Kiss and Def Leppard Stage Classic Rock Show; Shadyside’s Art Festival Ends Today (CPs Sun., 8/24/14)

1) Face-painted rock bad boys, Kiss, are one of the top-selling bands of all time. Started in New York City in 1973, the band was one of the early pioneers in rock theatrics incorporating fire, smoking guitars, flash pots and rockets into their shows. Still driven by founding members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, the band has ridden the wave of classic rock nostalgia and still attracts sizable crowds. The make up and costumes are based on cartoon characters they created, with Stanley as The Starchild and Simmons as The Demon. Several of their biggest hits rose the charts to rock radio fame in the 70’s  including “Rock ‘n Roll All Night” “Beth” and “Detroit Rock City.” Yes, Kiss is a very dramatic band but they have also created powerful rock songs and ballads.

Another top-selling glam-rock band, Def Leppard, will also be performing tonight. Def Leppard is one of only five other bands that have had two original studio albums with sales of over 10 million each. The other bands sharing this distinction are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, and Pink Floyd. Top songs like “Photograph” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” account for Def Leppard’s massive success. Opening is The Dead Dasies. 7 p.m. First Niagara Pavilion,

2) Today’s the last day of the 17^th Annual Art Festival on Walnut Street in Shadyside. Though many Pittsburgh natives are well acquainted with Shadyside and its charming architecture and beautiful greenery, this festival is one in a series of art festivals taking place across the country, organized by Howard Alan Events, which has arranged festivals from Hilton Head, SC., to Aspen, CO. What better neighborhood—what more charming avenue—could be chosen? As the official Howard Alan page notes, “Shadyside features boutiques, shops and galleries mingled with national retailers in a neighborhood of tree-line streets, historic homes, hip events, and distinctive restaurants.” Indeed. The featured giveaway for this weekend’s festivities is a mixed media 3D painting by Luisa Velasquez, aptly titled “Flor Roja,” which translates to “red flower” for non-bilingual readers. Impressively, Velasquez is one in over a hundred artists in a wide range of disciplines (painting, jewelry, photography, and many more). Today, running from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free.  Walnut Street business district, Shadyside.

3) The Allegheny County Summer Concert Series continues tonight at Hartwood Acres Amphitheater with the Duquesne University Tamburitzins, an internationally known multi-cultural song and dance company that features traditional folk entertainment of the Eastern European region and it’s neighbors. They claim the title of longest-running company of that type in the U.S. 7:30 p.m. Free. 200 Hartwood Acres, Hampton and Indiana townships.

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