Noted Vocalist Michele Bensen Performs at Theater Square (CPs Tues., 4/8/14)

1) Michele Bensen, one of Pittsburgh’s legendary vocalists, is the featured jazz performer tonight at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square. Tony Bennett, Lionel Hampton, and The Four Freshmen are some of the big names Bensen has opened for. She even has her own highly talented band, The Bensen Burners, comprising Chris Pangikas on piano, Mike Houlis on bass, Steve Trerrel on drums, Mark Strickland on guitar, and Robbie Klein on sax and flute. This is a great opportunity to hear a top jazz singer and her band in an intimate setting. 5 p.m. No cover. 655 Penn Ave, Cultural District.

2) It has been barely two years since George Brandt’s Grounded debuted, but the play has already been staged in New York, London, San Francisco, Edinburgh, Tucson, and now Pittsburgh, via City Theatre. Critic have praised it for its arresting look at the detachment of modern life and modern warfare, and its widespread reach may be due, in part, because Grounded is simple to produce: It is a one-woman show, a series of monologues delivered by an Air Force pilot (Kelly McAndrew in the City Theatre show) who is grounded because of a pregnancy. Her military work is limited to controlling drones from a Las Vegas trailer as her newborn sleeps a few feet away. Runs through May 4. 7 p.m. 1300 Bingham St., South Side.

3) It’s Bike Night at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille; get those Harleys, Hondas, and BMWs rolling. Entertainment outdoors by local rockers The Igniters. 8 p.m. No cover. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

4)  Getaway to the tropics with a trip to Brillobox for Tropical Tuesdays. There you’ll feel the trade winds (fans) soothe your overdue vacation bones. Here’s a sampling of their specials: $3 select craft cans, $4 frozen drinks, $10 California bubble bath, $10 Eva Peron, $7 Fernet con cola, and $6 Coronita Margaveza. You can also sop up the island drinks with $7 pineapple soy-glazed chicken or tofu skewers served with Caribbean sweet potato salad. Shoes and shirt required. 5 p.m. – 2 a.m. 4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield.

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