Hey, Northsiders: This weekend, foodies will enjoy the Northside Sandwich Sampler at the Priory Grand Hall, creatives will love the Fifth Annual FUSION Art Exhibition, and athletic types will have fun at the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. These events and more are taking place this weekend in the Northside.

Photo by The Northside Chronicle Staff

Thursday, May 9

Northside Sandwich Sampler at the Priory Grand Hall

Sample sandwich creations from all participating restaurants and vote for the next Northside Sandwich King or Queen. The event will also feature a beer garden with specialty craft beers from Penn Brewery and entertainment by The Red Beans and Rice Combo. Event is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Priory Grand Hall, 614 Pressley St. Cost is $35. Purchase your Northside Sandwich Sampler: Buns of Steel tickets at the door! Cash only please. If you have an issues with purchasing your tickets online please email northsidesandwichweek@gmail.com. More information is available here.

Bloom! Opening Reception | Paintings by Cara Livorio at Artists Image Resource

B(L)OOM! Explosive Floral Expressions. A series of new paintings by artist, Cara Livorio. Event is from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artists Image Resource (AIR), located at 5118 Foreland St., 15212. For more information, check out the Facebook event page.

Community Conversation About SCI Pittsburgh Site

Join Brightwood Civic Group and The Brighton Heights Citizens Federation to discuss the State Correctional Institution (SCI) site located at 3001 Beaver ave (Marshall-Shadeland). This 21-acre property located 5 miles away from Downtown Pittsburgh closed back in 2017. Attendants will be joined by The office of Jake Wheatley and The office of Wayne Fontana to hear updates, ask questions and plans on how to move forward. Light Refreshments will be served. More information available here.

Plant Sale to Benefit H.H. Richardson National Historic Landmark

House Plants, Annuals, Gift Items to benefit the Emmanuel Restoration Project for National Historic Landmark building. Phase 1 – Exterior, Phase 2 – Interior, Phase 3 – Foundation. For more about the building click here. To download a flyer for the Plant Sale, click here. For the Facebook event page, click here.

Brighton Heights Citizens Federation General Membership Meeting

Meet in the auditorium of John Morrow Elementary School, 3547 Massachusetts Ave, 15212, at 7 p.m. The purpose of the Federation is to promote and encourage the advancement of neighborhood improvements and a greater sense of community. This is accomplished by uniting the citizens of the community, its organizations, and institutions to work hand in hand to enhance the health, safety, welfare, property, and well being of the community. General membership meetings take place on the second Thursday of the month. For more information, visit www.brightonheights.org.

Friday, May 10

Fifth Annual FUSION Art Exhibition at The Art Voice

FUSION is an art exhibition which celebrates the synthesis of food, visual art, fashion, and music. FUSION creates a collaborative environment for the arts. It gives students with exceptionalities an opportunity to showcase their leadership, entrepreneurship, and artistic skills. Each year, these young entrepreneurs create artwork to sell and then help to coordinate this wonderful event. The overall goal is to promote student artists, connect with families, community agencies, businesses and local professional artists. Don’t miss out on all the creativity, food and fun! For more info contact Dameta Skinner at (412) 529-3125 ext 2777! More information available via Facebook.

Audio-Described Performance of Twelfth Night

Match wits with one of Shakespeare’s most dynamic heroines in this hilarious tale of love, music and courage. Set in the colorful world of Portugal, Twelfth Night tickles the imagination as Viola disguises herself as a page boy to find her twin brother but finds herself at the center of a crazy love triangle. If music be the food of love, play on! The story is funny, a little raunchy, tragic, surprising and still relevant today – with classic themes and Shakespeare’s comedic brilliance equally brilliant today. Original music by Monica Stephenson and Gil Teixeira. Showtime is 8 p.m. More information and tickets available here.

HCUAP POP UP Exhibit at AIR

Hemispheric Conversations Urban Art Project (hcuap.com) is taking over the garages at AIR for a one night only POP UP exhibit. Featuring an international range of emerging and established artists pre-curated alongside an open call. The opening event will have live music, snacks and alcoholic beverages for your enjoyment. BYOB. For a full list of live music acts and more information, click here.

Saturday, May 11

Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community at Stage AE

Register to be a walker or to sponsor Ann, the resident dog for Northside Common Ministries as she walks. Every dollar raised goes directly to buying food for the Northside Community Food Pantry. Click here to donate or register.

Sensory-friendly and ASL-interpreted Performances of Twelfth Night

Match wits with one of Shakespeare’s most dynamic heroines in this hilarious tale of love, music and courage. Set in the colorful world of Portugal, Twelfth Night tickles the imagination as Viola disguises herself as a page boy to find her twin brother but finds herself at the center of a crazy love triangle. If music be the food of love, play on! The story is funny, a little raunchy, tragic, surprising and still relevant today – with classic themes and Shakespeare’s comedic brilliance equally brilliant today. Original music by Monica Stephenson and Gil Teixeira. Sensory-friendly performance is at 1 p.m. and ASL-interpreted performance is at 8 p.m. More information and tickets available here.

Adopt-a-Lot Program w/ the City of Pittsburgh at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Woods Run

The Adopt-a-Lot program, developed as part of the Vacant Lot Toolkit, was created to give residents a simple process for accessing city-owned vacant lots for food, flower, or rain gardens. Learn about how you can adopt a lot in your neighborhood from 2 to 3 p.m. at CLP – Woods Run, 1201 Woods Run Ave,. 15212. For more information, call 412-761-3730, email woodsrun@carnegielibrary.org or click here.

Record a Mother’s Day Audio Card at Saturday Light Brigade Studios

Record a keepsake Audio Mother’s Day CD Card in SLB studios! Create a one-of-a-kind gift for mom, grandma, aunt or any special woman in your life. Saturday Light Brigade staff will conduct an interview about that person and record it on a CD that can be decorated, affixed to a special card and brought home that day. Kids and adults can record alone or together and can also record a special song or poem that will be cherished for a lifetime. Cost is $15. Find more information and RSVP here.

Sunday, May 12

Mother’s Day Brunch at BJ’s Event Center

Come out and enjoy the soulful sound of Twan Moore serenading the ladies. Jaime Jones of Mrs J’s Catering will be providing the flavor that may make you snack yo mama on Mother’s Day. Bottomless Mimosas will be flowing. Single tickets are $40; Couples are $75. Event si scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For tickets or more information contact Clinetta Hill Jackson at 412-251-6062. Facebook event page is here.

Mother’s Day Brews and Paints at 412 Brewery

412 Brewery will be hosting a beer & paint party with Artsy Tessy to celebrate Mother’s Day! Come down to the 412 Brewery location on Western Avenue to enjoy an afternoon of paints and beers! Artsy Tessy will be teaching you how to paint a cute cactus while you are served craft brews. Treat your mom to a wonderful time, it’s what she deserves! More information available here.

Hands-On Needlework at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Allegheny

Various needlework craft activities are available for free to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Learn how to knit, crochet or embroider. Use the sewing machine to mend a piece of clothing. Call Lydia to make an appointment: 412-237-1890. More information on the CLP website.

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.