Check ‘em out!

Cinema In The Park – June 2009

Every summer, CitiParks, the City of Pittsburgh Parks & Recreation Department, programs free movies in parks throughout Pittsburgh.

The films generally start around dusk.

Three Rivers Arts Festival – Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 14

Three Rivers Arts Festival remains among the longest free arts events of its kind in the United States. “In these economic times, Three Rivers Arts Festival is more important than ever,” said Deborah L. Acklin, Three Rivers Arts Festival advisory board chair. “The Festival’s new home at The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust allows the Festival to continue presenting a robust schedule of free, high-quality, family-friendly art activities and performances.”

PRIDE Pittsburgh – Monday, June 8 – Sunday, June 14

Business for Breakfast – Wednesday, June 10, 8AM – 9:30AM

On June 10, attend the best networking event Pittsburgh has to offer at Business for Breakfast, a monthly executive networking breakfast co-sponsored by the Pittsburgh Business Times and Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

When: 2009-06-10, 8:00am – 9:30am
Location: Joseph-Beth Booksellers SouthSide Works, 2705 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
Cost: $25.00 – $100.00

Attend Building a Better Business Plan and talk with a professional consultant. Learn the importance of why you need a business plan at the ready. Topics covered are how to outline a business plan, its major components, and what to include in them.

With the summer season on the horizon, the Regional Internship Center (RIC) is proud again to present the 7th Annual Interns Summer Program: Interns 2009: Connect. Experience. Explore.

The Summer Program will offer hundreds of interns a chance to meet and socialize with each other while introducing them to the distinct attractions of the Pittsburgh region. This opportunity offers interns invaluable experience in terms of professional development like networking while combining entertaining activities in a welcoming atmosphere.

Twitter: You know why, this is HOW TO! – Friday, June 12, 8AM – 10AM

Learn how to use Twitter to meet the needs of your organization.

Learn the capabilities and options you have on Twitter and how and why to implement them.
Walk through a Twitter account and learn from real-life examples.

Mattress Factory’s 2009 URBAN GARDEN PARTY – Friday, June 12, 7PM – 11PM

The rumors abound. Did Keith Richards really receive a blood transfusion before jumping on a Swiss stage in 1973? Did Van Halen really insist that all brown M&Ms be removed from their backstage bowl? Did Guns & Roses honestly request a hot tub filled with models?

This is your chance to go behind the curtain & backstage as the truth, fiction and mystery of the rock-n-roll velvet rope are exposed. The Mattress Factory and Rich & CIndy Engler team up to present the 2009 Urban Garden Party.

HEARTH’s Tea & Green Golf Event – Monday, June 15, 10AM – 7PM

THE ENVIRONMENT’S IMPACT ON YOU – Wednesday, June 17, 6:30PM – 8PM

How does YOUR environment impact YOUR health?  What is more important – the products you use every day, or the effects of your outdoor surroundings?

We’ll review a typical day of two of our favorite citizens and 1. unveil the kinds of things they are exposed to every day – in their daily habits, their home and their neighborhood, 2. learn about the impact our world has on US, and 3. give suggestions for changes you can make that will impact YOUR health.

Join us at the New Hazlett Theater!

AMA Summer Mixer – Thursday, June 18, 5:30PM – 7:30PM

Animal Rescue League’s 2009 Paw Prints Gala – Saturday, June 13, 7PM – 10PM

Kennywood Tweetup – Sunday, June 14

Enjoy a nice summer day at Kennywood Park with your favorite Twitter Friends.

DCI Pittsburgh – Monday, June 22 7PM – 11PM

Six of The World’s Top Drum & Bugle Corps Scheduled to Appear:

Holy Name Cadets – Allentown, PA

Carolina Crown – Ft. Mill, SC

Glassmen – Toledo, OH

Boston Crusaders – Boston, MA

Colts – Dubuque, IA

Capital Regiment – Columbus, OH

Pittsburgh Symphony & Chaka Khan Community Benefit Concert – Thursday, June 25, 8PM – 11PM

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is proud to present R&B legend Chaka Khan on June 25 at Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh.  An accomplished singer and Multi-Grammy and BET Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Chaka Khan’s recording career spans five decades.

Joining resident conductor, Lawrence Loh and Ms. Khan will be this year’s 2009 Sphinx Competition 1^st Place Laureate, Cellist Tony Rymer.

Bucco Tweetup – Saturday, June 27, 5PM – 11PM

Heritage Celebration- Join us to celebrate Pittsburgh’s rich history of Negro League Baseball with throwback uniforms, a Homestead Grays cap giveaway and FIREWORKS on Saturday night to top it all off.

Scratch ‘N Win Saturday- Everyone in the ballpark is guaranteed to win a prize from Eat ‘N Park. Nine lucky fans will also win a premium Pirates prize. Presented by Eat ‘N Park

Full Bloom 2009 Summer Dance Party – Saturday, June 27, 7PM – Midnight

]]> http://chrislugo.com/events-youll-dig-june-2009/feed/ 0 http://chrislugo.com/events-youll-dig-may-2009/ http://chrislugo.com/events-youll-dig-may-2009/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 17:07:18 +0000 Chris Lugo http://chrislugo.com/?p=507 Here are some great Pittsburgh networking and community Events You’ll Dig for May.  If you have an interesting networking or community event, then leave the info (and link) as a comment and I’ll get it up!

[Updated List]

Friendship Flower & Folk Festival – Saturday, May 9, 11AM – 4PM

At the festival guests will enjoy acoustic, folk, and bluegrass music from many of the best local performers and ongoing demonstrations by the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Skateboarding with Mr. Smalls, Fresh Heirlooms and Zumba by Penn Avenue’s Jennifer Quinio.

Visitors will also learn more about the Friendship community and get a chance to meet and mingle with Friendship neighbors!  Kids will enjoy the craft tables, street space for bikes and skates as well as a special kids raffle.

Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art – Monday, May 11, 5:30PM – 11PM

Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art raises money for Persad Center’s Free Care Fund.

Persad Center remains committed to providing care regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. Last year, the agency provided nearly $400,000 in free and subsidized services for people who could not otherwise afford care.

PRSA Speed Networking – Monday, May 11, 5:30PM – 7:30PM

PRSA Pittsburgh wants to bail you out! Please join us for a speed networking event where we’ll be taking out the step of approaching others with quick, organized sessions where you will be paired with others to network. Who knows who you’ll meet and what opportunities lay ahead? Don’t forget your business cards, and have your “elevator speech” ready!

Only $5 (at the door) with complimentary appetizers and cash bar.

Showcase Career Expo – Tuesday, May 12, 11AM – 3PM

Pittsburgh’s Best Job Fair…come find your next job – interview with dozens of Pittsburgh area employers in one day!

Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival – Wednesday, May 13 – Sunday, May 17

Business for Breakfast – Wednesday, May 13, 8AM – 9:30AM

Attend Pittsburgh’s hottest networking event and get connected at Business for Breakfast.

Join us for Business for Breakfast. Network with fellow business professionals, enjoy a continental breakfast, and listen to an interesting and informative speaker on May 13 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. This monthly networking event is co-presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times and Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

Search Marketing Day – Wednesday, May 13, 8AM – 4PM

How to use the power of Search Marketing to drive revenue, profits and awareness.

Search Marketing has risen to become the fastest growing online ad segment. What is currently a $14 billion industry is positioned to grow to be over $20 billion by 2012, according to industry analysts.

AMA New Member Orientation/Job Hunt Support Group – Thursday, May 14, 8AM – 9AM

Please join your fellow marketers and the American Marketing Association Pittsburgh Chapter Board at our Spring Orientation. As a special service, we also invite our Job Hunting Support Group to attend.

Who Should Attend:

1. New Members looking to learn more about the benefits and uses of their AMA membership.
2. Current Members looking to get more out of their membership.
3. Non-Members looking to find out what the AMA is all about.

Pittsburgh Career Fair – Thursday, May 14, 11AM – 2PM

Company List (Career Fair Guide)

Aaron’s Sales & Lease

Aetna

Aflac

American General Life and Accident

Army National Guard

Avon

Club Prophet Systems

Creative Wealth Strategies

DEVRY UNIVERSITY

DISH NETWORK CALL CENTER

EDMC Online Higher Education

Education Management/The Art Institutes

Express Employment Professionals

First Investors Corp

Geneva College Adult & Graduate Studies

Mary Kay

Mt. Lebanon Police Department

PNC Bank

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

SERVPRO

TOPS Staffing, LLC

Waddell & Reed

Xango

Late Night at the Library: Deconstruction Party – Friday, May 15, 7PM – 10PM

PGH Party For A Purpose - Friday, May 15, 9PM – 2AM

Its time for another fantastic party from the folks behind Pittsburgh Party for a Purpose – every other month they get together to host a party at a local watering hole and the proceeds from the evening benefit an area non-profit. I stopped by the last Party for a Purpose back in February at Hough’s in Greenfield. I have to say Hough’s was really great (and our post inspired FoodBurgh to stop by for a full review – FoodBurgh has some great posts and it is great to see they are posting their updates on UrbanSpoon too!)

The next Pittsburgh Party for a Purpose is Friday May 14, 2009 at the Firehouse in the Strip District – all of the proceeds benefit the Homeless Children’s Education Fund.

A Taste of Oakland – Saturday, May 16, 12PM – 3PM

Wing-UP – Saturday, May 16, 3PM – 11PM

Yes, that’s right. The long-awaited wing tasting tweetup has been scheduled. Here’s the deal: – Everybody brings their favorite wings (how ever many dozen you care to share) and favorite beverages…

Twootenanny – Saturday, May 16, 7PM – 11:45PM

Announcing the very first TWOOTENANNY ever to be held in these here parts. Saturday, May 16th at The Squirrel Hill Café …

Walk and Dine: A Downtown Living Tour – Wednesday, May 20, 5PM – 11PM

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 20, 2009, the Sixth Annual Walk & Dine: a downtown living tour. Walk & Dine has grown in popularity over the past few years, quickly becoming one of the most anticipated events of the year. With the wide-variety of living options and Downtown’s attractive package of amenities for its residents, everyone from young professionals to empty-nesters now call Downtown their home.

OTB Bicycle Cafe Happy Hour – Sunday, May 24, 8PM – 11PM

Join geekstar.com and friends at South Side’s OTB (Over the Bar) Bicycle Cafe Sunday May 24th at 8:00 PM for food and drinks.

Feel free to invite friends. All ages welcome but must have ID to order from the bar.
Nearly 50 people came out for our last OTB happy hour in March!

http://www.otbbicyclecafe.com

Network Now – Wednesday, May 27, 12PM – 5PM

Professionals are invited to attend this event for FREE.  Come out and participate in open networking and meet valuable business contacts.

Women’s Small Business Association Network Lunch – Thursday, May 28, 1PM – 2PM

“Get Heard, get noticed, get leads!”

This is an informal networking event open to any business woman who would like to increase their business contacts. May 28, Silky’s Crow Nest, River Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15215

Lawrenceville Dog Park’s Game Night – Thursday, May 28, 8PM – 11PM

Game Night:

When – Thursday, May 28th (8PM – 11PM)
Where – Remedy – 5121 Butler Street

Ping pong, pool, board games and more! Bring your friends and spend an evening playing games and groovin’ to the tunes of DJ Randyspinster.

$5 suggested donation or pay what you can (this economy is for the dogs!)

Fundraiser to benefit the Lawrenceville Dog Park.

Boot Scootin’ Saturday – Saturday, May 30, 8PM – 12AM

Whodathunkit? A bunch of Yinz Team Twitterers are also country music fans. So, we’re going to dust off our boots and kick up our heels at Saddle Ridge. Come and dance, drink, watch and laugh with us.

Lawrenceville Resource Fair – Saturday, May 30, 12PM – 7PM

Our vision is to connect residents of Lawrenceville to resources like local businesses, non-profit organizations, churches, and more. There will also be entertainment, activities for kids, and food from local restaurants.

Feel THESE – 100% Totally Natural!

Let me start by saying I condone fake boobs.  That being said, when it comes to your business, reputation (branding), or communications – Organic Growth Rules!

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a website TweeterGetter.com which promises 19k+ Twitter followers in 30 days!

[If you're not sure what Twitter is, check this out]

While it’s definitely alluring to grab a flock of followers in flash, I can’t help but notice that Tweeter Getter is just the Pyramid Scheme de jour..err, Twitter.  Now, I know there are arguments FOR this service, but do you really expect to get something (a $hit ton of followers) for nothing?  What do I know…

Would you apply a similar Pyramid Scheme to your business?  Think about it:

• Grow too fast – how will you ensure quality products or services
• Experience good growth initially, then unsustainable sales
• Gain customers that don’t actually care or evangelize your business
• Don’t know who your customers ARE or  how can you provide value
• Backlash from those against this shady approach
• Damage to reputation/brand (5 yrs to build brand, 5 min to destroy)
• Etc.

Surely there are hundreds of other reasons the method above stinks.  I’m going to try the old fashioned (yet, modern-ish) approach to Twitter, my reputation, and business.  You can help me determine if this is a smart approach (or not):

• Know who my contacts are and how we can benefit each other
• Build my followers in a natural, organic way
• Engage in meaningful conversations
• Provide relevant information
• Gain friends, followers and peers who will HELP me when needed
• Help my friends, followers and peers
• Support the PGH community
• Learn as much about the community, industry and best practices – and SHARE
• Do GREAT work
• Exude Awesomeness

What do you think about TweeterGetter? Am I flat out wrong?  Is “Awesomeness” a word?

Photo credit: contraquien