"Mamma Mia!" Tops 5 Things To Do Around Peters This Weekend

PETERS TOWNSHIP, PA - It’s always unwise to speak in absolutes, but if a particular production has been seen by 54 million people, chances are it’s pretty good. “Mamma Mia!” the stage performance that weaves a plot around a host of old ABBA hits, has been seen by 54 million people worldwide.

That plot, which essentially is just an excuse to help you recover your 1970s groove, revolves around a bride-to-be’s quest to discover the identity of her father and three potential candidates returning to an island they haven’t visited for 20 years. But you probably already knew that, just as you know the performance is chock-full of ABBA classics such as “The Winner Takes It All,” “S.O.S.” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Dancing Queen.”

You can catch “Mamma Mia!” the latest production in Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera summer series, at the Benedum Center, Downtown on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Mamma Mia!” tickets start at $25.75.

Other weekend highlights:

• Vine Rewind: A Penn Avenue picnic, July 29, 4 p.m., July 30, noon, 2800 block of Penn Avenue, Strip District

Last year’s first Vine Rewind, a two-day music festival and neighborhood block party that celebrates Pittsburgh’s music scene both past and present, drew an estimated 18,000 people. This year’s Vine Rewind features the reunion of two bands that for years were heavy hitters on the local scene: New Invisible Joy and Vibro Kings.But there also will be performances by Billy Price, Bastard Bearded Irishmen, Gene the Werewolf and many other bands. Featuring local food and libations, admission to Vine Rewind is free.

• Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, July 29, 8 p.m., Rivers Casino, North Shore

The local rock legend and his band return to the casino amphitheater for what is certain to be a spectacular show. Iris first gained fame his work with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s and then for his solo ‘80s career with the Cruisers. He wrote the hit, "The Rapper", with the Jaggerz in 1970 and was a member of Wild Cherry after the group had a number one hit with "Play That Funky Music." His solo hits include “Ah! Leah,” and “Love is like a Rock.”
Donnie Iris tickets were $20, but the concert is sold out. If you find tickets online, you’re probably going to have to pay a premium price for them.

• Open Streets PGH, July 30, 9 a.m., Market Square and Penn Avenue, Downtown, extending down Penn to Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

If you haven’t heard, Open Streets is a daylong event in which certain streets are closed to vehicular traffic but open to a host of other activities. This one, the third of the year,, has been dubbed “Doughboy to Downtown” in reference to Lawrenceville’s famed World War II doughboy statue. The Market Square segment features spinning and yoga; along Penn Avenue you’ll find zumba, face painting, cardio classes and kid’s activities and on Butler there will be pilates, painting and planking. Open Streets PGH is free.

• Rubber Stamp, Paper Craft and Scrapbook Show, July 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; July 30 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville

Stampers, paper crafters and scrapbookers will have the opportunity to view the entire lines of popular manufacturers and buy directly from them. The newest supplies will be on hand, and there will be free demonstrations of products.
Rubber Stamp, Paper Craft and Scrapbook Show tickets are $7.

Photo via Associated Press.