B.E. on T.V.
B.E. Taylor, who has taken over the Andy Williams role in Pittsburgh of Mr. Christmas, will bring his annual holiday show to Heinz Hall on Monday and Tuesday (7:30 p.m.).
Whether or not you have tickets, you can catch it on TV as well. At least last year's version.
For the first time, WQED-TV will present the "B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert" on Christmas Day at 8 p.m. (with an encore broadcast at 5 a.m. the following day, should you be up that early, or forget to DVR it). This will be from his concert recorded in December 2009 in Heinz Hall.
Nashville bound
We recently mentioned that Harrison Wargo (formerly of pop-rock band The Morning Light) was headed to Nashville. He assures us now that he is not going country.
"I have some really good friends down there in the band Bear Cub that recently moved and have piqued my interest," he says. "So I'm just going to check it out. I've started working on my next album, which is basically the exact opposite of country. I like country and folk music, but I'm really interested in finding new sounds and exploring new things. At least for now."
The gifted singer-songwriter recently released the solo record "Into the Garden," which he describes as being on the softer side of his work.
"It's warmer, happier, more of an effort to create a world and/or sound through music. In general, it's an album about love. Any kind, really."
You can hear clips at www.myspace.com/harrisonwargo.
Music for Ghana
Christiane D and Phat Man D will be among the musicians gathering at the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty Saturday for a concert to support the building of an arts and technology institute in Ghana. Spearheading that project is Dr. J.S. Kofi Gbolonyo, who got his doctorate in ethnomusicology at Pitt.
Joining them will be Colter Harper, Preach Freedom, Machete Kisumontao, Timbeleza, Stacee Pearl, Joy Ike, Miguel Sague Jr., Miguel "Cha" Sague III of Guaracha, Emay, Emily Pinkerton, Anicet Mundundu, DJ Soy Sos, Megadef and the Pitt African Drumming Ensemble.
It begins at 7 p.m. Go to www.ghanaschoolproject.com or www.shadowlounge.net.
Quick hits
• While on tour in Italy in 2008, Bill Toms and Hard Rain were captured on film for the DVD release of "A Troubadours Journey." More than just a tour diary, it chronicles how his music "spawned a former UN worker [filmmaker Jane Marino] to overcome her debilitating illness, follow her passion and [put] her on a new career path." There is a release show for the DVD at 10 p.m. Saturday at Frankie and Georgie's (formerly PD's Pub), 5832 Forward Ave., Squirrel Hill. Call 412-422-5027.
• In case you missed it, Tuesday was Gregg Gillis Day in the City of Pittsburgh. Councilman William Peduto sponsored the resolution honoring the sound-collage artist better known as Girl Talk. "Greg has become an international sensation selling out performances around the world," said Councilman Peduto. "I am honored to recognize all of the accomplishments of one of our native sons."
• Local progressive-rock band Mandrake Project, which went eight years without a singer, will add a good one to the band when it plays Friday at Club Cafe. It will be the Mandrake debut of John Schisler, who guested on the Mandrake album "Miraculous Container" and is best known for fronting the band New Invisible Joy. Also on the bill is New Orleans indie-rock band Rotary Downs. The show is at 10:30 p.m. Call 1-866-468-3401.
• Pittsburgh is on the list of unlikely places for A Surfin' Christmas, but it's just weird enough to pull it off. Oldtime music champion Slim Forsythe and the Surf Zombies will join forces for it Friday night at Nied's Hotel in Lawrenceville. The Zombies will venture into a couple sets of surf rock and then serve as Slim's back-up band on songs, including "Surfin' Lawrenceville!" It begins at 7 p.m. No cover.
-- Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com; 412-263-2576.
First Published: December 9, 2010, 5:00 a.m.
