THURSDAY
‘Idol’ Live
The “American Idol” Live tour, which played the arena back in the show’s heyday, lands in Munhall at the Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall with the stars of season 16.
That, of course, includes Munhall native and finalist Gabby Barrett, along with winner Maddie Poppe, runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson and finalists Cade Foehner, Catie Turner, Jurnee and Michael J. Woodard. Also on board is season eight winner Kris Allen.
It begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50; ticketfly.com.
FRIDAY
Opening nights
Theatergoers have four opening night choices, including a world premiere, two regional premieres and August Wilson’s first play in the American Century Cycle.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” by August Wilson, with multidisciplinary artist Vanessa German in the title role, is directed by Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company artistic director Mark Clayton Southers. The play by the award-winning Pittsburgh playwright is being presented in partnership with the August Wilson Center and in conjunction with the AWC’s first Highmark Blues and Heritage Festival. The cast includes Jonathan Berry as Levee, Chuck Timbers as Cutler, Wali Jamal as Toledo, Sam Lothard as Slow Drag, Shakirah Stephens as Dussie, Malic Williams as Sylvester, Mel Packer as Irvin, Mark Whitehead as Sturdyvant and Thomas Fuchel as a policeman. Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, 937 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $35, $20 at the door with student I.D.; www.pghplaywrights.org. Through Oct. 1.
The regional premiere of “The Father” by Florian Zeller (adapted by Christopher Hampton) is directed by Andrew Paul, back from a triumphant West Coast presentation of “Three Days in the Country,” which premiered in Pittsburgh with several of the same actors. “The Father” stars Sam Tsoutsouvas in a play that views the world through the eyes of a dementia patient. Kinetic Theatre at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegeny Square E., North Side. $36; kinetictheatre.org or showclix.com. Through Sept. 23.
“Chatterton” is a world premiere, adapted by Karla Boos for Quantum Theatre as a mobile-audience experience (with dinner at intermission) throughout the spaces at Trinity Cathedral, 326 Sixth Ave., Downtown. $68-$76, quantumtheatre.com. Through Oct. 28.
“The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson is a regional premiere with an all-female cast and creative team, about four remarkable women of the French Revolution. City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. $29-$61; citytheatrecompany.org. Through Sept. 30.
Steelers Kickoff
Nashville country singer Kip Moore, known for such songs as “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck,” “Beer Money” and “Dirt Road,” headlines the Steelers Kickoff Concert at Stage AE Outdoors, North Shore.
He is touring behind his third album, “Slowheart,” which features the single “Last Shot.”
“This is the record I’ve been waiting to make,” he said in a statement. “The one that leaves you with a peace in your heart, knowing you did it exactly the way you wanted to. The one that makes it OK if you fail, because it truly came from your soul and no other place. You can’t go wrong if you can lay your head on your pillow with no regrets.”
Also on the bill are The Wild Feathers and Jameson Rodgers. Doors at 6 p.m. Tickets are $37.50; $40 at the door; ticketmaster.com.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
‘Transformation 10’
Contemporary Craft opens “Transformation 10: Contemporary Works in Found Materials,” a show by 26 Raphael Founder’s Prize finalists with work that incorporates “found materials in unexpected ways to share personal and global narratives, expressions and aesthetics.”
They range from Melissa Cameron’s installation of wearable jewelry, “1.1.2017,” which catalogs one day of gun violence in America, to Michelle Stitzlein’s “Horizontal Fringe,” exploring the beauty of one-of-a-kind textiles through the utilization and manipulation of mass-produced water hoses.
The free public reception — which includes the announcement of the 2017 Raphael Founder’s Prize winner and honorable mention and award of merit recipients — will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. On Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., there will be a Dialogue With Artists and a performance by exhibiting artist Fumi Amano. At 2 p.m., the winner of the Raphael Founder’s Prize will present an artist talk to share the creative process.
It’s at 2100 Smallman St., Strip; contemporarycraft.org.
Dance party and pop-up
The hugely popular In Bed By Ten happy hour dance party arrives once again from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday upstairs at Spirit, 242 51st St., Lawrenceville. Hosted by Design Crush and DJ MB, In Bed by Ten is for those who don’t want to stay up until the wee hours, but it also attracts revelers on their way to other activities later in the night. The party includes beers, cocktails and pizza.
The $5 charge per person for this monthly event so far this year has raised more than $10,000 for various charities. The cover this time goes toward the PRIDE’s final summer Pop Up Mini Arts Festival, which will take place at The Kingsley Center, 6435 Frankstown Ave., Larimer, the next day from noon to 4 p.m.
The art festival will host activities designed for African-American children ages 3-8 that teaches them about their race, heritage and culture. Among these will be interactive art performances such as African drumming, dances and storytelling. Eight art stations will offer DIY art activities, such as making Kente cloth and patterns, as well as dolls, instruments, ornaments, jewelry and masks. At one station children will identify the neighborhoods they come from and create positive narratives about their communities.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Circus in town
The Shrine Circus, the only circus game in town, rolls back into the PPG Paints Arena, Uptown, with a three-ring spectacle compete with high-flying acrobats, clowns and animals.
Attractions include The Human Cannonball blasting out of a barrel; quick-change artists David and Dania cycling through costumes; and Starlets Magic Extravaganza with choreographed routines on the ropes.
Times are 7 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $16; ppgpaintsarena.com.
SATURDAY
Sci-fi party
The Carnegie Science on the North Shore pays homage to “Doctor Who,” “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” with the 21+ Night Doctor Trek Wars.
Partygoers can come as their favorite character from those sci-fi franchises and enjoy light saber choreography performances, live music, star explorations, talks on time travel, free vodka samples, a roving TARDIS and more.
It runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $12 for tickets purchased by noon Saturday; $17 at the door. For an extra fee, guests can see “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” at 8 p.m. or “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at 10:15 p.m. in The Rangos Giant Cinema; carnegiesciencecenter.org.
Fall music fest
Fern Hollow Nature Center’s 18th annual Fall Music Festival will feature Rosie Wyche and Davie Mackenzie from Tru Kin, the Terrance Vaughn Duo, and MEM3, which includes promoter Rich Engler behind the drums.
The festival also offers mini-golf, face painting, carnival games, scavenger hunt, festival foods and more.
It runs from 4 to 8 p.m. at 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley Heights. Tickets are $35; $20 for children 5-17 years; children under 5 years admitted free. Fern Hollow Nature Center members’ will receive a $10 discount on all tickets; www.fhnc.org.
Food Truck-a-Palooza
Forty of the city’s best food trucks will be assembled at the new event outdoors space behind Rivers Casino for Food Truck-a-Palooza, a festival that also includes beer, live music, roving entertainment and kids’ activities.
It begins at 2 p.m. Admission is $10; $15 at the door; $30 VIP; free parking at Rivers Casino, North Shore, after 1 p.m. eventbrite.com.
Bridges to visit
The 48th annual Covered Bridge Festival takes place in locations throughout Washington and Greene counties.
Along with the charming atmosphere, there will be handmade arts and crafts, homestyle food, historic re-enactments, demonstrations, children’s activities and live entertainment.
Among the stops is the historic Pine Bank Covered Bridge at the Meadowcroft Rockshelter & Historic Village, where tours will be available for $5.
For festival info, go www.facebook.com.CoveredBridgeFestivalPA.
First Published: September 13, 2018, 10:00 a.m.
