(Stuff to do while firguring out whether to get Dad the Polamalu Jersey or the throwback Lambert…)

Friday, June 16
‘Em Buccos vs. Minnesota, 7:05 p.m. PNC Park, North Shore
FIREWORKS! WOOT! Make sure you check this one out, because it’s the 1,143rd of only 3,532 scheduled fireworks nights this year.

The Tragically Hip, 7:30, Festival Stage, Arts Festival
Yes, they’re Canadian, so the heat may get to them. Be kind, offer them beer. Free concert! Free’s my favorite price in the whole word.

Billy Price CD Release Party, 8:00 p.m., Rhythm House Cafe
A lot of other people’s favorite price is local legend/favorite Billy Price. Stop by Rhythm House as he performs tracks from his new CD “East End Avenue”.

Saturday, June 17
South Side Stroll, 10:30 a.m. 12th & Carson, South Side
“Hey babe, take a walk on the South Side…” This walking tour, sponsored by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, tours Carson street, where you can get your learn on about a “Great American Main Street.â€Â? I’m thinking I need to market a new t-shirt that says “I’ve Been Drunk On A Great American Main Street And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt (And A Citation From A Remarkably Understanding And Well-Mannered Bicycle Cop)”. If you miss this one, it’s ok, ’cause tours run all summer.

Hothouse 06, 7 p.m., EastSide, Centre Avenue between Highland Avenue and Penn Circle West
The Sprout Fund throws a gig, music, food art, fundraiser. Apparently, they throw a good party, as last year’s event landed as one of the top 5 parties in Pittsburgh by the Post Gazette.

The Short Dark Strangers, 9 p.m., Quiet Storm Coffehouse
They’ve been described as sounding like “Otis Redding meets The Clash” so how could you really go wrong there? Bonus points for having a group named “Ghost To Falco” opening.

Sunday, Jun 18
Father’s Day At The Zoo, All Day, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Highland Park
To hell with a tie, take dad to the zoo. Free admission for dad’s all day and he can win something called a “Golden Dad Reward Kit”. No, I’m not sure what that is either, but it’s a prize of some sort, so it must be good, right?

Pillow Fight!, 8:30 p.m. Schenley Park, near Flagstaff Hill
Yeah, what it says… Pillow Fight, which to me sounds incredibly cool or incredibly odd, but probably both. Personally, I’m a big fan of cool and odd. Plus, there’s a movie to watch after you’ve been lightly-stunned. Natalia covered this yesterday, so go read it there ’cause she writes much better than I do.