Next week we host the Classical Stage at of the Millvale Music Fest. Six ensembles surround us with contrast, drama, profundity, personality, youth and vigor.
Check out this line-up:
riday, May 15
4:30p-5:15 St. Michael's Church Schola Cantorum sings early motets, masses and a surprise
5:30-6:30 Millvale Festival Orchestra plays Wagner Siegfried Idyll, Galbraith The Forest Cathedral, Mahler Ruckert Lieder
6:45-7:30 Trubaduri - Croatian folk
Saturday, May 16
11:30a-12:15p PSO cellist Charlie Powers plays first 3 JS Bach cello suites
12:30-1:15 Nat 28 - contemporary music
1:30-2:30 CutTime Simfonica® - string quartet+drums play famous symphonic reductions and Mr. CutTime® originals
Learn more about this FREE event at the link in our bio!
Be among the first to experience our new tour celebrating the people who built our city! The Immigration Tour launches THIS SATURDAY at 12:30 PM.
This immersive tour uses oral histories and archival photos to interpret Maxo Vanka’s murals through the lens of global events and personal memories. It offers a one-of-a-kind perspective on how this community navigated industrial America while maintaining its deep cultural roots.
Register at the link in our bio
We can't wait to share the Murals with you! Public tours of the Vanka Murals are every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Click the link in our bio to pick your time and register.
TONIGHT! Founded in 1969, The Trubaduri have spent over 50 years championing the rich sounds of Croatian and Slavic music. While rooted in the classical Tambura tradition, the ensemble has evolved into a powerhouse contemporary band by integrating guitars, drums, and keyboards. This fusion creates a fresh, exciting take on folk traditions that delights audiences of all generations.
Led by Chuck Cubelic, this tight-knit group puts a signature spin on legendary artists like Dubrovački Trubaduri and Pro Arte, while also introducing listeners to modern stars like Tomislav Bralić and Klapa Intrade.
Experience a true "symphony for the ears" at the Millvale Music Festival on Friday, May 15th at 6:45 PM!
There are NO TOURS of the Vanka Murals this evening, Thursday, May 14th as Saint Nicholas Parish celebrates the Feast of the Ascension.
Join us tomorrow & Saturday as we host the Classical Stage of the Millvale Music Fest, or next week when our regularly scheduled tours resume.
To learn more about Saint Nicholas Parish and The Shrines of Pittsburgh please visit: pghshrines.org
Rick Robinson, founder of CutTime Productions, has dedicated his career to ensuring every performance is as moving and memorable as the last.
While the term "cut time" traditionally refers to a musical symbol for a fast or swinging beat, the company has reimagined its meaning: to cut the time it takes for new listeners to experience music with the depth and passion of a musician.
Originally designed for schools and churches, CutTime has expanded into diverse settings, bringing world-class music to breweries, homes, offices, and historic sites like the Vanka Murals.
On Saturday, May 16th 1:30-2:30pm, catch CutTime Productions at the Millvale Music Festival for a FREE not-to-be-missed performance.
Praised by the Washington Post as “poised, elegant, supple of phrasing and mellow of tone” Pittsburgh Symphony’s own Charlie Powers will be playing the first three unaccompanied Bach suites at this year’s Millvale Music Festival.
Having joined the Pittsburgh Symphony during the 2013/14 season, his prior musical experience includes regular White House performances, the Library of Congress, and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as musical collaborations with world renowned musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Ricardo Morales and Peter Wiley.
Come catch Charlie’s show-stopping performance on Saturday, May 16th at 11:30am!
Mays Community Meal is coming up quick!
Join us and @savemaxovanka 💜
Date: Tuesday May 19th 2026
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Location: 24 Maryland Ave Millvale PA 15209
Led by organist Chaz Bowers, Schola Cantorum follows St. Michael the Archangel’s practice of seeking to promote music in order to service the Lord through awe inspiring experiences.
Schola Cantorum is St. Michael the Archangel Church’s vocal ensemble of eight singers performing some of Western classical music’s earliest written traditions.
On Friday, May 15th at 4:30pm you’ll be able to witness these talents in action with an eclectic performance from the choir.
This event is FREE, but donations can be made to support the musicians.
Join us at the Millvale Music Festival Classical Stage for an unforgettable performance at the Vanka Murals, where historic art meets world-class music.
A visionary leader in the local arts scene, Jordan Speranzo is the founder and artistic director of the Millvale Festival Orchestra. He first gained international acclaim at age 14 when he made his solo debut on the legendary stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Hailing from Miami Jiddu Vegais a 24-year-old virtuoso is a violinist and conductor with two degrees from Carnegie Mellon University. Like his colleague, Jiddu was recognized as a global talent early on, making his Carnegie Hall debut at age 14 after winning top honors in a prestigious international competition.
Don’t miss this chance to see this performance Friday May 15th at 5:30PM
The event is FREE, but the you can support the musicians by clicking the link in our bio.
We are thrilled to host Heidi Cook for the second installment in our Vanka Lecture Series: “Something of the Narod.”
A University of Pittsburgh alumna, Heidi is an expert on the intersection of folk culture and modernity in Central and Eastern Europe. Her recent research highlights how immigrant identity was visually constructed in the U.S. during pivotal political moments.
Join us On May 31st to hear from one of the leading voices on Vanka’s legacy and his place in American art history.
Register and learn more at the link in our bio.
At the turn of the 20th century, Pittsburgh’s North Side was affectionately known as "Mala Jaska." Life here was a masterclass in resilience, with homes carved into the hillsides and steep slopes transformed into lush terraced gardens.
This era also saw the birth of vital institutions, including the Croatian language newspaper, Danica, the Croatian Fraternal Union, Javor Croatian Club, and St. Nicholas. These people built more than just structures; they created a legacy of community spirit that remains alive today.
Next time you’re stuck in traffic on Route 28, look up and imagine the thriving gardens of Mala Jaska!
To learn more about the ongoing legacy of Pittsburgh join us for our new Immigration Tour the last Saturday of every month. Registration at the link in our bio.
