Staff Reports

2015 Deutschtown Music Festival

The Deutschtown Music Festival has become one of the most anticipated free music festivals in the city, let alone the Northside. The third installment of the fest will be on Saturday, July 11 this year, and while it’s always a fun time for all, this year organizers had the idea to pay the bands that participated through a fundraiser and Indiegogo campaign.

The fundraiser was held April 11 at the Warhol Museum in North Shore and featured a night of performances from acts that will also be at the music festival.

“All the bands have played voluntarily for the past few years,” Cody Walters, one of the event’s organizers, said. “The goal is to raise $10,000 to give each band $100.”

The effort raised over $2,500 from 61 supporters in two months.

Walters expects the Deutschtown Music Festival to be well attended, just like in years passed, which according to him, also brings a bit of vibrancy to the community.

“(The Deutschtown Music Festival) raises awareness of the live music we do have here on a regular basis,” Walters explained. “The idea is also to encourage other venues to have other live music. Just to kind of make (Northside) a home for live local music.”

The main stage will be set-up outside at Foreland and Middle Streets, while there will also be a large stage near the park at Cedar Avenue and Suismon Street.

Several local venues will also host bands, including the Wigle Whiskey Barrel House in Spring Garde and Penn Brewery in Troy Hill, which will feature three stages.

A full schedule of events can be found on the official website.

National Aviary’s Night in the Tropics Feathered Fiesta

The National Aviary’s annual fundraiser, Night in the Tropics Feathered Fiesta presented by BNY Mellon, will also be Saturday night, starting at 6 p.m., in Allegheny Center.

The evening will heat up as Noël Quintana & The Latin Crew fire up the dance floor, and DJ Loyal with Salsa412 will keep the party going into the night.

All guests will also have exclusive access to meet new feathered friends during up-close interactions with beautiful live birds not regularly seen on exhibit.

VIP tickets grant guests access to the exclusive VIP Party starting at 6 p.m, with a full bar as well as exclusive hor d’oeuvres. General Admission tickets get you into the fiesta beginning at 7 p.m., with live entertainment, open bar, and fare from over 30 of Pittsburgh restaurants, bakeries and breweries.

All proceeds from Night in the Tropics support the National Aviary’s education, avian medicine, and conservation programs both locally and internationally.

All guests must be 21 and over and able to present a valid ID.

Tickets can be purchased through the Aviary’s official website.