Janera Solomon wants to showcase the myriad of summer fun that exists in the community of East Liberty.

“East Liberty is very alive with people shopping. It is vibrant and strong and has a lot to offer,” said Solomon.

As executive director of the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater which is based in East Liberty, she is able to do just that.

GETTING TOGETHER—From left: Shakirah Stephens, 11th grade, CAPA; Shakara Wright, ninth grade, CAPA; Tyler Humphries-Randolph, eighth grade, Sterrett Classical Academy.

For the second consecutive year, the theater is presenting its summer series of dance, theater, music, film and visual arts in a celebration of East Liberty.

“Celebrate East Liberty represents what we do all year—fostering community, connecting diverse artists and audiences and opening our doors with programming that is interesting and affordable. This summer, we feature family-friendly activities and performances including free workshops with visual artists,” said Joseph Hall, programming manager at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater.

AUGUSTA, Ga.—Earth Wind & Fire’s original fans from the Pittsburgh region may recall the group’s legendary 1970s performances, first at the Stanley Theater and later shows at the Civic Arena—retracted dome and all.

Recently, this reviewer witnessed the current version of this legendary act, days before they rocked the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Needless to say, the EWF performance is just about as solid as it was during their heyday years in the ’70s and ’80s.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE

Their unforgettable July 1 performance at the James Brown Arena in downtown Augusta, proved that.

This week I visited Mellon Park in East Liberty, The Yacht Club in the Strip District, Billy’s Gold Door in Homewood, Club 21 in the Strip District, The Shadow Lounge in East Liberty, CJ’s in the Strip District and the Westin Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.

My first stop was at Mellon Park in East Liberty where Ed held his 5th Annual Old School Get Together at Mellon Park in Point Breeze where everyone came out to eat good food and have a great time.

It was ladies night out at the Yacht Club in the Strip District.

Sometimes, you feel like you’re being stalked.

The woman two doors down keeps asking you to lunch or to join her after work or to check out her book club. You’ve politely (and not-so-politely) declined at least 10 times and she keeps on asking. She’s nice and all that, but you have no intention of having a new best friend—and even if you did, it wouldn’t be her.

But hold up. Maybe that hand of friendship she’s extending may change your life. That’s what happened to Alma, and in the new book “Red Hats” by Damon Wayans, she didn’t want that, either.