Paul Simon Plays PPG Paints on Farewell Tour; Sienna Mercato Offers Three Floors of Food and Fun (Mon., 9/17/18)

1) Paul Simon is one of the world’s best known singer/songwriters. He first rose to fame as one half of the legendary duo known as Simon and Garfunkel. The group produced many top hits including three that reached no. 1 single status on the U.S. charts: “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge over Troubled Water.” “Mrs. Robinson” was for the Mike Nichols directed, 1967 movie “The Graduate” which starred Dustin Hoffman. Simon as a solo artist achieved much success starting in the 70s when songs like “Mother and Child Reunion,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Kodachrome,” and “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”

His career continued to move forward, albeit at a slower pace, after that. Simon’s 1986 Grammy Award-winning album Graceland gave him another strong run up the music charts. On the album he incorporated many different styles of world music into its songs, including songs with black South African performers. His record company wasn’t sure the album would do well with Simon’s mainstream audience, but boy were they wrong. Graceland is a landmark album and spawned such hits as “”You Can Call Me Al,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” and the title track, “Graceland.” Simon is on his Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour which concludes with several New York City concerts later this month. Simon will be releasing his fourteenth album, In the Blue Light, on September 7. 8 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (RH)

2) “This must be the place,” David Byrne of Talking Heads fame once sang. You’ll be singing the same tune upon entering Sienna Mercato. The restaurant’s first floor, Emporio, offers four different gourmet meatballs—classic beef, spicy pork, vegetarian, and chicken—and ten sauces, ranging from marinara to basil pesto cream. You can have your meatballs alone or on a bun, and with or without cheese. The second floor—Mezzo—features pastas and wood-fired pizza. Pizza varieties include traditional margherita as well as more exotic fare, like duck confit. Mezzo also has other offerings including desserts and charcuterie (plates of cured meats, artisan cheeses, and preserves). Il Tetto, the rooftop beer garden, caps off  the Sienna Mercato experience. The garden has over 30 beers on tap, cocktails, and smaller dishes. Whether it’s sunny or snowing, patrons can always appreciate Pittsburgh’s skyscrapers, thanks to the garden’s retractable glass roof (awesome, right?). Don’t worry, an elevator is provided should all that food and drink impede mobility. 942 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (CM)

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