All-star Jockathon
Bill Hillgrove's 15th annual Jockathon and Oldies Dance brings together a major lineup of radio and sports figures, sports talk show callers and more.
The event is dedicated to the late sportscaster Myron Cope, and benefits the Autism Society of Pittsburgh -- a cause that Cope supported in a big way. Scheduled guests include Dick Groat, Elroy Face, Adam Lynch, Jack Etzel, Paul Alexander, Ellis Cannon and others, plus sports talk show callers such as Mr. Monday Night, Ralph the Plumber, Sarcastic Sword and more.
On tap is a buffet and silent auction of items donated by the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and Riverhounds. Following the buffet is an oldies dance with local DJs Dink McCann, Jerry Braverman, Caveman Ralph, Frankie Day and Big Ray Edwards.
The Jockathon takes place tonight at 6 p.m. at Pugliano's Italian Grill and Catering, 1808 Golden Mile Highway (Route 286) in Plum. There's a $20 donation at the door. Information: 724-327-8991.
Ancient 'Antigone'
Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts tackles "Antigone," Sophocles' classic tale of a heroine determined to do the right thing, no matter the cost to herself.
Sophocles' work, from about 440 B.C., was adapted by Lewis Galantiere from the play by Jean Anouilh. It begins when Antigone's brothers have killed each other in a battle for the throne, but only one is allowed to be buried properly. Antigone stands in defiance of injustice, and Greek tragedy ensues.
There is no late seating to the play at Pittsburgh Playhouse Studio Theatre, Oakland; showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (run time is 1 hour, 40 minutes with no intermission). Tickets: $20, or $18 Thursday and matinees; pittsburghplayhouse.com or 412-621-4445, ext. 0.
American Classics
Most of the time, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs music from European masters, but this weekend it takes a look at the rise of American composers on the international scene. Led by conductor Leonard Slatkin, who has done so much to support and promote domestic composers, the concerts will focus on the music of Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber and John Williams.
The music world is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Barber's birth in 2010, and this being the 2009-10 season, Slatkin programed the Pennsylvanian (OK, the other side of the state) composer's Overture to "The School for Scandal Barber," "Medea's Meditation," "Dance of Vengeance" and, of course, his famous "Adagio for Strings."
Copland is represented by his "El Salon Mexico" and Four Dance Episodes from "Rodeo." And there is a living American on the docket, too. Famed film composer John Williams also writes concert music and PSO principal horn player William Caballero will perform his Horn Concerto (see story, Page W-4). 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Heinz Hall, Downtown. Tickets start at $17; 412-392-4900. Also, 8 p.m. Thursday in Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Midland, Beaver County ($34-$50).
Beach bash
It's October so it must be time for ... "Psycho Beach Party"(?).
Sandy setting aside, the production by The New Olde Bank Theatre in Verona may serve as reminder of warm summer days and a get-ready-for-Halloween show: Charles Busch's protagonist, Chicklet Forrest, wants to be part of the Malibu Beach surf crowd -- but her pesky multiple personalities get in the way. Among them is a vixen named Ann Bowman who isn't so much interested in conquering the surf scene as she is the world.
The party gets started at 8 p.m. Friday and keeps going Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31. Seating is limited and reservations are required (no seating after the show begins). Tickets are $12 at 412-251-7904 or www.newobt.com. The New Olde Bank Theatre is at 722 Allegheny River Blvd.
Falstaff's follies
The skinny on this Pittsburgh Opera production of Verdi's "Falstaff" is that the fat man is hilarious. Baritone Mark Delavan is a funny guy who adds a bit of craziness when he dons the fat suit. He cracked us up when we recorded him getting on the extensive makeup for the role. Things likely will be positively uproarious when he is joined in the comic opera by bass Kevin Glavin (Pistola), baritone Stephen Powell (Ford), soprano Veronica Villarroel (Alice Ford) and others in the telling of Shakespeare's uncouth knight. And of course, there is just a little bit of decent music to go along with it in Verdi's last opera.
The production's run opens at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Benedum Center, Downtown under the direction of Antony Walker. Tickets start at $10; call 412-456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghopera.org.
Musical beasts
Long before Wagner, the tragic story of illicit lovers Tristan and Iseult captivated people in the Middle Ages. The early music group of harps, drums and singers, The Medieval Beasts will bring their ill-fated love to life in song with "The Flame of Love: The Legend of Tristan and Iseult" at 8 p.m. Saturday at Synod Hall, Oakland. The concert is presented by the Renaissance & Baroque Society of Pittsburgh, with a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20-$35 (students $10; children 12 and under $1); 412-361-2048 or www.rbsp.org.
Bo knows comedy
Bo Burnham -- the young comic who was in the movie "Funny People" and all over Comedy Central and on the late-night talk shows -- brings his "Fake ID" Tour to Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead Saturday for shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
The tour supports his self-titled debut, filled with his absurdist songs, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's New Artist Chart earlier this year.
The 19-year-old Burnham started working on songs such as "My Whole Family Thinks I'm Gay" during his junior year in high school and posted them on YouTube, where they've now been viewed more than 50 million times.
The Internet buzz got him to the 2007 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal where he met Judd Apatow and signed a deal to write a screenplay for a film he refers to as an "anti-High School Musical." Burnham also has a four-record deal with Comedy Central Records and at 18 became the youngest person to record a "Comedy Central Presents" special.
Silversun in Cheswick
Rolling Stone described Silversun Pickups as what the Smashing Pumpkins would be like if they drove their ice cream cart out west and enjoyed themselves more. Oh yeah, the Silversun Pickups sound a lot like the Smashing Pumpkins, all right.
But, wait, the Pumpkins had an ice cream cart? That definitely would have helped attendance on recent tours.
As for Silversun Pickups, who also get comparisons to My Bloody Valentine, the LA band plays the Ches-A-Rena Saturday at 7 p.m. touring on its second full-length album "Swoon," another blast of intricate and squalling guitars and sturdy bass riffs. Tickets are $28-$30. Call 1-888-71-TICKETS.
Debut of ZanaFest
ZanaFest 2009 will begin Saturday with a massive Drum Circle, interactive of course, at The Venue at Harmony Ridge (formerly the Ambridge County Club) and there will be lots of drums to follow.
The first annual festival celebrates the life and career of Richard D. Zana, who taught music in Ambridge School District for 38 years. After the drum circle on Saturday, more than two dozen groups will perform, including the Granati Brothers, Rob James of the Clarks, Corned Beef & Curry, the Ambridge High School Steel Drum Band, Brian Price with Rick Witkowski and Anthony Rankin, The Bill Pate Trio, Lois and the Bailers, Kardaz, Kuzyn, Denise Baldwin, King Beaver Barbershop Chorus, Re-Chord, Sweet Adelines and the Harmony Ridge House Rhythm Band.
Dr. Barry Bittman, CEO of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, will lead the 11 a.m. drum circle, which he says, "stimulates creative expression that unites our minds, bodies and spirits." More than 50 drums will be supplied.
On Sunday, a motorcycle poker run will begin at 10 a.m., and a car cruise at 11:30 a.m. Sunday's performers include The Messengers, Rudy Zetz 4th & Main, Betsy Lawrence and John Burgh, Don Cameron and Casey Novak. The Festival will close at sundown with an Alumni Choral Ensemble of former students.
Weekend passes for ZanaFest are $17 for adults, $12 for students. Single-day tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Advanced tickets are available by going to the Web site www.zanafest.org. There is no charge for children 10 and under.
One-man jam
Keller Williams, the one-man jam band most likely to turn up at the hippie campout fest, returns to Mr. Small's on Sunday, touring on a new album simply titled "ODD."
Over 12 tracks, Williams covers stylistic ground from piano lounge music to a tribute to Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti ("Song for Fela") to his signature funky acoustic rock ("Elephorse").
The live show, of course, is highly improvisational with the barefoot Williams juggling guitar, bass and drums with the help of loops that layer everything into a full-band sound.
The show is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22. Call 1-866-468-3401.
• Fiddlesticks, the Pittsburgh Symphony's resident musical ambassador to children, stretches from his long summer nap for a program of "Musical Travels and Traditions" at 11:15 a.m. Saturday at Heinz Hall. Explores the music of different countries, led by resident conductor Lawrence Loh. Tickets are $16-$19; 412-392-4900.
• Break out the polka shoes and head over to Sam's Polka Party 45th Anniversary Celebration. Music is by the Sam Pugliano Band, Denny Pasz Band and Jeff Pecon. Pugliano is host of "Sam's Polka Party," which airs Sundays on WKHB-M (620) at 11 a.m. The event is Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Acme Club, 230 Herron Ave., Cheswick. Admission is $8.
• The Carnegie Mellon University voice department performs Poulenc's "Dialogues of the Carmelites" at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday at Philip Chosky Theater, Purnell Center for the Arts. Tickets $10-$15; 412-268-2407.
First Published: October 22, 2009, 4:00 a.m.
