Allegheny County’s RADical Days back, bigger than ever

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com

RADical Days are here again.
On Tuesday, the Allegheny Regional Asset District — known around Allegheny County as RAD — announced the line-up of free events and activities that are slated for this year’s RADical Days.
The longstanding tradition offers activities, events and more for people of all ages across the county. RAD officials announced that this year’s celebration serves as a “welcome back” for many organizations that are just beginning to reopen their doors.
And to ensure Tube City is part of the fun, City Administrator Tom Maglicco said McKeesport will once again be marking RAD Days at Renziehausen Park pavilions.
RAD invests in Allegheny County’s quality of life through financial support of libraries, parks and trails, arts and cultural organizations, regional attractions, sports and civic facilities, and public transit.
With half of the proceeds from Allegheny County’s additional 1% sales and use tax, RAD has invested more than $2 billion in regional assets since its inception. An additional $2 billion has gone directly to the county and its 128 municipalities for property tax relief and local government services.
Free fun for everyone
In announcing RADical Days 2021, officials said the past 18 months of pandemic life have been a stark reminder of how vital community connection and cultural engagement are to the region.
RADical Days began in 2002 as a “thank you” to taxpayers with a weekend of free events from organizations that received support from RAD.
It has grown ever since, this year offering nearly 60 free events, programs and activities at various locations from Sept. 9 to Oct. 11.
RADical Days 2021 kicks off downtown with “Lights On! A Three-Day Celebration of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.”
The celebration will feature performances, visual arts exhibitions and other events. Participating in the event are the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra , which are all RAD assets.
Learn more about “Lights On!” at culturaldistrict.org/lightson.
The full RADical Days schedule includes free admission days at some of the region’s most popular attractions, including the Carnegie Museums, National Aviary, Heinz History Center, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Mattress Factory, The Frick Pittsburgh, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, and more.
Audiences can enjoy free, in-person performances from City Theatre Company, MCG Jazz, Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Pittsburgh Opera and many others.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert at Heinz Hall. Contemporary Craft, North Hills Art Center, Silver Eye Center for Photography, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and others, will host open houses and special exhibitions.
Heinz Field, PNC Park, and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will offer free tours. And several organizations, including Attack Theatre, Film Pittsburgh, the Holocaust Center, Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, and Prime Stage will offer free virtual programs.
More than 60 organizations are participating and the full schedule can be found atRADworkshere.org.

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