Patrons attend a 2018 performance at Hartwood Acres. Photo courtesy of Allegheny County Music Festival.

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Enjoy free performances from local and national performers 

In another step toward post-quarantine normalcy, Allegheny County officials announced the lineup for the annual summer concert series, which combines local favorites — such as The Jaggerz, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Tamburitzans — with Berlin, Spyro Gyra, Average White Band, The Jayhawks, The Spin Doctors, Indigo Girls and other national acts.

The concert series runs June through September at the South Park Amphitheater (3700 Farmshow Dr. in South Park) and at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater (4070 Middle Road in Allison Park). All concerts are free and begin at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine, except for the symphony’s two performances which start at 8:15 p.m. There is no covered seating, but guests are welcome to set up pop-up tents and umbrellas.

Hartwood Acres will also host the 21st Annual Allegheny County Musical Festival with The Commonheart on Sept. 5. A $20 per vehicle requested donation benefits children and youth receiving services through the Department of Human Services or the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Since 2000, the festival has raised more than $535,000.

Due to the pandemic, audiences will be asked to remain seated when watching performances. The county’s concert series will follow state and CDC guidelines, which allow people who are fully vaccinated to attend without wearing a mask. A section specifically for those who are vaccinated will also be set aside at the front of the stage. Audience members will be expected to observe physical distancing and the site will have additional hand sanitizer and garbage and recycling stations.

Food trucks and Hop Farm Brewing Company will be set up at all concerts starting at 6 p.m. Dogs are welcome but must remain leashed at all times and be up to date on vaccinations and licensing.

Najee Harris will salute Pittsburgh Public Schools grads at drive-in event

On May 22 in Carnegie Science Center’s North Parking Lot, graduating seniors from Pittsburgh Public Schools will participate in a drive-in style Promise Senior Signing Day signifying their post-graduation plans to attend more than 150 institutions of higher learning. Two major corporate gifts to The Pittsburgh Promise will be announced. Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris will be the guest speaker and there will be a DJ and a distribution of free college bedding. The lot opens at 9:30 a.m.

New track and field complex at RMU

P3R and Robert Morris University are teaming up to revamp the track and field complex at the school. Construction is underway on the P3R Track & Field located at RMU’s Island Sports Center, starting with resurfacing of the track. SportsPITTSBURGH will work closely with P3R to bring events from around the country to the upgraded facility.

Strip District town hall meeting (in-person)

Strip District Neighbors is holding its first in-person town hall since January 2020. The event will be held on June 17 at 5 p.m. at the Heinz History Center. Guests must wear a mask and adhere to social distancing. The meeting will also be broadcast via Zoom.

Cast of “Tiger King” coming to Homestead

Cast members from the Netflix docu-series “Tiger King” are coming to Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. “Uncaged: The Untold Stories from the Cast of Tiger King” will feature John Reinke, Saff, Joshua Dial and Barbara Fisher in a live moderated conversation about 2020’s most bizarre and addictive TV show. Comedian Todd McComas will moderate the event, which includes a 70-minute discussion and never-before-seen videos and photos of Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin, Doc Antle and others.

Broadway to Pittsburgh’s 2021-2022 season

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is tuning up for its 2021-2022 Broadway to Pittsburgh season, which starts this fall with a six-performance run of “The Band’s Visit” (Oct. 28-31). The Tony Award-winning production was forced to close halfway through its run last year due to the pandemic. Tickets are on sale now. Other shows include: “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” (Nov. 16-21), “Oklahoma!” (Jan. 4-9, 2022), “Pretty Woman” (Feb. 1-6, 2022), “Hamilton” (Feb. 22-March 13, 2022), “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” (March 18-20, 2022), “To Kill A Mockingbird” (April 19-24, 2022) and “Ain’t Too Proud” (May 17-22, 2022).

Provide your feedback on Downtown’s Mobility Plan

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership seeks feedback on its Downtown Mobility Plan, a multi-year effort to develop a vision and a decision-making framework for transportation and public priorities for the next decade. You can view and comment on the document online.

Kristy Locklin

Kristy Locklin is a North Hills-based writer. When she's not busy reporting, she enjoys watching horror movies and exploring Pittsburgh's craft beer scene.