Afghan Whigs and Built to Spill Play Mr. Smalls; BodyTraffic Dance at Byham; Cattivio Hosts Indie Rockfest (Sat., 4/14/18)

1) It’s a double masters class in indie with The Afghan Whigs and Built to Spill at Mr. Smalls Theatre. Both bands rose to prominence in the ’90s: the Afghan Whigs from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Built to Spill from Boise, Idaho. The former band combined rock and soul and scored a hit with “Debonair.” The single, from 1993’s Gentlemen, charted on the Modern Rock Top 20. The band broke up in 2001, briefly reunited in 2006 for a greatest hits album, and reunited again in 2012. Their latest release is 2017’s In Spades. Built to Spill never had a hit, per se, but albums such as 1997’s Perfect from Now On and 1999’s Keep It Like a Secret are indie-rock cornerstones. Their latest is 2015’s Untethered Moon. Both bands have seen members come and go, more so Built to Spill, whose sole core member is Doug Martsch. Each band has seen its share of tragedy too. Afghan Whigs guitarist Dave Rosser died in 2017, and former Built to Spill drummer Andy Capps died in 2006. Rituals of Mine open. 7:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

2) When people talk about the dance troupe BodyTraffic, a word that comes up often is “versatile.” Watch the brief samples in the video above. You’ll see the Los Angeles-based company performing pieces that span a wide range of styles and moods. BodyTraffic visits Pittsburgh to dance a show of three works at the Byham Theater. One of them, o2Joy (read “Ode to Joy”), is an exuberant piece set to jazzy swing music. Dust is in a different key: According to the company, it “takes a dark look at the power and commercialism that steer today’s society and asks us to question what is important.” Then, while you’re mulling these matters, Once More Before You Go mixes hip-hop moves with electronic music. BodyTraffic’s artistic quality has won high acclaim. The company is presented here by Pittsburgh Dance Council, now in its 48^th season of bringing outstanding contemporary dance to our town. 8 p.m. 101 6^th St., Cultural District. (MV)

3) Cattivo hosts Pittsburgh’s Indie Rockfest 3 with eight great local bands: Sun Hound, Bad Custer, Standard Broadcast, There You Are, BBGuns, Back Alley Sound, Essential Machine, and LoFi Delphi. 4 p.m. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. (CM)

4) Recoil devised by Cynthia Croot and Pitt Theatre Arts students. This original show examines issues of gun violence. 8 p.m. Performance through April 15, Pitt Department of Theatre Arts. Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre, basement of the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. (MV)

5) The Pitt Blue-Gold Game—is occurring today at Heinz Field. The team will be divided into two squads through a draft. Honorary coaches for this years match up are both distinguished former coaches: Johnny Majors coached Pitt’s 1976 National Championship team and Walt Harris who took the Panthers to a handful of bowl games, including the Fiesta Bowl. Activities include many family friendly activities, on-field photos, autograph sessions with current Panthers, music from the Pitt band, Pitt cheerleaders, and an appearance by new Pitt men’s basketball coach, Jeff Capel.. Gates open at 11 a.m., kickoff at 1 p.m. Free. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

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