Seven Days in Pittsburgh: April 29-May 5

Thu., April 29
LIT • VIRTUAL
Join White Whale Bookstore for a virtual book launch with Rachel Mennies. The Chicago-based author will discuss her latest poetry collection The Naomi Letters, which chronicles a love story between two women over the span of the year encompassing the 2016 presidential election. The book is composed of the speaker’s letters sent to Naomi, and Naomi’s occasional responses. Mennies will be joined by Sumita Chakraborty, Kimberly Quiogue Andrews, and Emily Mohn-Slate. This event will take place over Zoom. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Register for Zoom link. whitewhalebookstore.com/events

Fri., April 30
EVENT • VIRTUAL
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Pittsburgh Action Against Rape is going “DigiTEAL” to host its Virtual Teal Ball. In addition to showing that Pittsburgh stands against sexual assault, the Teal Ball will celebrate survivors and fundraise for PAAR through a silent auction. The live event will be hosted by journalist Natalie Bencivenga, and a limited number of celebration kits are available with items from local businesses including Maggie's Farm, Brew Gentlemen, Salty Pork Bits, Scratch & Co., DiAnoia’s Eatery, and Commonplace Coffee. 7 p.m. Donation required. virtualtealball.givesmart.com

MARKET • VIRTUAL
Handmade Arcade is still virtual, but no less fun for anyone seeking locally made gifts, art, housewares, and more. The Spring Marketplace will feature over 60 vendors, and offer 24/7 shopping over the course of three days. Those looking for a more intimate experience should check out the "maker takeover" where participating Handmade Arcade vendors share stories about their creative process and products on Handmade Arcade's website, and on its Instagram and Facebook accounts. Continues through Sun., May 2. Free. handmadearcade.org

Sat., May 1
ART• IRL
Radiant Hall and Ice House Studios are pleased to bring back their Lawrenceville Pop-Up Markets. Taking place every Saturday through May 29, these pop-up markets will feature 20 different local businesses selling handmade or quality second-hand goods. This latest event will include sustainable fashion from Otto Finn, vintage items from Mon Modern, jewelry by Collarbone, and more. Face masks and social distancing required. Local makers are also free to apply for future pop-ups. 12-4 p.m., 4514 Plummer St. & 100 43rd St., Lawrencville. radianthall.org/lawrenceville-pop-up

EVENT • VIRTUAL
No city in America should celebrate May Day more than Pittsburgh. The Steel City spawned several of the country’s labor movements and continues to do so. In honor of that legacy, celebrate International Workers Day 2021 on May 1, aka May Day, with three local groups focused on labor rights and social justice. Join the Pittsburgh chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the Thomas Merton Center, and Casa San Jose for a virtual event on Facebook Live full of music, authentic Mexican food from La Palapa, and discussions about the struggle for workers’ rights, particularly in Pittsburgh’s immigrant communities. 3-4:30 p.m. Free with registration. facebook.com/thomasmertoncenter/events

Sun., May 2
EVENT• IRL
The Pittsburgh Reptile Show will resume its monthly show by welcoming crowds to buy, sell, trade, and learn about the many reptiles, birds, spiders, and other animals one can own in Pennsylvania. Vendors carry everything from snakes to tarantulas, and feeders for your reptile of choice are available for purchase at the expo and ahead of time. Grab a gecko or a frog for yourself or a friend and bring a unique pet into your life. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $6. Free for children under 4. 1321 Freeport Road, Cheswick. pghreptileshow.com

Mon., May 3
KIDS • IRL
Kids seeking a creative outlet are invited to enjoy Citiparks’ Art in the Park at the Warrington Recreation Center. The weekly event encourages kids to explore various arts activities provided by Citiparks, all held outdoors at the Warrington playground. Kids 8-12 are welcome to participate. 4-5 p.m. Free. 329 E. Warrington Ave., Mt. Oliver. pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks/rec-centers-info

Tue., May 4
LIT • VIRTUAL
In the National Basketball Association, losing has become a key to winning. That’s because the worst teams are the only ones that have a chance to win the NBA Draft lottery, and thus get a shot at selecting the best talent coming into the league. Arguably, no one understands this dynamic better than Jake Fischer, a sports journalist who has written for Sports Illustrated and recently penned a book about the subject. Join Fischer at the virtual launch of Built To Lose, hosted by the Oakmont-based Mystery Lovers Bookshop, to hear more about the trade negotiations, power struggles, and infamous public relations fiascos that go along with NBA teams losing on purpose. 7 p.m. Free. Registration required. mysterylovers.com/event

LIT • VIRTUAL
The City of Asylum is giving youth poets a chance to show off during All Pittsburghers are Poets: Youth to the Front. The live, virtual showcase will feature teen writers in a collaboration with Write Pittsburgh, a collective that supports and empowers local writers. The reading will also include Vincent Folkes, the inaugural Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County, doing the closing performance of his laureateship. 7-8 p.m. Free. Registration required. alphabetcity.org/events/youth-to-the-front
Wed., May 5
ART • IRL
Get distracted by something shiny when The Frick Pittsburgh presents the Cast in Chrome: The Art of Hood Ornaments exhibition at its Car and Carriage Museum. Opened on April 24, the new show displays more than 30 hood ornaments and explores the artform's evolution throughout automotive history, from art-deco-inspired motifs to the airplanes and rockets that graced cars during the Space Race of the 1960s. There will also be three classic cars on loan, and connections to the Frick Pittsburgh's namesake family, including a look at the greyhound ornament from Helen Clay Frick’s 1931 Lincoln Model K Dual Cowl Phaeton. Continues through Oct. 31. 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze. Free. Reservation required for entry. thefrickpittsburgh.org