19th Annual B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert at Heinz Hall; Captials in Town to Play Penguins (Mon., 12/14/15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1f54ehnOyw

1) Pittsburgh’s Christmas music ambassador, singer B.E. Taylor, takes the stage for his 19th annual B.E. Taylor Christmas Concert. Taylor reworks classic holiday songs in bold ways to create new traditions. Although he is best known today for his holiday concerts, in the mid 80’s he scored a nationally charted hit with the song “Vitamin L,” which ran on MTV. 7:30 p.m. Continues through tomorrow night. Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

2) The Pens face off against the Washington Capitals in a 7 p.m. game tonight at the Consol Energy Center. Hopefully the Pens will shut down the Capitals star left winger Alexander Ovechkin. The Pens next game is in Boston Wednesday against the Bruins. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

3) Chi-Raq – The latest from director Spike Lee, the movie is again proving Lee is one of the most inventive filmmakers around. Chi-Raq is a reference to an area of south Chicago plagued by gang violence. Certainly sounds like the set-up for your standard Hollywood movie, but Lee enlists Aristophanes to help tell the tale. Remember him? He’s an ancient Greek playwright and the author of Lysistrata, which, you’ll recall (if you were paying attention in class) is about a woman who organizes a protest against the Peloponnesian War by having Athenian women refuse sex with any man until peace is negotiated. Lee along with Kevin Willmott have updated the story to present-day Chicago, and the film features a knock-out cast: In the role of Lysistrata is Teyonah Parris, and she’s joined by Wesley Snipes, Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cusack, Jennifer Hudson, David Patrick Kelly, Dave Chappelle, Harry Lennix, Nick Cannon, and many more. My favorite thing about the movie is the tag line on the ad: “No peace? No piece.” Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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