We have entered the green phase of Pennsylvania's reopening and recovery plan, in all of our oasis excepting Beaver County. Beaver County "goes green" Friday, June 12, so our entire service area will be in the green recovery phase by the end of this week.
Watch for additional communication, check our website at syriashriners.org, and follow our Facebook page for ongoing information as developments unfold.
Meanwhile, stay well. We look forward to seeing you soon.
>>You can view our ongoing coverage and news during the coronavirus pandemic at this link here
MASA Convention Canceled
With all the uncertainty regarding public events, parades, and large gatherings in the Commonweatlh of Virginia, and the City of Virginia Beach, the officers of the Mid Atlantic Shrine Association reluctantly reached the decision yesterday to cancel this year's convention, scheduled for Virginia Beach, VA, from September 9-12. This is such late-breaking news that we do not have further information at this time. We will process refunds as soon as possible. Details on a virtual meeting to elect officers and conduct MASA business will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.
THUNDER THURSDAYS KEEP ON ROCKIN' THE PAVILION
THIS WEEK: THE SHINERS @ THE SHRINERS!
Pittsburgh's Syria Shriners, in conjunction with Moondog's & the StarLite Lounge, presents Thunder Thursdays Bike Nights, all summer long in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center Pavilion, continuing weekly through at least September 3.
NO BIKE?? NO PROBLEM!! ALL ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN US!
Gates open weekly at 6pm, and the live music begins at 7pm. We wrap things up on stage at 9pm, so you won't have to stay up past your bedtime to have a good time. The StarLite Lounge, featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, will be on hand to feed you, and we'll have Pittsburgh's best rolled iced cream treats from Udderly Fresh. A full bar will be available. All events are rain or shine. You know our pavilion is impervious to inclement weather, so the shows will go on, without regard to any raindrops we may see.
NEVER A COVER ... BUT ALWAYS UNDER COVER
Attendance is limited to 250, so come early!
The Thunder rolls again this Thursday with the alt-country, alt-rock and country blues sounds of local favorites The Shiners. The Shiners have played up and down the east coast, playing Honky Tonks, festivals and Motorcycle events from New York City to Florida. They have shared stages with Charlie Daniels, David Allan Coe, Blackberry Smoke, The Outlaws, Hank Williams, Jr. and many, many more.
Check out The Shiners on stage below.
Watch this space every week for more information on the bands, vendors, and other fun stuff in store.
Please do your best to support this series. Mark your calendar, tell your friends, and be sure to share on your social media accounts!
WE CAN ALWAYS USE HELP. IF YOU CAN VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
UPCOMING SHOWS
- June 18 The Shiners
- June 25 Shot O' Soul
- July 2 The Nied's Hotel Band
- July 9 The Shiners
- July 16 Tina Daniels Band
2020 CASH Give-A-Way Lottery Fundraiser
By Randy Hobaugh, Second Ceremonial Master
I would like to share with you a new Syria Shrine fundraiser that will replace our long-standing Car Raffle. For the past couple of years, the raffle ticket sales have been declining, and it’s time to introduce something new. With that said, this year we will be kicking off a $25,000 HOLIDAY CASH GIVE-A-WAY.
This lottery fundraiser will be given away during the week of Christmas.
Syria Holiday Cash Give-A-Way Ticket will be sold for $10 per ticket, with a total giveaway of $25,000.
The prizes will be awarded on the PA Lottery 7pm Daily Pick 4, and two numbers will be printed on each ticket. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
- December 21 - $ 500
- December 22 - $ 1,000
- December 23 - $ 1,500
- December 24 - $ 2,000
- December 25 - $20,000 Grand Prize
We really need to sell all 5,000 tickets to optimize this fundraiser. We are very much hoping that everyone can buy and/or sell tickets to support this effort. Please do your best to help reduce our deficit, and avoid dues increases.
Please return ALL SOLD Sporstman's Bash stubs and money ASAP!
Please send all of your sold stubs and accompanying money immediately to:
Kenneth D. Stuart 1185 Astronaut Circle Pittsburgh, PA 15241
Our early bird drawing is Saturday, July 11. You will want to get your entry in for that drawing. Additionally, we need to get a better idea of where we stand with ticket sales at this point. Pandemic pandemonium has severely hampered our ticket selling efforts, along with all of our other fundraisers, and we need to make certain we maximize this critically important activity aimed at balancing our budget.
If you have tickets you don't think you can sell, please return them, so we can get them to someone who can get them sold before the early bird drawing. Please buy a ticket if you can afford it, even if the Sportsman's Bash is not your thing. Ken Stuart can mail you a ticket if you send him a check. Tickets can also be purchased through our website. Click the image above to get yours now!
Billy Price Brings His Soulful Blues Sound to the Pavilion Sunday July 26
The Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Festival was forced to cancel its annual two-day event this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have a one-day cure for your blues on Sunday, July 26, when the award-winning Billy Price, nominated for two 2020 Blues Music Awards, returns to the Pittsburgh Shrine Center Pavilion for a Sunday revival.Enter your text here...
After first gaining international attention recording and touring with the late, great guitarist Roy Buchanan, Billy was a Pittsburgh mainstay for many years, and was a 2016 inductee to the Pittsburgh Rock N' Roll Legends hall of fame. After retiring from his "day gig" at CMU, Billy now hangs his hat and sunglasses in Baltimore, so he doesn't play too often in our area any more. You'll want to catch him while you can, and we've got him!
Billy is touring in support of his current release, Dog Eat Dog, which has garnered him two nominations (Best Soul Blues Album, Best Male Soul Blues Vocalist) for this year's Blues Music Awards.
General admission tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. Showtime is 4pm. General admission opens at 3pm. Early entry tickets, at $25, get you in at 2:30pm, and your first drink is on the house!
A special guest will join Billy to open the show. Stay tuned for more details.
For more info on Billy, click the photo above.
Early entry, and advance tickets are available below.
Proceeds benefit Syria Shriners. Ticket price is NOT tax deductible
In Case You Missed It
With continuing support from Shriners Children'sTM, last night, for the 4,927th consecutive Saturday night, the show went on at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville,featuring Steve Wariner, Lee Brice, Carly Pearce, and Michael Ray, keeping the music playing in Music City, once again without a live audience. Click the image to the right and enjoy the show.
With continuing support from Shriners Children'sTM, last night, for the 4,928th consecutive Saturday night, the show went on at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, featuring the newly-renamed Lady A, The Scott Family, and Charlie Worsham, keeping the music playing in Music City, once again without a live audience. Click here and enjoy the show.
SC has kept the music playing the last 13 Saturdays. See all the shows here.
Pittsburgh Shrine Center Office Closure
The Pittsburgh Shrine Center office remains closed until further notice. Please keep our office and facilities staff, and our entire Syria Shriners family in your prayers. We all need to remember each other during this trying period. Call your fellow Shriners, and look after their well-being. Run errands to the grocery or drug store if your situation allows, and theirs does not.
Pittsburgh Shrine Center Reopening
Units, Caravans and Clubs may now meet in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.
In keeping with the Grand Master's directive of May 15, you must continue to practice physical distancing, and follow all guidelines from the CDC, state and local public health authorities. Accordingly, for now, gatherings are limited to a maximum of 25 people. Please be certain to maintain a clean and safe environment in our building and on our grounds.
Beginning June 19, we will be able to gather again in groups of 250 people or fewer.
Rescheduled Events
- Sat. July 11 Sportsmen's Bash Early Bird More information here
- Sat. Aug. 8 Ladies' Luncheon More information here
- Sat. Aug. 29 North Hills Home Brew Fest More information here
- Sat. Sep. 5 Sportsmen's Bash More information here
- Sat. Oct. 24 Potentate's Ball
- Sat. Nov. 21 Potentate's Stag Testimonial Banquet More Information here
Canceled & Postponed Events not yet rescheduled
The Butler Shrine Luncheon Club and Butler Caravan 14 picnic, scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, has been canceled.
The fall Night at the Races fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, September 19, has been canceled.
THIS YEAR'S BIG BUTLER FAIR HAS BEEN CANCELED.
AT THIS TIME, THE FAYETTE, WASHINGTON, AND WESTMORELAND COUNTY FAIRS REMAIN ON THE CALENDAR AS SCHEDULED.
THE BUTLER FARM SHOW REMAINS ON THE CALENDAR AS SCHEDULED, AUGUST 10-15.
PARADES CANCELED
Worthington West Franklin Firemen's Carnival - June 18
Springdate Firemen's Fair - June 26
Springdate Firemen's Fair - June 26
Independence Day
Brentwood
Canonsburg
Crafton
Leetsdale
Monroeville
Zelienople
Canonsburg
Crafton
Leetsdale
Monroeville
Zelienople
We've gone Green, What does that mean?
Here's a summary from WESA-FM of what's open, and what the "new rules" are. Click here: What's open? Do I have to wear a mask?
Taking care of ourselves and each other
Let's make sure we look out for each other as we navigate our way through the "new normal." While we practice physical distancing, let's be sure no one goes without vital social contact. Reach out to your fellow Nobles, Lodge Brothers, friends, family and neighbors. If your situation allows, run an errand to the grocery store, pharmacy or other essential business for someone who can't, or really shouldn't, be leaving their home right now. And while you're at it, be sure to take proper precautions like those below.
Stay Informed!
There is so much misinformation being shared on social media and by email. Do yourself, and all of us a favor, and go right to a trusted source for your information. Please don't pass along things your seen posted or things you've been sent unless they have come directly from a legitimate public health or government authority. Click on the image to the left to visit the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FEMA and the White House at coronavirus.gov.