A fine place to warm up and maybe learn a little something about tropical plants and tiny trees is the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai show at Phipps Conservatory. New this year: 5-foot-wide hanging orchid spheres. Schenley Park, Oakland. 412-622-6914 or www.phipps.conservatory.org
The Andy Warhol Museum is hosting a get-together at the Ace Hotel, where folks can make their own vintage-style Valentine’s Day cards. “Be mine, sweetums, because hubba hubba.” Remember, nothing says love like “made by hand.” Sun., Feb. 11. East Liberty. 412-237-8300 or www.warhol.org
Looking for new wheels? Head to the Pittsburgh International Auto Show. All the latest models await your perusal. Feb 16-19. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. www.pittautoshow.com
Celebrate (and taste) a variety of craft beers at the Pittsburgh Winter Beer Fest. Three sessions to choose from, including a new one on Saturday afternoon. Beers from nearby, beers from around the country — bring your pretzel necklace. Feb. 23-24. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.www.pittsburghbeerfest.com
During the cold snap, did you get tired of looking at your home’s interiors? Get good ideas for freshening up the house and yard at the annual Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. It’s got everything from luxury showers to environmentally friendly lighting. March 2-11. David L.
Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. www.pghhome.com
The sign at Workshop PGH says, “Drink beer, make things.” What better way to learn a new handicraft in a social setting, then while away the rest of the dark winter days making things? Classes in woodworking, plants, macramé, leather, dyeing, sewing, pyrography (decorative wood burning), knitting and more. Garfield. www.workshoppgh.com
One sign that winter is drawing to a close is March Madness. Get into the college-basketball action at the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Championship, first and second rounds, at PPG Paints Arena. It’s the Road to the Final Four! March 15-17. Uptown. www.ppgpaintsarena.com
The Carnegie Mellon International Film Festival is back, with a program of recent international features and documentaries, guest speakers and related events. This year’s theme is Faces of (In)Equality, and films include Risk, Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story and For Ahkeem. March 22-April 7. Oakland. www.cmu.edu/faces
You know who also needs cheering up in the gloomy winter months? Cat, dogs and even bunnies at animal shelters. Take a dog for a walk; cuddle a cat; foster an animal; or do outreach to help pets find new homes. Check with area shelters to see what help they need. www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org or www.humaneanimalrescue.org
