This weekend in the Northside: Blue Sparrow Food Truck is back at Commonplace Coffee in the Mexican War Streets, the Steps We Take event series, Jazz at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and more.

Photo: Snapshot from a practice session of H. Gene Thompson’s “Steps We Take” performance, in collaboration with the Fineview Citizens Council. Courtesy of Bike Pittsburgh

Thursday, Oct. 10

Coffee and Food at Commonplace

Have lunch with the Blue Sparrow Food Truck anytime from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Commonplace Coffee in the Mexican War Streets! Click here for more information.

Steps We Take Troy Hill: Audio Walk and Installation

Bike Pittsburgh (BikePGH) and the Office of Public Art (OPA) are excited to announce the launch of a new event series to celebrate city steps and neighborhood connections. Enjoy an audio walk of the neighborhood’s steps, featuring a temporary sound and light installation up Rialto street stairs. Using a free smartphone app, visitors will walk up and down the steps that connect the hill to surrounding areas, while listening to geolocated audio as they ascend and descend each staircase. (Don’t forget your headphones!)The audio walk will invite visitors to explore the personal stories, memories, and dreams of Troy Hill residents, while reflecting on themes of mobility, change, struggle, and resilience. 5 to 8 p.m. More information here.

Friday, Oct. 11

Steps We Take Fineview: Carrie Street Steps Block Party

Bike Pittsburgh (BikePGH) and the Office of Public Art (OPA) are excited to announce the launch of a new event series to celebrate city steps and neighborhood connections titled Steps We Take. H. Gene Thompson, in collaboration with Fineview Citizens Council, is organizing a free performance in Fineview on Friday, October 11th, celebrating the ways city steps connect people both physically and energetically. This events will feature a line-up of communal wearable sculpture interactions both on and around the two sets of city steps, celebrating our potential to connect to one another in unlikely spaces. More information available via Facebook.

Universal Studios Classic Monsters: Dracula (1931) at The Rangos Giant Cinema

The story of the strangest person the world has ever known, the ultimate fantasy-horror …Dracula will wreak havoc upon The Rangos this Halloween! Showings start tonight at 8:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Totally 80s at Rivers Casino Drum Bar

Totally 80s jumps back in time to the best decade on the planet at the Rivers Casino Drum Bar starting at 9 p.m. Join with your legwarmers and Aqua Net hair. Spread the word! Facebook event here.

Saturday, Oct. 12

28th Northside Pumpkinfest

Pumpkinfest: A Children’s Harvest Festival. It’s East Allegheny Community Council’s 28th Pumpkinfest from 1 to 5 p.m. Registration is at noon. $5 donation per child and free adult admission. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 13. For more information, call 412-321-1204 or visit www.deutschtown.org.

24th Annual Fineview Step Challenge

It’s the 24th Annual, 5-Mile Urban Step & Trail Challenge starting at 8:30am that ascends Fineview’s hills, streets and staircases! Registration is $30.00. The Step Challenge starts at the Fineview Overlook, on Catoma Street in between Meadville and Lanark Streets. The purpose of the Step Challenge is to promote the neighborhood with its amazing view, interesting vistas and easy access to Downtown, sporting and cultural events. Find more information here.

Pigtoberfest 2019 at Troy Hill Citizens Park

FREE Neighborhood Festival Open to All! Come join your neighbors for fun and games, including a bake-off, 50/50, pumpkin carving contest and more! Bring a lawn chair or two to share. Rain or shine! Located at Troy Hill Citizens Park, 1619 Lowrie St., 15212 from 2 to 6 p.m. Facebook event page is here.

Cassette Day 2019 at The Government Center

The Government Center is teaming up with local cassette advocates Crafted Sounds to celebrate Cassette Day 2019 in a big way at the shop. Here’s a taste of what to expect: -A ton of new limited edition cassettes -Tables overflowing with hundreds of $1 tapes -Giveaways! Giveaways! Giveaways! Live music starting @ 3pm with Flower Crown, Swampwalk, late., Evan Isaac and cassette DJ sets from Barbara Broadcast! See schedule on the Facebook event page here .

Sunday, Oct. 13

Jazz at Emmanuel Episcopal Church

“Jazz at Emmanuel — where the spirited and the spiritual join together in a new kind of celebration!” Jazz Vespers incorporates a series of finger-snapping jazz meditations and stirring poetic or interpretive readings that celebrate everyone as beloved human beings before a benevolent and wondrous creator. A scriptural message and passing of the peace round out the celebration of the theme of the day. This not-to-be-missed, unique worship experience is one everyone will want to see and hear for themselves. Directed by Dr. James Johnson Jr. of the Afro-American Music Institute on piano, the Jazz ensemble includes guest bassists, Lou Schreiber on reeds, James Johnson III on drums, and Pamela Johnson on vocals, as well as occasional guest musicians. Always the 2nd Sunday at 5:00 pm, September through May. Emmanuel Episcopal Church is located at 957 West North Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15233. More information here.

Allegheny YMCA Spin-A-Thon at HIP at the Flashlight Factory

The Allegheny YMCA wants to invite everyone to Bikes & Brews today. This event raises scholarship money, directly used by the Allegheny YMCA, for various needs in our community. Event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information 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.