5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 4-6

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 6:57 a.m. | Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 6:57 a.m.

Courtesy Senator John Heinz History Center

The Senator John Heinz History Center kicks off Italian Heritage Month with its sixth annual Italian Heritage Day on Sunday, Oct. 6, a family-friendly day of Italian-inspired festivities.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Church is one of the stops on Doors Open Pittsburgh on Saturday, Oct. 5

Courtesy of MercyMe

MercyMe brings the Imagine Nation Tour to Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Årena on Friday, Oct. 4.

Cinderlands Beer

Cinderlands Beer Co. in Lawrenceville is one of 20 breweries in the country in a competition to be voted the best in the land. With a new location in the Strip District it will be part of the Stroll the Strip event on Saturday, Oct. 5.

Tribune-Review

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland is hosting a Party in the Tropics Oktoberfest on Friday, Oct. 4.

Welcome the first weekend of October. Here’s what’s going on over the next three days.

Come on in

Doors Open Pittsburgh will be inviting guests inside a diverse collection of buildings in Downtown and the North Side on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will have behind-the-scenes access to explore the insides of nearly 60 buildings.

Buildings include theaters, artist spaces, hotels, office buildings, residences, government buildings, sacred places and newly designed spaces.

Details: DoorsOpenPgh.org

Discover the history of Pittsburgh at #DoorsOpenPgh. Tickets available at https://t.co/ynxaSe6D8t. #LovePGH pic.twitter.com/buMyTIjBHw

— DoorsOpenPittsburgh (@doorsopenpgh) September 4, 2019

Authentic Italian

The Senator John Heinz History Center kicks off Italian Heritage Month with its sixth annual Italian Heritage Day on Sunday, a family-friendly day of Italian-inspired festivities.

The event will feature an Italian-American bazaar, live entertainment, local heritage groups and Italian food prepared by Common Plea Catering. Visitors will also learn about Italian-American history and can play bocce, or create arts and crafts. Tours will be given of the Italian-American display. There will be live cooking demonstrations. Children under 17 will be admitted free.

Details:heinzhistorycenter.org

The sixth annual Italian Heritage Day is this Sunday! Commemorate your italianità at the History Center with a fun day of interactive activities designed with families in mind.

?? ?? https://t.co/YK3i7sraDI pic.twitter.com/fWdtBdbE6A

— Heinz History Center (@HistoryCenter) October 3, 2019

Go for a stroll

The Strip District Neighbors host Stroll the Strip on Saturday. Guests are invited to taste, sip, and stroll their way through the Strip District, one of Pittsburgh’s most cherished and vibrant neighborhoods. There will be tastings or discounts from dozens of participating businesses such as the Senator John Heinz History Center, The Beerhive, Cinderlands, DiAnoia’s Eatery, Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor, Pittsburgh Winery, Strip District Meats and Wigle Whiskey.

Following the daytime event, Stroll the Strip will host two after-parties with live-band karaoke, and a complimentary drink and appetizers. A portion of the proceeds raised from Stroll the Strip 2019 directly benefit the programs and projects of Strip District Neighbors.

Details:stripdistrictneighbors.com/stroll

Stroll the Strip is October 5th! This year, we have THREE ticket options available at https://t.co/5GQJAuZl1j

?‍♂️ Day Stroll (all ages)

? Neighborhood After Party at @cakepgh (21+)

? VIP After Party at Audi Pittsburgh's rooftop terrace (21+) pic.twitter.com/mhVRZYFZff

— Strip District (@StripDistrict) September 13, 2019

Have mercy

MercyMe, the popular Christian rock-pop band, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its Imagine Nation Tour at PPG Paints Arena on Friday. Special guests are Crowder and Micah Taylor. The group’s most recent release was a greatest hits album in 2018. MercyMe gained renewed notoriety for a 2018 movie featuring Millard, “I Can Only Imagine.” The film is named after the band’s early 2000s hit single and tells the story of the inspirations behind the song.

Details: ppgpaintsarena.com

New collab band photo? What do you think @lecrae ?#throwbackthursday #mercyme pic.twitter.com/AlEtyyZmBH

— MercyMe (@mercyme) August 22, 2019

In the tropics

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland is hosting Party in the Tropics Oktoberfest on Friday. The Tropical Forest’s lush greenery and waterfalls will create an evening of cocktails and food as well as a variety of seasonal beers. There will be a live disc jockey. Guests can make their own bier garden hat, make a pretzel necklace and get pictures taken in the photo booth. German attire encouraged.

Details: phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/party-in-the-tropics-oktoberfest

"Prost” to the fall season during our Oktoberfest themed Party in the Tropics event this Friday! Enjoy seasonal beers, craft your own festive bier garden hat, snack on tasty morsels and more! Learn more: https://t.co/AacdjKOZdn

Photo © Paul g. Wiegman pic.twitter.com/aEslhNEjF9

— Phipps Conservatory and BOO-tanical Gardens ?? (@PhippsNews) October 2, 2019

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.