Shore Thing Performing Arts Series begins free cultural programming for 2026 with live jazz

Riverlife partnering with prominent Pittsburgh organizations on free event series

Pittsburgh’s popular floating destination is about to welcome a wave of arts & culture.

This weekend marks the start of the 2026 Shore Thing Performing Arts Series presented by The Charity Randall Foundation. The series begins this Saturday with jazzjAM on Shore Thing, a live jazz performance every third Saturday morning of the month in partnership with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. jazzjAM is supported by Citizens.

All events will take place on Shore Thing, Riverlife’s public barge platform. It is nestled between the Roberto Clemente Bridge and Andy Warhol Bridge on the North Shore, free for all to access from Allegheny Landing.

“Riverlife occupies a unique position at the intersection of economic development, arts & culture, and sustainability,” said Matthew Galluzzo, President and CEO of Riverlife. “We designed Shore Thing to be a home for free-to-enjoy public programming, and we’re thrilled to welcome some of Pittsburgh’s finest performers on board for a great summer of events.”

Along with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Riverlife has partnered with other prominent Pittsburgh arts & culture organizations. A brass ensemble from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will provide a mid-summer showcase on July 18, followed by performers from Attack Theatre on August 18 and Pittsburgh Festival Opera on October 3. BG Brewing will make food and beverages available for purchase, including refreshments during the Saturday morning jazzjAM performances.

Here is the schedule of performances, which offer free admission with no registration required:

• Saturday, June 20 – 10 AM – jazzjAM with Howie Alexander
• Tuesday, July 14 – 5:30 PM – Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Brass Section
• Saturday, July 18 – 10 AM – jazzjAM with Anyah Nancy
• Tuesday, August 18 – 5:30 PM – Attack Theatre
• Saturday, August 22 – 10 AM – jazzjAM with John Shannon
• Saturday, September 19 – 10 AM – jazzjAM with Anita Levels
• Saturday, October 3 – 4 PM – Pittsburgh Festival Opera

Riverlife thanks The Charity Randall Foundation as presenting sponsor of the Shore Thing Performing Arts Series, Citizens for its support of jazzjAM, and Opportunity Fund for its programming support for Shore Thing.

The Shore Thing Performing Arts Series presented by The Charity Randall Foundation is part of a comprehensive schedule of free summer programming, which includes more than 70 programs. Sounds on the Shore brings live music on board every Thursday evening at 5 PM. YogaRoots On Location provides a community yoga class each Sunday at 10 AM. Shore Thing also features a monthly kayaking series with Venture Outdoors, family-focused STEM activities with The Citizen Science Lab, artist workshops with Pittsburgh Creative Corps, inclusive programming with Project Blue Space, game nights with Games Unlimited, special events with the Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, creative writing workshops, and more.

Shore Thing’s online schedule of free events and programs, now updated through July, is at shorething.riverlifepgh.org/schedule/

SHORE THING DAILY OPERATING HOURS

Admission to Shore Thing is free and open to the public. Entry may be paused when Shore Thing reaches capacity, and temporary closures will occur for safety during severe weather. For more information about Shore Thing, visit us at shorething.riverlifepgh.org and follow @riverlifepgh on Instagram and Facebook.