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Concert series attracts locals, visitors
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That's music to Tom Macik's ears.
"It's been going well so far," said Macik, vice president of the Business and Professional Association, which co-produces the series with the Mt. Lebanon Commercial Districts Office.
"Events and activities like this create energy on the street. We have a great business district, and we're doing everything we can to try to enhance it further."
Macik said more than 100 workers have been spending their Wednesday lunch hour at "Sounds on Washington," which features performances by local musicians. Clearview Commons is at Washington Road and Alfred Street.
About 1,400 people work in the central business district daily, Commercial Districts office manager Mame Bradley said.
"The concerts are designed to bring workers out of their offices and other places of business and to introduce them to Washington Road as a shopping and entertainment district," Bradley said. "Hopefully, as a result, Washington Road becomes a much more attractive and enjoyable workplace."
Larry Alberta, a member of the Business and Professional Association and owner of Alberta Modern Hair, which underwrote Sounds on Washington with a $2,500 grant, said he thinks events like this are turning Washington Road into another Walnut Street.
"I liken this street to what Walnut Street in Shadyside was like years ago, but with more going on," Alberta said. "In the last couple years, we've seen new business owners and shops open. It's truly become a unique place."
Jay Weaver of SoundColor Productions on Washington Road is producing the concert series. His line-up includes jazz, pop, blues and rock musicians. His band, the Jay Weaver Band, kicked off the series earlier this month.
"Most city downtowns have noontime concerts for the workers," he said.
"With Clearview Commons opening, I thought, 'Why not here?' " We want to bring more traffic and activity into the business district."
In addition to the noontime concerts, the commercial districts office and the Business and Professional Association also brought back First Fridays, their Friday evening sidewalk festivals. Other plans include a car show at the end of the month and a farmer's market later in the summer.
The concert series will run through the end of August.
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