Summer in the city: Everything from pigs to plays

Troy is a lively place these days, so you may want to get out of the house and take advantage of all the goings on.

The inaugural "Troy Pig Out" is the biggie of the summer, another brainchild of chef/entrepreneur Larry Schepici (Tosca, Illium Cafe, La Marche Vert) who founded last year's hugely successful Troy Chowder Fest.

It's scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 19-20, at Riverfront Park behind City Hall. There are several free parking garages nearby.

The event will draw professional barbecue teams from around the nation, competing in the People’s Choice Beef Rib Eye competition on Saturday and the New York State BBQ Championship on Sunday. The main event is sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Association and the Office of the Governor. The winner of the state title will qualify for the National BBQ Championship competition.

Live music and plenty of food will be available for this free public event. If you want to download the full schedule, just click here. If you just want to know the basics, here they are: The event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20, with a variety of live musical acts.

Here are just a few other examples of what's going on. You can find a lot more by clicking here.

• "Collar City Live presents Storm Front -- A Billy Joel Tribute"

This free concert is set for 6 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the Riverfront Park behind Troy City Hall. The music of Billy Joel will be presented by a six-musician band called Storm Front. Bring your own lawn chair and enjoy the sounds. (In case of rain, the performance will be held at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street.)

• William Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

The Bakerloo Theatre Project will present the play at 2 p.m. July 17, 18, 19, 24 and August 1 in Academy Hall, corner of 15th Street and College Avenue on the RPI campus. This is the troupe's ninth repertory season in the Capital Region. Tickets are $16 (a season pass costs $25).

• First Columbia Presents: "Rockin’ On The River" Concert Series

The free outdoor concert will take place along the Hedley District Riverfront on River Street just north of the Collar City Bridge, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16.

• Collar City Live presents "Peter, Paul & George"

This free noontime concert for the family on Wednesday, July 16, will include rhythmic movement, music, history, social skills, international culture and customs, one in which everyone can participate. It will be held in Riverfront Park behind Troy City Hall. (Rain site: The Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street.)