7 things to do in the ’Burgh this September

There’s plenty to keep you busy in the ’Burgh this September. From opera to outdoor movie nights, here are great ways to bid farewell to summer and welcome fall.

For a complete list of University events, check out Pitt’s events calendar.

Football and ribs 

Enjoy five days of football and the “best ribs in the country” at Acrisure Stadium during the annual Rib Festival. In addition to festival foods, there will be games, rides, concerts, activities for all ages and, of course, the Steelers Experience.

When: Sept. 1-5, noon-10:30 p.m.

Where: Acrisure Stadium, 100 Art Rooney Ave.

Tickets: Admission to the festival is free but doesn’t grant access to the Pitt Panthers or Pittsburg Steelers games. Tickets for games are sold separately. 

Relive the ’80s

Pitt Program Council is celebrating the ’80s with an outdoor movie screening of “The Breakfast Club.”

When: Sept. 3, 8-10 p.m.

Where: Cathedral Lawn, Fifth Avenue at Bigelow

Tickets: This is an unticketed event. 

Be a good neighbor

Get to know long-term Oakland residents and the broader Pitt community during the Be a Good Neighbor Block Party series. Hosted by Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, attendees will enjoy food, games, music and prizes in a positive, fun and informal environment. Accessibility accommodations are available.

When and where: This year, there are five opportunities across Oakland for you to attend a Be a Good Neighbor Block Party, all held from 5-7 p.m. Learn more about the parties.

South Oakland
Tuesday, Sept. 6
Frazier Fieldhouse and Dan Marino Field, 3176 Frazier St.

North Oakland
Tuesday, Sept. 13
Gallagher Lawn at 234 North Dithridge St.

Oakcliffe (South Oakland)
Wednesday, Sept. 14
Oakcliffe Community Playground, Craft Ave. and Niagara St.

Oakland Square (Central Oakland)
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Oakland Square, Oakland Square and Dawson Street

West Oakland
Tuesday, Sept. 27
West Oakland, 200 Robinson St.

Tickets: This is an unticketed event. 

Celebrate shared human experiences

Since 2013, award-winning films told through, by, for and about individuals living with disabilities have been shared with the broader Pittsburgh community thanks to the ReelAbilities Pittsburgh, a national film festival initiated in New York and presented locally by Film Pittsburgh. Attendees can watch impactful films and enjoy featured artwork and post-film panels. Each year the festival is held in an accessible venue and offers closed captioning, audio description, tactile interpretation and Computer Aided Real-Time Transcription (CART).

When: Sept. 7-11

Where: Most screenings held at the Pittsburgh Playhouse Highmark Theatre, 350 Forbes Ave., though some are virtual.

Tickets: All-festival passes are $75 by Sept. 2. Individual films are $15 each.

Jazz it up

Music lovers can enjoy a soulful weekend during Pittsburgh’s 12th annual International Jazz Festival. The festivities, which follow the Highmark Blues and Heritage Festival, will showcase concerts, jam sessions, exhibits and the Taste of Jazz Party at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. During the latter, attendees can sample offerings from some of Pittsburgh’s premier restaurants.

Featured acts include Ron Carter Foursight, Ledisi, Laurin Talese, Samara Clarke, Brett Williams and more.

When: Sept. 16-18

Where: Downtown Pittsburgh

Tickets: This is a ticketed event with options for single-day and two-day passes and specific events.

Journey under the sea

For the first time in its 82-year history, the Benedum Center will produce “Rusalka,” opera’s version of “The Little Mermaid.” The Czech version of the beloved fairy tale debuted in 1901. While there are some similarities to Disney’s adaptation, director Kristine McIntyre and music director Antony Walker are expected to incorporate unique elements into the Pittsburgh Opera production. Accessibility services are available upon request.

When:  Sept. 17-25

Where: Benedum Center, 7th Street and Penn Avenue

Tickets: Seats start at $11.

Learn about Chinese culture

The seventh annual Chinese Cultural Festival will feature traditional opera, an Asian food market, performances, exhibits and more. Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center, it’s the group’s largest event of the year in a slate of efforts to promote awareness, appreciation of Chinese culture in the region.

When: Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Mellon Park, 6518 Fifth Ave.

Tickets: This is an unticketed event.

— Kara Henderson