What’s going on in Pittsburgh this weekend, March 19-22? Find out here. Know of a cool event? Email us.

Thursday, March 19: Excellence in Fibers XI at Contemporary Craft
6-8 p.m.
Contemporary Craft teams up with Fiber Art Now to showcase artists who are redefining “the conceptual and physical boundaries of fiber.” Don’t miss Thursday night’s free opening reception for “Excellence In Fibers XI,” presented in Contemporary Craft’s new David Zeve Gallery for Regional Artists. On view through June 27, the dynamic exhibition “examines the expansive field of contemporary fiber and textile practice through works that range from traditional techniques to complex expressive forms.” Viewers can explore a range of materials, processes and techniques, such as basketry, embroidery, felting, weaving and quilting. Information.

Thursday, March 19-Sunday, March 22: Pittsburgh Fringe Festival at multiple venues
Various times
March 19-28
A shadow puppet show weaving the myth of Krampus with the rock music of The Cramps. A performance-based escape room challenging attendees to save a life in less than one hour. A psychological dramedy set in a prison. A tale of a thousand foreskins. These are just some of the provocative productions on tap for the 13th annual Fringe Festival. Activating venues across the East End, the multi-genre lineup features 50 events, from circus arts and comedy, to musicals, cabaret and more. Fringe brings international touring acts to the Burgh, while showcasing local talent. New this year, the ambitious Fringe footprint will stretch to include venues in Allentown, Sharpsburg and Downtown Pittsburgh.

Starting Thursday, March 19, audiences can catch high-caliber productions exploring bold ideas and nurturing creative risk-taking. Find out what happens when President Donald Trump is about to be replaced or when two comics and a drag queen walk into a bar. Don’t miss “Jawsica,” a one-woman show about the iconic summer movie, a performance at the new queer-friendly Soft Spot Cafe and a “gluten-free musical comedy about an overachieving American Gen-Zer.” In short, get out there, chance and discover something new. Schedule and tickets.

Texture Contemporary Ballet dancers Madeline Kendall Schreiber and Madison Jayne Cole. Photo by Rachel Harman.

Friday, March 20-Sunday, March 22: “Eternal Beauty” at the New Hazlett Theater
7:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Texture Contemporary Ballet wraps up its milestone 15th anniversary season by producing “entirely new works that showcase the company’s evolving artistic voice.” Featuring original premieres choreographed by Texture’s longtime resident artists, the works in “Eternal Beauty” will explore connections between sound and movement, the resilience and strength of women, sensuality, power and more. The night will also provide audiences with an intimate look back, and forward, at the Pittsburgh-based company founded in 2011 by Alan Obuzor. The program will culminate with “Moment of Impact,” Obuzor’s newest work highlighting the company’s “commitment to sharing physically dynamic and emotionally complex dance.” Tickets.

Saturday, March 21: Africana Wellness Conference at the Community Empowerment Association
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Legacy Arts Project teams up with the Ujamaa Collective to host this seventh annual conference in the heart of Homewood. Organized around the theme, “Now That We Are Here: Let’s Be Human,” this year’s conference invites participants to explore wellness “as a collective practice rooted in culture, creativity and connection.” Attendees can join wellness workshops and food demonstrations led by community practitioners and teaching artists. The one-day conference also features hands-on activities, wellness vendors and youth activities across the street at the Homewood YMCA. Conference-goers can select gently used items to take home from the event’s Community Closet. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is required.

NatureFest. Photo courtesy of Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Saturday, March 21: NatureFest at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The first weekend of spring is the perfect time to explore the sounds of nature all around us. Curious adventurers of all ages are invited to “tune in to nature” at this this one-day celebration in Oakland. Join scientists, educators and community partners to discover the science behind sound and the “vibrant voices of the natural world.” There’s so much to hear, see and discover — from dinosaur roars to Bornean frog calls to animal communication to natural soundscapes.

Investigate anatomy to learn about about dinosaur vocalization and hearing abilities and learn to identify a variety of frog calls. Visit the Visible Lab to see conservation and collections staff hard at work as they catalog frog calls recorded during research trips to Borneo. Compare ultrasound graphs of bird calls and then learn to identify them visibly. Sign up for the City Nature Challenge, ask the experts your burning questions and pop into the Earth Theater to hear stories featuring unique animal sounds. Check out performances and demonstrations by the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center and unwind with yoga sessions led by SolSoulSole. Schedule and tickets.

Photo courtesy of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

Saturday, March 21: Black in Bloom Spring Community Day at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
12-3 p.m.
Step into spring and get “Black in Bloom” at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center during this vibrant celebration of community and resilience. Highlighting Black health, joy and growth, the free event promotes wellness, empowerment and connection with free activations and experiences. Visit the Spring Vendor Market, enjoy music by DJ KING B and check out performances from local artists. Join The Writers Landscape Tour led by Wali Jamal, relax with R&B ThinkWell Yoga sessions. Wander into the Komorebi Sound Garden and participate in creation stations led by the Young Dreamers Bookstore. The festival also includes health screenings with UPMC, art activities and community resources. . Food and beverages will be provided by Cafe Asé. .

Tom Sarver, “Memory of The Quiet Storm,” 2026. Photo courtesy of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.

Saturday, March 21: “2025-2026 Featured Artists Exhibition” at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
5-8 p.m.
Did you know that the country’s oldest continuously operating artist member organization was founded right here in Pittsburgh? Join Associated Artists of Pittsburgh for the organization’s seventh annual “Featured Artist Exhibition.” Saturday’s free opening reception at AAP’s Lawrenceville HQ celebrates the culmination of its monthly featured series. Presenting work by 12 artists, the exhibit spans a diversity of creative processes and materials — from painting, photography and ceramics to rubber and even dryer lint.

Curated by AAP Exhibitions Coordinator Dawn Henry, the group exhibit showcases work created over the last 12 months. Featured Artists are: Sobia Ahmad, Tony Balko, Seth Clark, Fabrizio Gerbino, Peggi Habets, Noah Emhurt, Penny Mateer, Lorrie Anne Minicozzi, Tom Sarver, Sarah Simmons, Bradley Weyandt and Hisham Youssef. On view through May 29, the exhibition is accompanied by an online store featuring additional works not found in the gallery. Information.

Saturday, March 21: North Hills Home Brew Fest at The Pittsburgh Shrine Center
5-9 p.m.
With spring coming in like a lion, it’s a good thing that this local Home Brew Fest is moving the fun indoors. Pittsburgh home brewers and beer lovers will converge in Cheswick to raise a glass to a very hoppy spring. See who will be crowned the grand champion, as the region’s leading beer makers showcase their unique creations during the Battle of the Home Brews. Taste the latest libations and vote on your favorites, watch the Brewers Challenge, participate in the event raffles and more. The winning beer during the festival’s V.I.P. tasting event will be made and served at Pittsburgh’s legendary Penn Brewery. The event offers three tickets options and includes food vendors. Information.

Photo courtesy of the Andy Warhol Museum.

Saturday, March 21: Teen Sensory Friendly Silent Disco at The Andy Warhol Museum
6-8 p.m.
Looking for a fun night out that celebrates young people with autism spectrum disorders or sensory sensitivities? Slip into your most comfortable party outfit and hit the dance floor at The Warhol. The free event is open to teens up to 18 years old and their families. Join the accommodating staff for a sensory-friendly evening of dancing, socializing and art-making. A live DJ will spin dance tunes, while adjustable wireless headphones allow participants to choose their own volume levels or opt out. Partygoers can decompress or connect in a calm setting in the enclosed sensory-friendly area on the museum’s first floor. In the underground studio, attendees try a variety of art projects including silkscreen printing. Register for free.

Saturday, March 21: “Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience” at Heinz Hall
7:30 p.m.
The rich traditions of the Mississippi Delta Blues will fuse with symphonic orchestra sounds for this special one-night only production. If you loved him in “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Million Dollar Baby” or “Invictus,” you can’t miss this evening guided by the iconic voice and vision of Oscar-winning actor, producer and narrator Morgan Freeman. Featuring “authentic Delta Blues performances backed by powerful symphonic arrangements,” the night promises much more than a concert. Called a “groundbreaking live concert experience that transcends time, weaving the deep-rooted history of the Blues with the grandeur of orchestral music,” the immersive PSO show will explore sound, culture and storytelling. Tickets.

Sunday, March 22: FAKES!: Fooling the Art World for Fun and Profit at the Frick Art Museum
2 p.m.
Stop the doom scrolling about deepfakes and attend this thought-provoking lecture exploring “the thrilling world of art fakes.” Dr. Kahren Jones Arbitman, who specializes in 17th-century Dutch art, with a specific focus on the Dutch painter, Rembrandt, will deliver what is sure to be an entertaining talk focused on the “intriguing world of art fakes and forgeries.”

You’ve likely read about such scandals involving some of the most prominent figures within the history on art. Explore this highly complex world as Arbitman unpacks the tools experts use to separate the imposters from the real things and shares inside stories about some of the art world’s most fascinating fakes. Arbitman, who also served as The Frick Art Museum’s first curator in 1985, will also “separate those works created solely to deceive from legitimate copies, student works and school pieces.” Audiences will discover background about everything from from art styles to connoisseurship to the rigorous authentication process. Tickets.

Sunday, March 22: “Artfully Uplifting” at the Pittsburgh Playhouse
2 p.m.
The Pittsburgh Playhouse is partnering with Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, the ESTEEM Group and Achieva to present this “sensory-friendly specifically created for neurodivergent individuals with sensory processing difficulties, sensory needs and disabilities.” Head Downtown to enjoy sensory-friendly music and movement in a relaxed theater environment designed for all ages and abilities.

A variety of live performances — from singing and dancing to poetry — will be showcased in a concert-style format. Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, the entire theater offers a relaxed experience, including house lights up and production sound down. A quiet room for calming time will be located near the grand lobby, and attendees are welcome to enter and exit the theater as needed. The Sunday afternoon performance is also a great opportunity for first-time theatergoers or young children. .

7 more things to do this weekend

Thursday, March 19-Sunday, March 22: Rivers of Steel presents the Intercollegiate Iron Pour at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, various times

Thursday, March 19-Sunday, March 22: Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival at Row House Cinema, various times

Friday, March 20: Fred Rogers’ Birthday Free Admission Day at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Friday, March 20: Jellyfish Queer Dance Party at Spirit, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

Saturday, March 21: Achieva presents the Pittsburgh Promenade: Bright Futures gala at The Westin Pittsburgh, 6-9 p.m.

Sunday March 22: Pittsburgh Bridal Showcase and Pittsburgh Women’s Expo at the David Lawrence Convention Center, 12-4 p.m.

Sunday, March 22: Sojourner House presents the 22nd Annual Victorian Tea at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, 1-4 p.m.