Mon., July 1
[Event]
The Big Butler Fair has everything: truck pulls, rabbit showmanship, free concerts, and anything battered and fried you could possibly want. Don’t miss Western PA’s biggest fair! Continues through Sun., July 7. 1127 New Castle Road, Prospect. $8-20. bigbutlerfair.com
[Event]
Everyone's seen the famous photo of Fred Rogers flipping two birds with a big smile on his face, but there are far more candid behind-the-scenes shots that you should know. Dig in with Pittsburgh photographer Jim Judkis' trove of Rogers at work with The Loving Kindness of Fred Rogers. Continues through Tue., July 30. American Jewish Museum at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, 5738 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill. Free. jccpgh.org
Tue., July 2
[Music]
Frampton came alive in 1976, and, now, he’s going away. Retirement we assume. Come see Peter Frampton and his talking guitar say farewell to fans at the Benedum Center during his final tour. All of our guitars are gently weeping. 7:30 p.m. 237 Seventh St., Downtown. Starting at $49.50. trustarts.org
Wed., July 3
[Art]
Head to Black Forge Coffee House for an evening of art, poetry, and spoken word at Strange Enchantments: A Night of Poetry and Spoken Word. The coffees won’t be the only servings that are enchanted, dark, and marvelous. 7 a.m. 1206 Arlington Ave., Allentown. Free. blackforgecoffee.com
Thu., July 4
[Event]
Pittsburghers love their fireworks, and there is no better time to enjoy them then at Flashes of Freedom firework show at Point State Park. An all-day celebration event starts at 12 p.m. and then fireworks cap off the night. 9:30 p.m. 601 Commonwealth Place, Downtown. Free. celebrateamericapgh.com
Fri., July 5
[Stage]
Mrs. Stancliffe has a successful bed and breakfast. She also has an elderly neighbor they call “Bud the Stud.” There are rumors why her female guests keep returning. Throw in some experimental sex-drive pills, and you got yourself the wickedly funny Sex Please, We’re Sixty. 7:30 p.m. 275 Manor Road, Delmont. applehillplayhouse.org
Sat., July 6
[Event]
It’s prime people-watching season Downtown as thousands of furries return for Anthrocon, the annual convention for folks who like to dress up as animals. The fursuit parade is not to be missed, and many furries are happy to pose for pics — just make sure you ask first. Consent also applies to those in costumes. Continues through Sun., July 7. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Downtown. anthrocon.org
Sun., July 7
[Food]
Pittsburgh's finest Caribbean restaurants come together to pay homage to Jamaica's favorite marinade: jerk sauce. Sample jerk dishes of meat and shellfish from Mama Rose, Linton's, Leon's, 3 Sisters, Richie's and Keisha's as DJs, and live reggae from The Flow Band serenade you at Jerk Fess. 10:30 a.m. Rhododendron Shelter, Lake Drive., Highland Park. Free. "Pittsburgh Jerk Fess" on Facebook
[Hands]
The hand-holding is optional, but a friendly, welcoming attitude is mandatory at the Peaceful Gathering of Hands at Schenley Park. Bring some food for the potluck, join a drum circle, or just hang back and enjoy a nice day at the park. Wear your red jumpsuit and get tethered! 12 p.m. Schenley Park Skating Rink, 10341 Overlook Drive, Oakland. Free. "Peaceful Gathering of Hands" on Facebook
Mon., July 8
[Kids]
What do birds, bees, and spiders have in common? Let your young nature-lover find out at Allegheny Land Trust’s Pre-K camp, Animal Architects: Using Nature's Builders to Teach STEAM. 10 a.m. Continues through Fri., July 12. Audubon Greenway, 160 Magee Road, Sewickley. $18. alleghenylandtrust.org
Tue., July 9
[Music]
Philadelphia rock band Hop Along stand out for the singularly sharp and piercing voice of lead singer Frances Quinlan. Catch them at Rex Theater along with indie pop from Kississippi. 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. 21+. $18.50. rextheater.net
Wed., July 10
[Art]
707 Gallery presents the exhibit Darkest Dark by artist Oreen Cohen, a series of large-scale charcoal works on paper made through aggressive automatic drawing while thrashing to heavy metal music. Continues through July 14. 707 Gallery. 707 Penn Ave., Downtown. Free. trustarts.org
Thu., July 11
[Stage]
Any event that comes with a “strong sexual content and profanity” disclaimer is our kind of show. The Vaudevillians, “a vintage cabaret with a twist of drag,” stars RuPaul’s Drag Race veteran Jinkx Monsoon and Richard Andreissen. Expect a night of raunchy comedy, a bizarre plot, and fun tunes. 8 p.m. Continues through Sat., July 13. O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Downtown. $30-60. ppt.org
Fri., July 12
[Art]
The monthly Downtown Gallery Crawl returns with new exhibitions and other exciting happenings at businesses and Cultural Trust art galleries, including Wood Street Galleries, SPACE, 707 Penn Gallery, and 937 Liberty. 5:30-10 p.m. Cultural District, Downtown. Free. trustarts.org/crawl
[Event]
Everyone should race to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix for 11 days of car-related fun. Touted as one of the nation’s largest vintage street races, the event includes classic car shows, parties, parades, and motorsport events. Continues through Sun., July 21. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Schenley Park, 3898 Boulevard Of The Allies, Oakland. Free or suggested donation. pvgp.org
[Art]
Head to Glitter Box Theater for a night of performance art entitled Not ur Average Bitch, featuring “female identifying creatures presenting their abstract works deemed to proactive for the general public.” 7:05 p.m. 460 Melwood Ave., Oakland. theglitterboxtheater.com
[Art]
It’s back! For the 15th year, SouthSide Works Exposed brings three days of local art, food, music, and fun. And this year, Sidney Street, along with 27th, will be closed from 27th to 28th to allow for a seamless vendor area. 5 p.m. SouthSide Works, S. 27th St., South Side. Free. southsideworks.com
Sat., July 13
[Music]
The North Side becomes a music destination when over 350 bands play at more than 30 indoor and outdoor stages at the annual Deutschtown Music Festival. There are also tons of food trucks and all-ages activities for the entire family. Various times. Various locations, North Side. Free. deutschtownmusicfestival.com
[Music]
Nothing is better than B&B — bass and barbeque — in the sun. Get ready for The Bassburgh BBQ, a beats-filled day at Enix Brewing and its fresh outdoor stage and dance area. After the sun goes does, the party continues upstairs in the bowling alley. 5 p.m. 337 E. Eighth Ave., Homestead. enix.beer
[Event]
Inhale, exhale. There, isn’t breathing nice? Breathe Better Day, a collaboration between Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Breathe Project, explores how the rise of industry has affected works of art. Plus, learn about local environmental advocacy. 12 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. Free with admission. cmoa.org
[Food]
125 breweries come together at Stage AE for the Pittsburgh Summer Beerfest, the city’s two-night craft beer extravaganza. Get your pretzel necklaces ready! Various times. 400 N. Shore Drive, North Side. $20-65. pittsburghbeerfest.com
Sun., July 14
[Comedy]
Patton Oswalt is making his return to Pittsburgh at the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. The veteran comedian has been booed off a San Francisco stage for being anti-hippie and also booed off a Pittsburgh stage for an unfavorable bit on George W. Bush. 6 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. $55.75-65.75. librarymusichall.com
Mon., July 15
[Stage]
You’ll wonder what your damage is when you see The Theatre Factory’s production of Heathers: The Musical, a live show based the ultra-dark 1989 comedy about teen angst, high school, and murder. Continues through Sun., July 21. 8 p.m. 235 Cavitt Ave., Trafford. $18-20. thetheatrefactory.org
Tue., July 16
[Event]
View work by more than 40 artists during the Idea Furnace Retrospective at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. The exhibition showcases pieces by various participants in the Idea Furnace program dating back to 2013. Continues through Mon., July 29. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 5472 Penn Ave., Friendship. Free. pittsburghglasscenter.org
Wed., July 17
[Event]
Are you thinking about bubbles? No? Well, we’re not mind readers, but Mark Toland is. So much, so that’s he been on NBC, WGN, FOX, ABC, NPR, and TEDx. Get your mind blown at Liberty Magic when Toland comes to town. 7:30 p.m. 811 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $45-$60. trustarts.org
Thu., July 18
[Stage]
Ever dream you had no responsibilities, could lavish yourself with fun and gifts, and answered to no one? No, we’re not talking about being a U.S. congressperson! We’re talking Peter Pan at the Benedum Center. 7:30 p.m. 237 Seventh St., Downtown. Starting at $26.25. pittsburghclo.org
Fri., July 19
[Music]
If your angst doesn’t match up with the sunshine and rainbows of summer, release it all at Sad Summer Festival at Stage AE. The lineup features rock, indie, and emo acts, including The Wonder Years, Mom Jeans, Mayday Parade, and more. 12 -11 p.m. 400 N. Shore Drive, North Side. $35-37. sadsummerfest.com
[Stage]
Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1983, ’night, Mother tells the story of Jessie, who details the planning of her own suicide to her mother (and the audience) later that night. The drama slowly builds as the play comes to a stunning conclusion. 8 p.m. 115 57th St., Lawrenceville, $20. throughlinetheatre.org
Sat., July 20
[Stage]
Not a fan of Elizabethan prose? Maybe you just aren’t drunk enough. Watch the Capulets and Montagues battle it out in an all new light in Sh!tfaced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, where one of the cast members is seriously inebriated. Get tipsy yourself in the lobby after the show with DJ Inception and local brews. 8 p.m. Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St., Downtown. $20-25. trustarts.org
[Food]
Everybody in the ‘Burgh is brunching at GoodFoodPittsburgh’s second annual brunch fest. Indulge in doughnuts, beer-mosas, and breakfast pizza all morning. 9:30 a.m. Hitchhiker Brewing, 2541, 1500 S. Canal St., Sharpsburg. $25. goodfoodpittsburgh.com
Sun., July 21
[Music]
Do or do not. There is no try(ing) to make it out for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's performance of the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back score. The event features a screening of the film, complete with a live performance of composer John Williams’ iconic score. 2:30 p.m. Heinz Hall. 600 Penn Ave., Downtown. $25-105. pittsburghsymphony.org
[Event]
Celebrate creativity at the Polish Hill Arts Festival, now in its 12th year. The festival includes musical acts, artists, craftspeople, and cooks, many of which live right in the Polish Hill neighborhood. 12-8 p.m. 3060 Brereton St., Polish Hill. Free. phcapgh.org
Mon., July 22
[Event]
Come and flex that green thumb with a variety of volunteer opportunities through Grow Pittsburgh. Check out urban farming at Shiloh Farm or help out the kiddies with the School Garden Program. Times vary. 6587 Hamilton Avenue #2W. East Liberty. growpittsburgh.org/comevisitus/
Tue., July 23
[Exhibit]
Are you a fledgling genius inventor with no money or supporters? Commiserate at Carnegie Science Center's Da Vinci the Exhibition, featuring sketches and notes of inventions that were too complicated or too expensive to make happen in real life. 10 a.m. Continues through Mon., Sept. 2. $19.95. carnegiesciencecenter.org
Wed., July 24
[Art]
Brett Yasko at SPACE. Pittsburgh artist Brett Yasko invited 87 local artists to take photographs for his current avant-garde exhibit “_ _ _ _ _ _ .” The catch? Everyone had to return the rolls of film to him undeveloped, and not even they will see what they captured until they’re hanging in the gallery. 11 a.m. Continues through Sun., Aug. 4. SPACE Gallery, 812 Liberty Ave., Downtown. Free. spacepittsburgh.org
Thu., July 25
[Stage]
Kinetic Theatre calls its newest performance of Scapino "a Godfather twist" on playwright Molière’s famous comedy. Expect laughs as the mafia convenes in Naples. Naples, Florida, that is. 8 p.m. Through July 28. $20-45. Henry Heymann Theatre, 4301 Forbes Ave., Oakland. kinetictheatre.org
Fri., July 26
[Music]
Pittsburgh country-folk singer Molly Alphabet performs with Cello Fury and Bindley Hardware Co. as part of her Broken Record album release party at Thunderbird Café & Music Hall. 7 p.m. 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $10. thunderbirdcafe.net
[Kids]
Nerf guns cause mayhem when used in the house, which is why they should be used in a bouncy house. Safari Camp at Planet Bounce North includes a safari wildlife Nerf battle, basic survival skill training, and of course, bouncing. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 4025 Alpha Drive, Allison Park. $85. planetbouncepgh.com
[Event]
If you want to earn your hardcore street cred, you have to be In on the Dill Maker. Ok, that joke was a less than kosher. You see where we’re going with this? Picklesburgh is a culinary celebration that goes beyond the dill pickle to include international dishes, prepared foods, and artisan cocktails. 12 p.m. Roberto Clemente Bridge, Downtown/North Side. Free. picklesburgh.com
[Comedy]
Laugh, maybe cry (we don’t know your life) when Opus One Comedy presents Pittsburgh’s Finest at Club Cafe. James J. Hamilton, Holly Price, T-Robe, and James Phelps take the stage at this 21 and over late-night comedy show. 10 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $10. clubcafelive.com
Sat., July 27
[Event]
Wham! Boom! Kapow! Embrace your inner wizard at Wizard World when comics, sci-fi, movies, gaming, and the like collide for a one-of-a-kind comic convention environment. 10 a.m. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd., Downtown. $50-100. wizardworld.com/comiccon/Pittsburgh
[Kids]
What does a crawfish say about water health? Find out as you wade through the creeks at Wingfield Pines, rain or shine. 10 a.m. 1560 Mayview Road, Upper St. Clair. $5. alleghenylandtrust.org
[Kids]
Treat your kid (or your kid at heart) to a day at the movies. The Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival is taking over Row House Cinema with new, old, and unseen family-friendly films. Various times. Continues through Thu., Aug. 1. 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville. cffpgh.org
Sun., July 28
[Music]
Fans of Now, Now, clean guitar, and smart melancholic pop should not miss Snail Mail at Rex Theater. If this is the first you're hearing that name, start with "Heat Wave" from 2018's Lush. 8 p.m. 1602 E. Carson St., South Side. $18. rextheater.net
[Stage]
Attention dancing queens: Grab your bell bottoms and get ready to sing along to hits by ABBA at Mamma Mia! The “jukebox musical” pairs a story about a young woman’s search for her birth father with songs from the Swedish pop stars. 2 p.m. Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie. stage62.org
Mon., July 29
[Music]
Top Billboard artist Khalid brings his ultra-cool, smooth, R&B style to PPG Paints Arena during his Free Style World Tour. Hear his new releases and chart-topping hits, including "Location" and “Better.” 7:30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. Tickets start at $37. ppgpaintsarena.com
[Kids]
What’s your superpower? Create, engineer, and harness your super alter-ego story, costume, and gadgets at Assemble’s day camp. Continues through Fri., Aug. 2. 4824 Penn Ave., Garfield. assemblepgh.org
Tue., July 30
[Music]
The Brooklyn-based rock band Lake Street Dive has a powerful sound that stretches from Southern rock to indie pop to folk. Enjoy their sounds at Stage AE on a hot summer night. 7 p.m. 400 N. Shore Drive, North Side. $29.50. promowestlive.com
Wed., July 31
[Stage]
Remember John Cusack’s character in Being John Malkovich? This is nothing like that. Puppet Karaoke at Boom Concepts is really just karaoke using puppets. Don’t have a great voice? Not sure about Karaoke? Puppets make all of that go away! 6 p.m. 5139 Penn Ave., Downtown. $5. pgop.org
