Primus, Foxygen, and Con Funk Shun in Concerts; Open Streets PGH and Vine Rewind (Sun., 7/30/17)

1) Primus’s Les Claypool is arguably as well known for his prowess on bass as he is for his big personality. The band’s performance of “My Name Is Mud” at Woodstock ’94 is remembered for the audience throwing mud on stage and Claypool’s quip, “You know, when you throw things on stage, it’s a sign of small and insignificant genitalia.” The trio solidified its lineup in 1989 with Larry LaLonde on guitar and Tim Alexander on drums. Frizzle Fry, their debut, followed in 1990. This lineup will be playing Stage AE this month. The group’s last album was 2014’s Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble, a re-imagining of the soundtrack to 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. If you had told me in 2004 that Primus, who covered “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band, would reinterpret the Willy Wonka soundtrack, I would have said, “ … Yeah. Sounds about right.” Doors open 6:30 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. Clutch opens. (CM)

2) Foxygen’s “How Can You Really” is a favorite among the EC staff, so we are excited to see them returning to Mr. Smalls this month. If you thought the single was by Star Power, you’re half right. Star Power was the fictional moniker of Foxygen for their double concept album, 2014’s …And Star Power. The group reverted back to Foxygen for 2017’s Hang. Frontman Sam France apes Prince’s moves while singing like Van Morrison on songs like “Follow the Leader.” Foxygen formed in Agoura Hills, California, when France met instrumentalist Jonathan Rado in high school. Foxygen may be a duo, but the members know when to ask for a little help from their friends. Noted drummer Diane Coffee has collaborated with them. Foxygen swelled to a nine-piece as Star Power, and the band enlisted a 40-plus orchestra on Hang. Cut Worms open. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

Foxygen’s core members Jonathan Rado (left) and Sam France (right) performing at Mohawk in Austin, TX. photo: Bryan C. Parker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXo_CH1gqkg

3) “Sometimes heart strings can be broken, but you just have to keep on goin’” is a line from the hit emotional slow-jammer “Love’s Train” by Con Funk Shun. The group started out as a high school band in Vallejo, California, and was initially on Stax Records before signing with Mercury Records in 1976. That’s when their true success began. Con Funk Shun went on to have 11 albums that topped the Billboard charts and spawned numerous hit singles. Those hits include “Straight from the Heart,” “Got To Be Enough,” and “Ffun.” They disbanded in 1986, but the group now tours with three of the original members. This concert is part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. Opening is Funky Fly Project. 7:30 p.m. Free. Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Rd., Allison Park. (RH)

The Strip District was crowded with bikes, walkers, and shoppers during Open Streets PGH. p: Heather McCracken

4) There’s double the fun happening in the Strip District today. First, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. OpenStreetsPGH will follow shut down streets from Market Square to Penn Avenue Downtown, up through the Strip and ends (or begins) in Lawrenceville’s central business district on Butler St. Again this year people are able to walk, run, cycle, rollerblade unfettered by vehicular traffic. Many businesses will be open to lighten participants wallets and several program hubs will be in spots along the way with activities and entertainment. See the OpenStreetsPGH website for a complete list of activities. Pittsburgh Winery is hosting the second day of an event called Vine Rewind, both during and after OpenStreets, which they are billing as a Penn Avenue Picnic. Performers include: The Vibro Kings (8:15 p.m.) Billy Price (7:15 p.m.), and Brooke Annibale (4:45 p.m.). Several of the food purveyors on hand will be Franktuary, Blowfish BBQ, Edgars Tacos, and Asado by Gaucho. Be sure to have some of Pittsburgh Winery’s tasty wine. Vine rewind will be held in the 28th Street block of Penn Ave.

5) Moriah Ella Mason’s one-woman, autobiographical show, Sex Werque, draws upon her experience as a former stripper. Themes include “the politics and economics of dance.” The piece argues “how the human need for intimacy plays a role in the sex industry,” with Mason using the show to create and subvert intimacy itself. Sex Werque isn’t Mason’s first performance at Carnegie Stage, nor her first to address injustice. She appeared in Kimono through off the WALL Productions. Kimono’s themes included predation and victimhood. Mason has acted and danced in numerous productions in and around Pittsburgh. She has also worked as a film director, producer, choreographer, and editor. “Eser HaMakot / Ten Plagues,” Mason’s installation art piece, appeared at BUNKERprojects in Pittsburgh in 2014. 7:15 p.m. Last day. Carnegie Stage, 25 W. Main St., Carnegie. (CM)

6) First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Songspace series presents an evening of original acoustic music with Rebecca Loebe and Jesse Terry. Loebe is a noted singer/songwriter whose spent the past decade on the road performing in 44 states of the U.S., as well as Canada, Europe, The U.K. and Japan. She has collected new influences and honed her musical skills. Terry is also a traveler and melds tales of his travels and homecomings, of his disappointments and achievements into songs that are captivating. His influences range from country to Cali-folk. Also on the bill is Pittsburgh musician Brad Yoder whose edgy, poetic and funny music runs the gamut from folk to indie rock. Sounds like a nice opportunity to chill and hear some great music. 7:00 p.m. 605 Morewood Ave., Shadyside.

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