`In The Heights' Tops 5 Weekend Things To Do Around Cranberry

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA - Long before Lin-Manuel Miranda watched his “Hamilton” become a cultural phenomenon, he created “In the Heights.”

It’s the story of a vibrant neighborhood on the brink of change, where a winning lottery ticket could forever transform the lives of the people and community. This musical weave Latin rhythms, hip hop and pop to tell a captivating story about chasing the American dream.

Brimming with memorable songs, “In the Heights” returns to Pittsburgh as the latest of the summer’s Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera productions. This weekend’s performances at the Benedum Center will be Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“In the Heights” tickets start at $25.75.

Other weekend highlights:

• Highmark Italian StrEAT Festival, July 8-9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Penn Avenue between Sixth and Ninth streets, Downtown.

Celebrating all things Italian, this two-day event will feature music, dancing, games, crafts and, as the name implies, food. Lots of food from places such as Sienna Mercato, Lidia’s, Ten Penny, Meat & Potatoes, Sienna on the Square, Market Street Grocery, Il Pizzaiolo, Talia and Giovanni’s. There also will be bocce, ladderball, cornhole, bingo and a 50-50 raffle. Admission to the Highmark Italian StrEAT Festival is free.

• Omni 24-Hour Marathon, from 10 a.m. July 8 to 5 p.m. July 9, Carnegie Science Center, North Shore.

The science center’s iconic Rangos Omnimax Theater gets a marathon send-off before it’s transformed into the Rangos Giant Cinema with Dolby Atmos sound. Included in the admission price are unlimited Omnimax movies, all four floors of exhibits, plus Highmark SportsWork, unlimited special live demonstrations, theater and Planetarium shows and privileges to leave and come back any time during the 31-Hour Marathon (parking not included). There also will be a cash bar and food stations. Omni 24-Hour Marathon admissions start at $5.

• Night in the Tropics, July 8, 7-11 p.m., National Aviary, North Side

At this event, you’ll indulge in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the tropics, celebrate the diversity of the aviary’s birds and enjoy global entertainment. There will be hula dances, exotic fire performers, Latin beats from DJ 007 and live music by The Lava Game. There will be beer, wine and specialty drinks, plus tasty morsels from more than 30 of Pittsburgh restaurants and bakeries. Night in the Tropics tickets start at $70.

• SouthSide Works Exposed, July 8, Noon-11 p.m.; July 9, Noon-5 p.m., SouthSide Works, South Side.

The 13th annual SouthSide Works Exposed festival features more than 60 vendors selling homemade items, live music, food trucks and cocktails served by Hofbrauhaus. Admission to SouthSide Works Exposed is free.

Photo by Allen Skyy via Creative Commons.