Lots to do on the North Side

A good percentage of Pitt’s present and past population will be on the North Side this weekend… A good percentage of Pitt’s present and past population will be on the North Side this weekend for Saturday’s Homecoming football game against the Syracuse Orangemen. Heinz Field isn’t the only reason to go to the North Side; there are plenty of other attractions across the river, as well.

National Aviary

Allegheny Commons West

Mon. through Sun., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

$5

(412) 323-7235

Meet Stanley: He’s about two feet tall, weighs less than eight pounds and can swim up to 15 miles per hour. Stanley is an African Penguin – yes, Penguins live in Africa – and Pittsburgh’s National Aviary throws the spotlight on him every afternoon at 1 p.m. So Homecoming Weekend, while you’re scouring the North Side for something new and exciting to do, you might want to make a stop over at the nation’s only independent, nonprofit indoor bird zoo to meet Stanley and over 600 of his feathered friends.

Among the aviary’s ambitious goals is the desire to educate the public. This is accomplished through bird shows, demonstrations and feedings. Have you ever seen a tropical bird swoop down through the air to snatch a dead fish from your quivering hand, held high above your head? No? Well the aviary can give you that experience.

More than 200 species of birds are represented at the aviary, hailing from every corner of the world. There are Red Crown Cranes, an endangered species from Asia, and Snowy Owls, the largest in North America. There are Greater Flamingos from the Galapagos Islands and Toco Toucans from the rainforests of South America. Australian Palm Cockatoos live under the same roof as Costa’s Hummingbirds from Mexico.

A huge variety of birds – all shapes, colors and sizes – sing beautiful songs that fill the aviary air. A wonderful staff of volunteers is available to answer all of your most pressing bird questions. Who needs football when you have hundreds and hundreds of birds? Don’t leave the North Side without saying hello to Stanley.

-Elizabeth Cowan, staff writer

Carnegie Science Center

1 Allegheny Ave.

Sun. through Thurs., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fri. and Sat., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

$5-$18

(412) 237-3400

They boast that they are never the same place twice. And how could they be, with ever-changing exhibits, activities and seven different theaters?

Current exhibitions include light sculpture “E-Motion,” “Meriwether Lewis in Pittsburgh,” and “SeaScape,” a hands-on marine life environment.

The Carnegie Science Center is the home of the Rangos Omnimax Theater, where each film is vibrant and lively, shown on a dome 79 feet in diameter and with 44 speakers that perfect surround sound.

On weekend nights, the Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium is bustling with people coming to see one of the many laser shows. Flashing lights are set to the music of such artists as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Doors. There is also an ’80s laser show, set to a soundtrack from the new wave decade.

Located right next to Heinz Field, it is only appropriate that UMPC SportsWorks is part of the Science Center. Over 60 interactive exhibits are on display, and participants can learn the mechanics of their bodies while being active.

Science isn’t so bad, after all.

-Katie Mavrich, A ‘ E Editor

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

10 Children’s Way

Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun., Noon – 5 p.m.

$3-$5

(412) 322-5058

You aren’t a kid anymore, but that doesn’t mean a trip to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is any less enchanting. You can be nostalgic and entertain the visiting kiddies at the same time.

Being “grown up,” each exhibit will be looked at with a different, appreciative light. While the kids are running around the Mister Rogers Neighborhood display, you may find yourself staring at the characters intently and remembering the man who played a big part of your childhood. It’s kind of funny; when we were kids and listened to King Friday or Henrietta the Pussycat talk, they had their own, unique voices. Now, Mister Rogers’ tone can be heard in each character and it doesn’t take anything away from the magic.

Some of Andy Warhol’s silk screens are on display, Jim Henson’s original puppets have come to visit, and on the lower floor, Pittsburgh’s history can be relived in “Riverscape.”

Forget college – with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, you can travel back in time to elementary school.

-Katie Mavrich, A ‘ E Editor

Andy Warhol Museum 117 Sandusky St. Tues. through Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed Monday

$3-$8, Free with Pitt ID

(412) 237-8300

You could call him the Godfather of pop art: Andy Warhol took everyday items and made them into eclectic pieces of artwork.

From the Campbell’s Tomato Soup Can to his self portraits, to his silk screens of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis, Warhol was the embodiment of pop culture.

The museum celebrated what would have been Warhol’s 75th birthday this past summer, with special exhibits by visiting artists and other events. This weekend is the last that the “Clown Paintings: From the Collection of Diane Keaton and Others” will be on display. You can check out some electrical chairs, as Warhol reflected on capital punishment.

The upcoming weeks will be busy at the museum as they prepare for the 40th anniversary of JFK’s assassination. It will be marked with the opening of “November 22, 1963: Image, Memory, Myth,” aptly taking place on Nov. 22.

-Katie Mavrich, A ‘ E Editor

Mattress Factory 500 Sampsonia Way

Tues. through Fri., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sat., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sun., 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

$5-$8

(412) 231-3169

The Mattress Factory presents more than just art on the walls and sculptures in the middle of the room, a la typical art museums. Installations are the norm here. Artists are allotted space to work with, and they utilize as much of possible, juxtaposing light, sound and physical works together.

Be sure to check out the two mirrored rooms that rival a funhouse, one painted in neon colors and lit by black light, the other painted white with red polka dots. Also noteworthy is the James Turrell exhibit, a permanent installation that uses light to create optical illusions.

This is a prime time to check out the Mattress Factory; their exhibit, “New Installations, Artists in Residence: Boyle; Holland; McConnell; Mitchell; Peterson, Drain, Brown; Reichlin; Sawyer and Yamamoto” opens on Sunday.

Hi-Tops

200 W. Federal St.

Sun. through Sat., 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.

(412) 231-3310

If, for whatever reason, you can’t make it to a Pittsburgh sporting event – it’s out of town, too cold, too hot, sold out – then Hi-Tops is the place to be.

You can drink a plethora of Pittsburgh-brewed beers: Iron City, Augustiner, Penn Marzen, Penn Pilsner, Penn Weizen – as well as a number of macro-brews. With eight big-screen televisions and 60 other monitors throughout, not being able to see is no excuse for missing a play.

Appetizers and sandwiches are on the menu, so no matter what time of day the game is, you won’t go hungry.

Fittingly decorated in black and gold, the dance floor offers patrons the opportunity to celebrate a victory by busting a move. And in the off chance that we get defeated, you can always drown your sorrows in an Imp ‘n’ Ahrn.

-Katie Mavrich, A ‘ E editor