This weekend in the Northside: Donate blood in honor of Office Calvin Hall, enjoy a slumber party-themed MAKEnight at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, attend the School of Drag Showcase at The Warhol Museum, and more.

Photo: The Andy Warhol Museum by Bridget Fertal

Thursday, August 22

Blood Drive in Honor of Officer Calvin Hall

For the month of August, Pittsburgh Police are holding a blood drive in honor of Officer Calvin Hall. This week it’s at Allegheny General Hospital from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officer Hall was stationed at the Northview Heights police station and was killed in July while off-duty. The donations will save lives in the community, which has experienced an unprecedented blood shortage this summer. You may donate at any Vitalant (Central Blood Bank) blood drive. At the time of your donation, simply mention to staff that you are donating in Officer Hall’s memory or mention the group code Z0021100. Click here for more information.

MAKEnight: Slumber Party (21+) at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

You won’t want to sleep on this MAKEnight! It’s a night full of making, food, drink, and more. It’s all the fun of a slumber party, but you get to sleep in your own bed at night! – Make a dream sachet full of calming herbs for under your pillow – Make your own bathbombs. – Make friendship bracelets! – Rest easy tonight on your own hand embroidered or sewn pillow. – Make your own dream journal with book binding and leather stamping – Build a fort! Don’t worry, it’s parent approved. – Can’t fall asleep? Count the sheep around the museum! You could head home with a special prize if you win them all. – Load up with treats at the Popcorn bar! – Enjoy homemade Mac and Cheese provided by City Fresh Pasta – Enjoy White Russians made with Ustianochka – Real Russian Vodka – Beer, wine, and all the pop classics will be served. You are welcome to wear your comfiest (but appropriate!) pajamas. More information available via Facebook or on the Children’s Museum website.

Friday, August 23

Pat Coyle ‘Iridescent Cue’ EP Release Show Ft. Natural Rat, Anthony Heubel and the High Lonesome Band, The Childlike Empressat at The Government Center

Doors at 7, Music at 8, BYOB, $5-10 suggested donation. More information available via Facebook.

School of Drag Showcase at The Warhol Museum

This is the School of Drag program finale, a showcase featuring performances from the School of Drag students and instructors. The Warhol’s School of Drag teaches teens the history, culture, and practice of drag and gender-bending performance over the course of a seven-week program. Andy Warhol pioneered the representation of gender nonconformity and the use of drag queens in both his film and artworks and embraced this LGBTQ+ community’s cultural practice as an avenue of creative expression. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Event is from 7 to 9 p.m. Please note that seating is first come, first served. The Warhol is committed to offering inclusive, engaging experiences for people of all abilities. To request accommodations to enhance your visit, please contact [email protected] or call 412.237.8354. More information is available on The Warhol Museum’s website.

Saturday, August 24

Brighton Heights HALC Community Day

Family fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Open to the public. Miniature golfing, Bingo, 50/50 Raffle, Jewelry Table, Chinese Auction, Music, Arts & Crafts for Children & Face Painting
Purchase food tickets for Hot Dog Combo. Location: Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Center (HALC), 3515 McClure Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

5th Annual Allegheny West Art Show + Sale

The Opening Reception of the 5th Annual Allegheny West Art Show & Sale will be Saturday, August 24th from 6:30-10pm. All are welcome to come out to see what has become a large and diverse show of work by artists across the region, and hopefully buy a piece or two! An art auction benefiting the community food pantry, the Northside Community Food Pantry, will also be part of the night. The exhibition will be open to the public on Sunday, August 25th 12-5:30pm, as well. Contact Dennis Bergevin for more information at [email protected]. More information available via Facebook.

Meet Me at the Fountain at Allegheny Commons Park

Join National Aviary Ornithologist, Bob Mulvihill, on a leisurely bird walk starting at 10 a.m. from the recently restored Northeast Fountain in Allegheny Commons to the National Aviary and back. Pittsburgh’s oldest park is home to some of the city’s oldest trees, and these provide stopover habitat for a wide variety of migratory birds like Scarlet Tanagers, Yellow Warblers, Wood Thrushes, and Red-eyed Vireos. Bring your binoculars if you have them, and keep an eye and ear out for birds as you walk along the wide Victorian-era promenade paralleling North Avenue toward Lake Elizabeth. Walk through the historic Rose Garden and around the National Aviary to its East Entrance to see a beautiful rock garden and glimpse Andean Condors and other birds that call the National Aviary’s outdoor Condor Court habitat home. More information is available here.

Sunday, August 25

Grooming at Wagsburgh

Have your pups nails, paw pads, or ears touched up by Doggone Delightful’s, Karen Streb. Karen is amazing with taking her time and making your pup feel comfortable. She’s been known to even sing to calm the furkids while she does her magic. Nail trimming – $10; Paw pad trimming – $10; Ear cleaning – $8. Walk-ins welcomed. No appointment necessary. Event time is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information available via Facebook.

Vigil To Celebrate The Life Of Sheldon Stoudemire

Please join your community on the steps of Northside Common Ministries at 1601 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 on Sunday, August 25th, 2019 at 2:00pm for a vigil to celebrate the life of Sheldon Stoudemire and to witness to the devastating destruction caused in communities by senseless gun violence. Sheldon worked with the Northside Common Ministries for approximately two years and had been a dedicated member of the staff and passionately cared about the well-being of the men in the shelter. Sheldon was a fixture in his neighborhood working tirelessly through boxing and other activities to help direct young men on the right path towards stable lives and away from gun violence. At 3am on Saturday July 27th Sheldon lost his life to gun violence at the front entrance of Pleasant Valley shelter at part of NCM. Direct your questions to Jay Poliziani, director of Northside Common Ministries, at [email protected].

Blood Drive in Honor of Officer Calvin Hall

For the month of August, Pittsburgh Police are holding a blood drive in honor of Officer Calvin Hall. This time it’s at the Northside Institutional Church (on North Ave) from noon to 4 p.m. Officer Hall was stationed at the Northview Heights police station and was killed in July while off-duty. The donations will save lives in the community, which has experienced an unprecedented blood shortage this summer. You may donate at any Vitalant (Central Blood Bank) blood drive. At the time of your donation, simply mention to staff that you are donating in Officer Hall’s memory or mention the group code Z0021100. Click here for more information.

Have an event you’d like us to feature online in the Northside Happenings? Every week on our website, we announce free or almost-free events happening in the Northside on Thursdays through Sundays. Fill out our Google Form or email a paragraph detailing the name of the event, location, specifics and a website or contact information to [email protected]. Deadline is 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before the weekend.