Ballin' in the 'Burgh
Head to Carnegie Saturday to take in all the action of Pinburgh, the world's largest pinball tournament.
photo by John Altdorfer
PINBURGH 2014 BRINGS THE WORLD’S BEST PINBALLERS TO THE ’BURGH
Fun fact: In Carnegie, there’s a 30,000-square-foot piece of pinball nirvana. The world headquarters of the Professional and Amateur Pinball Association houses 450-plus machines and hosts the annual Pinburgh event, the world’s largest competitive tournament. Four hundred players will compete for a total of $60,000 in prize money throughout the three-day event, and spectators are welcome; games are broadcast on screens in-house and online, with live commentary and frenzied silver-ball fanatics out in droves. If you want to see this secret haven of arcade glory, though, you’ll have to visit during Pinburgh or another function; the headquarters isn’t open regularly to the public.
(100 Keystone Drive, Carnegie; Friday-Sunday; admission free; full schedule: papa.org)
—Sean Collier, PM Associate Editor
ARTISTS SHARE UNTOLD STORIES AT SWAN DAY 2014
As much as we love seeing a classic show or streaming our favorites on Netflix, why not experience something new? On Saturday, No Name Players’ Sixth Annual SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day Pittsburgh event will feature never-before-seen performances from local women musicians, dancers, actresses, filmmakers, poets and visual artists. The Maya Angelou quote, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you,” inspired participants. All works tell a story the artist has never shared.
The show is for mature audiences. Want something more family-friendly? No Name Players is holding a SWAN Day Jr. event Sunday featuring the work of female artists age 12-18.
(New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square, North Side; SWAN Day: Saturday, 8 p.m; $25 in advance, $30 at the door; pre-show reception at 6:30, $35, must be purchased in advance. SWAN Day Jr.: Sunday, 1 p.m; $5 cash only at the door. nonameplayers.org; swanday.org)
—Michelle Bradbury, PM Marketing Assistant
RUMMAGE THROUGH A WOMAN’S THINGS AND QUESTION HER FRIENDS
Part performance, part mystery, part game and part conversation: That covers most of Her Things: An Interactive Estate Sale, a new interactive theater event that Ayne Terceira created and directed. Eccentric socialite Willa Ballard has perished; you’re invited to her estate sale, which could unlock the secrets she hid in life . . . if you’re proactive about finding them. It’s not often that you can buy a ticket for something unlike anything you’ve ever experienced — but Her Things is just that: entirely original. For more info, check out this week’s edition of After Dark!
IN THEATERS: Director Darren Aronofsky follows his acclaimed indie hits “The Wrestler” and “Black Swan” by switching to a Biblical epic, as Russell Crowe stars as “Noah” alongside Emma Watson and Jennifer Connelly. Elsewhere, Arnold Schwarzenegger brings the mayhem in “Sabotage,” and Jason Bateman directs and stars in the comedy “Bad Words.”
Get an early start to your Saturday and participate in the Race for Grace 5K or 1-mile walk benefiting pediatric brain cancer research. The race starts at 9 a.m. at Norwin High School; register online or onsite.
Tonight through Sunday, Cirque du Soleil brings the acclaimed “Varekai” to the Petersen Events Center. Click here for tickets.
