Now that we’re all taking a post-Draft breath, it’s marathon time! But don’t worry, all of you non-runners out there. Pittsburgh still has plenty going on that won’t require you to lace up your sneakers this weekend.
PSO plays ‘The Empire Strikes Back’
Monday will bring Star Wars Day (“May the Fourth be with you!”), so the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will celebrate early this weekend by performing the music to the second film from the original film trilogy.
The immortal Grammy Award-winning score by John Williams will be played by the world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as the action and adventure of “The Empire Strikes Back” unfolds behind them. Don’t miss this continued tradition from the PSO.
Performances will all be held at Heinz Hall in Downtown Pittsburgh, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To get tickets and learn more about the program, visit pittsburghsymphony.org.
KenPuppy Derby
The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, but if you don’t feel like traveling to Louisville and donning one of those huge hats to watch a few minutes of horse racing, might we recommend hanging out with dogs instead?
The Dog Penn will host the KenPuppy Derby on Saturday. The event will include dog races, adoptable dogs on site from local rescues, a bouquet bar from 412 Flowers, $10 mint juleps and $7 gin and tonics and more! Feel free to dress in your best Derby outfits if you’d like to, and enter your dog to race.
This fun-filled 21 event will be held at The Dog Penn in the Strip District at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. To learn more, visit thedogpenn.com.
Prime Stage Theatre’s ‘Speak’
Based on the revolutionary 1999 young adult novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, this world premiere theatrical production follows the story of a young girl who uses art to find her way back to herself after trauma and discover her own voice. The work is based on Anderson’s own experiences and has inspired generations.
The play, written by Tammy Ryan, will begin its run at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at the New Hazlett Theater on the North Side with a pay-what-you-can preview night. Opening night’s show will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and a matinee will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The play will also run next weekend. For tickets and more information, visit primestage.com.
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ at the giant cinema
Few films in history have the sweeping scale and cinematic feel of 1962’s “Lawrence of Arabia,” a movie admired by generations of cinephiles as one of the greatest ever made. Now, take the opportunity to see it on the biggest screen possible for the first time at the Kamin Science Center’s Rangos Giant Cinema on the North Shore.
This epic World War I story starring Peter O’Toole and Omar Sharif has a runtime of three hours and 47 minutes. This showing will feature opening remarks by the Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club’s president, Wendy Whittick.
The film will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Kamin Science Center. Get tickets at kaminsciencecenter.org.
Spring artists’ market
Shop, sip and explore at this artists’ market at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media. A variety of local vendors will bring out their best work for your perusal and purchase in a lovely spring setting.
More than 30 artist vendors will bring their wares, including CA Glassworks, Les Is More 894 and Squiggle Art. Food and drinks will be on site, with tasty bites from Los Gallitos and beverages by Jackworth Ginger Beer. This is the first artists’ market of the year, so reunite with your favorite creators and see what they’ve got that’s fresh and new.
The market will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, ending at 4 p.m., at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media. To learn more, visit pghartsmedia.org.