What do the Polar Plunge, professional wrestling and plastic straw art have in common? They’re all featured in events happening this weekend in the Northside. 

Photo by Ashlee Green

Thursday, Feb. 7

Northside Public Safety Council Meeting

This month’s Northside Public Safety Council (NSPSC) Meeting will take place at the Manchester Citizens Corporation (MCC), 1319 Allegheny Ave., 15233, starting at 5:30 p.m. Visit the MCC Facebook page here.

Read to a Dog at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Allegheny Branch

Meet new friends, hang out with old friends and try something new! Children can have fun, build social skills and use their imaginations. For children in grades K-5. Event is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. For more information, call CLP – Allegheny at 412-237-1890 or email allegheny@carnegielibrary.org.

Polar Plunge Fundraiser at Allegheny City Brewing (ACB)

ACB is holding an event for the Polar Plunge – which benefits the Special Olympics. Specifically, for the Pittsburgh Shrinkage team of Plungers. Team captain Justin S. is a friend of the brewery, and ACB is happy to help them raise money and awareness of the Special Olympics, and to jump into a freezing body of water! And maybe you will sign up to Plunge too! As with most ACB fundraisers, they will have a special beer or two, 50/50, raffle basket, and another trick or two to make it a fun night. No entry fee. La Palapa Food Truck will be on site. Event is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. More information here.

Big Band Swing! at Allegheny Elks Lodge #339

From the Facebook event page: “We’ve survived the polar vortex and the snow’s about to melt, Are you lookin’ for a good time? Well, this is what we’ve dealt. A big band swing dance for yinz, Mark Peters will be there, You can get your 50/50, while brassy sounds fill the air. This is a cheesy promo, rhyming’s not our thing, But if you take a listen, you’ll know that music is our bling.” A beginner dance lesson will take place at 7:15 p.m. and The Jazz Conspiracy Big Band starts at 8 p.m. Price is $10 per person, $5 students with valid student ID.

Friday, Feb. 8

The Low Kings at the Park House

Get a dose of Irish bangers, known as “Pittsburgh’s Premier Celtic Rock Band,” with the best falafel in town! Experience everything from traditional pub sing-a-longs with an edge to originals and more, all with a Celtic kick. Scheduled from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Check out the Facebook event page here.

Chokeslam: A Night of Curated Pro Wrestling Videos at Spring Hill Brewing

Roses are red, violets are blue. Grab a steel chair, it’s time for CHOKESLAM: ROUND TWO! This edition of CHOKESLAM will be all about TAG TEAMS! Free to attend. This event is not suitable for children. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

Fagnelli’s Space Cult Kickback at Magic Mansion Pittsburgh

From the co-creator of The Ritual after hours, Gia Fagnelli brings you a space cult fantasy on Earth. Get out of the cold and dine on desserts in the desert room, or transcend to the gates of heaven with visuals and pole movements by Gia + surprise guests. Limited capacity, so RSVP. 21+. Suggested donation of $10. Cash bar. Event is from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Magic Mansion Pittsburgh is located at 1400 Pennsylvania Ave., 15233. More information here.

Saturday, Feb. 9

The Free Store at Propel Northside’s Community Wellness Center

Community members are welcome to visit the free store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get needed items such as clothing and personal care products. Shoppers of various ages are invited to select up to five items during their shopping experience! They’re encouraged to take only what they need. If you’d like to donate, donations are accepted on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Propel Northside Community Wellness Center is located at 1805 Buena Vista St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15212. Please use the Brighton Road entrance. For more information, visit the Propel Northside Community Wellness Center Facebook page.

Meet the Artist at Kaffeehaus with Trenita Finney

Stop by Kaffeehaus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet artist Trenita Finney, whose vibrant illustrations (“magical women, anime, big hair”) are currently on display. “I create what I wish there was more of in the world,” Finney says. Kaffeehaus is located at 1022 Chestnut St., 15212.

Sunday, Feb. 10

Ferris Buller’s Turning 4! at Allegheny City Brewing

Dogs and humans alike are invited to celebrate neighbor dog Ferris turning four years old and hitting 10,000 Instagram followers! Buy yourself a beer from the brewery and a hot dog from the Hot Dawgs truck while your pooch enjoys a piece of doggy cake. More information here.

Straw Forward Sculpture Exhibition at the Carnegie Science Center

The Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant program’s much anticipated Straw Forward™ Art Installation is now on display in Carnegie Science Center’s RiverView Cafe through Friday, Feb. 15. It demonstrates a community-wide collaborative effort to accelerate an important message about the global issue of plastic pollution—from a local perspective. The installation is comprised of more than 25,000 plastic straws collected from 37 Pittsburgh-based restaurants, nonprofits, and businesses between June and October of last year. For more information, including ticket prices and museum hours, visit the Carnegie Science Center website.

Have an event you’d like us to feature online in the Northside Happenings? Every week on our website, we announce free or almost-free events happening in the Northside on Thursdays through Sundays. Email a paragraph detailing the name of the event, location, specifics and a website or contact information to editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. on the Wednesday before the weekend.