7 Things to Do in Pittsburgh This Weekend

PHOTO @ DISNEY

Row House Christmas: At this point, it’s common knowledge that “A Muppet Christmas Carol” is a very good adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens story. From the innumerable hilarious moments to the real emotion in the eyes of a committed Michael Caine as Scrooge, the unconventional take on the material absolutely works. In fact, “A Muppet Christmas Carol” might even be the best big-screen take on the tale; enduring versions starring George C. Scott, Bill Murray and Albert Finney have their adherents, but you just can’t beat the narration given by Gonzo. See “A Muppet Christmas Carol” at Row House Lawrenceville through Dec. 25, where it’ll be part of the Row House Christmas lineup alongside showings of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Die Hard,” and “Love Actually.” The lineup also includes one-off screenings of “Krampus,” “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “The Polar Express.”

“The Shining”: Here’s a movie that’s just as wintry as the best holiday classics — but decidedly lacking in Christmas spirit. Forty-five years ago, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” hit theaters to a divided reaction; some were blown away by its power and performances, while others (notably including Stephen King, author of the source material) didn’t understand the auteur’s approach to the material. Over time, the uncompromising film has risen to classic status, recognized as one of the pillars of horror cinema. The film will play on IMAX screens for the first time, beginning a one-week run on Friday; in the Pittsburgh area, it can be seen at the newly renovated AMC Waterfront 22.

Pittsburgh Plays Ozzy: Few rock stars had as dramatic an exit as the metal master once known as the Prince of Darkness. In July, Ozzy Osbourne took the stage for the first time in years for a farewell concert, performing with his Black Sabbath bandmates at the end of a show that featured an all-day lineup of hard-rock royalty. Less than three weeks later, he died at 76. In tribute to the music and masterful stage presence of Osbourne, an all-star group of local musicians have assembled for Pittsburgh Plays Ozzy, an evening of favorites from Black Sabbath and Osbourne’s solo career. The lineup includes members of Punchline, Gene the Werewolf, Tiny Wars, 28 North and many more; show organizer Steve Soboslai says there was more interest in participating this year than in any previous Pittsburgh Plays concert. The show is set for Friday night at the Roxian Theatre.

Enjoy Wrestling: The holiday season can be stressful. What better outlet for vicariously venting some frustration than a pro-wrestling show? Pittsburgh-based Enjoy Wrestling will this Saturday present Violent Night, an evening of matches featuring the region’s best stars and guests from around the country — with two dramatic steel-cage matches headlining the card. The venue for the evening is South Side brewery Velum Fermentation, so you can sip a local brew while you watch Enjoy champion Mikey Montgomery defend his title against former WWE star Paul London. (I’m not unbiased on this entry, as I’m the ring announcer for Enjoy Wrestling, but trust me: If you’ve ever enjoyed a moment of pro-wrestling action, you’ll have a good time at Velum this Saturday night.)

A Celtic Rock Christmas: What’s better than a pint of dark beer on a cold winter’s night? Pairing that beverage with some high-energy Celtic tunes. The Pittsburgh Irish Festival presents A Celtic Rock Christmas this Thursday, also at Velum Fermentation; the event will be headlined by Ally the Piper, the viral bagpipe sensation known for unconventional covers of pop and rock hits. She’ll be joined by The Low Kings and Pittsburgh’s own Bearded Irishmen. (Yes, there’s another word in the Bearded Irishmen’s name.) A portion of proceeds for the event benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

I Made It! Merry and Bright: Does this weekend count as last-minute shopping? There’s certainly another full weekend before Christmas, but most retail establishments will be a bit difficult to navigate that close to stocking-stuffing time. Don’t chance it — and get some one-of-a-kind gifts this Saturday, as I Made It! Market presents its Merry and Bright pop-up at the South Side Works. Peruse wares from more than 60 vendors at the afternoon gathering.

Holiday Storytelling Show: While we enter the season with good intentions, things don’t always go according to plan. Longtime pundit and host John McIntire hosts an evening of storytelling, sharing tales featuring yuletide plans gone haywire; he’ll be joined by radio host Lynn Cullen, councilwoman Bethany Hallam and the inimitable Rick Sebak.

Watch Sean Collier discuss this weekend’s events on KDKA’s “Pittsburgh Today Live” here:

Looking for more things to do? Check out our complete list of events in Pittsburgh for today, tomorrow and the weeks ahead.