Whether it’s their heritage, the arts, or a holiday, Pittsburghers always have something to celebrate. The following is a list of upcoming festivals and/or events. For more information or additional events, call the Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-366-0093 for updates, or visit the website at www.visitpittsburgh.com.

For more information for Laurel Highlands, call Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau at 800-925-7669 or check out www.laurelhighlands.org.

Other bureaus in the region that may be helpful include Monroeville Convention Visitors Bureau at 800-527-8941, www.visitmonroeville.com; Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau at 866-856-8444, www.visitButlerCounty.com; and Mercer County PA Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-637-2370, www.mercercountypa.org.

The event dates are subject to change. The phone numbers may be used to verify dates.

MAY 2008

PENGUIN PREMIERE SHOW
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-323-7235
Meet one of the Aviary’s four African Penguins! Daily at 1 p.m. Free with general admission. www.aviary.org

UPMC SPORTSWORKS
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Permanent Exhibition
412-237-3400
36,000 square feet of scientific fun completely dedicated to sports! Come and find out for yourself how your family and friends can discover the science in sports, push their bodies to the limit, and embark on wild virtual journeys. www.carnegiesciencecenter.org

RAPTOR ENCOUNTER
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-323-7235
Meet one of the Aviary’s exciting raptors or owls, from the favorite Snowy Owl to a regal red-tailed hawk. Daily at 10:30 AM. Free with general admission.

GLASS: SHATTERING NOTIONS
Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh
Regional History Center, North Side
ongoing
412-454-6000
Before it was known for steel, Pittsburgh was America’s Glass City. Pittsburgh-produced glass has been used in fine tableware for five U.S. presidents, as tiles for the walls of New York City’s great tunnels, and in searchlights at the Panama Canal.

HENRY BUHL, JR PLANETARIUM
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
ongoing
412-237-3400
Catapult into space in the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and travel from the Solar System to the outer reaches of the galaxy and beyond.

LASER SHOWS IN THE HENRY BUHL JR PLANETARIUM
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
Ongoing
412-237-3400
Enjoy the sounds of The Doors, Pink Floyd, Celine Dion, and more with live laser shows choreographed with lasers and special effects all blended together on the cosmic backdrop of the Planetarium sky.

RAINBOW LORIKEETS LAND AT THE NATIONAL AVIARY
National Aviary, North Side
ongoing
412-323-7235
A new walk-through exhibit is being invaded by a flock of 20 Rainbow Lorikeets, fearless and flashy youngsters who consider humans to be an excellent source of entertainment, particularly when they come bearing nectar. www.aviary.org

FLY FOR FUN
Allegheny Airport
ongoing
412-466-1008
You can be the pilot or bring your camera and enjoy the view. Get a great view of the city.

BODIES…THE EXHIBITION
Carnegie Science Center, North Side
through May 4
412-237-3400
A phenomenal look at the phenomenon we call the human body.

THE SCOOP ON POOP
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Oakland
through May 4
412-622-3131
Fish, frogs, pythons, eagles, and elephants—they all do it, yet poop is one of those subjects that can be hard to talk about with a straight face. The Scoop on Poop leads visitors on an investigation of what poop is and how animals use it—to build homes, hide from enemies, attract mates, send messages, cool off, and yes, even eat.

SECRETS OF CIRCLES
Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, North Side
through May 18
412-322-5058
Circles are pretty amazing. Look around, you’ll find them everywhere – wheels, clocks, flowers, frisbees, coins, even the bagel in your lunch In this new exhibit, there are many hands-on projects to work with.

TIME MACHINES: WATCHES FROM THE H.J. HEINZ COLLECTION
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Oakland
through July 6
412-622-3131
Pittsburgh ketchup and sauce magnate H.J. Heinz amassed an extensive collection of timepieces during his lifetime. These chronometers offer an array of incredible artistry and amazing mechanical ingenuity.

TROPICAL FOREST: THAILAND
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Oakland
through December 9
412-622-6914
Phipps unveils Tropical Forest: Thailand, a 12,000-square-foot exhibit filled with lush plants, indoor waterfalls, a towering canopy walk, and much more.

PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE
Shadyside Academy, Fox Chapel
May 9
412-963-3045
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre returns for an encore performance! PBT is currently recognized as one of the world’s leading ballet companies. PBT’s repertoire is a distinctive blend of ballets by 20th century masters, new works by today’s most passionate choreographers, and acclaimed versions of 19th century classical ballets.

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland
Mid May
412-682-3866
More than 20,000 people stop in for an appetizing dose of Greek food and culture. The festival includes dancing and live entertainment each evening. www.stnickspgh.org/festival

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
West Park, North Side
Mid May
412-321-5520
Pittsburgh’s North Side will sparkle with a showcase of dazzling professional theater from Russia, Spain, South Korea, Canada, the United States, and more, presented by Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Citiparks. The theater shows will be complemented by fun hands-on cultural and educational activities located in several Activity Zones, including the National Aviary, the Children’s Museum Concourse, and the North Side branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. www.pgh.kids.org

PITTSBURGH FOLK FESTIVAL
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
May 23-25
412-278-1267
Pittsburgh’s 20-plus nationalities celebrate their heritage with colorful costumes, authentic folk dancing and mouth-watering delicacies. www.pgh.folkfest.org

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