic 2,” weather permitting.  

In addition to the Parks Conservancy ‘Movie Nights in the Park’ lineup, the City of Pittsburgh will host a summer movie series, ‘Dollar Bank Cinema in The Park.’ 

To learn more about the Parks Conservancy’s free movie series and view the complete schedule, see below or visit https://pittsburghparks.org/movienight/.  

Schenley Plaza • June 11 • ELVIS 

Schenley Plaza • June 18 • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 

Robert E. Williams Park • July 17 • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 

August Wilson Park • August 14 • Sonic 2 

Schenley Plaza •October 21 • Hocus Pocus (October 22 rain date) 

Gregory Porter, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, PJ Morton, Somi, Kurt Elling/Charlie Hunter, Keyon Harrold, José James, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Emmet Cohen/Houston Person and More to Perform at the 13th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival September 14-17, 2023 at Highmark Stadium and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center

Pianist Orrin Evans to Host the Inaugural Jazz Train to the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival, 

Arriving Via Amtrak from New York City, Newark and Philadelphia September 14

Tickets go on sale May 8 to PIJF Members | May 12 to General Public

 Ray Brown, Art Blakey, Billy Eckstine,  Fatha Hines, Mary Lou Williams, Ahmad Jamal, Stanley Turrentine and Erroll Garner are just a few of the greats who answered the Pittsburgh jazz roll call.  Through their music, these sons and daughters of Pittsburgh not only spoke the language, but they also re-invented it, refined it and expanded it through musical conversations across time and place. They understood how the language of jazz connects us, encourages us to remember where we’ve been and where we’re going, and gives voice to our shared community. And, it’s these timeless cross-cultural conversations that will be carried on through the 13th Annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival presented by Citizens (PIJF), which returns to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) and Highmark Stadium September 14 – 17, 2023.

Tickets go on sale May 8 to PIJF Members and May 12 to the general public at www.pittsburghjazzfest.org. 

The 2023 Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival is about being alive now. The musicians taking this year’s stage know that the language of jazz is an ever evolving one – one that honors its history while always growing and finding new forms of expressions. Just take a look at the lineup. On almost any given day of the festival stages, you’ll see GRAMMY® award winners and nominees, legends, and some of the most talked about up-and-comers, all in conversation with the past, the present, and the future. 

Looking to reacquaint with some favorites? Don’t miss Gregory Porter, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter, Nicholas Payton and Emmet Cohen with legendary saxophonist Houston Person. Maybe something more contemporary? Check out José James and PJ Morton. Or do you want to make a discovery? Listen-in on  Somi, Samora Pinderhughes, Madison McFerrin, Christie Dashiell and Pittsburgh’s own Chelsea Baratz and Howie Alexander. How about a salute to 50 years of Hip Hop? Catch Keyon Harroldwith special guests Pharoahe Monch and Mumu Fresh plus DJ Selecta when he spins Hip Hop and Jazz classics at the Taste of Jazz Party. And, don’t miss hitmakers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis when they take the Highmark stage to share their special Minneapolis-rooted grooves.

“There is no question that jazz is the language of Pittsburgh,” says Janis Burley Wilson, President & CEO of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. “But it also is engaged in a global dialogue, one that transcends race, class and upbringing. And it is so moving to be able to invite jazz lovers to Pittsburgh for this annual festival, to be part of the history – and the future – of these musical and cultural conversations.” 

Pianist Orrin Evans does double duty at PIJF as a performer and the leader of the late-night Jam Session at AWAACC and as the host of the inaugural Jazz Train, which picks up fans at Amtrak stations in New York, Newark and Philadelphia before arriving in Pittsburgh on September 14 and departing on September 18. The package, available until June 10, will include round-trip train tickets from each city, live jazz music during the trip, gifts bags, light refreshments and a shuttle bus to/from the festival. Passengers are responsible for securing the hotel and festival events of their choice. More information and tickets are available at www.pittsburghjazzfest.org.

Stay tuned for more artists to be announced over the coming months and head to this year’s Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival to hear jazz in all its varieties and variations – an artistic language that is as diverse as the artists who are making it. 

TICKETS

For tickets and more information on the 13thannual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, please check out the daily lineup.  Taste of Jazz Party tickets are $50. One-Day Passes for concerts at Highmark Stadium are $60, General Admission, and $85 for VIP tickets. Two-Day Passes are $100 for General Admission, and $150 for VIP tickets. Jazz Train tickets range from $230 - $280, depending upon the city of departure. In an effort to be as inclusive to as many young people as possible, PIJF is working with area educational institutions on free and heavily discounted tickets for enrolled high school and college students as well as for families with youth under 21. 

“I developed my love and appreciation for Jazz by attending concerts with my Dad as a child. The experience made a life-long impression on me and fueled my desire to build a career in Jazz and entertainment,” said Burley Wilson. “We hope that making live jazz more accessible and affordable has a similar effect on today’s youth.”

DAILY LINEUP

Thursday, September 14, 2023 | 9:00 pm | AWAACC

Uhuru Jazz Sessions 

Samora Pinderhughes 

Madison McFerrin

Friday, September 15, 2023 | 8:00 pm | AWAACC

TBD

Taste of Jazz | 9:00 pm – 12:00 am | AWAACC

Jonathan Barber

DJ Selecta Spins Jazz Classics and Salutes 50 Years of Hip Hop 

Dancing | Food & Beverage Tastings

Saturday, September 16, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Highmark Stadium

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

PJ Morton

Orrin Evans

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Emmet Cohen & Houston Person

Howie Alexander

Christie Dashiell

Jam Session | 10:30 pm – 1:00 am | AWAACC

Orrin Evans & The Imani Allstars

Sunday, September 17, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Highmark Stadium

Gregory Porter

Keyon Harrold with Pharoahe Monch & Mumu Fresh

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter

José James

Chelsea Baratz

Somi

And More …

August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC) | 980 Liberty Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Highmark Stadium | 510 W. Station Square Drive | Pittsburgh, PA 15219

SPONSORS 

Special thanks to Citizens, PIJF Presenting Sponsor; Bacardi, Presenting Sponsor, Libation Station Tent; and Supporting Sponsors  UPMC, UPMC Health Plan, P & W BMW and Mini of Pittsburgh, Highmark Health,  AARP and Arsenal Cider House, Supporting Libation Sponsor. 

History Center to Debut Smithsonian’s Green Book Exhibition

-The exhibition will feature rare artifacts, historic video footage, and examine Pittsburgh’s connections to “The Negro Motorist Green Book”-

 The Senator John Heinz History Center – the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh – will offer an immersive look at the reality of travel for African Americans in mid-century America as part of its dynamic new exhibition, The Negro Motorist Green Book, which opens this Saturday, May 13.

Developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), the Green Book exhibition explores the story of the annual guide that helped Black travelers navigate the country safely, and with dignity, during the time of segregation.

First developed in 1936 by Harlem postman Victor Green, “The Negro Motorist Green Book” was printed and distributed nationwide for three decades, providing African Americans with a directory of restaurants, gas stations, department stores, and other businesses that welcomed Black travelers – including more than 30 businesses in Western Pa.

In the era of Jim Crow laws and “sundown towns” – communities that explicitly prohibited African Americans from staying overnight – the Green Book offered critical, life-saving information and sanctuary until 1967.

The History Center’s Green Book exhibition will feature rare artifacts from business signs and a vintage vehicle to historic footage, archival images, and firsthand accounts which convey the resilience, innovation, and elegance of people choosing to live a full American existence.

Visitors will discover the Pittsburgh hotels, jazz clubs, restaurants, and other businesses listed in the Green Book, including the Hill District’s Terrace Hall Hotel, Harlem Casino Dance Hall, and Palace Hotel.

Exhibition highlights include:

• A 1940 Plymouth Road King – a popular car for long distance driving during the World War II era. 
• Artifacts from businesses listed in the Green Book, including a drink menu from the Harlem Casino, cash register used at the Terrace Hall Hotel, and more.
• Historic signage, including a 1960s sign from the Centre Avenue YMCA and an Esso service station sign. Esso, which distributed the Green Book at locations throughout the nation, was one of the first gas companies to engage African American businesses. 
• A touchscreen interactive where visitors can pack a virtual suitcase during the Green Book era.
• Stunning photography of Pittsburgh during the 1930s-1960s from the History Center’s Detre Library & Archives and the Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

History Center to Host Public Programs During Green Book Exhibit Run:

• Thursday, May 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Overground Railroad: A Conversation with Candacy Taylor

Join award-winning author, photographer, and cultural documentarian Candacy Taylor for an evening discussion on her book, “Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America” at the History Center. In her book, Taylor carefully retraces the Green Book’s history, embarking on her own cross-country road trip to seek what remains of the businesses and buildings listed. Pittsburgh radio legend Elaine Effort will host the discussion. Tickets are $10 for regular admission and $5 for History Center members. Register here.

• Tuesday, June 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Crossroads of the World: The Impact of Urban Renewal Then and Now

Local leaders will discuss how redevelopment has shaped the Hill District’s past, present, and future during a special community discussion at the History Center. The conversation will be moderated by Miracle Jones, director of advocacy and policy at 1Hood Media. Panelists include Dr. Bonnie Young-Laing, Director of the Hill District Consensus Group, faculty member in the Social Work Department at California State University of Pennsylvania; Rev. Dr. Dale B. Snyder, Sr., Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Pittsburgh; and Carl Redwood Jr., Chairperson of the Hill District Consensus Group, social worker, and community organizer. This program is free with pre-registration required. Register here.

• Friday, July 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

“The Green Book: Guide to Freedom” Film Screening

The History Center will host a free screening of the Smithsonian Channel documentary, “The Green Book: Guide to Freedom,” followed by a discussion with the film’s director, award-winning documentarian Yoruba Richen. This program is free with pre-registration required. Register here.

For more information and to reserve tickets, visit heinzhistorycenter.org/events.

The exhibition is on view at the History Center for a limited run from May 13 through Aug. 13, 2023.

The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition was created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration with Candacy Taylor and made possible through the generous support of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Carnegie Library Lecture Hall
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Free in-person attendance with registration REGISTER TO ATTEND This lecture will be recorded and available to watch indefinitely at a later date on our YouTube channel. An Unspeakable Hope by Leon Ford is an unforgettable and stirring memoir in the vein of Free Cyntoia, Just Mercy, and The Sum of Us that both inspires and upends our understanding about the future of policing in the United States.

Purchase An Unspeakable Hope from White Whale Bookstore.

In Conversation with 

In 2012, nineteen-year-old Leon Ford was shot five times by a Pittsburgh police officer when racially profiled during a traffic stop. Waking in the hospital, he faced two life-changing realities: he was a new father, and he was paralyzed from the waist down. Ford reveals how he faced these truths and discovered the power of forgiveness and letting go of his hatred and shares how his harrowing experience inspired his commitment to social activism. In the wake of countless similar shootings across the country over the years, he has dedicated himself to bridging the gap between the police and the communities they are supposed to serve.
 

With his compassionate voice, Ford offers fresh advice for social change and demonstrates how we can come together to end police brutality and heal as a country by “Leading with love. Starting compassionate conversations even with individuals and systems that have caused you pain. And making your pain purposeful.”
 

Leon Ford, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, international speaker, community organizer, and activist who has devoted his life to the betterment of his community and ending police brutality. He is the cofounder of The Hear Foundation, an organization that brings community leaders, Pittsburgh police, and residents together to build a safe, thriving community for all. He executive produced the Cannes Film Festival award-winning documentary Leon in 2019 and is a member of The Aspen Institute’s Inaugural Civil Society Fellowship.