`Newsies' Tops 5 Weekend Things To Do Around Dormont-Brookline

DORMONT, PA - Extra, extra! Read all about the real-life newsboy strike of 1899 turned into a Tony Award-winning musical. It’s being performed locally this weekend as Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's latest production.

“Newsies” tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who rallies his fellow “newsies” in New York City to engage in a work stoppage after publishing tycoon Joseph Pulitzer - whose lifetime goal was to have a prize named after himself - threatens their livelihood.

Highlighted by the tap dance extravaganza of “King of New York” and other heart-pounding numbers, “Newsies” is a high-energy eruption of song and dance.

You can see this latest CLO winner July 22 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and July 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Benedum Center, Downtown. “Newsies” tickets start at $25.75.

Other weekend highlights:

• PPG Festival of Color, July 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, Highland Park

Enjoy fun children’s activities such as creating sand art masterpieces, viewing animal painting demonstrations, decorating the plaza with chalk art, facepainting, and T-shirt tie-dying. Bring your own white T-shirt to tie-dye or purchase one with the Zoo logo for $6. The PPG Festival of Color is free with a paid zoo admission.

• Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival, July 22, 2 p.m. Syria Shrine Center, Cheswick.

The popular annual blues festival has morphed into this event, which will feature music from acts such as Tinsley Ellis and Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Autism Society of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Blues and Roots Festival tickets are $20.

• Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show, July 22-23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of miniature railroading. The train show is designed for children of all ages; for modelers, collectors and enthusiasts; for families in search of good old-fashioned fun and for the simply curious. Each show features hundreds of tables of trains, accessories, scale models and collectible toys for sale as well as huge operating exhibits.
Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show tickets are $10 for adults on Saturday and $9 on Sunday. Children age 11 and under are admitted free.

• Western Pennsylvania Lamb Cook-Off, July 23, 2 p.m., Ace Hotel, East Liberty

Renowned worldwide for producing America’s best lamb, this event will be an all-star cook-off, with more than 10 chef teams from prominent Pittsburgh restaurants and guest chefs from award-winning eateries in neighboring states. Some of the headlining chefs include Justin Severino of Cure and Morcillo, Dom Branduzzi of Piccolo Forno and Grapperia, Sam DiBattista of Vivo Kitchen, Stephen Felder of Stagioni, Derek Burrell of Round Corner Cantina and El Burro and Roger Li of Umami and Ki Ramen. A portion of event proceeds will benefit the Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation.
Western Pennsylvania Lamb Cook-Off tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children.

Photo by Evan Agostini/Associated Press.