This weekend in the Northside: Doors Open Pittsburgh, free admission to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild via RADical Days, an Open House at the Allegheny Observatory, and more.

Photo: Teutonia Mannerchor in the Northside is one of several buildings which will be open to the public this weekend for DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh. Photo by Alexander Oh

Thursday, Oct. 3

Bird Courtship and Marriage

National Aviary 2018 Volunteer of the Year and retired biochemist, Fran Reichl, will discuss examples of mating strategies and mating rituals such as dancing, gift giving, and nest building. Attendees will begin to understand why these differences exist and whom they benefit. More information available here.

RADical Days 2019: Free Admission to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

Visit Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild for an evening that will feature a live listening session and radio show recording with MCG Jazz in the concert hall, gallery talks by artists, and live demonstrations in MCG Youth & Arts’ studios with a make-and-take RADical Days piece of artwork for guests. Free admission is part of RADical Days. MCG is located at 1815 Metropolitan Street in the Northside. For more information, visit mcgyouthandarts.org.

Northside Recycling Bin Distribution

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) will be distributing 32-gallon recycling bins to qualifying residents of the City of Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhoods. Register today  and retrieve your blue bin. More information available here.

Daryl Shawn Live at Scratch

Pittsburgh-based solo nylon-string guitarist Daryl Shawn plays at Scratch, where he appears the first Thursday of every month. There’s no cover charge, and the cocktails and food are in the top echelon. More information available via Facebook.

Friday, Oct. 4

Annual Open House at Allegheny Observatory

The 2019 Allegheny Observatory Open House will be held today. It’s free, but you must reserve your tickets by calling 412-321-2400. Instead of having a tour guide, you will be following a designated tour path around the building. Both of the main telescopes will be outfitted for visual use and the members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will be setting up additional telescopes on the front lawn.

Sweaty Already String Band at The Park House

Grab your dancin’ shoes and join for a night of bluegrass pickin’ at The Park House! No cover, free popcorn and free peanuts. 9 p.m. to midnight. Trifecta! More information available via Facebook.

Steel City Shakespeare Center Presents Emma in Troy Hill

Steel City Shakespeare Center will be performing Emma, based on the Jane Austen novel, at Provident Charter School in Troy Hill. The play runs from Friday, October 4 until Sunday, October 13 at Provident Charter School, located at 1400 Troy Hill Road in the Northside neighborhood of Troy Hill. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $15. All ages are welcome. For more information, or to reserve your spot, visit the Steel City Shakespeare Center Presents Emma event page.

Saturday, Oct. 5

Doors Open Pittsburgh Day One

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh invites you to be “nebby” October 5 & 6! There will be 17 new buildings open this year, 54 total buildings in Downtown and the Northside!Participants will get behind-the-scenes access, or just the opportunity to explore and experience the INSIDE of 54 buildings! Check out www.doorsopenpgh.org for the list of participating buildings and to buy tickets.

Allegheny City Brewing’s Third Birthday

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, ACB! The band Dead and In The Way is headed back to the Northside for an afternoon of pickin’ on the good ‘ol Grateful Dead and Old and In The Way. There will be a couple of special guests to the band for this one … Patrick Varine will be playing the role of Pete and Danny James is jumping in for Bryce. Event is from 3 to 5 p.m. More information available via Facebook.

Sunday, Oct. 6

Doors Open Pittsburgh Day Two

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh invites you to be “nebby” October 5 & 6! There will be 17 new buildings open this year, 54 total buildings in Downtown and the Northside!Participants will get behind-the-scenes access, or just the opportunity to explore and experience the INSIDE of 54 buildings! Check out www.doorsopenpgh.org for the list of participating buildings and to buy tickets.

RADical Days 2019: Free Admission to National Aviary

Walk through immersive habitats with free-flying birds from around the world, and see rare and endangered birds including penguins, flamingos, eagles, owls, parrots, and even a sloth! Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The National Aviary is located at 700 Arch St. in the Northside. More information and the full RADical Days schedule here or visit aviary.org.

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. Fill out our Google Form or 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.