Schenley Plaza springs into the concert season

Schenley Plaza is shaking up lunchtime this spring with its annual live music program.

… Schenley Plaza is shaking up lunchtime this spring with its annual live music program.

Every spring and fall, between the hours of noon and 1 p.m., the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy finds local musicians to play at Schenley Plaza, and Wednesday will be the first performance of its spring season.

‘We’ll have more programs, more events and more excitement this season,’ said Jim Griffin, the Schenley Plaza manager.

This season, diners will tap their toes as they eat to jazz, world music and local acoustic artists.

This spring season will also feature performances by other local favorites, such as Howie Alexander and his jazz trio, John Marcinizyn and Luke Savage, Heather Kropf and Brad Yoder.

‘People love the lunchtime concerts. They’re always lively and well-attended,’ said Griffin.

On Wednesday, Elie Kihonia and his African music trio will perform in the plaza. Kihonia will bring his Congonese heritage to the Pittsburgh audience at noon.

The plaza will once again be the venue for this year’s WYEP 12th annual music festival.

But live music isn’t the only exciting thing happening at Schenley Plaza this spring. Pitt will host its first Blue, Green and Gold Concert to promote green living in the home and workplace.

The concert will feature performances by Bill Deasy, Alli Gillis Band and No Bad Ju Ju, as well as supplier exhibits, sustainable space displays, a market and a speaker symposium.