It’s over. No Stanley Cup run. No more Sidney Crosby magical goals. No Matt Murray game-winning saves. No Jake Guentzel overtime winners. The Penguins are done for the summer. They’ll get a long vacation before next season. But what about us? It’s April 17. We’re used to playing into June - at least May. Our hockey playoff season usually coincides with shorts season. What do we do? Here are some ideas to get your through the beginning of this dreary off season.
1. Cheer on the Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates starter Chris Archer throws to the Washington Nationals in the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP)
Say what you want about Starling Marte and the bullpen, but the Bucs seem to be off to a decent start. They’re holding on to the second spot in the NL central, following a tough but enjoyable series against the Washington Nationals. Josh Bell, Chris Archer and Colin Moran are giving us hope that perhaps the Pirates will fare better than they did last year. You have no excuses: The Pirates have 75 home games left on their schedule. Let’s Go Bucs?
2. Binge Game of Thrones
Kit Harington as Jon Snow, left, and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in a scene from “Game of Thrones,” which premiered its eighth season on Sunday, April 14, 2018. (HBO)
Spring is here. Winter is coming. That’s a Game of Thrones reference for those who don’t get it. Season 8 began last week, and loyal viewers are buzzing. Wanna join in the fun? Binge the first seven seasons during all the late evenings you’d have spent watching the Pens. That should take up at least a week or two of your time.
3. Prep for Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger takes the field before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh. (AP)
Hope springs eternal for our beloved Steelers. The official NFL schedule will be unveiled tonight. The draft begins April 25. Antonio Brown and his toxicity is off the team. Training camp in Latrobe is just around the corner. Here we go Steelers. Here we go!
4. Get out to Pittsburgh’s unique festivals
Children and adults take in the Picklesburgh Festival on the Rachel Carson Bridge in 2017. (FILE)
Now’s your time to get off the couch. From the Pittsburgh Wine Festival coming up in May to the Three Rivers Arts festival in June, you’re likely to find a festival to suit your interests. The increasingly popular Picklesburgh just announced it is doubling in size – the dill party on the Roberto Clemente bridge is spreading to the riverside lanes of Fort Duquesne Blvd., between Stanwix and 7th Streets.
5. She’s got you, babe
Cher seen during the “Here We Go Again Tour” at the KFC Yum! Center on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. (AP)
If you insist on drowning in your own misery, you can sulk right at the PPG Paints Arena, which will be home to several high profile concerts. Cher kicks off the party Thursday with her Here We Go Again tour. Expect the pop icon to perform some of her hit songs, including “If I could turn back time,” something Pens fans surely can relate to. Other notable concerts coming to the Uptown venue include Ariana Grande on June 12, The Who on May 30, Eric Church on May 4 and Twenty One Pilots on June 7.
