The NEXTpittsburgh event guide is underwritten in part by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.
What’s going on this week in Pittsburgh, Oct. 3-9? Find out here. Visit each organization’s website and social media for Covid protocols. Know of a cool event? Email us.
Monday, Oct. 3: Andrew Conte: “Death of the Daily News” at City of Asylum
7 p.m.
What happens when towns lose their local newspapers? NEXT contributor Andy Conte, founder of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University, delves into this timely question with his new book. In conversation with WQED host Chris Moore, Conte will discuss the history of the McKeesport Daily News, the impact of local news deserts and how citizens are “taking charge of their communities and becoming gatekeepers to information.” Register for free.
Monday, Oct. 3: Anthony Doerr at Carnegie Music Hall
7:30 p.m.
For its next Ten Evenings reading, Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr. After publishing his war novel, “All the Light We Cannot See” in 2014, Doerr is back with “Cloud Cuckoo Land.” A National Book Award finalist, the story follows a 13-year-old orphan who lives inside the walls of Constantinople. Buy tickets.
Wednesday, Oct. 5: “Frozen” at the Benedum Center
7:30 p.m.
Winter’s chill might months away, but you can get ready with Elsa, Anna and Olaf when the touring production of “Frozen” opens the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season. The theatrical experience bursts with sensational special effects, stunning sets and costumes, rousing performances and a powerhouse creative team that has won 16 Tonys. You’ll sing along to all the hits you love from the Oscar-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers. Buy tickets.
Thursday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 9: Black Business Conference: Greenwood Week at multiple locations
Various times
Pittsburgh’s one-of-a-kind Black business conference returns for three days Downtown. With a focus on empowering Black businesses, entrepreneurs and artists, highlights include conference classes, brunch events and a creative showcase. In addition to providing resources, networking and education, the Greenwood Plan nonprofit will award $500 mini grants to 50 small businesses and will unveil its plans to build a Black middle-class neighborhood. Buy tickets.
Thursday, Oct. 6: Haiti Film Series at Frick Fine Arts Auditorium
6 p.m.
The Haiti Film Series continues tonight with Mario L. Delatour’s documentary “Kafe Negro.” The powerful “story of migration linked to a small grain that became the world’s second most traded raw material” follows French residents who flee the Haitian Revolution in Saint-Domingue and start a “coffee revolution” in Cuba. Proceeds support the Haiti Timber Re-Introduction Program. Buy tickets.
Thursday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 9: Reel Q at Row House Cinema
6:30 p.m.
A documentary about Christian mothers who choose their LGBTQ kids over the church. A world premiere about a female soccer star directed by a local filmmaker. A fresh take on queer barbershop culture featuring Pittsburgher Devan Shimoyama. These are just some of the powerful stories that will light up the big screen when the region’s only LGBTQ+ film festival — and Pittsburgh’s longest-running film festival — celebrates its 37th anniversary. The impressive lineup boasts 15 features and 40 queer shorts, including its largest selection of international films ever. Don’t miss tonight’s fab opening party featuring “In From the Side” about a gay rugby club followed by a reception. Buy tickets.
Thursday, Oct. 6: Radiant Ball: A Night in the Studios
6:30-9 p.m.
Radiant Hall has a lot to celebrate: For its 10th anniversary, the nonprofit is launching a fundraiser and spotlighting its newest studio location in McKees Rocks. During the cocktail-style gala, you can meet 100 Radiant Hall artists, buy original art during salon sales and a curated auction, experience interactive installations, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the studio spaces. Buy tickets.
Thursday, Oct. 6: “Bruno Sammartino” at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum
5:30 p.m.
A new documentary making its Pittsburgh debut shares the remarkable journey of world champion wrestler Bruno Sammartino. Filmmaker Patrea Patrick examines Sammartino’s extraordinary life — from fleeing the Nazis as a boy during WWII to arriving in Pittsburgh to becoming one of the planet’s most successful pro wrestlers. Narrated by KDKA-AM radio host Larry Richert, the film features interviews with Bruno, his family and friends and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before the film, attendees can explore Pittsburgh’s rich boxing and wrestling history at the museum. Buy tickets.
Friday, Oct. 7: In Bed by Ten at Two Frays Brewery
6-9 p.m.
Dance the night away and still get home by bedtime. For its last event of the season. In Bed By Ten’s DJMB welcomes special guest INEZ to get you grooving in the name of art, with proceeds supporting BOOM Concepts. Dancers will enjoy the brewery’s outdoor patio and can order food from People’s Indian Restaurant and Spak Brothers Pizza.
Friday, Oct. 7: Quantum Theatre’s “Idaspe” at the Byham Theater
7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh’s innovative theater company known for staging site-specific productions everywhere but theaters is doing just that for its next bold work. Created by Claire van Kampen and Chatham Baroque, “Idaspe” follows two children from the post-war Middle East who travel to Naples as refugees. Separated “in an underworld where organized crime is more welcoming than ‘legitimate’ business, the siblings become powerful bosses of two opposing clans.” Adapted from the opera by baroque composer Riccardo Broschi (1698-1756), “Idaspe” only runs for five performances so get tickets today.
Friday, Oct. 7: Storytelling in Motion at August Wilson African American Cultural Center
7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre kicks off its season with innovative, thought-provoking and athletic choreography by Nacho Duato, Helen Pickett and Yoshiaki Nakano. From a sculptural piece uniting physical movement and sound to a dramatic story examining morality to a world premiere showcasing the strength and artistry of dancers, it’s an evening of movement you don’t want to miss.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Canadian Electronic Ensemble Hybrid Symposium at CMU
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
CMU’s STUDIO for Creative Inquiry hosts this hybrid symposium dedicated to the trailblazing Canadian Electronic Ensemble, formed in 1972 at the University of Toronto. While highlighting the ensemble’s history, legacy and prolific projects, the free event (offered in person and via Zoom) explores electronic music genres, pioneers of the 1970s and 1980s, recent projects, and perspectives from Pittsburgh-based electronic musicians.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Fall Flower Show: Blooms Under the Big Top at Phipps
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
A sure sign that fall has arrived is this quintessential Pittsburgh tradition, which happens to be the county’s longest-running fall flower show. Step into the big top where bright fabric drapes overhead and rooms burst with circus-inspired and carnivalesque botanical displays. See magical mums never before available to the public, giant disbuds and awe-inspiring cascades adorned with whimsical pinwheels. From the hand-carved wooden carousel to the imaginative topiary animals, the Big Top will set the autumn mood. Buy tickets.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Locally Yours PGH at Ascender
12-3 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of local goodness in East Liberty. Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator teams up with Ascender to present this showcase of Pittsburgh-based artisan entrepreneurs. The pop-up market includes local food and drink purveyors, music by DJ Femi and the unveiling of a new mural installation by artist Sophia Fang. Register for free.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Goatoberfest at Zassick Park
1-5 p.m.
Spend a Saturday afternoon cuddling with goats? Where do we sign up? Head to Sewickley for this family-friendly celebration benefiting Kindred Spirits Rescue Ranch. Mingle with goats and other rescue animals and enjoy plant-based Oktoberfest refreshments — think s’mores, mulled wine, beer and cider. The event includes acoustic music and an auction. Best of all, you get to learn about the farm animal sanctuary’s unique model and current work with 200 animals in Beaver County. Buy tickets.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Festival of Combustion at Carrie Furnaces
1-9 p.m.
The furnaces might not produce molten iron anymore, but the creativity will burn bright when Rivers of Steel’s signature event unveils its expanded footprint. Get immersed in this nexus of industry, culture and nature at the National Historic Landmark. Paint graffiti art, create a Fiestaware mosaic, get a sizzling tattoo, watch welding demonstrations and lots more. As magic hour glows, sparks will light up the sky during iron pour performances. New this year is the Heritage Craft Tent with distillery samples and blacksmiths. The explosive extravaganza includes an artisan market, live music and fireworks to cap off the night. Buy tickets.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Steel City Big Pour at Rockwell Park
2-6 p.m.
With more beer and food than ever before, this beloved Burgh festival could be rebranded as the Steel City Huge Pour. There’s a lot that’s new about the event’s milestone 15th anniversary. For the first time, the froth fest is setting up shop behind Construction Junction, at the newly renovated Rockwell Park Apollo Building for one afternoon session. Featuring 40 breweries and 20 food vendors, the granddaddy of Burgh beer festivals includes a pig roast with Blackberry Meadows Organic Farm and demonstrations by Pittsburgh Glass Center, Protohaven and local makers. Buy tickets.
Saturday, Oct. 8 & Sunday, Oct. 9: Good Fest at Goodlander Cocktail Brewery
2-10 p.m. and 12-8 p.m.
Breweries are not just for beer. Nestled in Larimer, Goodlander Cocktail Brewery excels at crafting highball-style drinks sold in reusable, returnable kegs and growlers. If this piques your palate, don’t miss this two-day taste fest, when Goodlander transforms Hamilton Avenue into a fall block party. With DJs Arie Cole and Huny behind the decks, the free festivities include brews from East End and KLVN, an artist market, and local food offerings.
Saturday, Oct. 8: A Beginner’s Guide to Blood and Gore at the Trust Arts Education Center, Downtown
4-6 p.m.
Channel your inner Tom Savini just in time for the spooky season. Workshop participants (adults and teens age 14 and up!) will create cuts, bruises and blood, experiment with stage effects, and learn practical costume techniques. You’ll try your hand at creating gruesome gore, and even take home a homemade jar of blood. Buy tickets.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Jamie Earnest: Good Mourning at Here Gallery
6-8 p.m.
Tucked within the historic Mexican War Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side, the city’s newest contemporary art gallery is presenting a solo exhibition by Pittsburgh-based artist, Jamie Earnest. A native of rural Alabama, Earnest creates haunting paintings and sculptures ripe with symbols and narratives that examine “themes of classic Southern virtues that exist at odds with an exclusionary narrative of Southern hospitality.” Don’t miss tonight’s free opening reception where visitors will see seven new paintings by Earnest that continue these explorations into “mourning as a process of death and rebirth.”
Saturday, Oct. 8: Fireside Folktales: An Evening of Stewardship & Storytelling in Lawrenceville
6-9 p.m.
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with Friends of the Riverfront and the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center for activities at the 40th Street Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Join a sunset canoe paddle and then help collect litter along the trail. After a potluck dinner, you’ll be enthralled by the fireside stories of Taino elder Miguel Sagué. Register for free.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Pittsburgh Society of Artists at Third Street Gallery
5-8:30 p.m.
Carnegie has lots to offer and the Pittsburgh Society of Artists exhibition is adding to the town’s cultural offerings. Juried by Westmoreland Museum of Art Chief Curator Jeremiah William McCarthy, the 56th annual selection features 2D and 3D artwork by society members. Don’t miss tonight’s free opening party featuring a three-piece jazz band and a catered reception.
Saturday, Oct. 8: In Conversation with The Sopranos at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
7 p.m.
If you’re still binge watching reruns of “The Sopranos” and mourning the loss of James Gandolfini, this conversation is for you. Fans will love seeing “Sopranos” cast members Michael Imperiolo, Steve Schirripa and Vincent Pastore take the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories, memories and slides from the iconic show. Buy tickets.
Sunday, Oct. 9: The Neighborhood Flea at The Stacks at 3 Crossings
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fall is the idyllic time for flea markets. Score fab finds at this outdoor shopping staple which is hosting its ninth season in the Strip District. More than 60 vendors fill the relaxed open-air setting with artwork, collectibles, clothing, home decor and much more. Food trucks and small-batch purveyors round out the mix. Parking at The Hive is $5.
For more things to do, read 12 fun-filled Pittsburgh events in October, from Donut Fest to The Scary Furnace.
