The Hot List: Things to do around town this weekend
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Umphrey's McGee performes at Stage AE Friday night.
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ALL WEEKEND
Rage gets 'Hooked'
The character of Captain Hook, the unlucky enemy of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys of Neverland, has inspired more than a few writers to reinvent the character, including giving him pre-hook roots in the recent Tony-winning "Peter and the Starcatcher." Now comes writer-director James Michael Shoberg's darkly theatrical take on the character in "Hooked," about the murderous drug lord, James "Hook" (Vincent Bombara), for The Rage of the Stage Players. The world premiere production is inspired by Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie.
Set in a bleak grimy future, "Hooked" finds London overrun by gangs and junkies. A young anti-hero calling himself Pan crosses paths with Wendy Darling and her brothers, Michael and John, and they find themselves drawn into the heart of Hook's scary city.
Rage of the Stage is known for exploding classic literature and fairy tales through a prism of mature content, including adult language and graphic violence. In time for the 2012 Halloween season comes "Hooked," at South Park Theatre 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 3 (with additional performances Oct. 31 and Nov. 1). For tickets and more information, call 724-292-TICS or email rageofthestage@yahoo.com. More at facebook.com/rageofthestage.
FRIDAY
Tour send-off
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will play the entire world this weekend as it prepares to travel to the old world on a European tour. The answer to this sort-of riddle is Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection."
Mahler once said that a symphony should contain the world in it symbolically, and this mammoth work gets close. It opens with a funeral march that the Austrian composer said was for the "hero" he depicted in his First Symphony. From there it is a winding journey to salvation featuring a chorus and soloists and heavenly music.
Before the PSO takes this work on tour, it will perform it at Heinz Hall, with Manfred Honeck conducting, for one night only: 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20-$93; 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org.
Notre Dame dudes
Blowing in from the Windy City to Stage AE Friday night is Umphrey's McGee, which forged its first bonds on the campus of Notre Dame in 1997.
It has gone on to become one of the more popular jam bands, drawing on influences from funk to metal to bluegrass, as jam bands tend to do.
Last year, the band released its sixth studio album, "Death by Stereo," aiming for a more concise and accessible approach.
"Our live show is malleable, and every night is its own thing, where you never know where things are going to go," keyboardist Joel Cummins says in the bio. "People aren't used to us playing 3 1/2- to 4-minute songs back to back, so this album is a completely different experience than our live show, which is certainly something we were trying to do."
The Bright Light Social Hour opens. Doors are 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.50/$25. Call 1-800-745-3000.
SATURDAY
Boo & Brew
Boo & Brew Bash 2012 romps through Shadyside bars on Saturday, benefiting Make-A-Wish. It begins at 6 p.m. when patrons can stop in at Bites and Brews, Harris Grill, Steel Cactus, and Spin Bartini and Ultra Lounge to enjoy door prizes, drink specials and Halloween treats until 10 p.m.
The Elbow Room will host the after-party from 10 p.m. until midnight with free food, dancing to Trevor McQueen & Company, a 50/50 raffle, a Chinese auction and a costume contest. Tickets are $25 advance; $30 at the door. Register online at http://make-a-wishbooandbrewbash.eventbrite.com or that night at Bites and Brews, 5750 Ellsworth Ave.
Legends in action
Two forces in modern jazz with disparate styles will perform together on Saturday at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild's Jazz Hall: banjoist Bela Fleck and pianist Marcus Roberts. Joining them will be Mr. Roberts' regular trio of bassist Rodney Jordan and drummer Jason Marsalis. Tickets are $62.50 for the 7 p.m. show and $56.50 for the 9:30 p.m. show. Call 412-322-0800.
• While we wait on word of an East Coast tour for fIREHOSE, the legendary punk bassist (also from the Minutemen) turns up at Club Cafe at 9 p.m. Saturday as Mike Watt + The Missingmen, which he calls "a trio for my third opera," featuring guitarist Tom Watson and drummer Raul Morales. Kid Durango opens the show. Tickets are $13 through i.ticketweb.com; 1-866-468-3401.
SUNDAY
Harvest time
Kids will get to try their hands at tin punching, butter churning, making church babies and writing with quill pens at the Children's Harvest Festival at the Oliver Miller Homestead on Sunday, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The other pioneer activities include corn cob toss and ducking for apples. Tussie mussies, bouquets of flowers and herbs will be available for purchase, and the Miller Associates will offer demonstrations of spinning, weaving, open-hearth cooking, and forge work.
Admission is $2. The historic landmark and Whiskey Rebellion site is on Stone Manse Drive, just off the circle, in South Park. Information: www.olivermiller.org or 412 835-1554.
NEED TO KNOW
• New Horizon Theater presents "Nothing But the Blues," with a Chicago club setting, a scheming landlord and lots of blues classics. The musical opens tonight and continues 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Oct. 28 at The Kingsley Association, 6435 Frankstown Ave. at the corner of East Liberty Boulevard in Larimer. Tickets are $20 at 412-431-0773 or by emailing newhorizontheater@yahoo.com.
• The Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania will host a Fall Orchid Festival on Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at Phipps Garden Center, Shadyside. It will feature an exhibit of blooming orchids, lectures, plant raffles and orchid vendors. Admission is free.
• The Alumni Theater Company presents "Why Don't You Come Around My Way?" at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. In this original ATC story, neighbors are forced into a battle to the finish. This show is appropriate for patrons 12 and up. Tickets are $10 or $5 for students at www.brownpapertickets.com. More information at 412-401-6309.
• The Pittsburgh Concert Society presents the local musicians who won its Major Auditions -- Misook Yun (soprano), Alice Wang (clarinet), Sophia van der Westhuizen (piano) and John DiCesare (tuba) -- 2 p.m. Sunday at Carnegie Mellon University's Kresge Theater in Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, with student admission free; 412-279-2970 or www.pittsburghconcertsociety.org.
• The August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, along with other local artists, perform as part of the offCENTER "Just us Dance" series gospel showcase at 7 tonight at the August Wilson Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a cash bar. Admission is free.
First Published October 18, 2012 12:00 am
