Americana Music Grammy Winner Jason Isbell at Benedum; 26th Street Market and Cafe Shines in the Strip (Wed., 3/2/16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlBDlPPZBE8

1) Singer-songwriter-guitarist Jason Isbell is making a Pittsburgh stop at the Benedum Center in support of his latest release, 2015’s Something More Than Free. This is the sixth solo album by Isbell, who hails from  Green Hill, Alabama. Something went on to win the Grammy for Best Americana Album earlier this month.  A former member of Drive By Truckers, Isbell continues in the alt country tradition. Songs like “Cover Me Up” and “Goddamn Lonely Love” showcase his rich vocals and songwriting talents. Isbell is backed up by his band The 400 Unit. Shovels & Ropes opens. 7:30 p.m. 237 7th St, Downtown.

2) The Strip District is arguably Pittsburgh’s premier spot for one-stop shopping. 26th Street Market and Cafe, however, takes that design one step further. Where else can Pittsburghers purchase breakfast, lunch, freshly ground coffee, dessert, and the daily number? With its large dining room plus three private meeting rooms, the establishment is also friendly to professionals and occasional live music. Additionally, the space offers audio/visual equipment for rent, free wi-fi, and free parking. Breakfast includes bagels, biscotti, and muffins; lunch: flatbread pizzas, hoagies, salads, and sandwiches. Gluten-free bread is available upon request. The cactus chili, made with real cactus and vegetables, has a bit of a kick to it and is a customer favorite. Their catering menu will have you inventing events to celebrate, just so you can try some of the specialty items: buffalo wings tossed in their house buffalo sauce, butternut squash ravioli cooked in their basil cream sauce, the 26th Street Sandwich Ring, and more! 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District. (CM)

3) Hail, Caesar! – The latest from the Coen Brothers (Joel and Ethan) and their fourth collaboration with George Clooney. (Burn After Reading, Intolerable Cruelty and O Brother, Where Art Thou? were their previous flicks.) Joining them in this star-studded romp are several Coen alums and a few newbies; Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Jonah Hill, Frances McDormand … and, Dolph Lundgren! The movie, set in the 1950’s, focuses on Eddie Mannix (Brolin); he’s a fixer hired by the studios to keep the exploits of the big stars out of the papers. But the biggest of the stars (Clooney) is captured by a group of communists and all hell breaks loose. How, one wonders, does Dolph fit into all of that? Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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