We are funded thanks to your generous and overwhelming support! I never imagined we'd reach our goal so quickly, and with such enthusiasm.  We barely had time to promote the campaign (we started shooting a promotional video but we hit our goal before it could be edited!).  With the goal met, we're sure to have a fantastic kickoff event at Heathside cottage.

Now that we have a surplus, we've started to ruminate on a longer-term, more sustainable strategy.  After talking with the production team and some neighborhood visionaries, we think we have come up with a strategy for future Open Houses at Heathside cottage to fund themselves.  It involves events in three tiers and a path to legal zoning as a special use facility:

Weekly ticketed dinners: Professionally catered and curated, these dinners will sit up to 20 people.  Local artists will display their work in the foyer gallery &  local chefs will experiment with new and exciting recipes.  To host these dinners properly, we will need to remodel the foyer into a gallery and purchase or build some furniture/tableware to seat 20 people.  These will be prix fixe meals, open to the public but promoted as private fundraisers to support Heathside Cottage Open Houses   

Monthly ticketed concerts: After the encouraging success of our first house concert last month, We will continue to book additional shows once a month.  From April through October, these will be outdoor concerts in the backyard.  From November to March, they will be held indoors in the parlor.  All music will be acoustic and we will charge $15/evening.  Again, because we are not yet zoned as a commercial establishment, these will be open to the public, but presented as private fundraisers to support Heathside Cottage Open Houses

Seasonal Open Houses: The Seasonal Open Houses will occur four times a year to celebrate the changing seasons in an immersive, adjusted reality.  The purpose of the Open House is not only to entertain, but also to introduce.  We will seek support for ongoing, project based funding from Northside-based foundations and community groups.  Fineview is on the verge of major redevelopment, and if potential investors see a vibrant recreational scene, they may be more encouraged to participate in our neighborhood's future. 

Sure, but is this legit? Here's the exciting part... There are major redevelopment plans brewing in Fineview.  Some of those plans will begin to roll out as soon as next year.   We have been encouraged by neighborhood support to pursue our special events with the backing of the Fineview Citizen's Council and its allies.  If and when we need to restructure our zoning to support our projects, we will have a neighborhood, a master plan, and some cultural institutions on our side.  Pittsburgh is desparate to see the Northside thrive, and Heathside Cottage is a vital piece to that puzzle.

If you have any questions about the future of Heathside Cottage or its special events, feel free to email or call me at 

greg@cityofplay.org

510 225 5221

Thanks again, for your tremendous support!