This weekend in Pittsburgh, “Annie” is back, Jimi Hendrix is honored and everything’s green on Parade Day.

Experience Hendrix (Thursday)

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Eric Johnson, Dweezil Zappa and Devon Allman lead the pack in this touring tribute to one of rock’s singular talents and pioneers.

“Jimi has long been a big influence in my musical journey,” Ingram said in a statement. “The opportunity to join the Experience Hendrix Tour in fall 2024 was fantastic, so I look forward to hitting the stage with the Hendrix crew this spring as we bring this exciting show to more North American cities.”

Allman added, “Really looking forward to celebrating the eternal, cosmic music of Jimi Hendrix,” stated Devon Allman. “His singing voice has inspired me just as much as his ethereal, Martian, liquid-esque guitar. It’s gonna be a stone cold groove…be with us!”

The lineup also includes Ally Venable, Chuck Campbell and Calvin Cooke (The Slide Brothers), bassist Kevin McCormick (Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band), Mato Nanji (Indigenous), blues guitar prodigy Mathias Lattin, vocalists Dylan Triplett and Henri Brown, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble).

It begins at the Palace Theatre, Greensburg, at 8 p.m. Thursday. Tickets start at $96; thepalacetheatre.org.

The Driver Era (Thursday)

The LA alt pop duo that sprung from the band R5 stops at UPMC Events Center in Moon in advance of fourth album “Obsession,” coming April 11. Brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch debuted in 2018 with the single “Preacher Man,” followed by the debut album “X” one year later. “Obsession,” the followup to 2022’s “Summer Mixtape,” is led by the singles “You Keep Me Up at Night,” “Don't Walk Away” and “Touch.”

It begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50; ticketmaster.com.

Thunderbird turns 25 (Friday)

The Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall kicks off its 25th Anniversary Celebration with Butler Street Revival, the Pittsburgh supergroup dedicated to the Allman Brothers Band. They are joined by the Pawnbrokers, which features John Pergal. Pergal founded the club with his wife Ami in 2000 after purchasing the former Michalski’s Cafe.

The Thunderbird has since played host to such artists as John Hammond, Greensky Bluegrass, Roomful of Blues, Dale Watson, Fishbone, Titus Andronicus, Gary Numan and Old 97’s.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone and reflect on all the incredible memories we've made over the years with our loyal fans and artists,” Pergal said in a statement. “The Thunderbird has always been all about the music and creating a space where fans and musicians can come together, connect, and experience the magic of a live performance. We are grateful to our community for their continued support, and we can’t wait to share this special year with everyone who has helped us reach this milestone."

It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25; thunderbirdmusichall.com.

Pittsburgh Garden & Home Show (Friday-Sunday)

This is the second and final weekend for the annual show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, that will feature more than 1,500 exhibits focused on home improvement.

Guests can enjoy the Dream Home Innovation Center, Kitchen Idea Center, Ultimate Backyard, Construction & Remodeling Center, Food & Wine Festival, Home Interior Galleries, Farm to Table Area, Pets at Home Aisle, Children’s Village, Train Collectors Association Display, Steel City LUG (LEGO) Creations and John DeSantis River View Cafe.

The special guest speakers include antique appraiser Dr. Lori and HGTV star Steve Ford.

Hours this weekend run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 at the door; $10 online; $4 kids 6-12; PghHome.com.

‘Annie’ (Friday-Saturday)

“Annie” will show at the Benedum Center to remind theatergoers that “sunshine is already around the corner.” The touring musical, at the Benedum as part of the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Series, tells the orphan’s story of determination and holding on to hope through a hard knock life.

Playing Annie is Hazel Vogel, a 12-year-old from Maryland most recently seen in the North American tour of “Les Misérables.” Returning principal cast includes Stefanie Londino as Miss Hannigan, Christopher Swan as Oliver Warbucks, Julia Nicole Hunter as Grace and Mark Woodard as FDR.

“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” director Jenn Thompson said in a statement. “For decades, ‘Annie’ has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”

“Annie” opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977, with such songs as “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile” and “Tomorrow.”

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $38; trustarts.org.

‘Birthday Candles’ (Friday-Sunday)

The fourth show of the City Theatre season is this Noah Haidle comedy, which opened on Broadway in April 2022, that follows a woman’s life one birthday at a time. The cast includes Deena Aziz (“American Fast,” 2023), Gavin Lawrence, José Perez, Saige Smith, Andrew William Smith and Robin Walsh. Marc Masterson, who directs, said in a statement, "This beautiful play celebrates rituals and connections on the page and on the stage. There are decades of City Theatre experience in this talented cast.”

Showtimes are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $35; CityTheatreCompany.org.

Bastard Bearded Irishmen (Friday-Saturday)

There are three chances this weekend to see the Bastards, Pittsburgh’s rowdiest Irish punk band and its answer to the likes of The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.

They’ll start the weekend at 8 p.m. Friday at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows ($25).

At noon Saturday, they’ll be on the outside stage at Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in Creighton ($15).

The band caps parade day at the Thunderbird Music Hall in Lawrenceville with F--- Yeah Dinosaurs, Brave The Sea and The Legendary Hucklebucks. That show begins at 6 p.m. ($19); bastardbeardedirishmen.com/shows.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Saturday)

Everyone is “Irish for the day” along the route of the city’s biggest parade and one of the biggest St. Paddy’s Day parades in the country.

It begins at 10 a.m., regardless of weather, at the Greyhound Bus Station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street and proceeds to Grant Street then to the Boulevard of the Allies, where it turns right, marching to the reviewing stand at Stanwix Street and disbursing at Commonwealth Place.

The 2025 Parade Grand Marshal is Carrick native J. Mac McCafferty, who served as vice president and treasurer of the Irish Centre of Pittsburgh during his 35-year tenure on the board.

There is no alcohol permitted along the route. For more info, go to pittsburghstpatricksdayparade.com.

Pittsburgh Parade Day Dash (Saturday)

New this year to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is this 5K and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run/Walk, presented by GNC before the start of the 10 a.m. parade. It accommodates competitive runners, casual joggers and families. Participants receive a premium hoodie and a finisher medal and can enjoy post-race festivities in Market Square and a party on Federal Street.

Registration is $54.99 for the 5K and $39.99 for 1-mile family run at P3R.org.

Lift Every Voice (Saturday)

Moon Doh conducts the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in this concert that celebrates Black music in America with special guests Ray Angry (keyboardist of hip-hop group The Roots) and the Lift Every Voice Unity Choir led by Nikki Porter. The program features music by Johnson Theofanidis, George Gershwin, Angry, Richard Smallman, Ramsey Lewis and more.

It begins at 7:30 p.m. at Heinz Hall. Tickets start at $20; pittsburghsymphony.org.

Donnie Iris and the Cruisers/Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (Saturday)

This time around Donnie Iris is joined a the Palace Theatre in Greensburg by Joe Grushecky, another member of Pittsburgh’s rock ’n’ roll Mount Rushmore. Although they didn’t cross paths much back then, the Cruisers released their debut, “Back on the Streets,” in 1980, the same year Grushecky’s Iron City Houserockers released second album “Have a Good Time But Get Out Alive.” While Iris has all but retired from the studio (his last album was the holiday record, “Ah! Leluiah!), Grushecky updated the catalog last year with “Can’t Outrun a Memory.”

It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $37.50; thepalacetheatre.org.

Starship (Sunday)

It went from Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship to just Starship, in 1985, with the version of the band co-fronted by Mickey Thomas. Thomas, who sang the 1976 hit “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” as the singer for The Elvin Bishop Band, joined Jefferson Starship in 1979 after the departure of Marty Balin and Grace Slick (who returned in 1981). Thomas was in the lineup for “Jane,” “No Way Out,” “Find Your Way Back,” “We Built This City” and “Sara.” Their last album was 2013’s “Loveless Fascination.”

The band plays the Palace Theatre, Greensburg, as Starship (featuring Mickey Thomas) at 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets start at $47; thepalacetheatre.org.

First Published: March 13, 2025, 9:30 a.m.