From cider release parties to free pet adoptions and stargazing, the Northside has plenty to offer this weekend.

By: NSC Staff

Thursday, January 25

412 City Cider Release Party

The byproduct of a Threadbare Cider and 412 Food Rescue collaboration – the end result? A cider produced from food rescues made throughout the city of Pittsburgh. The release is from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is free to attend. Additional food and refreshments will be available. For more information visit Threadbare’s event page.

Mental Health Cafe at Commonplace Coffee MWS

Commonplace Coffee at the Mexican War Streets will be hosting the Mental Health Cafe, a monthly community series aimed to help start an open discussion on ways to improve mental health care within our neighborhoods. The event is free and refreshments will be provided. For additional information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Friday, January 26

SkyWatch at Carnegie Science Center

Stargazers wanted. The Science Center will be hosting two SkyWatch shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., in the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium & Observatory. Guests will be able to enjoy the views of various celestial sights including the Great Orion Nebula and will also be able to chat with professions. SkyWatch is $4 for non-members and $2 for Science Center members (in addition to general admittance), for more information visit the science center’s events page.

Sarah Heinz House Winter Open House

The Sarah Heinz House will be hosting a free Open House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All ages are welcome, food and refreshments will also be provided. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Sweaty Already String Band at The Park House

The Sweaty Already String Band will be performing live at The Park House from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. For more information on the free concert visit the event’s Facebook page.

Gaming at the Allegheny & Woods Run Library

Friday night appears to be game night at the community libraries. The Allegheny Library will be hosting a gaming night from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Woods Run Library will also be hosting a virtual reality game night from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Allegheny Library and Woods Run Library event pages for a list of weekend events (links above).

Saturday, January 27

Battle of the Bowls Chili Cook-Off at the Heinz Lofts

Who has the best chili in town? Five Pittsburgh food trucks including Blue Sparrow, Mac & Gold, Pittsburgh Po Boy, Pittsburgh Sandwich Society and Pittsburgh Smokehouse will be competing for the title. Guests will be able to try up to four bowls and wash down the spices with a cold brew. Music will be provided by the Sweaty Already String Band. Tickets are $16, tasting starts at 12 p.m., for additional information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Pet Adoption at the Carnegie Science Center

Looking for a new furry friend? The Humane Animal Rescue will be at the Carnegie Science Center from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Animals will be available for free adoption (fees may apply for puppies and kittens). For more information visit the Science Center’s event page.

Kyle Simpson Jazz Collection at City Books

City Books in Allegheny West will be hosting a special performance by jazz musician Kyle Simpson from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information visit the City Books’ event page.

Gypsy Stringz at Huszar

A special Saturday night performance from the Gypsy Stringz will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Birdland All-Stars at MCG Jazz

The Manchester Craftsman Guild Jazz will be hosting the Birdland All-Stars with guest Tommy Igoe. The Birdland All-Stars will entertain the audience with a performance from their “The Jazz Corner of the World” series. There is a 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. show, for more information, visit the MCG Jazz events page.

Sunday, January 28

Louis Braille exhibit at the Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will be hosting a special Louis Braille exhibit in the Art Studio 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibit aims to celebrate the contributions and work of Louis Braille. Guests will be able to work with members of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and read a variety of braille books. For more information visit the museum’s event page.

Proactive Pittsburgh Women Book Club at City of Asylum Books

City of Asylum Books in Alphabet City will be hosting a book club from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting is the first in a political book club series by Proactive Pittsburgh Women. The reading will be from “The Righteous Mind” by Jonathan Haidt. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.