Here are the events you need to know about this week in Pittsburgh: September 7-10. Know of an interesting event? Email us here.
Monday, September 7: Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruise
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Labor Day is the perfect time to hop aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet because kids 12 and under ride for one dollar. Explore the Burgh from the open waters, as your captain regales you with fascinating river lore and you cruise past landmarks, bridges and lush landscapes.
Monday, September 7: Great Backyard Campout with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Various times
Launching on Labor Day, the first-ever Great Backyard Campout features a week filled with thematic outdoor activities designed by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pennsylvania Master Naturalists, Pittsburgh Park Rangers and Venture Outdoors. Make the most of late summer while splashing in a swimming hole, playing disc golf, pitching a tent under the stars, taking an urban hike and so much more.
Monday, September 7: RADical Days
Various times
RADical Days kicks off today with free cool stuff to do throughout the fall. Most events are virtual with a handful of in-person happenings like free admission days and outdoor activities. New this year are virtual behind-the-scenes tours, dance classes, camps, book clubs and performances, an adults-only happy hour with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, an online blues festival and more. View a schedule.
Monday, September 7: Britsburgh Festival Online
4 p.m.
The British are coming starting today. With 11 free events spanning seven days, you’ll be an Anglophile by week’s end. Sip and socialize during afternoon tea and beer tasting events, uncover your British genealogy, examine George Orwell’s writings, and get a front-row seat with Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks. Additional highlights include a Yorkshire Travelogue program, virtual concerts and talks about mystery books and World War II.
Monday, September 7: Comedy Cookout Stand-Up Show at the Trust Oasis
7 p.m.
Add some wit to your Labor Day cookout. For this special holiday standup show, four powerhouse comedians — Aaron Kleiber, EJ Edmonds, Sarah Morgan and Missy Moreno — will heat up the Trust Oasis. Presented by Arcade Comedy Theater, the outdoor show will also feature “name your price” grilled hot dogs. Buy tickets.
Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9: Art Supply Drive at the Strip District Terminal
2:30-6:30 p.m.
Join the Strip District Terminal and Pittsburgh Public Schools by donating much-needed materials such as sketchbooks, colored pencils, markers, glue sticks, and more to students in need. Drive up to the Terminal building between 20th and 21st streets and drop off supplies that will be organized and distributed to students.
Tuesday, September 8: Outdoor Boot Camp at the South Park Fairgrounds
6-7 p.m.
Open to all fitness levels, this high-energy class blends strength training, cardio intervals and a variety of equipment including battle ropes, slam balls and bands. Buy tickets.
Tuesday, September 8: After Dinner Conversations with Njaimeh Njie and Hourglass
7 p.m.
Have some art for dessert. For its next After Dinner Conversations event, the Office of Public Art is welcoming Pittsburgh-based multimedia artist Njaimeh Njie and Atlanta DJ Hourglass. Held via Instagram Live, the free discussion will explore the theme of storytelling.
Tuesday, September 8: Jazz Poetry Month presents Waclaw Zimpel: Pogrom
7 p.m.
City of Asylum’s Jazz Poetry Festival is moving from its North Side tent to the internet for audiences around the globe to experience. The monthlong festival kicks off tonight with “Pogrom,” a performance featuring two cutting-edge Polish artists. Their concert featuring clarinetist and composer Waclaw Zimpel and spoken word poet and punk singer Alex Freiheit was filmed in an abandoned Communist-era swimming pool in Poland. Register for free here.
Tuesday, September 8: Mutt Strut hosted by PNC Bank
Various times
Help veterans in need to find a loyal service dog during the year’s Mutt Strut. Hosted by PNC Bank, the weeklong fundraising event will benefit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs — a national nonprofit that rescues, trains and donates medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others with disabilities. The online event will feature an auction, video testimonials, photo contests and more.
Register here.
Wednesday, September 9: Wednesday Wake Up Paddle at Aspinwall Riverfront Park
6:30-8 a.m.
Early birds will love this moderate-level paddle session on the Allegheny River, providing relaxing views of trees and nature while enjoying the sun rise. Buy tickets here.
Wednesday, September 9: Yoga Hike at Settler’s Cabin Park
6-7:30 p.m.
Join Elevate Yoga for an active hike along the tranquil trails of Settler’s Cabin, followed by a yoga practice that will nourish and stretch those muscles and a relaxing savasana that will calm your mind. Buy tickets here.
Wednesday, September 9: So Now What? Virtual Series
7-7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this virtual series led by national experts in education and childhood development from PBS Kids, Common Sense Media, Learning Heroes and UPMC Children’s Hospital. The Wednesday night sessions for parents and caregivers will cover a range of topics such as social-emotional wellness, mental health, learning resources, communication, tech safety and more. Register for free here.
Thursday from September 10: Public Art Training Camp
4-5:30 p.m.
This eight-week online series is designed for artists interested in working in the public realm and organizations hoping to work with artists. Featuring national and local speakers, the session will cover a wide range of topics, including national trends, best practices, contracts and agreements, budgets, permits and permissions and more. Buy tickets here.
Thursday from September 10: Thoth Trio: Meditations on Quarantine
7 p.m.
City of Asylum’s free Jazz Poetry festival continues tonight with the debut of Thoth Trio’s Meditations on Quarantine, a suite of five works composed by Pittsburgh artist Ben Opie during the pandemic. The online event will also feature international poets Richard Blanco, Asieh Amini, Joy Katz and Natalie Diaz. Register for free here.
Thursday, September 10: Drive-In Community Arts Festival at Hazelwood Green
8 p.m.
Moving its productions from indoor stages to the Great Outdoors, City Theatre is presenting 12 nights of programming curated by local cultural partners. From magic and comedy shows to hip hop and classical music — all events will be performed live on stage and projected on a giant screen. Creating a much-needed venue for safe live performances, it all kicks off tonight with live music by The Buckle Downs and The Living Street. Buy tickets.
Thursday, September 10: LightPLAY at the Carrie Blast Furnaces
8:30 p.m.
It may be dark and empty, but the towering Carrie Blast Furnaces will be set aglow thanks to an innovative new light-based exhibition. Showcasing 11 multimedia installations created by local artists and engineers, LightPlay will be on display at the National Historic Landmark through October 1. The one-of-a-kind experience includes immersive light and sound installations, digital videos and illuminated sculptures that they say will transform the former blast furnace into a sensorial maze. Buy tickets.
Thursday, September 10: To the World We Dream About with The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
7:30 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is rallying supporters with a virtual fundraiser hosted by two Broadway A-listers. Stars of the hit musical Hadestown, André De Shields and Eva Noblezada will be the gala’s guests of honor during this festive night celebrating and supporting the Trust. Buy tickets.
For more events, go here. Know about an interesting event? Email us here.