May 2017 events: Ramp Crawl [1], Concert for Kids [2], Science Tots [3], SHIM Celebration [4], Historical Happenings [5], Mt. Lebanon Percussion Concert [6], Pittsburgh Wine Festival [7], Phipps’ May Market [8], Free Zoo Admission [9], The Sound of Music [10], Birdly Flight Simulator [11], PYC Auditions [12], Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community [13], BioBlitz [14], SciFi at the Science Center [15], Special Olympics at the Golf Course [16], Memorial Day Junior Open [17]
Ramp Crawl
Oakland For All—Beyond Accessible is hosting its 3rd Annual Ramp Crawl on Friday, May 5. The event invites Pittsburghers to enjoy Oakland’s ADA-compliant food and beverage locations while raising awareness of the importance of accessibility. Ramp crawl locations include The Porch, Fuel & Fuddle, Stack’d Burgers & Beer and more. Registration is $20. Participants receive a free T-shirt, complimentary drink and gift bag. www.OnlyInOakland.org [18].
Concert for Kids
Fiddlesticks is back at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and he’s taking kids on a musical adventure around the world. The concert begins at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, at Heinz Hall, and will feature composers such as Gershwin and Rimsky-Korsakov, who were inspired by the melodies of their home countries. If families come early, around 10, they can also enjoy Discovery Time Adventures activities throughout Heinz Hall.
www.PittsburghSymphony.org [19]
Science Tots
Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Science Tots is hosting a day of free STEAM events for kids on Sunday, May 21, at Station Square from 2 to 7 p.m. Kids up to 9 years old are welcome, and registration is not required. Please note: The previous week-long event at the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon has been cancelled. www.ScienceTots.org [20]
SHIM Celebration
South Hills Interfaith Movement’s (SHIM) annual fund-raising benefit, “Celebrate the South Hills with SHIM,” will be Wednesday, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe. Suzy and Jim Broadhurst of Block 292 and Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, have been selected to receive the new South Hills Champions award. The event will include a reception, dinner, presentation and bidding opportunities. www.SHIMcares.org [21]
Historical Happenings
The Historical Society of Mount Lebanon is hosting two tours this month. First, the “St. Paul’s Stained Glass & Tea” tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The event will include a tour of the church’s stained glass windows, followed by high tea and a brief presentation on the history of the other churches in the area. Next, the “Bell, Book & Scandal” tour will take place Wednesday, May 31, at 6 p.m. This hardly-any-walking tour begins in the library, then visits a historic intersection before retiring to Southminster Presbyterian Church to learn about its stained-glass windows and famous bells. www.LeboHistory.org [22]
Marimbas and More
Don’t miss Mt. Lebanon Percussion’s spring concert, which will run for four performances over Memorial Day Weekend at the high school auditorium stage. Concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, and Friday, May 26. A special, one-hour family matinee will be Saturday, May 27, at 1 p.m., with a senior recognition concert later in the evening at 7.
www.mtlpercussion.org [23]
MOM’S CORNER
Wine Festival
The Pittsburgh Wine Festival, which was named one of the top 10 wine shows in the country by The Quarterly Review of Wine, is coming to Heinz Field on Thursday, May 4. Now 15 years old, the festival will feature more than 400 wines from around the world, fine foods and expertise from professional vintners.
www.PittsburghWineFestival.com [24]
May Market
Now in its 81st year, the Phipps Conservatory May Market has become a favorite local Mother’s Day weekend tradition. The market opens Friday, May 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and admission to the conservatory will be half price for National Public Gardens Day. The market is also open Saturday, May 13, from 9:30 a.m.. to 5 p.m. Shoppers can peruse unique plants, gardening tools, jewelry and more, while consulting with Phipps’ gardening experts. The market is free and open to the public.
www.Phipps.Conservatory.org [25]
Free Zoo Admission
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is offering free admission to mothers on Mothers Day, Sunday, May 14. Mothers of all generations can enjoy the zoo for free when accompanied by their children. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.PittsburghZoo.org [26]
Something Good
Treat Mom to a timeless musical classic this Mother’s Day. The Hollywood Theater has chosen The Sound of Music for its Breakfast and a Movie series on Sunday, May 14. A light brunch will begin at 10:15, and the film will follow at 11. Film-only tickets are also available. www.TheHollywoodDormont.org [27]
EXTRA, EXTRA!
Fly Like A Bird
The National Aviary’s new Birdly® experience is now open and will become a permanent exhibit. Birdly is an advanced full-body simulation of the swooping, diving and gliding feeling of a bird in flight. Aviary guests will don a virtual reality headset, climb onto the machine, fit their arms into the simulator’s “wings” and fly around New York City while the machine simulates the sensation and streams the flight onto a large monitor so that onlookers can also get a sense of the experience. The machine, one of only two in the country, is open during regular Aviary hours. www.Aviary.org [28]
PYC Auditions
The Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, a regional choral ensemble for young singers, is holding auditions for its 2017-2018 season on Monday, May 8, at Duquesne University from 6 to 8 p.m. Kids who will be in third grade and above in September are encouraged to audition. It is a rehearsal-style audition, so no audition prep is necessary. Registration is required. www.PittsburghYouthChorus.org [29].
Walk for a Healthy Community
Last year, the Pittsburgh’s Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community raised over $444,000 for 78 health and human service organizations. The 2017 walk will be held on Saturday, May 13, at Stage AE. The walk features a pet-friendly 5K route, plus a one-mile “fun walk,” refreshments, entertainment and prizes beginning at 9 a.m. www.WalkForAHealthyCommunity.org [30]
BioBlitz
The Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy will conduct an intensive 24-hour biological survey, called a “BioBlitz,” at Bird and Robb Hollow parks, from Friday, May 19, at 6 p.m. through Saturday, May 20. Interact with scientists and experts as they make observations and identify all plant and animal species present in the parks. www.LeboNature.org [31]
SciFi at the Science Center
You are never too old for the Carnegie Science Center. In fact, the science center’s 21+ nights were created specifically for adults who want to experience the exhibits and enjoy a few drinks in a kid-free environment. The 21+ event on Friday, May 19, at 6 p.m. features a science fiction theme, cash bar, snacks and a discount on the Omnimax movies and laser shows. www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org [32]
Special Olympics at the Golf Course
Cheers to Mt. Lebanon golf course for hosting the Special Olympics of Allegheny County’s regional qualifier tournament for the past 20 years! The 2017 tournament will be held Monday, May 22, at 10 a.m., and more than 20 golfers will be competing. www.so-ac.org [33].
Tennis Tournament
The Mt. Lebanon Memorial Day Junior Open [34] will be held May 26 to 29 at the Tennis Center. Boys and girls singles and doubles teams are invited to participate, and registration is open to all USTA members. The registration deadline is Wednesday, May 17. Tournament ID: 350028217