When it comes to live performances in the city, Pittsburgh has no shortage of venues and performing arts groups looking to entertain.
During a recent trip down to the Cultural District I was lucky enough to take in a dress rehearsal screening of the Pittsburgh Opera's rendition of Salome. Between enjoying the ambiance of one of our favorite performing arts venues, the Benedum Center, and taking in the show, it was yet another incredible night out in downtown Pittsburgh.
Doors Open Pittsburgh is a new annual event in the city where local businesses and public offices open their doors to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at their architecture, interior designs, and inner-workings. As it is our quest to experience everything Pittsburgh has to offer, we found this event to be a great way for us to see a side of the city that is normally removed from the public eye.
After exploring countless properties downtown over the course of the weekend, we have decided to share some of our favorites today in order to inspire you to get out and check out the next Doors Open event!
(Note– Several of the properties featured below are open to the public outside of the Doors Open event, so in some cases you may not have to wait until the next event date to go explore!)
If you're like us, odds are good you pass through Garfield quite often but very rarely stop to explore. There was likely a good reason for this, as it wasn't until recently that this neighborhood began a massive revitalization. Thankfully we are here to say that businesses are starting to come back and push the neighborhood into the spotlight.
Out of all of the businesses types that have opened up in Garfield in recent months, none are more abundant than independent galleries run by local artists. Be it public galleries, DIY workshop spaces, and everything in between, Garfield is quickly becoming home to some of Pittsburgh's most talented artisans.
But there is one problem- you probably don't know any of these exist. Factor in odd working hours, subtle storefront signage, and the low foot traffic in the neighborhood and you may not notice the true revival that is underway when you drive through.
Enter Unblurred, the neighborhood's first Friday event that is changing the perception of this neighborhood one month at a time.
Pittsburgh is very fortunate to have a thriving arts scene. For those who are looking to take in a show or performance, odds are good you'll be heading to one of the many halls and theaters in Cultural District right in the heart of downtown to make it happen.
For a recent show we made our way to the historic Heinz Hall to check out the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as they put on yet another incredible performance worthy of their 100-year history.
Much to the chagrin of music lovers in the city, Pittsburgh's concert scene often gets poor reviews. Sure, a super group may play at Acrisure Stadium once a year, a few big bands will play at the impossibly frustrating First Niagara Pavilion, and smaller but still well known bands may show up at Stage AE from time to time.
The frustration music fans have stems not from a lack of venues, we do have quite a few in the area, but more from the fact that for whatever reason, the huge bands people want to see just don't come here like in other cities. (To be fair, the music scene of lesser known groups can be quite good if you are looking for it).
Luckily for us, one of our favorite bands, the bluegrass-inspired Punch Brothers led by MacArthur Fellowship award winner Chris Thile (a musical God if there ever was one), loves to play in Pittsburgh and often hit a new venue during each visit. The most recent of which led us to a night out at Mr. Small's Theater in Millvale, where we have one of the most enjoyable music experiences in recent memory.