Picklesburgh Kicks Off; Rachael Sage Performs at First Unitarian; Texture Ballet Has ‘Infinite Abundance’ (Fri., 7/11/25)

Picklesburgh—July 11 – 13.  (Downtown)

What would Picklesburgh be without a pickle juice drinking contest? Whoever drinks their quart of juice the fastest is named the Duke of Drinking. (photo: Renee Rosensteel for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership)

1) Sauerkraut. kimchi. dill-flavored popcorn. Deep-fried pickles. Pickle cocktails and pickle beer! It’s Picklesburgh. The 10th anniversary of the briny three-day, free event is back in it’s original location of the Sister Bridges (Roberto Clemente Bridge, 6th Street) and Andy Warhol Bridge, 9th Street) If you can’t find it, look for the giant inflatable Heinz pickle, which resembles the company’s famous pickle pin. The festival recalls the city’s pickling history, which dates back to the 1800s, while also looking forward to our revitalized riverfronts and internationally recognized food scene. Enjoy free samples from area farms and restaurants, all of them offering their own take on pickled foods, before making the pickling purchase that’s right for you. Other “pickled” merchandise includes balloons, books, and many other items. Chefs demonstrate how to pickle and can, and local musicians provide a pleasant soundtrack to your culinary wanderings. There’s a Lil Gherkins Activity Area for children. And, yes, the pickle juice drinking contest returns as part of the Dill-Cathlon which also includes pickle eating contests, and bobbing for pickles. Picklesburgh was four-times voted the No. 1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America in a USA Today readers choice contest. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership organizes the event with the help of numerous sponsors including Kraft Heinz. Friday and Saturday, Noon – 10 p.m.; Sunday, Noon – 6 p.m. Downtown. (C.M., R.H.)

2) With more than 18 albums to her name, Rachael Sage’s alt-pop songs and multi-instrumentation have earned six Independent Music Awards, performances at both Edinburgh Fringe and SXSW, and tours with artists including Rufus Wainwright, Ani DiFranco, Howard Jones, and Grammy Award winners Shawn Colvin and Judy Collins. And if her musical accomplishments weren’t enough, Sage is also an accomplished dancer, a student of The School of American Ballet, and has even performed with the New York City Ballet. She was last here in February to perform with Grammy Award winning cellist Dave Eggar, Attack Theatre’s music director, for a multi-discipline show at the company. This month Sage makes a tour stop with her longtime band The Sequins as well as singer-songwriter Kristen Ford for their joint Joy = Resistance Tour.  The summer tour will bring its inclusive message to Pittsburgh at First Unitarian Church. Sequins violinist Kelly Halloran has performed with many top groups including the Goo Goo Dolls. Look for an upcoming new album, Canopy, from Sage with catchy songs like the singles “Canopy” and “Just Enough.” Ford also has an album coming out; it will drop in August on Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records. This is a great opportunity to see top musicians in a beautiful and intimate acoustic setting. Enjoy Rachael Sage and Ford at First Unitarian with special guest Erika June. 7:30 p.m. 605 Morewood Ave., Shadyside. (R.H.)

INFINITE ABUNDANCE  presented by Texture Contemporary Ballet. The New Hazlett Theater. July 11 – 13.

3) To celebrate its 15th season as one of Pittsburgh’s great dance companies, Texture Contemporary Ballet will stage an eclectic trio of creative movements that are likely to impress the most ardent lover of modern dance. Starting with his classic choreography, Glimpse, Artistic Director Alan Obuzor will revive his memorable movement from 2011. 43 yards of billowing fabric will unfold, fly and soar in a 30-minute piece featuring an ensemble of 4 men and 9 women. It’s a performance that might give pause to ponder if Texture Contemporary Ballet was named for this stunning work. Following is Haley Nolan’s Z E R O F I E L D, a work she developed through the company’s own Choreography Project in 2024. It’s thus a very contemporary work that explores the dynamic opposition of time, space and anticipation. The third dance of the evening, also new, will be Madeline Kendall Schreiber’s Volery, a word I had to look up, which suggests a fluid organization not unlike birds in flight. Indeed, Schreiber’s world premiere will feature an ensemble of 13 dancers who soar on stage, levitated by the spirit of nature. Of course, it’s much more than that, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience freedom, liberation and resonance. Texture’s enviable reputation promises a fanciful night of fluid fun. 7:30 p.m. The New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, North Side.

4) The Pittsburgh Savoyards are presenting The Woman in White, an original stage adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ iconic 19th-century mystery, adapted and directed by Robert Hockenberry. Performances will take place at The Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center from July 11 – 26. 7:30 p.m. 523 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue.

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