This weekend in the Northside: Jazz Conspiracy Big Band is back at the Allegheny Elks Lodge #339, the CreativeMornings/Pittsburgh monthly breakfast lecture series features Summer Lee, KISMET art exhibit opens at City Books, and more.

Photo of the Allegheny Elks Lodge #339 in Historic Deutschtown by Ashlee Green

Thursday, August 29

Blood Drive in Honor of Officer Calvin Hall

For the month of August, Pittsburgh Police are holding a blood drive in honor of Officer Calvin Hall. This time it’s at the Christian Home Health Care (near Penn Brewery) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Officer Hall was stationed at the Northview Heights police station and was killed in July while off-duty. The donations will save lives in the community, which has experienced an unprecedented blood shortage this summer. You may donate at any Vitalant (Central Blood Bank) blood drive. At the time of your donation, simply mention to staff that you are donating in Officer Hall’s memory or mention the group code Z0021100. Click here for more information.

Healthy Seniors Day at the Allegheny YMCA

Come to Allegheny YMCA for coffee and refreshments, meet other senior members, enjoy complimentary health and wellness assessments, and take part in specially designed fitness classes just for you! Healthy Seniors Day will be held on Thursday, August 29 from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at the Allegheny YMCA, located at 600 West North Avenue. For more information, visit the Healthy Seniors Day Facebook event page.

Big Band Jazz Conspiracy & Swing Dance Lessons at the Elks

The Big Band Swing with Beginner Swing Dance Lessons will be held on Thursday, August 29 at Allegheny Elks Lodge #339, located at 400 Cedar Avenue. Dance lessons will be given from 7:15 to 8:00 pm at no extra charge. The Jazz Conspiracy Big Band starts swinging at 8:00 pm. This event is open to the public. No dance experience or partner is required. This event is also great for folks who want to enjoy live music without dancing. This event is $10 general admission and $5 students with student ID at the door. Families are encouraged to attend.

Friday, August 30

CreativeMornings/Pittsburgh with Summer Lee at Alphabet City

CreativeMornings is a monthly breakfast lecture series for creative types started in New York by Tina Roth Eiesenberg, founder of swissmiss. Each event is free of charge, and includes a 20 minute talk, followed by a group discussion and Q&A. The gathering begins at 8:30am with the topic presentation starting at 9:00am and everyone taking off for work by 10am. The Pittsburgh chapter of CreativeMornings is run by Nathan Darity and his dedicated team of volunteers. Summer Lee is a lawyer, a community organizer, and the Democratic representative for the 34th district of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Lee became the first black woman to represent Southwestern Pennsylvania in the state legislature. Register for the event here. Facebook event is here.

Damon Young at Alphabet City

This is the first Pittsburgh reading of What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker with author, Northside neighbor, and friend Damon Young! This program is a community celebration. The reading will be followed by a short discussion with audience Q&A. Damon Young is a writer, critic, humorist, satirist, and professional Black person. He’s a co-founder and editor in chief of VerySmartBrothas—coined “the blackest thing that ever happened to the internet” by The Washington Post. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, LitHub, Time Magazine, Slate, LongReads, Salon, The Guardian, New York Magazine, EBONY, Jezebel, GQ, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. A native Pittsburgher who attended Canisius College on a basketball scholarship, Damon is also a member of the ACLU Pennsylvania’s State Board. He currently resides in Pittsburgh’s Northside, with his wife, two children, and his faithful bottles of Nexium and Lisinopril. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Remnose, Paddy The Wanderer, Native Alloys at The Government Center

$5 cover, All Ages, BYOB for 21+; Doors at 7pm/ Music 8pm More details available via Facebook.

Saturday, August 31

Riverview Park Trail Work Day

If you love Riverview Park, come out and lend a hand on the last Saturday of every month to have fun with neighbors, get dirty, and keep the park’s trails in great shape. Coffee will be provided by Commonplace Coffee to keep the group going strong! Hosted by Trail Pittsburgh, Friends of Riverview Park, and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the next Riverview Park Trail Work Day will be held on Saturday, August 31 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. Volunteers should meet at Riverview Park Visitors Center and wear work boots, pants, and long sleeves. Gloves are recommended. For more information, visit the Riverview Park Trail Work Days event page.

Karaoke Cabaret with DJ Ms. Kitty at Northside Resource Mall

Do you like to sing? There’s a Karoake Caberet coming to Northside Resource Mall! 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.; 2610 Maple Ave., 15214. BYOB; FREE BEER. Ticket event donation is $15. For more information, text or call 412-969-2661 or 412-758-9403.

KISMET at City Books

You are invited to the opening of KISMET, City Book’s next art exhibit curated by Jennifer Quinio. KISMET exemplifies the delight and surprise that happens when people encounter someone or something by chance that seems like it was meant to be. Inspired by the Arabic word for “destiny,” KISMET demonstrates how, when people take the time to ask questions of, and listen to the world around them, they learn that, regardless of circumstance, everyone and everything has a story to tell – and a unique perspective from which to tell it. Featured artists included Rick Claraval, Susan Constance, Dafna Hanauer, Patrick Schmidt, Carolyn Wenning, and Sam Whitney. The Opening Reception for KISMET will be held today from 7:00 until 8:30 pm at City Books. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be on display until Saturday, October 26, 2019. More information available via Facebook.

Pittsburgh Water Lantern Festival at Allegheny Commons Park West

Water Lantern Festival is an amazing experience where you’ll witness the magic of the lanterns as they light up the water. Tickets start at $25. Get yours at www.WaterLanternFestival.com before they sell out! Facebook event is here.

Sunday, September 1

Biceps & Brunch: Bar Method Edition

Biceps & Brunch is a series of events that bring two favorite things together: a good workout and an even better brunch! Each week a different local gym will come to Federal Galley to help you get your sweat on! Registration is FREE, the first drink is FREE, and there’s a chance to win FREE swag, tickets and more! This week, the ladies of Bar Method, located in Wexford, will be leading a full-body workout that builds inner and outer strength, grace and poise. You’ll be surprised by the small movements that bring big results. Grab some post-workout brunch at one of Federal Galley’s four restaurants. And don’t forget your complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary! Biceps & Brunch: Bar Method Edition will be held on Sunday, September 1 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at Federal Galley, located at 200 Children’s Way. Registration begins at 8:30 am. For more information, visit the Biceps & Brunch: Bar Method Edition event page.

Wine and Weeding Stoop Night in the Mexican War Streets

Grab your friends – old and new – and enjoy the beautiful evening weather on your stoop! In this age-old tradition in the Mexican War Streets, neighbors take this opportunity to connect with their community, make new friends, spend time with longtime friends, and enjoy the beautiful neighborhood! Sit out on your stoop, enjoy a beverage (or many) of your choice, share some light snacks, and let the evening wind down with many laughs and smiles! For your first Stoop Stop of the evening, plan to come to Mechanics Retreat Park, at the corner of Jacksonia and Buena Vista Streets, between 5:00 and 7:00 pm to help other volunteers pull a few weeds while enjoying some wine! Help to prepare the garden for the 50th Mexican War Streets House & Garden Tour on Sunday, September 8!

Pearl Crush, Britt, Ky Vöss, Cleanup Hitter at The Government Center

Solid split night of touring and local acts with dream pop and bedroom acts. Doors @ 7, $5 entry, BYOB. More information available via Facebook.

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.