Toby Keith Rides Into First Niagara; Bill Deasy Takes Requests at Club Cafe (CPs Sat., 8/9/14)

1) Toby Keith, one of the biggest current superstars in country music—if not the biggest—visits First Niagara Pavilion on his Shut Up & Hold On tour. Musically, Keith is known for his traditional twangy country style, featuring lyrics about cowboys, horses, beer, patriotism, and other all-American topics, and for his prolific discography spanning more than 20 years: over a dozen studio albums, numerous compilations, two Christmas albums, and nearly two dozen number one singles. He’s also known for the raucous party scenes associated with his visits to Pittsburgh. As is often the case with musicians who have cult-like followings, there’s probably a sizable crowd already planning to attend this concert. So if you’re going, grab your cowboy hat and boots, plaid shirt, and daisy dukes (for those so inclined), and saddle up. Opening are Colt Ford and Krystal Keith. 7 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown.

2) Pittsburgh native singer/songwriter Bill Deasy performs his annual Live by Request show at Club Café. Best known for his work as the former lead singer of The Gathering Field, Deasy deals in easygoing, mellow, acoustic folk rock. In this annual performance, the audience picks the set list; it’s a great opportunity to force Deasy to flex his musical muscles, since he has little idea beforehand what songs he’ll be asked to play. When you enter Club Café just fill out request form and drop it in the guitar case on stage. Deasy has an impressive background, having released and toured nationally in promotion of 11 studio albums, four with The Gathering Field and seven as a solo artist. He’s also dabbled in the authorial arts—in 2006, he released Ransom Seaborn, his first of three books so far, which he’s now adapting for the screen. 7 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side.

3) In recent years, comic books and their lore have become a multi-billion-dollar cash crop for the film industry, the prime example being Marvel Studios’ Cinematic Universe with its stable of superheroes. Last weekend, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy broke the record for August opening-weekend gross, ringing up an astounding estimated $94 million in ticket sales. This weekend, you can trace that box office gold back to its roots in Making Comics with Tom Scioli at the Trust Arts Education Center. In this three-hour seminar, Pittsburgh-based comic book artist and writer Tom Scioli—known for “Gødland” and “Transformers vs. G.I. Joe,” among others—will teach teens and adults how to get started in the classic art form of comic books. Scioli has been noted for an artistic style very similar to the legendary Jack Kirby (creator of superheroes like Captain America), without whom comics might not be what they are today. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 805 Liberty Ave., Cultural District.

4) The Pirates host the San Diego Padres in game two of a three-game series. Stop by Federal Street early for another Block Party, featuring an appearance by Bucs alumnus “The Original” Frank Thomas, who starred for the Pirates in the 1950s. Block Party begins at 5:30 p.m.; first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. 115 Federal St., North Shore.

5) Cornhole (a.k.a. corn toss, bean bag toss), the popular game you see occurring in the parking lots of tailgating events, is the focus of a tournament at Penn Brewery. The 2nd Annual Rock ‘n Roll Cornhole Festival is happening today at Penn Brewery from noon to 6 p.m. In addition to the cornhole competition their will be live music from several bands including Act of Pardon, Restricted Hwy, Josie McQueen, The Ratchets, and O.W.S. The event is sponsored by Jack Daniels whiskey so cornhole motor skills will either be enhanced or diminished. The big winner will be the events’ charity, The Leukemia & lymphoma Society. Team Stylzz is producing the event. 800 Vinial St., Troy Hill.

2nd Annual Rock n’ Roll Cornhole Tournament.

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