Passing the baton

Conductor Lucas Richman's time with Fiddlesticks the cat comes to an end April 22. Since 1998, Richman has led the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Fiddlesticks Family Concerts series. He even wrote the cat-in-a-tux's theme song. But the former PSO assistant conductor is now music director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and will pass the baton to current assistant conductor Lawrence Loh next season.

"You Are the Composer!" takes place at 11:15 a.m. April 22 at Heinz Hall, Downtown (with pre-concert activities at 10 a.m.). $15-$18; 412-392-4900.

Bloom's 'Innocence'

Irish singer-songwriter Luka Bloom looks inward for inspiration and outward for instrumentation on his newly released 10th studio CD.

"Innocence" begins with a familiar acoustic folk sound but adds traditional influences from Spain and the Middle East and a few jazzy fills on soprano saxophone and clarinet. Disciplined, controlled arrangements never monopolize songs that stretch from worldly stories of adventure to introspective contemplation. And, as usual, Bloom isn't afraid to take on hot political issues or share intimate revelations.

He returns to the South Side's Club Cafe tonight for a 7 p.m. early show ($22), followed at 10 by a guitar-heavy Perryopolis three-piece, Tommy's Mom. ($5).

-- John Hayes, Post-Gazette staff writer

WYEP Live

WYEP-FM (91.3) is debuting its live in-studio performances today and tomorrow at its new South Side studios.

The lineup: West Indian Girl from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. today and Shawn Mullins from 1 to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.

Both performances are free and open to the public. Seats are first-come, first-served. Listeners can make reservations at the station Web site (wyep.org). Doors open 30 minutes before the performances, and no one will be admitted after they start. Delays in the artists' travel schedules may postpone or cancel the broadcasts.

-- Adrian McCoy, Post-Gazette staff writer