6. Third Thursday: Toga at Carnegie Museum of Art: March 15, 8 – 11 p.m.
Timed with the 40th anniversary of National Lampoon’s “Animal House,” Carnegie Museum of Art will have you wrapped up to party like it’s 750 B.C.E. Take an interactive tour of the new exhibit, “Visions of Order and Chaos,” to explore togas, treachery, revolutions and monarchies via 200 never-before-seen works spanning the Age of Enlightenment. Make a floral and laurel crown with WorkshopPGH to match your toga, pop into the UPMC Health Plan lounge to grab a glow stick, and strike your best Romulus pose in the “plinth selfie station.” Toga-wearers will be the first to see new photographs by Brooklyn artist Deana Lawson, and can watch live ceramics demonstrations. Don’t miss a disco party with DJ Jarrett Tebbets and performances by WVU’s West African Drum Ensemble. Beware the Ides of March and buy tickets now.
7. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas: The Mellon Collection of French Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts at The Frick Pittsburgh: March 17 – July 15
Kick off spring with stunning masterpieces by iconic painters like Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir. Pittsburghers will be the first in the U.S. to see this nationally touring exhibition when it makes its highly anticipated debut at The Frick Pittsburgh. See more than 70 masterpieces — some not exhibited in 40 years — spanning the movements and artists that defined French painting from 1820 to 1920. Culled from the remarkable collection of famed Pittsburgh philanthropist Paul Mellon and his wife Rachel, the show features groundbreaking standouts such as Degas’ sculpture, “Little Dancer.” Experience works by the most celebrated names in art history up close in the Frick’s intimate galleries. Buy tickets here.
8. St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Downtown
Whether you have deep Celtic roots — or just love being Irish for the day — come celebrate the country’s second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It kicks off at the Greyhound Bus Station Downtown with Maggie Cloonan serving as Grand Marshal. Highlights include 200 marching units, pipe, drum and dance troupes, lively floats, the crowning of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and the newest Pittsburgh tradition — Shamrock Shammy. New attractions include the Express Clydesdales, Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Idaho Potato and more. This year’s parade is dedicated to the late, great Dan Rooney, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and is beloved for his role as chairman of the Steelers. Rooney family members and representatives from the Steelers will participate as honored guests. The parade anchors a week of events around Pittsburgh, where residents and visitors are invited to explore Irish heritage, entertainment and cuisine.
9. Song of Thrones at Pittsburgh Opera: March 19, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Medieval fantasy, haute couture and classical opera will collide at this Game of Thrones-inspired gala. Here in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, unleash your inner Ned Stark at the Opera’s chic Strip District home. This epic affair will showcase wardrobes from the Opera’s costume vault fused with custom-made fashions designed by Diana Misetic of Little Black Dress. Juxtaposing minimal, neutral pieces with colorful, eclectic ensembles, the cutting-edge showcase will explore fantasy, texture and silhouette. The decadence will feature three “Acts,” including a cocktail reception, theatrical fashion show and post-runway mingling plus fresh, local fare from Black Radish Kitchen. Buy tickets.
10. Faces of (In)Equality: Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival: March 22 – April 8
The need for equality is urgent and ubiquitous — yet inequalities continue to increase worldwide — inspiring this unique festival to use filmmaking to share courageous stories from 13 diverse countries. Focusing its lens on what it really means to be equal or unequal, it’s the world’s only film festival run by university students from numerous educational institutions. Augmenting the 14 award-winning films will be Q&As, performances, ethnic cuisine, and a short film competition. Discover how the pioneering Hollywood star and inventor Hedy Lamarr influenced modern technology, meet a “punk-turned-Buddhist-priest” who’s dedicating his life to preventing suicide, and see an unprecedented portrait of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Don’t miss the opening night premiere of Antonio Méndez Esparza’s neorealist drama, “Life and Nothing More,” which chronicles a marginalized African-American family in Florida. The kickoff will feature a Q&A and reception with Esparza. Spanning four venues, Faces closes with Ai Weiwei’s “Human Flow,” which was documents refugee experiences in 23 countries. Buy tickets.
Check out more terrific events every week, including these coming up in March:
Quantum Theatre’s “Inside Passage:” March 2 – 25
Sing It for the World Cabaret at Renaissance City Choir: March 3, 10 & 11
One Health One Planet symposium at Phipps: March 7 & 8
Inspire Speaker Series’ Biophilia lecture and summit: March 8 & 9
Pittsburgh Public Theater’s “Heisenberg:” March 8 – April 8
Moby-Dick at Pittsburgh Opera: March 17 – 25
Rent at Heinz Hall: March 27 – April 1