ALL WEEKEND
TRAF 59 begins
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival begins Friday at noon Downtown in Point State Park, Gateway Center and in the Cultural District and becomes a party Friday night with a performance by gospel/soul legend Mavis Staples.
The opening weekend also features headlining performances by British pop-rock band Everything Everything (Saturday) and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Sunday), along with the Artist Market, Juried Art Exhibition, dance performances, food booths and more.
Details at TrustArts.org/TRAF.
Concert overload
The Arts Festival coincides with what is without a doubt the busiest concert weekend in Pittsburgh’s history.
On Friday, Justin Timberlake is at the PPG Paints Arena, Dave Matthews Band is at KeyBank Pavilion, Code Orange is at Mr. Smalls, and Frank Turner & Sleeping Souls is at Stage AE.
On Saturday, Kenny Chesney plays Heinz Field, Journey and Def Leppard are at PPG Paints Arena, and Jack White headlines X-Fest at KeyBank.
Momentum Fest
City Theatre's annual Momentum Festival of plays in different stages of development includes one play scheduled for the upcoming season ("The Burdens") and another ("P.Y.G or The Mis-Edumacation of Dorian Belle") picked as a finalist for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center National Playwrights Conference.
Times are 7 p.m. Friday; 4, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are complimentary, but RSVPs are required at citytheatrecompany.org. Tickets will be issued at the box office of the theater on the South Side.
THURSDAY
Let’s Move
Dance enthusiasts can get a glimpse into a dancer’s artistic process in “Dear Everyone, Let’s Move,” part of PearlArts Studios’ PearlDiving Residency program.
South Korean-born artist Maree ReMalia of merrygogo offers a two-hour workshop that explores her latest work in progress, “A Letter Compiled From All Letters.” Participants are invited to join in a warmup as well as group exercises that involve interacting with projected images. It’s from 10 a.m. to noon at PearlArts Studios, 201 N. Braddock Ave., Point Breeze. Ages 16 and older are welcome to participate in the free event. Information: pearlartsstudios.com.
FRIDAY
Be More Kind
Frank Turner & Sleeping Souls, taking cues from Billy Bragg, Bruce Springsteen and other topical writers, headlines Stage AE, touring behind his recently released seventh album, “Be More Kind.”
The British rocker says was inspired by a Clive James poem relaying that sage advice and, sonically, by reading the post-punk book “Rip It Up and Start Again.”
Among the singles is “Make America Great Again,” of which he said in a statement, “This is obviously one of the more provocatively titled songs I've released in recent years, but in a way, I'm not kidding. America is bloody great, one of my favorite countries in the world. Much like back at home, they've had a politically fraught time of late, and I wanted to say something about it.”
Lucero, The Menzingers and Homeless Gospel Choir open. Doors are at 6 p.m. Tickets are $29.50-$32; ticketmaster.com.
SATURDAY
Dance party
The Kelly Strayhorn Theater presents it 10th annual Full Bloom summer dance party, starting with a VIP reception at 7 p.m. and followed by the dance party at 9 p.m.
The event supports East Liberty Live! programming, the theater’s series of family friendly arts events, youth classes, creative labs and more. Tickets: kelly-strayhorn.org.
Student showcase
The Bodiography Center for Movement in Squirrel Hill, home to Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, will salute the next generation of dancers in its student showcase, including beginners through college preparatory-level dancers.
They’ll mount classical and contemporary works at the Byham Theater at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30.75; $15.75 for children at trustarts.org.
SUNDAY
Pride party
Pride Rocks PGH happens next weekend, but Pittsburgh Pride kicks off the week on the 5800 block of Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside with Ready. Set. Pride! featuring a performance by Taylor Dayne.
The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh requests attendees “bring your rainbow flags and your dancing shoes.” There are also tickets available for the VIP Hospitality tent.
It runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Info at www.pittsburghpride.org.
Music at Mammoth
Mammoth Fest returns to Mammoth Park in Westmoreland County with a family day of food, entertainment and children’s attractions.
There will be live music on the Lakeside Stage with teen alt-rock/pop band Safety Last, country-rock The Andy Davis Band, magician Doc Swan, bingo, carnival rides, and an Arts & Crafts Marketplace.
It runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free; all-day ride pass is $4. www.co.westmoreland.pa.us.
Gliding through Schenley
The City of Pittsburgh Community Footrace Series begins with the 36th annual Greenfield Glide 5K Run Fitness Walk on a hilly course primarily on the trails of Schenley Park. It begins at the Overlook at 8:30 a.m.
Participants can register at www.greenfieldglide.com or by calling 412-255-2493.
FREE IN THE PARKS
FRIDAY: The South Park Amphitheater concert series, presented by Allegheny County, opens with a performance by the Pittsburgh Opera at 7:30 p.m. Food trucks and Hop Farm Brewing Company will be on site at all concerts beginning at 6 p.m.; www.alleghenycounty.us/parks.
FRIDAY: The Summersounds at St. Clair Park’s Robertshaw Amphitheater in Greensburg begins with Pittsburgh soul-rock band The Commonheart at 7 p.m.; summersounds.com..
FRIDAY-SATURDAY: The Southside Works outdoor concert series features Donna O on Friday and King’s Ransom on Saturday at 6 p.m.; southsideworks.com.
SUNDAY: The Hartwood Acres concert series, presented by Allegheny County at the Middle Road Amphitheater in Hampton, begins with the River City Brass Band at 7:30 p.m. Food trucks and Hop Farm Brewing Company will be on site at all concerts beginning at 6 p.m.; www.alleghenycounty.us/parks.
First Published: May 31, 2018, 11:45 a.m.
