Pittsburgh Halloween Weekend Events

In the months leading up to Halloween, Pittsburgh has tons of haunted houses, hayrides and other spooky attractions to celebrate. Now that the scariest day of the year is just a day away, there are even more things to do in the city. If you haven't made any Halloween plans yet, here are a few ideas:

1. Bacchanalia
Don your craziest costume and join us for a night of revelry and mischief. Feast on goodies from some of Pittsburgh’s premier restaurants and bars while you enjoy outrageous live entertainment and all night dancing. The best part? All this indulgence is for a good cause: a portion of the proceeds benefit the Delta Foundation. You don’t want to miss out on this unforgettable night. Purchase your tickets here. 

2. Trick-or-Treating
Nothing beats good old fashioned trick-or-treating! Pittsburgh and its surrounding neighborhoods offer many chances for little ones to show off their best costumes and earn some candy. You can never go wrong with a classic, and the weather promises to be chilly so dress warmly! Click here for a full list of trick-or-treating times by location. 

3. Night of the Singing Dead #22
Every year the best late performers return to the Rex Theater for one night only during the Night of the Singing Dead. This musical comedy features some of Pittsburgh’s most popular musicians and media personalities as they bring the dead back to life with humor, music and irreverent fun. Now in its twenty-second season, the show is completely rewritten each year to include the most up-to-date celebrity passings. To purchase tickets or find out more check out their website.

4. Horrorpocalypse
This Variety Hour theater show celebrating the American Horror Film is making its world premiere at Brillobox on Halloween eve. The performance includes dance, comedy, flow art, singing, burlesque and other special spooky surprises and is sure to shock. DJs will provide pre- and after-show music and costumes are encouraged, so come ready for an unforgettable night. To learn more about this Vaudeville Slasher Revue, check out the event’s website. 

5. 21+ Nights: Spirits and Sprites
Join the Carnegie Science Center for a night of spirits, spooks and science. The Science Center is collaborating with Wigle Whiskey, Maggie’s Farm Rum and Independent Brewing Company to bring you mixology lessons, science and alcohol-related ghost stories. Learn the science behind some of your favorite Halloween frights while you sip brews and take in a laser show. Tickets can be purchased here.

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The Steel City is Now Recognized as a "Tech Hub"

Years ago, Pittsburgh was mostly known for being the city of steel and bridges. Now, however, it is getting a new title as one of the major high tech hubs in the U.S. In a recent Business Facilities article, Pittsburgh is noted for its booming startups, particularly ones that have blended manufacturing and technology into their business. Below is an excerpt from the article:

Pennsylvania is leading a new wave of technological transformation. Innovation and technology are driving growth across key industries including advanced manufacturing, energy, ICT, financial and business services, and healthcare and life sciences. 

In 2013, the Pittsburgh region captured 302 economic development deals—a 12 percent increase over the previous year. Advanced manufacturing was the most active sector with 65 wins in 2013. 

“High-tech/advanced manufacturing is one of our sweet spots and a differentiating strength for the region,” said Patty Horvatich, VP of Business Investment for the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and the 10-county Pittsburgh region’s economic development marketing organization.

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Pittsburgh 2014 Startup Investments Surpass Previous Year

Pittsburgh startups are getting noticed. Some of the year's investment events like the 3 Rivers Venture Fair and Steve Case's Rise of the Rest Tour have highlights Pittsburgh's talented entrepreneurs and growing startup community. And now, data collected from Thomas Reuters is showing that 2014 investments in local startups has already surpassed last year's third quarter totals.

A combined $104.3 million was pumped into 26 Pittsburgh-area tech and life sciences companies during the third quarter by investors including venture capital and private equity firms, economic development groups, corporations and high-net-worth individuals. That's according to the MoneyTree Report, released Friday by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP and the National Venture Capital Association, based on Thomson Reuters data. 

The dollars were almost double the $54.3 million invested locally during the third quarter of 2013. For the nine-month period, $242.8 million has been raised by 56 young Pittsburgh companies, passing the $130.5 million raised during the entire 12 months of 2013 and passing all full-year totals going back to 2002. In 2001, local companies raised $360.3 million.

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Three Rivers Venture Fair Kick Off

The annual 3 Rivers Venture Fair is kicking off today! The event is taking place until tomorrow and is featuring some of the area's up-and-coming startups. Each year investors from all over come to see the chosen companies pitch their ideas, and featured companies have gone on to raise over $500 million. Many startups from around the Pittsburgh region are showcasing their innovations and pitching to investors, one of RCI's own resident businesses', Diamond Kinetics, Inc. is among this year's presenting companies.

Some 42 tech and life sciences firms, 25 of which hail from the Pittsburgh region, are scheduled to make pitches with the goal of garnering capital commitments at Heinz Field during the Oct. 7-8 event. 

“One in four people will be an investor,” said Kelly Szejko, president of the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association, which has presented 3RVF every 18 months since 2002. She said about 600 are attending, of which 150 are either venture capitalists or private equity or angel investors from across the country. 

The strong response is due to the large number of presenting companies, which in turn is possible because of how the event is being staged this year, Szejko believes.

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Things to do in Pittsburgh: Free RADical Days

Photo by Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch

If you are on a tight budget or if you are just looking for some fun things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, you should take advantage of the free RADical days! The Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) sponsors RADical days to thank the community for supporting all the locally funded parks, libraries, museums and other recreation organizations and facilities in the region. Until November 9th there will be a line up of exciting events and things to do for free, but for now, here is a look at what you can check out this weekend: 

FRIDAY 

Pittsburgh Glass Center: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Featuring heat-defying acts of art, including glassblowing, flameworking and s’more-making demonstrations. See the Pittsburgh Biennial at PGC featuring the work of 12 local artists: Bob Beckman, Jeremy Boyle, Melissa Fitzgerald, Jason Forck, Toby Fraley, Vanessa German, Ashley McFarland, Juliet Pusateri, Travis Rohrbaugh, Will Schlough, Kara Skylling and Margaret Spacapan. (5472 Penn Ave., Garfield)
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Gallery tours and family friendly art activities in the PCA Galleries. (PCA Galleries, 6300 Fifth Ave., Shadyside) 

Pittsburgh Filmmakers: Ann Arbor Film Festival Touring Show — 7:30 p.m. (Program A); 9:15 p.m. (Program B). The Ann Arbor Film Festival offers programs of recent independent and experimental short films across all genres: experimental, documentary, animation, narrative and hybrids. (477 Melwood Ave., Oakland) 

SATURDAY 

National Aviary: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Discover more than 150 bird species from around the world under one roof. (700 Arch St., North Side) 

Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania — Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve birding walk or seed collection: 10 a.m. Join Audubon for a naturalist-led walk on the trails. Also: collect native plant and wildflower seeds. Reservation required for both activities. aswp.org or 412-963-6100. (614 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel) 

Boyce Mayview Park — The Outdoor Classroom: 2-8 p.m. Guided nature hikes, geocaching, crafts and campfire treats (campfire 5-8 p.m. only). (1531 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair) 

Allegheny Land Trust — Wingfield Pines Conservation Area: 2-8 p.m. A variety of activities for all ages, from guided nature walks about water and wildlife to self-led fun such as bird watching and crafts. (1550 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair) 

Pittsburgh Filmmakers: Ann Arbor Film Festival Touring Show — 7:30 p.m. (Program B); 9:15 p.m. (Program A). (477 Melwood Ave., Oakland)

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