News Around the Neighborhood
Free & Inclusive Programs in Allegheny Commons Park
Free & inclusive programs are taking place throughout June!
Explore the programs below and be sure to register in advance!
Join YMCA fitness instructors in the park for weekly exercise classes every Wednesday, June through August. Click here to register!
Saturday, June 11 @ 10:00 A.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Come and flow with some of Pittsburgh’s best yoga instructors from Yoga Studios in this free all levels yoga event. Bring your kids and enjoy the feeling of practicing yoga beneath the trees in this city park! Participants should bring their own mat. Click here to register!
Wednesday, June 15 @ 6:30 P.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Join YMCA fitness instructors in the park for weekly exercise classes every Wednesday, June through August. Click here to register!
Saturday, June 18 @ 10:00 A.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Come and flow with some of Pittsburgh’s best yoga instructors from Yoga Studios in this free all levels yoga event. Bring your kids and enjoy the feeling of practicing yoga beneath the trees in this city park! Participants should bring their own mat. Click here to register!
Sunday, June 19 @ 2:00 P.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Visit Allegheny Commons the third Sunday of the month from June through October for free activities for children (and children at heart) including balloon artist, craft activities, with special guests and performers! Click here to register!
Wednesday, June 22 @ 6:30 P.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Join YMCA fitness instructors in the park for weekly exercise classes every Wednesday, June through August. Click here to register!
Saturday, June 25 @ 10:00 A.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Come and flow with some of Pittsburgh’s best yoga instructors from Yoga Studios in this free all levels yoga event. Bring your kids and enjoy the feeling of practicing yoga beneath the trees in this city park! Participants should bring their own mat. Click here to register!
Wednesday, June 29 @ 6:30 P.M. | Allegheny Commons Park
Join YMCA fitness instructors in the park for weekly exercise classes every Wednesday, June through August. Click here to register!
PHLF: Downtown’s Best Special Places and Spaces
Thursday, June 9
9:45 am – 12:00 pm
$30 per person
The ticket price includes a guidebook, Exploring Pittsburgh: A Downtown Walking Tour
This tour is in-person and is limited to 10 participants.
Click here to buy a ticket. (Tickets will not be available after June 8.)
You will receive a ticket with a QR Code by e-mail. Please PRINT and bring it with you for the tour.
Downtown Pittsburgh’s built environment is a remarkable array of buildings and places old, new, and restored. In this brisk tour of architectural landmarks, spectacular interiors, and significant urban spaces you will learn how Pittsburgh developed from a military outpost in the 18th century into a beautiful, walkable, and livable 21st-century city.
Tour Meeting Point: One Oxford Centre Plaza, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Tour Ending Point: PPG Plaza, 1 PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time in order to ensure that the tour gets underway on time. Dress for the weather (PHLF tours proceed rain or shine!), and wear comfortable shoes. By purchasing a ticket for this tour, you acknowledge that you are physically able to undertake the tour, assume all personal risk during the tour, consent to being photographed during the tour, and permit PHLF to use your image in our communications.
This tour is handicap accessible. Please notify us of your needs 2 Business Days in advance of the tour.
PHLF: Old Allegheny County Jail Museum
Open on the first and third Mondays of the month through October (except on holidays)
Visit at your convenience between 11:30 am
and 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
A PHLF docent is on hand to tell you the story of the place. Completed in 1886 to the designs of Boston architect H. H. Richardson and in use until July 27, 1995, the former Allegheny County Jail was renovated between 1999 and 2001 to house the Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
A portion of one of the cell blocks has been preserved in the “Old Allegheny County Jail Museum.” The Jail Museum was created through a grant from the Drue Heinz Trust to PHLF, in cooperation with the Allegheny County Juvenile Court and Curator Ed Urban, former Deputy Warden.
The Jail Museum, which is located in Downtown Pittsburgh at 440 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, opened in 2005.
Enter the Family Court Facility through one of two entrances. In both cases, you must go through security, and NO cameras are permitted.
- Either enter through the main Ross Street entrance.
- Or, enter through the great courtyard arch on Fifth Avenue.
For further information––or to double-check that the Jail Museum will be open on a particular Monday, contact Mary Lu Denny: at marylu@phlf.org or call 412-471-5808, ext. 527.
Claudio Cojaniz Returns for Two Different Jazz Poetry Performances
Claudio Cojaniz “Orfani”
Tuesday, May 17
7:00 pm
Master jazz pianist Claudio Cojaniz (Italy) returns to Pittsburgh with his trio and a brand new album of entirely original music.
Claudio is a world-renowned musician and a dear friend of City of Asylum. He first performed in Jazz Poetry 2018 to two evenings of sold-out and awed crowds. Claudio was also our most popular pandemic virtual concert, performing from his home near Naples to a gathered Pittsburgh crowd who needed some uplifting tunes.
We are thrilled Claudio returns to Pittsburgh live for JPM 2022 for two stellar performances.
The first evening features the US premiere of Claudio’s 2021 album Orfani(Orphans). In this album, Claudio sought to mentor and steward the next generation of Italy’s jazz stars, musicians who accompany him to Pittsburgh. Their album is inspired by the tragedies and triumphs of global migration. It is infused with world music sounds, influenced by the Balkan folk music of Claudio’s Serbian grandfather, as well as Claudio’s mastery of the blues.
The album is lyrical and concise with delicate melodies, and is sure to be an excellent evening of music.
The in-house restaurant 40 North will be closed but a cash bar will be available.
PHLF: Virtual Tour of Sewickley
Thursday, May 19
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
$7.50
This tour will be conducted via Zoom Conference.
Click here to buy a ticket. (Disregard the QR code in the confirmation email) You will receive a login e-mail on May 19.
Please log in at 5:45 pm to allow us enough time to let you into the tour.
Located 12 miles west of Pittsburgh, Sewickley is nestled between hills to the north and the Ohio River to the South. Taking its name from the Native American word for “Sweet Water,” Sewickley was incorporated as a borough in 1853 and dubbed “the Queen of Suburbs” in 1895. The tour focuses on the commercial and residential neighborhoods of the Borough’s Third Historic District, in central Sewickley.
Here you will see excellent examples of many of the architectural styles popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including work by a number of regionally and national important architects who lived and worked in the area. Featuring places of worship, civic buildings, and handsome homes, the tour will demonstrate why this historic community continues to delight.
PHLF: Old Allegheny County Jail Museum Open Again
Visit at your convenience between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm
Every first and third Monday of the Month, May through October
Cost: FREE
A PHLF docent is on hand to tell you the story of the place. Completed in 1886 to the designs of Boston architect H. H. Richardson and in use until July 27, 1995, the former Allegheny County Jail was renovated between 1999 and 2001 to house the Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
A portion of one of the cell blocks has been preserved in the “Old Allegheny County Jail Museum.” The Jail Museum was created through a grant from the Drue Heinz Trust to PHLF, in cooperation with the Allegheny County Juvenile Court and Curator Ed Urban, former Deputy Warden.
The Jail Museum, which is located in Downtown Pittsburgh at 440 Ross Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, opened in 2005.
Enter the Family Court Facility through one of two entrances. In both cases, you must go through security, and NO cameras are permitted.
- Either enter through the main Ross Street entrance.
- Or, enter through the great courtyard arch on Fifth Avenue.
For further information––or to double-check that the Jail Museum will be open on a particular Monday, contact Mary Lu Denny: marylu@phlf.org or call 412-471-5808, ext. 527.
The Multicultural Uri Gurvich Quartet opens Jazz Poetry Month
Uri Gurvich Quartet Kinship
Sunday, May 8
7:00 pm
“Unique and hypnotic” (Stereogum)
“Transcends borders” (Los Angeles Times)
“Organic, exotic and unpretentiously heartfelt” (Jazz Times)
Released in 2021 Kinship, presents original work influenced by Uri Gurvich’sheritage as the son of Argentinian immigrants in Israel. Featuring a quartet of musicians from Israel, Bulgaria, Argentina, and Cuba—all performing in Pittsburgh for the first time.
Kinship celebrates tribal and familial connections between different cultures and individuals, and shares messages of global unity. The music combines the folkloric traditions while simultaneously feeling out the spaces between various traditions. All with a jazzy and improvised twist. Learn more.
This performance also features poetry collaborations with Vasyl Makhno (Ukraine), Gazmend Kapllani (Albania), and poets from the University of Iowa International Writing Program, Madhu Raghavendra (India), and Pamela Sánchez (Venezuela).
Featured Musicians: Uri Gurvich (saxophone); Leo Genovese (piano); Peter Slavov (bass); and Ronen Itzik (drums)
Are Human Artists at Risk of Being Replaced by Computers
Automating Art: The Good & Bad of
Technology in Art Making
Tuesday, May 3
7:00 pm
Join us for a lively cross-disciplinary conversation that questions the rising influence of AI and autonomy on the art world. This is the second installment of Art & AI lectures from CMU hosted at City of Asylum, following a rousing discussion of ethics and creativity in November 2021. You will have a unique opportunity to ask questions from experts at the top of their field.
Experts from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon — a worldwide leader in AI — will explore the intersection of technology and creative practices like CGI & autotune, and debate their impacts on music, art, and literature. Learn more.
Featured Panelists:
Eunsu Kang is an artist, a researcher, and an educator who explores the intersection of art and machine learning as well as the possibility of creative AI. Her works currently focus on the nascent area of AI art. She also co-founded the Women+ Art AI collective.
Richard Randall is a musician, activist, and professor at the Carnegie Mellon University, School of Music. He has published in the areas of musicology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and media and cultural studies. He created and co-directed the Pittonkatonk May Day Brass BBQ from 2014-2017. As a performer, he leads the experimental electroacoustic group, Bombici.
Garth Zeglin is a roboticist, artist, and educator with the IDeATe (Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology) program at Carnegie Mellon University. He teaches interdisciplinary design and technology practice, bringing together students from across departments to create robots and interactive machines.
This program is presented in ongoing partnership with the K&L Gates Endowment for Ethics Computational Technologies at Carnegie Mellon University.
Run time: 75 minutes + panel
Public Meeting | Update on Norfolk Southern Mediation
Monday, Apr 18, 2022
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Manchester Citizens Corporation
1319 Allegheny Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Mayor Gainey, Councilman Wilson, and Councilman Lavelle will be co-hosting a public meeting on Monday, April 18 at 6:00 pm at the Manchester Citizens Corporation (1319 Allegheny Avenue).
Registration Required: PRC Household Chemical Collection Event
Saturday, April 16, 2022
8:45 am – 1:45 pm
PPG Paints Arena
1001 Fifth Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
PRC’s Household Chemical Collection events are registration based. This allows us to control the flow of traffic into the event, ensuring an efficient and safe experience for the public and our staff and recycling partners. Tickets are available per person.
Procedures & Fee Structure
- $20 fee for up 10 gallons/50 lbs per vehicle*
- All forms of payment accepted
- All items MUST be placed in car trunk or truck bed
- Remain in your vehicle at all times
While registration for this event is free, there is a $20 fee per vehicle load of 10 gallons/50 lbs.
*Oversized loads will be subject to additional charges at the discretion of on-site staff.
*ADDITIONAL FEES: $12 per fire extinguisher; $15 per pound of liquid mercury
Please remember to arrive on site 5-10 minutes prior to your allotted collection time. All participants who have a registered time slot are guaranteed the opportunity to turn over their materials. Those who are late will be processed when an open spot becomes available.
$20 fee covers disposal of up to 10 gallons/50 lbs of the following materials:
- Aerosol cans
- Automotive fluids (e.g., motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze, kerosene, brake fluid)
- Batteries & Camp fuel/small propane bottles
- Chemistry sets & Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs: bulbs only- we do not accept fluorescent tubes)
- E-Cigarettes
- Gasoline and kerosene
- Household cleaners (ammonia, drain openers, acid cleaners, oven cleaners)
- Mercury thermometers
- Paint products (latex, oil based, alkyd based, arts/crafts chemicals, rust preservatives, creosote, water sealers, paint thinners, furniture strippers)
- Pesticides/garden (rodent killers, insecticides, weed killers, mothballs, fertilizer)
- Photo & Pool chemicals & Smoke Detectors
Please note that we cannot accept any of these items in leaky containers.
Tip: To avoid spills and damage to your vehicle, never put leaky containers into your car. If possible, transfer materials to a new container. Preserve the label and place in a zippered plastic bag to keep with replacement container. If you can’t transfer the material, you can isolate the leaky item by placing it in a zippered plastic bag, plastic bucket, etc.
Materials NOT Accepted
- Ammunition
- Appliances
- Commercial and industrial waste
- Compressed gas cylinders (large grill/medical)
- Explosives
- Flares
- Fluorescent tubes
- Leaking containers
- Medical waste (including needles and sharps)
- Prescription or non-prescription drugs
- PCBs and dioxins
- Radioactive materials
- Tires