It’s America’s 250th birthday, and there are plenty of hot tickets ready to purchase for this week of June 29-July 5 in Pittsburgh. Prefer less seasonal entertainment? We’ve got art, concerts, movies and more — including an exciting environment for this weekend’s World Cup matches.
Get Hot Tickets for Shows and Performances Around Pittsburgh June 29-July 5
Sharif Bey: Homecoming
Monday, June 29, Exhibition Continues Through Oct. 12, The Warhol
Here’s a Pittsburgh pro tip: Unlike many institutions (and restaurants, and places in general), the Warhol is open for business on Mondays. (They instead take a break on Tuesdays.) That means you can kick off your week by taking in the new exhibit Sharif Bey: Homecoming, in which the lauded ceramicist returns to his native Pittsburgh to exhibit mixed-media and ceramics works. Prefer a guided look? Bey will give an artist talk on Aug. 28.
Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind & Fire
Tuesday, June 30, PPG Paints
So, Purple Rain won Album of the Year at the Grammys, right? Nope — it didn’t. How about Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A.? That’s definitely an Album of the Year, isn’t it? Also no! Both lost … to Lionel Richie’s Can’t Slow Down, the Diamond-selling smash featuring the hits All Night Long and Hello. While we can debate whether those first two albums were more deserving, the win for Richie is a testament to his star power — and catchy musicianship — in the ’80s. He’ll perform those hits and more after a danceable set from Earth, Wind & Fire at PPG Paints Arena.
Hamilton with Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park
Wednesday, July 1, Schenley Park
As we begin a week of Independence Day celebrations — made more prominent by coinciding with the 250th birthday of the United States — there may be no more appropriate blend of American spirit, history and narrative than Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. The original cast of the massive hit filmed several performances in 2016; the resulting movie was released on Disney+ in 2020. This Wednesday night, you can watch it with a crowd under the night sky this Wednesday as part of the Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park lineup at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park.
Cinema Paradiso
Thursday, July 2, Also Sunday, July 12, Lindsay Theater
The wistful and lovely Italian drama Cinema Paradiso, which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1989, surrounds a beloved, small-town movie theater. What better place to see it than at a beloved, small-town movie theater? Cinema Paradiso is a favorite of Sewickley’s Lindsay Theater; make the trip to the village with time to spare so that you can grab a glass of wine at Lula beforehand. If you’re seeing the film for the first time, simply get swept up in the tale; if it’s already a favorite, use this viewing as a chance to focus on Ennio Morricone’s remarkable score.
Sing Democracy 250
Friday, July 3, O’Reilly Theater
A team-up from several local choirs — led by Bach Choir of Pittsburgh but also featuring the South Hills Chorale and other groups throughout the region — led to the commissioning of two original works for choir. Dr. Brandon A. Boyd’s Redeem the Dream is based on the work of Langston Hughes; US, inspired by the book The Bill of Obligations, was penned by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm. The group will fill the stage at Downtown’s O’Reilly Theater for this exuberant and timely performance.
Downtown for the Fourth
Saturday, July 4
There’s an Independence Day celebration for revelers of all stripes within the Golden Triangle. Looking to take America’s 250th birthday as an opportunity to brush up on your history? Visit the Fort Pitt Museum for Fourth at the Fort, an all-day celebration featuring costumed re-enactors, history demonstrations, cannon fire and much more — including a ceremonial flag-raising at the Blockhouse, the only building in town older than America itself. Want to enjoy some beautiful music? The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra offers a free program at Arts Landing, featuring composers including Copland, John Williams, Dvorak and more — and culminating with “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Just wanna watch some big explosions? The fireworks begin at 9:35 p.m. — after a day-long celebration throughout Downtown, featuring a headline set from Hey There Delilah hitmakers Plain White T’s.
Watch the World Cup
Sunday, July 5, Also July 4, 9 and 19, Acrisure Stadium
Looking for the fun and frenzy of the World Cup … without dropping a few mortgage payments to attend a game in person? Acrisure Stadium is a designated Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zone, meaning that football followers can watch key games on stadium screens while enjoying food, live music and more. Knockout matches scheduled for 4 and 8 p.m. will be part of Sunday’s celebrations; if you find you like this way of kicking back and watching a match, you can return for a quarterfinal on July 9 and the finals on July 19.
Plus, check out our events calendar for other happenings this week and beyond!
Story by Sean Collier
Featured Photo Courtesy of Lindsay Theater
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