City Cast Pittsburgh
💸 A plan to improve South Side
May 21, 2026 · — Francesca Dabecco
Is Pittsburgh the best summer city? Tune into today’s podcast to hear our very own Megan Harris debate 11 other City Cast podcast hosts on which city is the best for a weekend trip. From hot tub boats to epic outdoor summer festivals, each host is bringing the best of what their city has to offer this season.
Can Megan beat out competitors from Chicago, DC, Denver, Las Vegas, Madison, Nashville, Philly, Portland, Salt Lake, Seattle, and Twin Cities?
What's CITY Talking About
Councilor Pitches South Side Improvement Plan
Councilman Bob Charland introduced legislation to create an improvement district along East Carson Street, with funding for public safety, storefront activation, beautification projects, and community events. The district would operate for five years with an estimated $500,000 annual budget, funded by contributions from local property owners. [TribLive]
- Explore the neighborhood: Check out the annual South Side Home & Garden Tour or the new weekly Sunday market at Velum Fermentation. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
Pittsburgh Public Theater Lays Off Staff
All staff members were told their positions had been eliminated on Tuesday and it would also be their last day of work. The layoffs come after Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh CLO agreed to merge into a new cultural institution earlier this year. [WTAE]
Downtown Office Tower To Become Affordable Housing
Renovation started this week to convert a 120-year-old office building on Smithfield Street into 46 housing units, most of which will be designated as affordable. The tower will also include a community room, children's playroom, and fitness center, and maintain two floors of office space. [Axios Pittsburgh]
Disney Store Sets Up at Ross Park Mall
Disney Store Limited Time opens this Saturday, featuring exclusive product lines and immersive sections dedicated to beloved characters and franchises. The temporary store — one of just two nationwide — will stay open through the winter holiday season. [WPXI]
Heinz Brings Back Glass Ketchup Bottles
The ketchup king is celebrating 157 years by putting its iconic glass bottles back on shelves for a limited time. The bottles are being sold exclusively at Walmart. [Parade]
- Is Heinz really the best ketchup? We put it to the test. [City Cast Pittsburgh]
Sponsored Content
Register Now for Pgh Book Fest
Paging all book lovers! Pgh Book Fest is back on Saturday, May 30 with events starting at 10 a.m. at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main in Oakland. The Festival is FREE and brings together readers of all ages for a day of author talks, poetry readings, workshops, and more.
Learn More at pghbookfest.org
What Neighbors Love
We’re back with recommendations from City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors 📣 This is a regular spot in the newsletter where members get to shine a light on their favorite local businesses, organizations, and events.
- 🍻 Meaghan S. wants to shout out Mondays Brewing in Greenfield. “It’s located where Hough's used to be. It’s a great neighborhood bar with a local selection of drinks. Usually they have wine, meade, and cider in addition to their beer. I’m partial to the Screaming Toddler beer 😅”
Want to share your own shoutout?
What To Do
Thursday, May 21
- 🥂 Artful Networking at August Wilson Center (Downtown)
- 🎤 Poet-Vocalist Erika Denae J at City of Asylum (North Side)
- 🍹 Herbaceous Libations at the PA Market (Strip District)
- 🌼 Camp Goldenrod x Sol Refill at Penn Forest (Verona)
- 🪴 Plant Bingo at Big Sewickley Creek Brewery (Sewickley)
- 🍟 Girl Dinner Experience at the Art Room (Strip District)
- 🤝 Art & Entrepreneurship Panel at the Warhol (North Shore)
- 🎨 Art Battle Pittsburgh at Atithi Studios (Sharpsburg)
- 🌱 Soil Disinfestation Talk with Grow Pittsburgh (Braddock)
- 🌈 Queer Craft Night at Assemble (Bloomfield)
- 📸 Fellowship 26 Opening at Silver Eye (Bloomfield)
- ☀️ Pay-What-You-Feel Yoga in Schenley Plaza (Oakland)
- 🧶 Punch Needle Embroidery with WorkshopPGH (Wilkinsburg)
- 🍳 May Garden Cooking Class at Third Space Bakery (Garfield)
- 💚 Wicked Trivia at City Kitchen (Larimer)
- 🌟 Cauldron of Creativity at Harold's Haunt (Millvale)
Friday, May 22
- 🎢 Bites and Pints at Kennywood Park through May 24 (West Mifflin)
- 🌊 Opening Day at Shore Thing (North Shore)
- ♊ Celestial Bodies: Gemini Szn at Spirit (Lawrenceville)
- 🎭 10 Minute Playfest at Glitterbox Theater through May 23 (West Homestead)
- 🖤 World Goth Day at Mr. Smalls Cafe (Millvale)
- 🌮 Food Truck Fridays at Allegheny RiverTrail Park (Aspinwall)
- 🎀 Girly Pop Weekend at Skate the Square (Downtown)
- 🎶 Westinghouse Atom Smasher at Poetry Lounge (Millvale)
- 🌼 Blooming Across Generations at JADA House (Hazelwood)
🎶 Listen local: I’m writing to you with background music from local band Westinghouse Atom Smasher. They’re an experimental post-country group with a sound that I like to call “Appalachian dreamscape.”
Check out their new music tomorrow at Poetry Lounge in Millvale.
Maybe you’ll see me there. I might stop by for my birthday 🎂
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