This weekend in Pittsburgh, one of the hottest comics in the business, a pitch from the Pirates, a tribute to Mac and more.
Francis Menotti (Thursday-Sunday)
The professional magician appeared at presidential inaugurations in both 2008 and 2012, performed on the ABC show “Deception” and published dozens of routines used by working magicians today. He’ll perform at Liberty Magic, Downtown, as part of “Sisyphus & Siri,” telling the story of his journey while coming to terms with his inevitable demise. The digital voice of “Siri” hosts the event as it explores the balance of futility, optimism and magic.
The performance runs through Feb. 2. Showtimes this weekend are 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $43; trustarts.org.
Tom Rush (Thursday)
The 83-year-old folk legend who began his career in Boston in the early ‘60s arrives at City Winery Pittsburgh in the Strip with a new album, “Gardens Old, Flowers New,” which he claims to be his best ever. Rush helped launch the careers of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, who once told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.”
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50; citywinery.com/pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Friday-Sunday)
The PSO’s first concert 2025 concert at Heinz Hall features a pair of must-hear Russian classical works. Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” consists of 24 variations on a devilish little tune for the violin, expanded to epic proportions and with the Latin “Dies Irae” death chant thrown in for seasoning. Pyotr Ilyich chaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 is a cyclic work that sees the dark “fate” melody of the opening dramatically transformed into a blaze of triumph at the close.
The concert opens with a piece by Canadian composer Samy Moussa. The symphony performed his music for the first time last year, and his work stood out immediately as among the season’s best offerings. Guest conductor Osmo Vanska leads the orchestra with pianist Janice Carissa at the keys.
Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $25; pittsburghsymphony.org.
Shane Gillis (Friday)
No one does a better Donald Trump impersonation than this comic who’s been seen on “The Joe Rogan Experience”, “Saturday Night Live” (from which he was fired) and the YouTube series “Tires.” Born and raised in Mechanicsburg, he ended up being an Eagles fan. But we’ll only hold that against him a little when he turns up at PPG Paints Arena.
The show begins at 8 p.m. and it is sold out, but keep an eye out for a ticket that might pop up here or there; ticketmaster.com.
Silverstein (Friday)
Celebrating its silver anniversary, the Canadian post-hardcore band arrives at Stage AE on the 25 Years of Noise Tour a few months prior to releasing a new double album, “Antibloom / Pink Moon.” These bands travel in packs, with Silverstein backed by New Jersey’s Thursday, along with Arm’s Length and Split Chain. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35/$40; axs.com.
Latecomer/F--- Yeah, Dinosaurs! (Friday)
This is an album release show at the Thunderbird Music Hall in Lawrenceville for “Sauna Sessions Vol. 1,” a full-length split from the two loud-proud Pittsburgh bands. Latecomer promises “Four idiots and a bunch of fast songs, now with twice the dad strength!” while FYD will deliver “fast, catchy punk songs all based in their own intergalactic dinoverse.” The album coincides with a Sauna Session Steam Ale from Southern Tier Brewing Company, which will be available at the show.
Century III kicks it off at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15; thunderbirdmusichall.com.
Rubblebucket (Friday)
The Brooklyn-based indie-psych band formed by singer-saxophonist Kalmia Traver and trumpeter Alex Toth visits Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale on a tour following the release of their seventh album “Year of the Banana,” which delves into their 2015 romantic split.
Hannah Mohan opens at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25/$30; mrsmalls.com.
The Silencers (Saturday)
The legendary Frank Czuri leads a version of this classic Pittsburgh band whose video for the “Peter Gunn Theme/Remote Control” was played on the first day of MTV. The Silencers, which also featured the late Ronnie “Byrd” Foster and Warren King, also hit the airwaves with “Shiver and Shake” and “Sidewalk Romeo.” Formed in 1979 from members of Diamond Reo and The Igniters, The Silencers staged a 40th anniversary reunion in 2019.
They take the stage at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30; citywinery.com/pittsburgh.
Piratesfest (Saturday-Sunday)
Baseball makes a cameo appearance here in the dead of winter with this annual festival at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. Visitors can meet players, play interactive games and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Season ticket holders can get early entry at 9 a.m. Free tickets are available via pittsburghcc.com, just click on “visit website.”
Come Back To Earth: A Tribute to Mac Miller (Sunday)
On what would be the rapper’s 33rd birthday, this live Mac Miller tribute band from Rochester, N.Y., makes its Pittsburgh debut at the Thunderbird Music Hall. It comes two days after the release of “Balloonerism,” the second posthumous album from his archive. The evening will begin at 8 p.m. with a “Balloonerism” listening party. Tickets are $20/$25; thunderbirdmusichall.com.
H.R. (Sunday)
This is a solo show at the Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square, from Paul Hudson, the Bad Brains frontman who became one of the most ferocious and creative hardcore pioneers by combining reggae and punk. His solo efforts have leaned more toward the reggae vein.
Iron Roots opens the show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20; cafe.hardrock.com/pittsburgh
First Published: January 16, 2025, 10:30 a.m.
Updated: January 17, 2025, 7:01 p.m.