Frick Art & Historical Center
June 5
7 p.m.
Recipe for a magical June night: pack a picnic, grab friends and family and spread a blanket out on the tranquil Great Lawn at the Frick Art & Historical Center. Toss in free live music under the stars and let that magical summer feeling take hold. For nature seeking urban dwellers, securing a coveted spot for the highly popular First Fridays series—which transforms one of Pittsburgh’s most beautiful outdoor settings into a communal concert venue—is a cherished summertime tradition.
Kicking off the 2015 season of First Niagara Presents First Fridays at the Frick on June 5th is Old Man Luedecke, aka Canadian singer-songwriter and banjo maestro Chris Luedecke. Hailing from Chester, Nova Scotia, the two-time Juno Award winner released his latest album, I Never Sang Before I Met You in 2014 on True North Records. Luedecke has also toured as a member of the Pan-Canadian New Folk Ensemble with Kim Barlow and Christine Fellows.
Mark your calendars for the entire season of First Fridays concerts:
July 3rd features the award-wining ensemble Carpe Diem Quartet, known for its electrifying performances of Gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz-inspired music blended with a traditional string quartet repertoire.
On August 7th, don’t miss sing-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger, who is perhaps best known as half of the indie rock duo The Fiery Furnaces. Friedberger’s second solo album, Personal Record, was released in 2013 on Merge Records.
Jazz fans should not miss the series’ culminating concert on September 4th featuring Opek Plays Strayhorn. Led by local jazz saxophonist Ben Opie, the musical ensemble will perform a tribute to the music of Pittsburgh native, pianist and longtime Duke Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn.
Attendees are invited to arrive early and create a gourmet picnic with selections from The Café at the Frick, which begins serving at 5:30 p.m. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $5 per adult. Open to all ages.
Looking to make the First Fridays rounds?
Mt. Lebanon kicks off their free series on Friday, June 5th along the Washington Road business district with music by Gringo Zydeco and Mike Medved, new Lawrenceville venue Spirit launches its free First Fridays lineup on June 5th with artwork by Laurie Trok and live music by Sleep Experiments and Unblurred showcases loads of programming along the Penn Avenue arts corridor.