Out & About: 'Thank Goodness It's Summer' — even if it's raining

The best-laid plans of mice and men — and outdoor concert organizers — need to be flexible, especially given recent Western Pennsylvania weather forecasts.

Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s TGIS free weekly concert series typically takes place in the courtyard of Greensburg’s Palace Theatre, but it went inside and onstage for this year’s season opener to avoid raindrops falling on attendees’ heads.

The May 30 kick-off featured laid back-reggae-jam-rock music by Brahctopus, food from Sun Dawg Cafe and drinks poured by Josh and Kary Milan of Milanscape.

New this year, food will be available at 4:30 p.m. Thursdays, prior to music beginning at 6 p.m., said the trust’s event manager Kelli Brisbane. Throughout the summer, there also will be a wider array of food vendors.

Opening night coincided with the inaugural Greensburg Night Market organized by Jessica Hickey and the Downtown Greensburg Project. Just a few steps from The Palace on South Pennsylvania Avenue, local artisans, makers and growers offered goods running the gamut from fresh-cut flowers, honey and produce to jewelry and other artworks.

Despite the showers, a steady stream of people wandered between the two events.

TGIS and the Night Market also will pair up June 27, when the Abilene Band will play The Palace, and July 25, when Hamilton Ave. will rock out.

Seen saying “thank goodness it’s summer”: Kevin and Jeanie Bock, Patty Copeland, Sandy Edwards, Debbie Evans, Chris and Sindy Diaz with daughters Isabella and Ava, Thom Spagnol, Eileen Dorfman, Jim and Loretta Bushey, Vince and Carole Talarico, Linda Vavick, Eileen Zamborsky, Mike Zamborsky, Lauren Condon, Anne Simoncelli, Ron Lakin, Marlene Cecchini, Dashiel Harster and Luke Harster, along with TGIS volunteer coordinator Mary Ann Jaram and volunteers Tom Harrold, Victoria Zack and Connie Riley.