5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Nov. 11-13
This weekend is a great time to celebrate movies, music, dance, cultural heritage and chocolate in Pittsburgh.
Film festival
The Three Rivers Film Festival continues through Nov. 16, featuring 18 independent feature films not showing elsewhere.
Films are screening at the Harris Theater downtown and The Tull Family Theater in Sewickley. There also are some virtual offerings.
The Friday night program at the Harris Theater includes “The Lost King,” starring Sally Hawkins, at 7 p.m.; and “Last Film Show,” in Gujarati with subtitles, at 9:15 p.m. The French film, “Beautiful Minds,” screens at 7:30 p.m. at the Tull.
Along with movies, the festival includes Q&As with cast members and crew, a chance to vote on favorite films and the 40th anniversary screening of the horror classic, “Creepshow,” on closing night.
A general admission ticket is $15 per screening. Parking is free for festival attendees at Theater Square Garage, 667 Penn Ave.
For full schedule and tickets, visit filmpittsburgh.org.
Indie music showcase
Doors open at 3 p.m. Saturday for the Sixth Annual Pittsburgh Indie Music Fest at Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall, 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. Music starts at 4 p.m.
The lineup includes Standard Broadcast, Surefire, Bleepy Things, Hearken, Mirabelle Skipworth & The Brink Of, Sierra Sellers, Old Neon and Jess Klein and the Good Time, along with acoustic acts.
The festival was founded by Standard Broadcast front man Nathan Jay to raise awareness of and money for local independent musicians. Proceeds are split evenly among the participants.
The event is for those 18 and older; admission is $15.
For information, visit thunderbirdmusichall.com.
Ballet benefit
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will host Pointe in Time | Love Never Dies, a gala evening of dining, dancing and performances by company artists and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School students, at 6 p.m. Saturday in The Westin Pittsburgh Grand Ballroom, 1000 Penn Ave.
Performance highlights include a new “Dracula”-themed work choreographed by PBT soloist Jessica McCann, along with excerpts from the rest of the season’s productions. The PBT Orchestra will provide accompaniment.
Silent and live auctions and raffles will be available. Proceeds from the event benefit PBT’s Community Youth Scholarship program, now in its 10th year. The program has supported 68 scholarship students to date.
Tickets are available through Friday at 412-454-9127 or pbt.org.
Sweet soiree
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Chocolate Bar returns to the lobby of the downtown Benedum Center on Saturday, beginning with a VIP Experience from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the main event following from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
The VIP session will include a special dinner menu and live music performance by the Check Your Bucket Band. The main event will have an array of sweet and savory chocolate offerings from more than 16 restaurants and chocolatiers, with music provided by DJ SMI.
Models and dancers will greet guests to promote the upcoming production of “Hadestown,” part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series. General admission tickets include a photo opportunity with Steam Punk Drag Queens in the Pop-Up Photo Suite.
For information and ticket reservations, call 412-456-6666 or visit trustarts.org.
Living culture
Polishfest 2022 is planned for noon-5 p.m. Sunday in the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland.
The free event celebrates the the living cultures of the Polish, Lithuanian and Carpatho-Rusyn peoples with activities such as Polish name-writing; Lithuanian angel paper-cutting demonstration; pierogi/pirohy cooking demonstrations and samples; Carpatho-Rusyn spinning and lace-making; and a pierogi toss. An explanation of the cultural history of the tradition will accompany each feature.
Entertainment will include Polish folk songs with a violinist; a Lithuanian choir with Bocjai folk songs; Polish Karazula folk songs and folk dancing by the Lajkoniki Ensemble; polka dancing; and contemporary Polish music.
For information, visit nationalityrooms.pitt.edu.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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