What’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, March 27-30? Find out here. Know of a cool event? Email us.Thursday, March 27-Saturday, March 29: Sona: Immersive Storytelling Festival at Carnegie Mellon UniversityVarious timesThis first-of-its-kind festival brings together creatives from a variety of rapidly evolving fields, including virtual reality, animation, 3D design, 360° video and more to explore the “future of storytelling.” It’s simultaneously a platform for showcasing cutting-edge work and a symposium for the exchange of ideas. During three days of programming, participants will engage with immersive media via screenings, panel discussions, workshops and discussions. Open to all, the festival welcomes emerging artists, especially marginalized and underrepresented voices who are telling stories using new technologies. Hosted by The Kenner Room in the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Applied Linguistics at Carnegie Mellon University, Sona will also recognize the accomplishments of immersive storytellers through a series of awards and prizes. Register.
“Les Coeurs Simples,” Maxime Mathieu Quiroga. Film still courtesy of the Pittsburgh International Dance Film Festival. Thursday, March 27: Pittsburgh International Dance Film Festival Opening Night at The Oaks Theater6:30-10 p.m.Presented by Shana Simmons Dance, this unique festival brings international artists to Pittsburgh via the big screen, while also sharing local works to a broader audience through its Constructed Sight Category. Additional festival categories include: Panelist Picks, Official Selections and Student/Emerging. Running through April 6, the 11-day festival showcases films from 19 countries, premiering both at The Oaks and via the festival’s online playlist. Viewers can vote for their top three films to help pick the festival’s cash prizes winners. Don’t miss tonight’s opening night festivities in Oakmont featuring curated selections from the international applicants, plus performances by Shana Simmons Dance company members before the show. The opening night program will be also be live-streamed to YouTube audiences. The festival also features a virtual Artist Meet & Greet Event via Zoom. Tickets.Friday, March 28: Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District5:30-9 p.m.Spring into art when this quarterly open house returns to the Cultural District. Look for the sidewalk stop signs identifying 14 participating venues in the free showcase of art, music, performance, film, hands-on activities and more. Dive into the growing season at 707 Gallery, where the interactive “Green Grows Over,” installation features sound art, projections, sculpture, soil and grasses. Head to Wood Street Galleries to see “In Monument Eternal,” the first institutional solo exhibit by Le’Andra LeSeur, which “dissects the ways that monuments erected to commemorate racist legacies have altered the mental psyche of Black communities.” At 820 Liberty Gallery, don’t miss Melike Konur’s solo exhibit, “Women I’ve Been” curated by Jessica Gaynelle Moss. SPACE Gallery hosts dynamic mixed media work by CMU students. The culture crawl also features comedy shows, steel pan performances by Urban Pathways Charter School, outdoor public art and more. Information.Friday, March 28: “Grounded Frictions” Opening Reception at the Mattress Factory6-8 p.m.For the museum’s first solo exhibition of 2025, the Mattress Factory welcomes Spanish interdisciplinary artist Marc Vilanova. Don’t miss Friday night’s free opening reception for “Grounded Frictions,” Vilanova’s thought-provoking new work in residence examining the intersection of art, science and technology. Visitors will explore a range of highly relevant concepts, such as AI, audiovisuality, automation, machine self-expression, superintelligence and society’s relationship with technology. Information.Photo by Paul Selvaggio.Friday, March 28: Sip & Swirl: Wine for Wildlife at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium6-9 p.m.Welcome spring with creatures great and small and support animal conservation. Sample wines from regional and national vineyards, visit with some very friendly and adorable small animals and enjoy live music by Zig Daniels. There will even be an auction of art created by resident animals. Proceeds support the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s local and international conservation programs. Tickets.Photo courtesy of PearlArts.Friday, March 28, & Saturday, March 29: PearlArts Grand Opening in Braddock6 p.m. & 8 p.m.PearlArts has a lot to celebrate: The company is opening a brand new space and starting an exciting new chapter. The culmination of five years of work, the milestone event features premiere performances, interactive experiences and a sneak peek at the dynamic programming planned for the new cultural center. Audiences will be the first to see the world premiere of “sum of y’all,” a multimedia experience that “reflects on the impermanence of community and the erasure of historically Black spaces.” Attendees also have the chance to tour PearlArts’ new 5,000-square-foot HQ, which includes dance studios, recording studios and community space. The two-night celebration includes a ribbon-cutting, champagne reception and artist talk. Tickets.Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30: Flamenco Pittsburgh at multiple venuesVarious timesExperience the passion and energy of authentic flamenco culture during this special weekend of performances and workshops open to the public. Presented by Flamenco Pittsburgh, the immersive experience features nationally recognized guest artists. The festivities kick off Friday in the Hill District with an intimate concert at the James Simon Sculpture Studio.The improvisational performance features renowned musician and singer Marija Temo and flamenco guitarist Alex Jordan. Saturday includes two dynamic workshops exploring flamenco music, dance and choreography. The weekend culminates on Sunday with an electrifying Tablao Flamenco performance at The Original Pittsburgh Winery. Temo and Jordan will be joined by dancer Edwin Aparicio, local musicians and ensemble dancers from Flamenco Pittsburgh. Tickets.Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30: “Stand By — an allegory” at Carnegie Stage8 p.m. & 2 p.m.A 3.5-foot puppet joins four critically acclaimed dancers for the latest Corningworks production. Audiences will have the rare chance to experience the centuries-old style of Japanese Kuruma Ningy — also know as cart puppetry — during this multidisciplinary dance-theater production. Created in collaboration with renowned puppeteer Tom Lee, “Stand By” features choreography by company founder Beth Corning. It’s called a “whimsical glimpse at humans’ inability to recognize our mortality … not so much about death or grief or even loss, as about the mysterious and magical continuity of life.” Created for intimately sized audiences, the show features lighting design by Iain Court and costumes by Marina Harris. Tickets.Saturday, March 29: Pittsburgh Feminist Student Summit at Chatham University10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Are you a feminist student looking to connect with others and build community? Bringing together fellow students from across the Pittsburgh region, this new summit will strengthen ties between universities, nurture feminist community building and offer networking opportunities. The event is open to all students, as well as individuals representing intersectional feminist student organizations at Chatham, Carlow, Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, the University of Pittsburgh, Point Park, Robert Morris and others. Faculty advisers from local universities are also encouraged to attend. Information.Saturday, March 29: Echoes: An Evening of Music with KEA at The Frick Pittsburgh4-6:30 p.m.Go beyond the gallery walls to discover how the new Kara Walker exhibition, “Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated),” relates to other artistic disciplines. Inspired by Walker’s work on view at The Frick Pittsburgh, acclaimed artist KEA will share iconic African American songs, original verse and rhythmic percussion. Bridging the “past and present in a profound meditation on resilience, heritage and justice,” the performance features KEA’s talented duo of musicians on drums and guitar. Blending music, poetry and visual elements to “reflect on the legacy of racial history in America,” the event will spotlight KEA’s soulful voice, evocative storytelling and stage presence. Tickets.Saturday, March 29: 15th Anniversary Celebration at Fairmont Pittsburgh8 p.m.Celebrating 15 years in Downtown Pittsburgh, the Fairmont Hotel is saying thank you to the city and its guests. The one-night-only celebration features a live jazz performance by Daniel May in the hotel’s lobby. A cash bar will be available, with a curated selection of cocktails, wine and spirits. The hotel is just steps from the heart of Market Square and offers sweeping views of Downtown Pittsburgh. Information.Photo courtesy of The Westmoreland Museum of American Art.Sunday, March 30: “Art In Bloom” Sunday Free Day at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art10 a.m.-5 p.m.Spring is starting to bloom around the region, and one of the best places to welcome the change of seasons is at this signature exhibition in Greensburg. It’s your last chance to see the dazzling creations in “Art In Bloom,” meet some of the floral designers and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Experience 20 stunning displays, all inspired by works of art on view in the museum’s galleries. New this year is the participation of world-renowned event designer Ed Libby, creative director at Nemacolin. In a creative — and sweet — twist on the art of floral design, award-winning Chef William Racin from Westmoreland County Community College’s School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, has created a work entirely made of sugar. Register.Sunday, March 30: Pittsburgh Indie Expo at the Heinz History Center11 a.m.-5 p.m.Pittsburgh newest festival is continuing our region’s rich legacy as a mecca for comic book, cartoon and graphic novel artists. Dubbed PIE, the inaugural Pittsburgh Indie Expo debuts in the Strip District to highlight the creativity and innovation of independent comics creators, zine makers, artists and small press publishers from around the region and beyond. Whether you’re a maker, reader, collector or fan, there’s something for everyone. Free for all ages, the event also features panel discussions with professional cartoonists and hands-on workshops. Read more about PIE in NEXT. Information.Find more March events and things to do in Pittsburgh with NEXT, including live music, gallery exhibitions, outdoor recreation and family activities. Wild and weird theater returns in person at this year’s Pittsburgh Fringe Festival March 13, 2025March 13, 2025 Discover the thrill of Gaelic games in Pittsburgh’s growing Irish sports scene March 12, 2025March 26, 2025 Pittsburgh’s hottest trivia nights are niche- and pop culture-obsessed March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 The post 14 things to do this weekend, from Pittsburgh Indie Expo to a Gallery Crawl appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh. ...read more read less