Yes Celebrates 50 Years With Concert at CHMH; Pittsburgh Gets Furry With Anthrocon (Thurs., 7/5/18)

1) Yes started out in 1968 performing original songs and reworked covers. Their first two albums were mostly uneventful, and they were even on the verge of being dropped by their record label. Then the band made a dramatic turn into experimental (progressive) rock. A few personnel moves were made, and guitarist Steve Howe joined the main founding members Jon Anderson and Chris Squire. Their fortunes also turned as their next album, The Yes Album, released in ’71, was a breakthrough success. The album reached no. 4 in the UK and no. 40 on the U.S. charts. “Starship Trooper” and “Yours Is No Disgrace” were top songs from the release. The band is known as one of the progressive rock pioneers. The members’ innovative vocal harmonies, guitars, rhythm section, and keyboards left a mark on the music industry despite breakups and reunions. There are currently two Yes outfits: Yes and Yes Featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman. Yes is led by longtime band members Howe and Alan White (drums, percussion). The group’s last release was 2014’s Heaven & Earth. Yes was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017. This tour is #Yes50:: Celebrating 50 Years of Yes. 8 p.m. Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall. 

Steve Howe playing his Gibson ES-175 guitar in a 2013 concert at the Beacon Theater. photo: SolarScott and Wikipedia.

Anthrocon 2018—major international Furry convention. July 5-8, David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

2) Birds of all feathers have returned to their summer habitats, but the annual migrations are not complete until the Furries return to Pittsburgh. They’re coming from points far and near for Anthrocon, one of the world’s foremost Furry conventions. Furthermore: You may be a Furry fan without knowing it. To quote from the Anthrocon website, the convention is “open to any and all who like to imagine what it would be like if animals could walk and talk as we do—and no, you do not have to wear a costume.” Many do, of course. You’ll see tigers and vixens perambulating the streets of Downtown. You can marvel at entire ecosystems of animals marching in the Saturday afternoon Fursuit Parade outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. And you’re welcome to join them inside, via registrations for a single day or the whole thing. Attractions include the Anthrocon Tonight talent show, art exhibits, merchandise sales, guest speakers, and more. FYI: Wild as they may seem, Anthrocon attendees are a well-regulated militia. Strict measures are enforced to suppress animals behaving badly. 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd., Downtown. (MV)

A Furry wishes onlookers a happy new year while marching in the New Year’s Eve parade. Photo: Martha Rial.

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