From BikeFest and new plays to international wine tastings and Sunday mediation, Northside offers a little bit of everything this week.

By: NSC Staff

Wednesday, August, 16

Rules of the Road with the Pittsburgh Police Department

Part of the BikeFest’s second week of events, Bear Dog Bicycles on Western Avenue will host an event in partnership with the city police teaching residents the ins-and-outs of bike safety. The event is free and starts at 5 p.m., visit the BikePGH website for additional information.

Thursday, August, 17

‘Al Fresco’ wine events at The Priory

The monthly series returns with a ‘Two-hour Tour Around The World’ event. For $60 guests will have the chance to try four different wines from three continents including a 2012 Finca Hispana Rioja Crianza from Spain. “We try to entrench people to wines they might not otherwise see or taste,” president of the Priory Hospitality Group John Graff said. For more information on upcoming ‘Al Fresco’ events visit The Priory’s website.

Silkscreen classes at Artist Image Resource

One-day classes for both kids and intermediate adults will be held at the Duetschtown art lab. The children’s class goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the adult session runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participants will be introduced to a variety of screen techniques and will be able to create their own prints. For more information on AIR visit their website.

Friday, August, 18

“Big Fish” debuts at New Hazlett Theater

A theatrical rendition Daniel Wallace’s 1998 novel will begin its week-long run at the New Hazlett Theater this weekend. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.

Allegheny Common’s Farmers Market

With summer coming to a close there are only a few more Fridays left before harvest season begins. Swing down to Allegheny Commons East Park 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for local produce and street eats from a variety of vendors.

Unique Night Out with a Guided Wanderer

This nuance take on a Friday date-night encourages participants to get out and explore the city rather than staying indoors. The guide begins with a tour of the Alphabet Reading Garden in Mexican War Streets then visits City of Asylum’s Alphabet City and finishes at James Street Gastropub in Duetschtown. The tour starts at 6:30 and tickets are on sale via Eventbrite. For more information visit the event’s FB page.

Saturday, August, 19

Duetschtown Summer Series with Morgan Erina

The weekly series continues at Arnold’s Tea with singer-songwriter, Morgan Erina. The free event begins at 6 p.m. and is BYOB. For more information visit the Duetschtown Summer Series page.

National Aviary Maker Challenger Series with Ashley Cecil

Pittsburgh artist, Ashley Cecil is this month’s featured artist in the Aviary’s Maker Challenger Series, an 18-month series promoting select entrepreneurs and artists from the Pittsburgh area. Cecil will be hosting an instructional class 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on how to effectively combine vibrant colors and patterns into memorable works of art. For more information on the event or the Maker Challenger Series visit the National Aviary’s website.

Hillbilly 12-pack

The BikeFest event starts at Riverview Park at 5 p.m. and will take bikers on a 23-mile trek through 12 of the Northside’s toughest hills. According to the event’s creator, Sean Brady the race is a a training session – of sorts – for the notorious “Dirty Dozen” race. Water refill stations will be scattered throughout the course, but participants and supporters are still encouraged to bring water and snacks. For more information on the event and the route visit bikepgh.org.

Sunday, August, 20

Sahaja mediation at Allegheny Carnegie Library

Swing by the Federal Street library for a slice of Sunday mediation 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The library will also be hosting a STEM Imagination Builders: Block Party for children ages 3 to 6 at 2 p.m. before the Sahaja class begins. For more information visit the library’s event page.