The Ohio Players Play Juneteenth & Black Music Festival at the Point; Jaggerz at South Park (Fri., 6/18/21)

1) The Ohio Players are headlining WPA Juneteenth & Black Music Festival this evening at Point State Park. The Dayton, Ohio funkateers had two big hits: “Love Rollercoaster” and “Fire.” One minute and 24 seconds into “Love Rollercoaster,” somebody screams. The most circulated explanation involved Ester Cordet, the model on the Honey album cover. The story goes the heated honey left her burned—her scream is either from the burns or the band’s manager stabbing her to death (!) after she threatened to sue for her disfigurement. Complete urban legend; it was really keyboardist Billy Beck. Cordet, a former Playboy Playmate, is still alive as of this writing. 7:30 p.m. Juneteenth celebrates the historical occasion that black slaves in Texas finally heard they were freed from slavery during the Civil War. Downtown. (CM)

2) Crowds don’t lie. When people with lawn chairs start arriving in bright daylight to get prime spots for evening outdoor concerts, it’s because the music is good—and free. Allegheny County sponsors weekly concerts all summer in two locations: 7:30 p.m. on Fridays at South Park Amphitheater and 7:30 p.m. Sundays at Hartwood Acres Amphitheater. Performers are a mix of Pittsburgh-based and touring talent across a wide range of genres. The lineup at South Park in early-to-midsummer includes shows by The Jaggerz, and The Vindys. In June Hartwood Acres has Indigo Girls, and Pure Gold. As per tradition, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra plays both locations around the Fourth of July. Food trucks and Hop Farm Brewing Company craft beer are at all concerts starting at 6:00 pm. Tonight legendary Pittsburgh rockers, the Jaggerz are performing at South Park. 3700 Farmshow Dr., South Park Twp., and 4070 Middle Rd., Allison Park. (M.V.)

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