Ten Events To Make August Awesome In Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA - Hard to believe, but it won’t be long before the kids are back in school, leaves are beginning to fall from trees and daylight hours are becoming noticeably shorter. That’s how quickly the summer goes.

That means you should make the most of these dwindling summer days. Get out and take advantage of the warm weather before Pittsburgh’s dreaded seven-month winter begins.

Because Patch is your buddy, we came up with 10 fun events that should help keep your mind off the fact you’ll soon need to take that parka out of storage. Consider these arts and entertainment options in August:

• Replay FX, Aug. 1-4, David L. Lawrence Convention Center

Replay FX showcases the largest arcade in the world, featuring more than 1,000 classic arcade and pinball machines, hundreds of console systems ranging from the original Magnavox Odyssey to the XBox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and virtual reality systems, as well as PC gaming and tabletop. The arcade is managed by the Replay Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving gaming-related history and technology.

• Jeff Lynne's ELO, Aug. 1, PPG Paints Arena

Jeff Lynne and his legendary Electric Light Orchestra will come to Pittsburgh in 2019 for the first time in 38 years. The band will conclude its North American tour with this show.
Known for hits such as "Evil Woman," "Telephone Line," "Turn to Stone," "Livin' Thing," and "Mr. Blue Sky," ELO was a mainstay of 1970s and early 1980s radio. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
ELO last played Pittsburgh in October 1981 at the old Civic Arena.

• Heart, Aug. 1, KeyBank Pavilion

Is there anyone under 60 performing in Pittsburgh on Aug. 1? Apparently not. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, who have been entertaining fans since "Dreamboat Annie" was released in 1976 will bring their Love Alive tour here. Expect to hear the usual standards such as "Magic Man," "Barracuda," "Crazy On You," "Heartless" and more.

• EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, Aug. 2-4, Point State Park

By now, you probably know what to expect at the annual regatta: the 150 mph F1 Powerboat races, the zany Anything That Floats Race, freestyle jet skiers, the sand sculpture area, marketplace, kids zone, funnel cakes, live entertainment and fireworks. The festivities this year also will include a premiere by performance artists Squonk Opera that will feature giant puppet hands.

• “Hello Dolly,” Aug. 6-11, Benedum Center,

Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley stars in this new Pittsburgh CLO production of this timeless classic. The musical follows the story of Dolly Gallagher Levi, a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.

• Train and the Goo Goo Dolls, Aug. 7, KeyBank Pavilion

Expect a long night of nostalgia with these two acts. Debuting in 1993, the Grammy Award winning Train is best known for the 2001 hit "Drops of Jupiter." Dating back to 1986, the Goo Goo Dolls are known for the hit single "Iris" featured in the film "City of Angels."

• Fresh Fest Beer Festival, Aug. 10, Nova Place, North Side

Enjoy this showcase of unique craft beers, ciders, and spirits made by some of the nation’s most talented brewers. Also enjoy some of Pittsburgh's best food trucks on site and live music throughout the evening.

• Little Italy Days, Aug. 15-18, Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield

The region’s largest heritage festival kicks off Aug. 15 with celebrity bocce and The Italian Granati Brothers. On Aug. 15, see the Magic Moments. The weekend also will include Earth Wind & Fire tribute band Let’s Groove Tonight, Elvis impersonator Randy Galioto, The Mystics 50th anniversary, Little Miss Italy, Penguins national anthem singer Jeff Jimerson and street vendors.

• Riverlife Party at the Pier, Aug. 23, Rivers Casino Amphitheater

This summer riverfront party returns to celebrate the organizations 20th anniversary. verlife's founders. Take in the views of the downtown skyline while enjoying mouth-watering bites, creative cocktails, complimentary boat rides on the Gateway Clipper Feet, live music and dancing from Move Makers, a 360-degree photo booth and other surprises on the waterfront.

• Rock, Reggae and Relief, Aug 24-25, Market Square

This Caribbean-inspired benefit festival that benefits the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance will feature the music of Gavin DeGraw, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ghost Hounds, The Expendables, Roots of Creation, Ras Prophet, Magic and Flow Band.