Pittsburgh singer-songwriters have a new place to showcase their work. The Starlite Lounge in Blawnox is offering its back room on the first Saturday of each month for informal performances by invited songwriters, followed by an open mike.

The Dec. 4 performers will include Jay Hitt, Anne Feeney, Mark Stroup and Dave LaRose. Showcases start at 8 p.m., no cover charge, children welcome if accompanied by adults. Information: 412-828-9842.

Songwriter Challenge

Five local singer-songwriters will compete at a Songwriter Challenge at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Club Cafe on the South Side. Each performer will play four songs, and the audience will decide who wins an opening slot for a national act playing at the club in December. Doors open at 6 p.m., $3 cover charge. Information: 412-431-4950.

Local country

The Froggy radio stations (98.3, 94.9, 103.5, 104.3 FM) will air their third "Hometown Country" special, showcasing local and national artists from the Pittsburgh area.

The show, scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Sunday, will include interviews with Butler's Bret Michaels, the former Poison frontman, and Glen Dale, W.Va.'s Brad Paisley. The show will also include new music by the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, Dusty Drake, the Fabulous Gunslingers, Mark Milovats, Tom Rooney, The Mavens, Joe Zelek, Blind Date, Joe Patrick & Allison Gillis and Bryan Cole.

Benefit concert

Local bands will team up for a concert benefiting the Unseam'd Shakespeare theater company.

Rock 'n' Billy runs from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nov. 19 at Nick's Fat City on the South Side and includes performances by Kelsey Friday, DJ Strobe, Soma Mestizo, Grapevine, Strangeway, The Distractions, Bleu, Elektra Loves Daddy, Dallas Marks, Sugar Daddy & the Big Boned Girls, Degenhardt and Jordan Sobek. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and include free Yuengling and hors d'oeuvres. Information: 412-394-3353.