5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: April 21-23
It’s the weekend. Here are some ways to spend it.
Go to a movie
The JFilm Festival, which showcases Jewish-themed independent feature films, is celebrating 30 years. The festival opened Thursday and runs through April 30.
This weekend, the schedule starts with “Love Gets a Room” (5:30 p.m.) and “Our Story” (8 p.m.) on Friday at AMC Waterfront 22 in Homestead. On Saturday, “Vishniac” (2 p.m.) will be on screen and then “Snowland” (5:30 p.m.) and “Karaoke” (8 p.m.), also at AMC Waterfront 22. “The Specials” (1 p.m.) is playing at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont followed by the documentary “Finding Light” (4 p.m.) and “Farewell, Mr. Haffmann” (7 p.m.) on Sunday.
The screening of “Finding Light” is followed by a discussion with director Paul Michael Bloodgood, dance choreographer Stephen Mills (the film’s subject), Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre artistic director Adam W. McKinney, and former Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dancer Christine Schwaner.
Most of the festival’s 23 films are screened in local theaters, with four of the works available virtually. The festival began in 1994 as the Jewish-Israeli Film Festival, presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, and became the standalone nonprofit JFilm in 2015.
Details: FilmPittsburgh.org
Opening day
Come Saturday, Kennywood’s open.
In its quasquicentennial year, the West Mifflin amusement park will debut 1898 Coffee, which will feature an array of coffee flavors, including Kennywood’s own blend. It will also be selling West Homestead’s Nancy B’s chocolate chip cookies.
Other areas of the park have been given a facelift. Anniversary celebrations will include displays, nostalgic food and drink, entertainment and photo opportunities. Safety measures put in place last year will also be used this year, including increased police presence.
Details: kennywood.com
Soup’s on
The South Side Soup Contest is back. The 17th annual fundraiser of The Brashear Association and the South Side Chamber of Commerce will showcase local businesses serving a variety of soups. The event is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. There will be 20 restaurants making 18 gallons to be distributed at 20 local establishments.
Registration is in SouthSide Works at the former cinema entrance.
Tickets are$40.
Details: southsidechamber.org
Mother earth
Pittsburgh Earth Day will host the “Music, Art & Culture Festival” on Saturday.
A tailgate tour will include tastings at 11 a.m. by chef Claudy Pierre from the E.A.T. Initiative, and Eminent Hospitality Group at the Energy Innovation Center in the Hill District. The event is presented by Duquesne Light Co., Wesco, UPMC Health Plan and Pitt Ohio. People can learn how to reduce their environmental impact through energy efficiency and electrification from representatives of Duquesne Light.
In Market Square, Downtown, there will be exercise classes — Hiit Class by Bella followed by Zumbathon featuring Carla & Susy beginning at 11 a.m.
The Uprooted Band, featuring Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root, will perform at 2:40 p.m. as part of the group’s 25th anniversary of the album “When I Woke.” Also performing will be The Soulful Femme Band and Nash’ville featuring Byron Nash. Live art on stage will be done by artist Kevin “The Nerve” Wenner.
DJ Arie Cole will be spinning records from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Ki Ki from WAMO 107.3 along with The Pirate Parrot, The Bucco Brigade and the Pittsburgh Pirates Pierogies will be at both locations. The tour will finish with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ salute to sustainability when they host the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on the North Shore. Tickets are required for the baseball game.
Details: pittsburghearthday.org
Jell-O salad
To celebrate National Picnic Day, The Mall at Robinson is teaming with YaJagoff! — content creators of all things Pittsburgh — to host a strawberry pretzel Jell-O salad standoff starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. In the mall’s rotunda, guests can taste-test desserts, vote and spin a prize wheel to win gift cards. The winning dessert will have $500 donated to their local charity. There will be face painting by Face Paint Pittsburgh.
UTZ Snacks is sponsoring the event.
The event is free.
Details: shoprobinsonmall.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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