Spring has sprung and this weekend, there are activities galore. Don’t miss the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition’s Employment & Career Event at CoLab18, Independent Bookstore Day at City Books, and Museum Lab Opening Weekend, featuring an all-levels slacklining workshop with Steel City Slackers.

Photo courtesy of Cassie Maloney, Steel City Slackers

Thursday, April 25

Food for Thought: Chamber Choice

At this installment of the Chamber’s “Food for Thought” series, you will learn about a variety of benefits offered through the Chamber Choice program. These benefits are for members of all sizes and include health insurance, business insurance, energy savings and a variety of discounts. Free to attend, but RSVP is required, as lunch is provided. To be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Propel Schools Northside, 1805 Buena Vista St., 15212. Find more information and register online here.

Stories that Heal: Kristine Irwin at Alphabet City

Join us for a reading with Kristine Irwin, as part of NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s Stories That Heal reading series. Her book is the story of a rape survivor, her family and friends, their roads to recovery. In Voices of Hope, you’ll learn how they empowered themselves, built trust, and created solid relationships. The story in these pages demonstrates the power of the human spirit, love, and friendship to overcome trauma, allowing you to choose life on your own terms. Event is from 7 to 8 p.m. R.S.V.P. for free using this link.

Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition (PBEOC): Employment & Career Event at CoLab18

This meeting is intended for all residents across Pittsburgh. Invited employers and training providers include Allegheny Health Network, Amazon, APRI, CVS, Dollar Bank, Goodwill, Giant Eagle, Comcast, the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and more. Additional resources and opportunities in alignment with the Employment section of their Pittsburgh Peace & Justice Initiative will also be shared with the community. Are you looking for a job? Bring your resume if you have one, or talk to an expert to help create one. Some employers will interview on the spot. Others may invite you to a later interview. This meeting is for you! Event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at CoLab18, 100 South Commons, 15212. PRE-RSVP is required. Please register here.

Will and Asset Protection Workshop by Davis Consulting

Self-Sufficiency, Legacy, Responsibility. Learn how to be among the top 20 percent of Americans by attending this workshop! Learn what you’ll need to prepare a will, the importance of preparing a will now vs. later, and what a will means to your family and your church. Learn why a living will is important, learn more about health care power of attorneys, and how to leave precious heirlooms to loved ones. Located at M.A. Lucas Market/Oaklglade, 2246 Wilson Ave., 15214. Starts at 6 p.m. Contact sdavis@sdavisandassociates.com by 5:00 p.m. on April 23 to register. More information is available here.

Friday, April 26

The Rube Goldberg Variations at New Hazlett Theater

Attack Theatre, located at 6 Allegheny Square E, presents a dance and live music performance inspired by the ingeniously complicated world of Rube Goldberg, featuring J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations performed by Nathan Carterette. More information, including showtimes and ticket prices, available here.

Notes & Words: A Fiction Songfest at City Books

Kick off Independent Bookstore Day weekend on starting at 7 p.m. with Notes & Words: A Fiction Songfest featuring Guy Capecelatro III, Chris Leone, and Sherrie Flick. Guy is coming from Portsmouth, NH to read some stories/poems and sing some songs. Sherrie will read some stories. And Chris Leone (of the smallest show) will appear with his brother and dad as The Spurs of the Moment band. Seating is limited to 30 for this intimate, acoustic event. Don’t miss it. Check out the Facebook event here.

Saturday, April 27

Angels in the Garden Neighborhood Clean Up on Spring Garden Avenue

Meet at 9 a.m. at 1602 Spring Garden Ave. to help Northside neighbors paint, power wash, and cement approximately two and a half miles of Spring Garden Avenue. If you want to volunteer or donate call Paul at 412-901-3006 or Joe at 412-657-8813.

Cheese Tasting Hike in Riverview Park

An afternoon of trails and cheese! Participants will hike two to three miles through Riverview Park at an easy pace and take in the sights and sounds of spring. Following the hike, we’ll sample a variety of gourmet cheeses from around the world, selected by cheese enthusiast, David Bennett. David will teach the basics on how to create an amazing cheese plate, and will share his insights about some of his most favorite cheeses. From 1 to 3 p.m. Member price is $22 and non-member price is $29. For more information and to register, click here.

Community Tree Planting at Lookout St. Parklet

Join Troy Hill Citizens, Inc. and community Tree Tenders to help plant the neighborhood’s newest trees. We’ll be replacing some street trees and beginning reforestation efforts on the Rialto St hillside. TreeVitalize Pittsburgh will be on-hand with tools, mulch, and trees (of course!) and will show you the proper techniques to plant trees to survive the harsh urban conditions. The event is all ages, everyone is welcomed regardless of experience, just bring your love for the community. Please REGISTER for this event (Choose April 27 – Troy Hill planting from the drop down menu) – as TreeVitalize is looking for an official head count. Warm coffee and snacks provided starting at 8:45 a.m. and wrap up at noon with a potluck lunch. Come and meet your neighbors! More information available here.

Riverview Park Trail Work Day

Have fun, get dirty, and improve the Riverview trails for all the dog walkers and bike riders and trail runners and bird watchers and nature lovers of the Northside from 9 a.m. to noon on the last Saturday every month—with coffee provided by Commonplace! WHAT TO BRING: pants and long sleeves, boots and gloves, and tools if you got ’em. Hosted by Trail Pittsburgh, Friends of Riverview Park, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Sponsored by Commonplace Coffee. Meet at the Riverview Park Visitors Center. Questions? Contact Ben Brewer at 814-574-0416 or via email at benjaminbrewer@gmail.com. More information available via Facebook.

Steel City Slackers at Museum Lab Opening Weekend

Take your skills to new heights with the Steel City Slackers. Watch, play and learn the fundamentals of slacklining as they are taught and demonstrated for all levels, Both today and tomorrow, Sunday, April 28, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Find more information, including the full Museum Lab Opening Weekend schedule, here.

Spaghetti Dinner at Northside Common Ministries

Bring the whole family from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The meal is a Free Will Offering and take outs and gluten-free meals are available. Located at Northmont Presbyterian Church, 8169 Perry Highway. All proceeds go directly towards the support of the Pleasant Valley Shelter for men experiencing homelessness. More information available here.

Pre-Mother’s Day Gift and Craft Show

Designer Handbags, Hair Care, Jewelry, Avon, Greek Foods (Gyros Sandwiches, Pizza, Spanish Pie & more), Candles and more!!! Event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brown Chapel AME Church, 1400 Boyle St., 15212. Vendors, for more information call 412-519-3173. Click here to register for this free event.

Sunday, April 28

Alphabet City Ellington All-Stars

A concert celebrating Duke Ellington’s 120th birthday, as part of our Off Minor Jazz Series. In this tribute concert, the Alphabet City All-Stars—featuring James Moore(trumpet), Paul Cosentino (reeds), Jeff Bush (trombone), Alton Merrell (piano), Paul Thompson (bass),and Thomas Wendt (drums)—will play both well-known and lesser known selections from Ellington‘s jazz repertoire. 6 to 8:30 p.m. For more information and to R.S.V.P., click here.

The Rube Goldberg Variations at New Hazlett Theater

Attack Theatre, located at 6 Allegheny Square E, presents a dance and live music performance inspired by the ingeniously complicated world of Rube Goldberg, featuring J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations performed by Nathan Carterette. More information, including showtimes and ticket prices, available here.

Paz and Ukulele Eddie at California Coffee Bar

Come and experience the music and humor of what is becoming one of the hippest shows in town. Paz and Ukulele Eddie. An eclectic choice of genres and music from old to new. If you do not know or like a song, wait, one will come your way. Great vocals, rhythms, and off the cuff humor makes this a wonderful evening out. Paz and Ukulele Eddie, Acoustic Music with a Smile! 12 to 2 p.m. at California Coffee Bar, 3619 California Ave., 15212. More information available here.

Have an event you’d like us to feature online in the Northside Happenings? Every week on our website, we announce free or almost-free events happening in the Northside on Thursdays through Sundays. Fill out our Google Form or email a paragraph detailing the name of the event, location, specifics and a website or contact information to editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before the weekend.