In brief: Summer Soiree, SMC Club and more in Sewickley area

Summer Soiree

Fern Hollow Nature Center is hosting its third annual Summer Soiree Fundraiser on June 6 at The Sewickley Quarter.

This year’s theme is Camp Fern Hollow. The event begins with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. General admission is at 6:30 p.m. There will be food, music by Sewickley Band Camp and dancing with disc jockey Sly Williams and nature-inspired camp fun, as well as raffle baskets with items from businesses in the area. Proceeds support local environmental education.

There will be a Best Dressed competition — please come dressed to impress in your best camp attire.

General admission tickets are $150. VIP tickets are $200.

For tickets or sponsorship, contact Sam Capezzuto at sam@fhnc.org or visit fhnc.org.

Summer reading

The Sewickley Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program, “Color Our World,” runs from June 9 through Aug. 9. This year’s theme invites participants of all ages to explore books and activities that celebrate imagination, diversity, creativity and community.

The Summer Reading Program is a cherished tradition at the library, designed to encourage reading for pleasure, prevent summer learning loss, and bring the community together through engaging and inclusive programming.

“Every book we read adds a little more color to how we see the world,” said Jennifer Farmerie, head of Children’s Services at Sewickley Public Library. “This summer, we want to invite everyone to read boldly, think creatively and connect with others in meaningful ways.”

Join us for a cool start to summer at the Summer Reading Kick-Off Snow-Cone Party on June 9 from noon-2:30 p.m. Celebrate the beginning of an exciting reading adventure with free snow-cones and get signed up for Summer Reading. Open to all ages, no need to register.

Highlights of this year’s Summer Reading Program include:

• Reading Challenges for children, teens and adults with chances to earn fun prizes;

• Hands-on creative programs such as painting, crafts and digital art;

• Special events, including storytimes, author visits and a book giveaway.

Participants can sign up online. Reading logs, book recommendations and event calendars will be available online at sewickleylibrary.org/summer.

Participation is free, and all ages are encouraged to join.

For more information, visit sewickley library.org or call 412-741-6920.

Sweet Jazz concerts

Sweetwater Center for the Arts announces the return of Sweet Jazz, an indoor/outdoor concert series at 7 p.m. on four Fridays featuring some of the region’s top jazz talent.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts is partnering with renowned Pittsburgh musician and educator Paul Thompson to curate a lineup that explores the origins and subgenres of jazz with some of Pittsburgh’s legendary musicians.

“This year’s line-up celebrates the culture, the tradition and the variety that Jazz represents in its music and performers,” Thompson said in a statement.

The first concert is Friday, June 13, with the Boilermaker Jazz Band with Paul Cosentino outdoors at Walnut Green, at 418 Walnut St. Other dates are June 20 at Sweetwater Center for the Arts, July 11 at Walnut Green and July 18 at Sweetwater Center for the Arts.

Tickets are $90 per person for the four-concert series or $25 per person per concert.

Tickets are available at sweetwaterartcenter.org/sweet-jazz.

Association of University People

The Association of University People invites singles 50 and over who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include spring/ summer picnics, monthly dinners, a book group, Scrabble, meeting up at local outdoor concerts and wineries.

Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining. To obtain more information about AUP or become an AUP member, call and leave a message at 412-353-9088 or email Aupsingles@gmail.com.

SMC Club

SMC Club, an affiliate of the Sewickley Valley YMCA, will feature Montour Trail Council president Julian Wolfe will discuss the history and construction of the trail on June 6. Patrick Hempen, retired FAA accident investigator, will speak on June 13 about accident investigation procedures and the Malaysian Airlines disappearance. On June 20, physical therapist Matthew McCann will talk about upper core strength and balance, and Civil War Roundtable president Dave Fisher will speak on the Battle of Lexington in 1861 on June 27. All are welcome to attend. For more information, visit smens club.org or Facebook.com/smensclub.

Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection

The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, a referral group of business professionals, will meet at the Eat’n Park on Route 60 in Robinson Township for breakfast from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. June 11. Speakers are Brian Thomas of BT Computer Consulting Services and Barbara DeJohn of Colonial Life. To attend, become a member or for more information, visit gpbc-pgh.org or call 412-364-6446 ext. 302.

Book sale

Friends of the Sewickley Public Library are holding a spring book sale 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 6-7 and 1-3:30 p.m. June 8. Sunday is $5 bag day.

Dig: An Evening of Jazz in the Garden

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is hosting its fourth annual Dig: An Evening of Jazz in the Garden on June 12. The evening features an electrifying concert with the musical stylings of Benny Benack III and Benny Benack II, accompanied by Grace Elliott, Tyler Bullock, George Heid III and Caleb Tobocman. Dig promises to be an enchanting experience that brings together the best of live music and the beauty of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. The concert will be held under the tent in the Peirce Celebration Garden, with food and beverages available for purchase.

Tickets are available by calling 412-444-4464 or visiting PittsburghBotanicGarden.org and clicking on the June 12 event in the Program Calendar.

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is located at 799 Pinkerton Run Road in Collier.

Fern Hollow Nature Center

On select Mondays this spring and summer, Fern Hollow Nature Center is inviting children 5 and younger with their caregivers to explore local parks with educator Kara O’Neill.

The hourlong Nature and Nurture programs include a short kid-friendly hike, a nature-themed story and a simple craft. Hikes are scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. June 23, July 28 and Aug. 18. Locations vary.

Designed to foster a love for the outdoors, Nature Night Out programs are offered on select Fridays at Fern Hollow Nature Center. Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Kristen Haas ensures that each session has the perfect blend of instruction, exploration, discovery and free play. The drop-off program is for children ages 5 to 10 and occurs from 6 to 9 p.m. June 27, July 25 and Aug. 29.

For more information on the programs, visit fhnc.org.

Farmers market

The Sewickley Farmers Market runs every Saturday through November from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, at the St. James Church parking lot.

To have your event or information listed in our briefs section, email Katie Green at kgreen@triblive.com.