5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 16-18
It will be a festive weekend around the ‘Burgh, with celebrations of beer, music, the outdoors and diversity in the arts.
He’s still standing
Elton John brings his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour” back to Pittsburgh for a show beginning at 8 p.m. Friday at PNC Park on the North Shore.
The date is part of a lengthy farewell tour that started in 2018 (including another Pittsburgh date) but was interrupted by the pandemic shutdown of entertainment venues.
Sir Elton draws from his massive catalog of hits going back to “Your Song” in 1970. While there is no opening act, special guests have popped up on some tour dates.
Tickets are available at various online outlets, including the Pittsburgh Pirates page at mlb.com.
All that jazz
The 12th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival opens with A Taste of Jazz Party at 9:30 p.m. Friday in the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The evening will include a concert by Ron Carter and his Foursight Quartet, followed by music from Vanisha Gould Quartet and Laurin Talese and a jam session led by Orrin Evans.
The festival moves to Highmark Stadium in Station Square for music from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Featured musicians include Stanley Clarke N 4ever, Ledisi, Incognito featuring Maysa Leak, Average White Band, Samara Joy featuring Pasquale Grasso Trio, Melissa Aldana, Laurin Talese, Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) and many others.
For information and tickets for opening night, visit awaacc.org. For Saturday and Sunday tickets, visit pittsburghjazzfest.org.
Prost!
Oktoberfest originated in the 1810 celebration in Munich, Germany, of the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria, later King Louis I. The event went global as an annual celebration of beer, food and fun – including events this weekend in Pittsburgh:
• Penn Brewery Oktoberfest, 800 Vinial St., Troy Hill – Hours are 5-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday (and Sept. 23-25). Features include the brewery’s own Oktoberfest beer and other brews, food, music and fun. For information and tickets, visit pennbrew.com.
• Beers of the Burgh Rocktoberfest at SouthSide Works – Hours are noon-10 p.m. Saturday. Event will feature local craft beer, food trucks and music on two stages. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 on Saturday, at showclix.com.
• Pittsburgh Oktoberfest Bar Crawl on the South Side – Hours are 3-10 p.m. Saturday at participating bars, where there will be drink specials, music and more. To register, visit eventbrite.com.
• Oktoberfest Brunch at the National Aviary in the North Side – Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. German cuisine will be prepared by Chef Josef Karst of Atria’s Specialty Catering.
Admission to the aviary is included with ticket price. For information and reservations, visit aviary.org.
Hit the trail
Mon/Yough Trail Council will host the 28th Annual Yough-n-Roll Ride and Party on the Trail from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Great Allegheny Passage trailhead at Donner Street in Boston, Elizabeth Township.
The event will feature music, food, local artists and artisans, giveaways, children’s activities, basket booth, bike safety program and free hot dogs while supplies last. Author Bill Metzger will sign books and discuss the conversion of the old railroad line into the recreational trail.
A Yough-and-Roll bike ride fundraiser will begin at 8:30 p.m. To register for the ride or for more information, visit thebostontrail.com.
Harvest of arts
Sweetwater Center for the Arts will host its annual Mavuno Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Riverfront Park, 300 Chadwick St., Sewickley. The event will feature arts and crafts, music and entertainment, food and vendors.
The festival was created to celebrate Black arts and cultural achievements in the community, along with those of indigenous and other BIPOC artists. “Mavuno” is a Swahili word meaning “harvest.”
A free opening reception is planned for 6-9 p.m. Friday at the center, 200 Broad St, featuring an exhibition of work by Pittsburgh-based Black artists and a performance by a poetry collective.
For more information and to register for the reception, visit sweetwaterartcenter.org.
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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