5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Feb. 28-March 1

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 7:10 a.m. | Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 7:10 a.m.

Alexa Frankovitch Photography

The Phipps Wedding Showcase is March 1 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland.

Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

The North American tour company of “Cats” will stop in Pittsburgh for eight performances, Feb. 25 – March 1, at the Benedum Center.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Polar Plunge

Pittsburgh Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania will celebrate 10 years on Saturday. “Freezin’ for a Reason” will be near Heinz Field on the North Side.

Mark Brewer |For the Tribune-Review

Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Improv

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. will be at the Pittsburgh Improv at the Waterfront in Homestead on Feb. 28-29.

Leap into the weekend in Pittsburgh. Here are some things to do.

Furry friends

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical “Cats” is on stage through Sunday at the Benedum Center, Downtown. It is the latest gathering of Jellicle cats as part of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the musical has been seen in more than 30 countries and in 15 languages.

Portraying one of the leaders of the pack is Zachary Berger of Niskayuna, N.Y., a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. The cat he portrays is Munkustrap.

Details: https://www.trustarts.org/production/63018/cats

TONIGHT, the Jellicles leap into Pittsburgh. ? #CatsTour is at @CulturalTrust meow through Mar. 1. Get your tickets: https://t.co/CS4NOVfiyy pic.twitter.com/ylqorO860A

— CATS on Broadway (@CatsBroadway) February 25, 2020

Cheers!

The Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest, presented by Fat Head’s Brewery, will be held at the David Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, on Friday and Saturday.

Thousands of people are expected to attend. The event raises money for Animal Rescue Partners Inc. and its local partner, Biggies Bullies of Pittsburgh. There will be hundreds of craft beers available.

Details: http://pittsburghbeerfest.com/

IT'S ALMOST HERE! IT'S ALMOST HERE! Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest returns THIS Friday and Saturday! Tickets are cheaper in advance - and sales benefit @BiggiesBullies - so visit https://t.co/5fjacf48Ie and get yours today! pic.twitter.com/8pGd1MFscm

— Pittsburgh Beerfest (@PittBeerfest) February 24, 2020

Take the leap

Pittsburgh Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania will celebrate 10 years on Saturday. “Freezin’ for a Reason” will be near Heinz Field on the North Side. Participants will take a dip in the “cool pool” on Art Rooney Avenue. A group of 18 people will plunge into the pool more than 24 times over seven hours. More than 1,000 people are expected to participate. There will be food, festivities, music and interactive entertainment.

On Friday, students from Mars, Norwin, Franklin Regional, Hampton, Fox Chapel Area and Pittsburgh Public high schools will jump into an icy cold pool.

Details: http://www.PittsburghPlunge.org

The magical Polar Plunge elves are getting everything ready for this weekend!! ??

Big thanks to Pool City and Dean's Water for their amazing sponsorship and setup help!

???#PGHPolarPlunge pic.twitter.com/K6qXg3pqNf

— ??????? ???????? ?? (@SpecialOlympiPA) February 27, 2020

Wedding bells

Flowers are generally a key component of a wedding.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland is a location of choice for many nuptials.

There’s an opportunity to envision what the big day can look like at the Phipps Weddings Showcase on Sunday.

Known as “Pittsburgh’s glasshouse,” Phipps offers a garden wedding venue which will be set up so couples can visualize the space on their wedding day. The event will include event planning experts, photographers, florists, musicians, bakers.

Details: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

Last chance to register for the Phipps Weddings Showcase! This Sunday, meet event planning experts, photographers, florists, and others who will help brides (and grooms) to-be have an unforgettable wedding! Learn more: https://t.co/8cQcaoFThu

Photo © Joe Appel Photography pic.twitter.com/SqvHa995vZ

— Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (@PhippsNews) February 27, 2020

Laugh track

Roy Wood Jr.’s comedy has entertained millions across stage, television and radio. He joined Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” in 2015 as a correspondent. Catch him Friday and Saturday at the Pittsburgh Improv at the Waterfront in Homestead.

Entertainment Weekly has described Wood’s thought-provoking comedy as “charismatic crankiness.” Prior to “The Daily Show,” Wood co-starred for two seasons on TBS’s “Sullivan & Son.”

Wood, a native of Birmingham, Ala., began his comedy career in 1999 at the age of 19 while attending Florida A&M University. In October 2006, Wood made his network television debut on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Details: https://improv.com/pittsburgh/

??Don't miss @roywoodjr
(The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Comedy Central’s “This is Not Happening" ) Feb 28 - 29 @PghImprov! Get your tickets early before Roy's dates SELL OUT!
?️https://t.co/i59Bjefx9y pic.twitter.com/Y0iEy9RQly

— Pittsburgh Improv (@PghImprov) February 24, 2020

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.