From: Stephanie H Grimm <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, March 29, 2024 at 4:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [ARLIS-L] Beyond POP!: things to do in Pittsburgh this week

 

Take a little time away from the conference center to explore Pittsburgh! (It’s okay, we won’t tell.) You’ll find incredible eats, contemporary art, indie bookstores, springtime sports, and… banjos?

 

Read on for recommendations, and be sure to check out the ARLIS/NA Local Guide for easy navigation and planning.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

See art (or dinosaurs):

• Just a short walk from the hotel, This is not a map at SPACE Gallery features eight artists from Carnegie Mellon University’s MFA program. Free, open Wed-Sun, 11am-6 pm.
• Head a little further out to CMU’s campus to catch Second Degree Vision: CMU MFA Exhibit 2024 at Miller ICA. Free, open Tues-Sun, 12-6pm.
• ARLIS/NA attendees receive FREE entry to all Carnegie Museums with your conference badge, April 3-5.

Eat food:

• Get your pierogi fix! There’s S&D Polish Deli in the Strip District, or try one of the city’s recommended spots here.
• Novo Asian Food Hall opened earlier this month in the Strip District, 1931 Smallman Street.
• Check out other restaurants in the Strip District, only a little over 1 mile from the conference hotel.

Polish pierogi (‘Beskidische Teigtaschen’) by Silar, under CC BY-SA 3.0

Buy books:

Pittsburgh is full of independent bookstores! Check out the Local Guide listing or drop into one of these spots:

• Amazing Books & Records, 929 Liberty Avenue
• City of Asylum Bookstore, 40 W. North Avenue

Watch a game:

• Baseball fans can catch the Pittsburgh Pirates opening game (vs. the Baltimore Ravens) on Friday, April 5 at PNC Park.
• More of a hockey person? See the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday, April 6 at the PPG Paints Arena.

Do something unexpected:

• Wednesdays are for Banjo Night at the Allegheny Elk Lodge, complete with polka and pitchers of Yuengling. 
• Stick around for First Fridays with Unblurred, a monthly art and local vendor fest on Penn St.
• Hanging out through Saturday? Shop with local vendors for one-of-a-kind clothing, records, home décor, and more at Vintage Pittsburgh at the Heinz History Center, April 6 from 10AM-3PM. (You’ll also get access to a new exhibition, A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh with your museum admission.)