Picklesburgh and the Strong Way Band

Steve and I drove downtown and found a free parking spot on Penn Avenue near the Heinz History Center.  Now it seems petty to mention that we parked for free ( and walked a ways to the Picklesburgh Fest) but some places were charging fifteen bucks.  Too much. Here’s a fact about pickles from the Picklesburgh Website

“PICKLE FACTS

AMERICANS CONSUME 26-BILLION PICKLES A YEAR, WHICH EQUALS NINE POUNDS OF PICKLES PER PERSON”

Our friend Roberta had invited us down to hear the music by Marc Reisman and the Strong Way Band  who were to play at seven. The sound stage was on the North Side of the Roberto Clemente Bridge so we made our way through the beer lines and booths to get there. I asked a few people if I might photograph their pickle themed food or t-shirt and everyone was more than cooperative.  In fact there was a sign about Photographic Consent which I had not seen before.  If you got on the bridge and into the Picklesburgh Festival you were consenting to be photographed.

 

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Kidney Gift of Life Gala

Tonight Steve and I were fortunate to attend the Kidney Gift of Life Gala -30th Anniversary at Heinz Field.

Pearls and Diamonds were the theme for the evening. Music was by a terrific band Protege (see video below)

Event Chairs were David J. Levenson, MD, Debra Caplan, MPA,and Beth M. Piraino, MD.

Many others volunteer and committees put in long hours of work to make the Gala evening such a wonderful success.

You might be familiar with his voice-Emcee- Jeff Hathhorn of KDKA 1020 Radio did a great job.

The Executive Director of the National Kidney Foundation Serving the Alleghenies, Erin L. Tuladzieck made opening remarks and then the Board Chair, Tom Ali thanked the members of the board and had them stand for a round of applause.

The Danka family spoke of their journey with kidney disease and multiple kidney transplants for three of them.

We learned a lot about kidney disease, kidney research and kidney transplantation and the need for increased funding. Also, the importance of increased awareness became clear as we heard the statistics. One in seven people will be affected by kidney disease. Millions of people already deal with it and many more people are walking around and don’t even know that they have kidney disease. Yet!

March is National Kidney Month.

We watched the screens as the ten minutes challenge to reach a goal of ten thousand dollars netted more than twenty thousand dollars in donations. They’ll be matched dollar for dollar. Very exciting to watch the temperature rise and go over. Wow!

When you scroll down you can see the photograph I donated to the event’s silent auction.

PETER KING AND THE FAST FRIENDS BAND

Fun time listening to Peter King and Fast Friends Band –

Live Music Saturday night in Aspinwall across the Allegheny River at The Tavern in the Wall.

Peter King

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Fast Friends

 

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Mark Perna on Bass.

241EC58C-5C2C-4684-8292-219F4EC8669E Eric Kurtzrock on Drums.

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Marc Reisman on Harmonica.

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Playing the Blues.

 

Bloomfield Bridge Tavern Farewell

Bloomfield Bridge Tavern Farewell

A real Pittsburgh experience.  Bittersweet evening. After three decades of successful business, a favorite institution was closing and we were there for the final night. Gracious owners and hosts Steve and Lynn Frankowsi ensured we felt like adopted family.

SATURDAY night we drove over to Bloomfield, We got there early as by the end of the evening it was standing room only.  We ate a Polish Platter, sipped some drafts and listened to some lively music by Ploughman’s Lunch.

We purchased our souvenir BBT t- shirts to commemorate the evening.

I took photos to document the farewell party to Bloomfield Bridge Tavern.

Steve and Lynn

Our hosts Steve and Lynn Frankowski

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On the left, Mr. Stanley Frankowski, original owner of the Bloomfield Tavern . John Hayes wrote in Mr. Frankowski’s obituary “Mr. Frankowski had a soft spot for struggling artists, and the tavern became and continues to be an important entry-level venue for local rock bands. Many of Pittsburgh most popular bands, including Rusted Root and The Clarks, played at the tavern in their infancy. Years before musical concept artists Squonk Opera took their show to the Broadway stage, they took it to the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern.”

John HaysSince 2005, John Hayes has organized and emceed every Tuesday Open Stage Night helping many young singers and songwriters get started on their musical careers.

Drummer Dennis Childers and the band Ploughman’s Lunch.

Karl Mullen and John Hayes

Karl Mullen Frontman of Ploughman’s Lunch and John Hayes

Osheas

First date at BBT over twenty years and two kids later.  Meet Cynthia and Michael O’Shea.

 

Performance Artist Phat Man Dee has some wild light up shoes from Amazon.  They kept changing colors and oh say can you see, she sang a crowd pleasing number with the band.

outside the front door Liberty Ave

Sister-in-law Mary Jane wore the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern party Underwear to her Father-in-law’s funeral twelve years ago.  She held it to the light for me to take a photo.

On thing is certain.  This popular local treasure and venue is going to be missed.

 

 

 

Dancing in the Streets at the Italian Festival (2 images)

Saturday night, Steve and I’d eaten dinner and I was working on some photo project and he said, Do you want to go to the Italian Festival? So we did. The neighborhood of Bloomfield hosts Little Italy Days (the 9th year according to the banner behind the band) Wish I had the playlist to post.Let’s just say I knew them all.  “I Saw Her Standing There.” (’60’s music as well)  . The band played straight with not even a breath between numbers and they closed the evening with Donna Summer’s “Last Dance”.  Finesse Band website for more info. Turns out they have opened for Earth Wind and Fire and Chicago.  Anyway,  after a few numbers the young dancers made there way to the space up by the main stage but they started out behind the barricade down the street. Their energy and enthusiasm added a lot to the crowd’s enjoyment.

Bloomfield Neighborhood in Pittsburgh
Enjoying the music from long before they were born!

Road Crew Rests-18th & Carson St. Southside

Waiting to set up for a band or maybe just finished unloading the back of the truck.

I  sat at the red light and took a quick shot  as one waved to me.

Roadies and Band Equipment
Roadies and Band Equipment

Would credit them but don’t know the band.