Downtown Butler

First up, why try to avoid the cold when you can embrace it instead? That’s what they’ll be doing in Butler this weekend at the annual “Carved in Ice” festival and chili cook-off. This year, it’s a two-day event of carving magic, when carved ice blocks will be displayed in Diamond Park amid a wonderful array of colorful lights. So you’ll want to have your camera ready, because you can take it all in on Friday from 5 until 8 p.m. On Saturday at 11 a.m. the festivities really kick into high gear with live carving, an ice slide for the kids and the chili cook-off. There will also be a scavenger hunt for the kids, food trucks and music. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

“Beauty and the Beast”

All weekend, various showtimes

Benedum Center

The chance to catch the “tale as old as time,” “Beauty and the Beast” is coming to the Benedum Center this weekend. The classic tale of romance and adventure will feature music by Tchaikovsky. Audiences are offered a glimpse at unexpected romance, heartbreak and the power of love through striking scenery and stunning choreography. This is all brought to you by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, so you can expect something a bit different from the Disney version of the story that you’re likely familiar with. Discover this version of the legendary story all weekend long, with five shows between Thursday and Sunday. Tickets for the performances start at $28.

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Malpaso Dance Company show

Saturday, 8 p.m.

Byham Theater

At the Byham Theater, it’s an evening with the Malpaso Dance Company, one of Cuba’s most acclaimed dance troupes, hailing from Havana. Malpaso emphasizes a collaborative creative process, working with both the best Cuban choreographers and new voices as well. Saturday at 8 p.m. they’ll be presenting three pieces: “Face the Torrent” by Sonya Tayeh, “Ocasa” by Osnel Degado and “Tabula Rasa” by Ohad Naharin. This is a one-time show with tickets starting as $10.

Tchaikovsky “Violin Concerto”

Friday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.

Heinz Hall

At Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra continues its streak of brilliant performances with even more music from Tchaikovsky. Violinist Baiba Skride will be performing his passionate “Violin Concerto” twice this weekend, first on Friday at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Guest conductor Juraj Val?uha will be leading two other pieces: the delightful “Valse de Concert” by Glazunov, and Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 3.” Tickets for those performances start at $20.

Tubman

Friday, 7 p.m.

August Wilson African American Cultural Center

The August Wilson Center is featuring a tribute to one of the most influential female leaders in American history with a one-time performance of “Tubman”. It’s a one-woman show that presents the story of Harriet Tubman reimagined as a young woman growing up in Harlem. This play examines the centuries-old fight with race, gender and equality through a theatrical lens. This moving performance will be taking place Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14.

Youth Author Series: Mahogany L. Browne

Saturday, 3 p.m.

City of Asylum at Alphabet City

Acclaimed author and editor of “The Breakbeat Poets Volume 2: Black Girl Magic,” Mahogany Browne, will be at City of Asylum for a reading of various stories from her many books. Some of you may have caught her when she was featured at the August Wilson Center’s “poetry unplugged” event in January. This event is another chance to experience her writing and take part in a Q&A session after the reading. The event starts at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Flamingo Fest

Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.

National Aviary

The National Aviary is hosting a two-day celebration of the magnificent flamingo this weekend. This event lets guests get up close and personal with the aviary’s flock while enjoying games, crafts and other activities. Guests will learn how flamingos build their nests, get food and a “flamingo yoga” game for the kids. This event is included with regular admission to the aviary and runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Penguins vs. Sabres

Saturday, 1 p.m.

PPG Paints Arena

Root on the home team as the Buffalo Sabres come to the Steel City to take on the Penguins. The Sabres are on the outside looking in at the playoffs right now. So this is a big opportunity for them to start making up some ground, which means the Pens will need to come out as hot as ever to shut them down. The Pens have knocked the Capitals out of the number one spot in the Metropolitan Division, so they’ll try to keep racking up the wins as they near the tail end of the season. The puck drops at 1 p.m. Saturday at PPG Paints arena.

Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure

Sunday, 2 and 6 p.m.

Byham Theater

Step off the streets of Pittsburgh and dive down to the bottom of the ocean with "Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure.” Actors, technology, puppets, science and imagination come together to create an amazing visual experience that connects young audiences to the real science of paleontology. Guests will be able to jump in and explore unknown ocean depths where prehistoric marine reptiles lived eons ago. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience for any kids who just love dinosaurs and other creatures. The show is presented Sunday at 2 and 6 p.m. at the Byham Theater. Tickets for this adventure are $12.

Mummy Mania Weekend

Saturday and Sunday

Carnegie Science Center

The Carnegie Science Center is inviting you to “Mummy Mania Weekend.” This is part of the “Mummies of the World” exhibition that runs through April. This weekend in particular, guests have a chance to chat with mummy experts inside the gallery, enjoy mummy themed activities and enjoy some live demonstrations of the science behind mummification. “Mummy Mania” is Saturday and Sunday, but you can catch the “Mummies of the World” exhibition as an add-on to your general admission at any time through April 19.

Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show

Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.

Monroeville Convention Center

The country’s biggest model train show is swinging through the Monroeville Convention Center this weekend with the Greenberg’s Great Train and Toy Show. Greenberg is an organization that has been hosting train shows since 1976, and you can take part in this long-running tradition on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Guests can even attend free workshops where they can learn how to build a model railroad. Saturday tickets are $10 and Sunday tickets are $9, but if you buy a Saturday ticket, that gets you in for free on Sunday. Kids 11 and under are admitted free and do not need a ticket.

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Saturday:

• 5 a.m. - 7 a.m.
• 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
• 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Sunday:

• 5 a.m. – 9 a.m.
• 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• 11 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.