May Events: Children’s Festival [1], Sunshine at South Park [2], The Sound of Music [3], Skywatch [4], Park cleanup [5], Washington Wild Things [6], An Evening of Percussion [7], Three Rivers Quilt Show [8], Rain Barrel Workshop [9], An Evening with Dan Libenson [10], Keynotes Competition [11] and Genealogical Society Presentation [12].
Editors’ Pick: CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Thursday to Sunday, May 16 to 19
Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to one of the nation’s largest children’s festivals? The Pittsburgh EQT Children’s Theater Festival [13] runs from 10 to 2 on Thursday, and from 10 to 5 from Friday to Sunday in the Cultural District. Guests of all ages can enjoy great food and entertainment, while exploring the world through theater, live music, dance and puppetry.
SUNSHINE AT SOUTH PARK
South Park has a great lineup of spring activities [14], and it is just 20 minutes away! Kids ages 6 to 13 can learn from a park ranger at Junior Park Ranger Training on Thursday, May 9. On Saturday, May 11, PAWS Across Pittsburgh is sponsoring an all-levels Puppy Yoga class, and on Sunday, May 19, people of all ages can learn about Pittsburgh frontier life at the Oliver Miller Homestead. Finally, on Thursday, May 23, the Tom Evans Big Band is playing a free concert at the South Park Ice Rink.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Thursday to Saturday, May 2 to 4
We don’t know about you, but the fact that Mt. Lebanon High School is doing The Sound of Music [15] this year is one of our favorite things. Enjoy this Rodgers and Hammerstein favorite while supporting our incredibly talented high school actors! Evening performances are at 7:30 each night, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
SKYWATCH
Friday, May 3
Meet on the first floor of the Carnegie Science Center [16] at either 8 or 10 p.m. for an evening of high-tech star gazing. The event begins with a virtual tour of the night sky in Buhl Planetarium, and then guests can participate in other planetarium programs or, if the night is clear, head up to the observatory. Bring your own telescope for free admission!
SPRUCING UP
Help the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy [17] clean up our parks! Wear comfortable clothes and meet at Bird Park at 9 a.m. on Saturdays, May 4 and 18. You can also mark your calendars for Robb Hollow Park on June 15, Twin Hills Park on July 20 and Bird Park on August 17. All park cleanups end by noon.
WATCHING THE WILD THINGS
Washington County’s Frontier League baseball team, the Wild Things [18], has its home opener against the Lake Erie Crushers on Friday, May 17. The Wild Things’ season includes firework and giveaway days, plus the popular Kids Eat Free Sunday games at their stadium at 1 Washington Federal Way.
AN EVENING OF PERCUSSION
Thursday to Saturday, May 23 to 25
In its biggest event of the year, Mt. Lebanon Percussion [19] showcases its nationally recognized concert ensembles, including African and Brazilian groups, keyboard and drum set ensembles and the drumline. Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. in the high school Fine Arts Theater each day, with a 1 p.m. family concert on Saturday. Tickets usually sell out early, so buy now.
QUILTING AT THE CASINO
Thursday to Saturday, May 9 to 11
“Circles” is the theme for the 36th Annual Three Rivers Quilt Show [20] at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino. View hundreds of quilts, watch demos and enter a raffle for a custom quilt made by guild members. Doors open at 10 a.m.
CELEBRATE THE RAIN!
Thursday, May 16
Join the Pennsylvania Resources Council at a rain barrel workshop [21], 6 p.m., at Mt. Lebanon Public Library. Designed with the home gardener in mind, participants will learn about watershed protection and leave with an easy-to-install 55-gallon rain barrel. Plus: Having a rain barrel can knock some money off your stormwater fee. Cost: $80/individual or $85/couple.
AN EVENING WITH DAN LIBENSON
Thursday, May 16
Founder and president of the Institute for the Next Jewish Future and co-host of the popular Judaism Unbound podcast, Dan Libenson is coming to the Hollywood Theater in Dormont to present “The Other Ten Commandments: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying-Up Judaism.” [22] General admission tickets are $5 and VIP Reception tickets are $25.
KEYNOTES COMPETITION
Saturday, May 18
Starting around 9 a.m. at the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theater, you can watch some of the finest musicians in our area and beyond compete at the Keynotes of the South Hills [23] Scholarship Competition. Stop by to watch a portion of the competition, or stay until the winners are announced around 3 p.m.
GENEALOGY SUPERSTAR
Monday, May 20
Pittsburgh-based certified genealogical researcher Rich Venezia will speak at the Mt. Lebanon Genealogy Society’s May meeting [24], 1 p.m., at Mt. Lebanon Public Library. Venezia, owner of Rich Roots Genealogy, was a member of the research team for Seasons 2 and 3 for PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow.