One thing Shadyside does well is catering to its neighborhood with plenty of things to do during summer. From cozy outdoor concerts to big art festivals, Shadyside doesn’t disappoint. While those living in other parts of the City have to travel to experience Shadyside… for Franklin West residents, all of these exciting events are virtually at your doorstep!

Here are the biggest summer events happening in Shadyside!

Shadyside Farmers Market | June through September

It’s Farmers Market season! As one of Pittsburgh’s favorite walkable suburban areas, Shadyside hosts a summer market with an assortment of vendors at the Liberty School parking lot every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. The Liberty School, located at the corner of Ellsworth Avenue and Filbert Street in Shadyside, is only a short walk from many Franklin West properties. Nothing sounds better than a Sunday morning stroll to get fresh fruits, veggies, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and even bread vendors from local farmers.

Visit Think Shadyside for information on how to get involved this summer!

Photo from Think Shadyside Facebook page.

Summer Fridays at The Frick | Now – August 23

Summer Fridays at The Frick is a variety of free, outdoor performances. This 10-week event series is sponsored by UPMC Health Plan, and yes, it’s absolutely free! Spend the day at the Frick touring the beautiful Clayton home or the latest exhibit. You can also grab something to eat before the Summer Friday performance begins at The Frick Cafe.

This Friday, The Frick welcomes The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale. Some lucky audience members will even get to play “Name That Tune!” Don’t forget your blanket and picnic basket!

For the full schedule of Summer Fridays performances, visit The Frick website here.  

Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch | Now – August 11

This Sunday is a double whammy at Mellon Park! Join WQED-FM in hosting the world-renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a free event.

Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch will be held every Sunday morning from now until August at Mellon Park featuring a variety of wonderful musicians. Get your picnic basket, mix up some mimosas and, between music and the arts, experience all that makes Shadyside so special.

If you are so inclined, consider joining WQED, the home of Fred Rogers, as a member. We are so lucky to have these incredible opportunities!

Learn more about this event through WQED.

11th Annual yART Sale | June 30

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts presents the 11th annual yArt Sale on Sunday, June 30th. Open from 10 am to 4 pm, spend the day outdoors at PCA’s gorgeous tree-lined campus in Mellon Park, at the corner of Fifth and Shady Avenues exploring the work of local artists. Plus, it’s free!

What’s a yART sale? PCA describes it as “a creative spin on the traditional yard sale!” This yART Sale features about 70 local artists with a variety of specialties like ceramic, photographs, jewelry, art books, fabric, prints, glass, and even art supplies. 

See the full vendor list through Pittsburgh Center for the Arts’ website. 

Weather Permitting | July 14

Outdoor concerts, food trucks, and fantastic brews…now that’s a pretty good Sunday night. Weather Permitting is hosting a concert for everyone on Sunday, July, 14th at the Shadyside Nursery on 510 Maryland Ave. The night starts at 5 pm and you don’t have to go home at 9 pm but you do have to leave the Weather Permitting concert.

Your ears will be delighted with the featured bands: Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomer Band, and Zach Schmidt. To read more about the musical artists, visit the Weather Permitting Facebook event page here. 

Photo from Weather Permitting Facebook event page.

Potterfest After Dark | July 19

Any Potterheads roaming the streets of Pittsburgh? If so, PotterFest After Dark at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is absolutely for you!

On Friday, July 19th from 6 pm to 10 pm dress up in your favorite house robes for a night of Harry Potter worthy adventure. Learn about the science that inspires the potions, show off at Potter trivia, and meet awesome animals in the Care of Magical Creatures.

Visit the PotterFest After Dark Facebook event page for admission tickets and other details.

Save the Date!

This year the Annual Shadyside Sidewalk Sale will be held from Wednesday, July 24th through Sunday, July 28th. More details to come! 

Courtyard Cinema | August 1

Courtyard Cinema is putting a little spin on movie night. The Carnegie Museum of Art is hosting an outdoor movie event in their courtyard on Thursday, August, 1st from 7 pm to 10 pm.

Here’s the twist, CMOA wants you to choose the movie. Vote for one of these three movies for the Thursday night showing: Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” and Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.”

Put your vote in for your favorite movie pick here.  

Back to School Block Party | August 11

It’s a block party! Pittsburgh Trap Yoga will host a Back to School Block Party on Sunday, August 11th from 1 pm to 5 pm. Join your neighbors near the shopping and business district of Ellsworth Ave for a final summer celebration before the kiddos get ready to get back to school. 

Visit Pittsburgh Trap Yoga Facebook event page for details.

Shadyside Art Festival on Walnut Street | August 24 – 25

To close out the summer, Shadyside will put on one of the best fine art festivals and neighborhood street fairs in Pittsburgh. During one weekend in August, come out to Bellefonte Street between 10 am to 5 pm for the 23rd Annual Shadyside Art Festival. Yes, it’s a free admission event.

With over 140 artists, you’ll experience a variety of original, handmade work from vendors like painters, potters, jewelers, photographers, and so much more. 

Get all the information you need from city details to hotel rates and how to become a contributor on the official event website.

 

Get these dates marked on your calendar! Whether you’re having a movie night out with the whole family, planning a date to explore Pittsburgh’s latest art scene, or enjoying an outdoor concert with a group of friends, summer in Shadyside has an event with your name on it.  

Who’s up for spending an afternoon walking through the historical and absolutely gorgeous town of Shadyside?

This neighborhood is known for more than it’s tree-lined sidewalks and many unique, local shops. There’s plenty of history here too. As a matter of fact, Franklin West is a proud steward of the historic landmark, Highland Towers! More than one hundred years old, Highland Towers was built in 1913 by Frederick G. Scheibler, Jr and is still considered one of Pittsburgh’s most wonderful examples of American Modern Architecture.

Today, Highland Towers maintains its 36 one-bedroom and two bedroom apartments that feature original stained glass windows, colorfully painted murals, and built-in mahogany cabinetry. Individual apartments have been renovated over the years, however, it’s historical charm will never be lost. It’s Franklin West’s mission to respect the rich architectural history of this amazing building.

If you’re interested in exploring Highland Towers, now you can! We are teaming up with Pittsburgh History and Landmark Foundation (PHLF) which will lead two separate tours through the eastern edge of the Shadyside neighborhood.

The Pittsburgh History and Landmark Foundation was originally founded on the belief that historic preservation is a true key toward renewing communities, lifting pride among residents, and reaching sustainable economic development. The tours and events held by the PHLF reflect this and Franklin West is more than thrilled to share in that belief as well.

Learn about the neighborhood’s unique apartment architecture on Sunday, June 16th and August 4th, 2019. Both tour dates will include historical sites like the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sellers-Carnahan house, the former Hunt Armory, the Highland Towers and more! Hurry up and register; space is limited!

See all the available details for the PHLF tour here!

• Eastern Shadyside Walking Tour – June 16th, 2019
• Eastern Shadyside Walking Tour – August 4th, 2019

While you’re on the tour make sure you check out the treasured stained glass windows. Apartment 16A, that is currently available, features one of our favorite stained glass window pieces. You’ll find a mixture of art that brings dragons, butterflies, birds in flight, and a variety of flowers and foliage to life.

What honestly sounds better than exploring our charming Shadyside neighborhood for a few hours of architectural genius? We couldn’t think of anything better either. See you on the tour!

A fan-favorite event at The Ace Hotel is getting one awesome upgrade. The popular culinary event, Sharing Knives, is now becoming Sharing Farms!

For one day during June, July, August, and September, this dinner series will have a  farm-grown focus featuring, “…expanded chef collaborations and independent farmers and foragers that are the lifeblood of kitchens across the city of Pittsburgh.”

The best part, The Ace Hotel is a short walk away from many Franklin West properties and we’re excited to see local chefs from some of Shadyside’s best eateries involved! Let’s dive into the details.

Sharing Farms June

Starting at 6 pm at the Ace Hotel on Wednesday, June 26th, the first Sharing Farms event will welcome chefs Csilla Thackery from Legume, Neil Blazin from Driftwood Oven, Kevin Sousa from Superior Motors, and Nate Hobart from Morcilla.

This crew of amazing chefs will showcase ingredients from Tiny Seed, Braddock Farms, and Goodness Grows.

Get tickets to this event. Be quick there are only 50 spots available!

Sharing Farms July

For July’s event, The Ace Hotel is putting on a celebration for 20 years of the Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance. The chefs leading the show will be Lily Tran of Soba, Ben Sloan of Alta Via, Ryan Spak of Spak Brothers Pizza, and Kate Carney from Or, The Whale.

This fantastic four is bringing ingredients to life from Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance. Get your tickets for the Sharing Farms event, which starts at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 31st.

Bonus!

Are you a member of the Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance? If so, you get a 10% discount for this event at checkout! To get your discount, email aaron.clark@acehotel.com with proof of membership.

Sharing Farms August

The Ace Hotel will host the third Sharing Farm on Wednesday, August 28th from 6 pm to 9 pm. This dinner experience is jam-packed with awesome chefs like Derek Stevens from Union Standard, Curtis Gamble of Station, Chad Townsend from Millies Ice Cream, Tony Giamarita of Pizza Taglio, Justin Steel from Bar Marco, and Dianne DeStefano of Independent, Hidden Harbor, Lorelei.

Featured produce farms for this dinner have yet to be announced. But, we do know lamb from Jamison Farms is on the menu! Get your ticket for the August event here.

Sharing Farms September

To wrap up Sharing Farms for the year, the last event will be held on Wednesday, September 25th. Full details of this event are still in the works.

So far, the September event will involve chefs Kate Romane of Black Radish, Jamilka Borges from Lorelei (Hidden Harbor and Independent Brewing), and Casey Renee from Confections. A few more chefs are expected to join this wonderful crew to showcase beef from Jubilee Hilltop Ranch and other regional farms.

Buy tickets for this event here.

 

Get full details on this awesome, summertime event by visiting The Ace Hotel’s website.