Getting ready for Mardi Gras and the Harry Potter Festival
Festivals
Eat.Drink.Pittsburgh: Food and drink samples from many Pittsburgh establishments, plus music and photo booth. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Rivers Casino, North Shore. $40. y108.radio.com/events/eatdrink-pittsburgh-2019.
North Side Mardi Gras: North Side businesses celebrate Mardi Gras with various special events between Feb. 21 and March 5. For example, several restaurants have special New Orleansinspired menus or appearances by local musicians, and Allegheny City Brewing is running a Cajun Cook-Off on Feb. 24. pittsburghnorthside.com.
Harry Potter Festival: Row House Cinema teams up with The Vandal for a Harry Potter feast and movie. Options: Have dinner at 6 p.m. at The Vandal and watch “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at 8 p.m. at Row House, or see “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” at 4:45 p.m. at Row House and have dinner at 8 p.m. at The Vandal. Monday, Feb. 25, at Row House and The Vandal in Lawrenceville. $68. rowhousecinema.com.
Classes
“I’ve Decided to Go Vegan. Now What?”: Participate in a discussion about resources for going vegan, plus enjoy plantbased refreshments. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Catapult PGH, Lawrenceville. Sponsored by Pittsburgh Vegan Association. facebook.com (search for “I’ve Decided to Go Vegan. Now what?”).
Decadent Hors D’oeuvres: Learn to make delicious appetizers and enjoy a glass of wine or craft cocktail. 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at The Pennsylvania Market, Strip District. $35. thepamarket.com/classes.
Shucking 101: Learn to shuck oysters; enjoy 18 oysters and two glasses of bubbles. 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Muddy Waters Oyster Bar, East Liberty. $50; $75 for “Bad Mother Shuckers” (includes a shucking knife and Muddy Waters swag to take home). muddywaterspgh.com (scroll down to “Events”).
Foods of South Africa: After cooking school owner Gaynor Grant traveled to South Africa earlier this year, she decided to start a new South African cooking class, including such dishes as bobotie, malva pudding and rusks. 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at Gaynor’s School of Cooking, South Side. $85. gaynorsschoolofcooking.com.
For charity
Brashear Soup Week: Choice of three all-you-caneat soups and salad. Continues through Feb. 23 at UUBU 6, South Side. $15; $5 of each purchase goes to the Brashear Association. Bring a donation for their food pantry and get a free dessert.
Spaghetti dinner: Spaghetti with choice of sauce and meatballs, salad, garlic toast, beverage and homemade dessert, plus raffle baskets and Retro Arcade of video games. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church in Ross. $9; $4 for ages 10 and under; benefits Boy Scout Troop 181. facebook.com (search for “Troop 181 Spaghetti Dinner”).
Other events
Nailed It!: In this competition for ages 12-18, teams will try to make beautiful cupcake masterpieces in the spirit of the Netflix show, “Nailed It!” 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at Green Tree Public Library. greentreelibrary.org/event/nailed-it/.
Feast: Sound: Chef Keyla