5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 3-6
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It’s Labor Day weekend — the unofficial end to summer. Here are a few ideas of how to spend it.
Ribs, music, football
The Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Festival is Friday through Monday at Heinz Field on the North Side. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday.
The festival will feature a number of national rib vendors, games and music.
The Clarks will perform at 9 p.m. Friday after Sun King Warriors. On Sunday, the Jimmy Adler Band, Norman Nardini and Billy Price will take the stage starting at 2:30 p.m. Pitt hosts the University of Massachusetts in football at 4 p.m. Saturday. The annual Steelers Run/Walk will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday.
At nearby Stage AE, Carly Pearce will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, followed by Lady A at 9 p.m.
Admission to concerts is free. Game tickets must be purchased.
Details: heinzfield.com
It’s time to kickoff the football season!
We're doing it right with ribs, games, and FREE live performances by bands like The Clarks.@MillerLite | Learn more: https://t.co/5nxvXsF95b pic.twitter.com/kWWV2bt0JW
— Heinz Field (@heinzfield) August 24, 2021
Soul food
The Soul Food Fest: A Soulful Taste of the Burgh is from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday in Market Square, Downtown. The event honors the history of culinary, butchery and Black food businesses in Pittsburgh since 1795. Bill Henry Band, DJ Kid Capri, WHO’S BAD ( a Michael Jackson tribute band), international jazz violinist Rodney McCoy, Roger Humphries and RH Factor will take the stage. There will be a kids’ fun zone.
Admission is free.
Details: facebook.com
Pittonkatonk
Pittonkatonk is a free music festival beginning at 4 p.m. Friday at the Vietnam Veterans Pavilion in Schenley Park. The lineup includes Son Rompe Pera, Combo Chimbita, Detroit Party Marching Band, Novi Hitovi, Rebel Diaz, 1Hood Showcase, Afro Yaqui Music Collective, Big Blitz and May Day Marching Band. The pot luck is canceled, but there will be food vendors.
Organizers said they strongly encourage attendees to be vaccinated. If not vaccinated, please wear a mask and social distance.
Details: pittonkatonk.org
Shakespeare
In its 17th season, Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks presents “The Tragedy of Hamlet” at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday near the blue slide in Frick Park. This is an all-female production. The roles of Hamlet and love interest Ophelia will be shared by local actor Melissa Franklin and Angela Hsu, an opera singer from California. Guests are asked to social distance.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Details: pittsburghshakespeare.com
Water Lantern Festival
The Water Lantern Festival is from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday in the West Park section of Allegheny Commons in the North Side. At the event, guests write a few lines about their hopes and dreams or a letter to a loved one and send the messages out onto the water. Lanterns can be decorated any way a person wants. The bags are lit by an LED candle as they float on the water along with other peoples’ lanterns.
Tickets start at $25.99.
Details: waterlanternfestival.com