Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival; Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets at TRAF; Joe Grushecky at South Park (Fri., 6/10/22)

Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival — June 10 -12, Butler and Slippery Rock.

Jeep owners can register to have some big boulder fun on the Bantam Jeep Festival obstacle course.

1) Whether you have a Jeep or not, head to the Butler area for the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. The event is a celebration of the fact that the original winning design for an all-purpose reconnaissance vehicle for the U.S. Army in 1940 was by Butler’s American Bantam car company. The government worried that Bantam couldn’t supply all the Jeeps the Army needed, so the design went to several different manufacturers while Bantam focused on other products. And a fine celebration it is. This year they are celebrating the 11th anniversary of the Festival. Highlights include the annual Jeep Parade which has set world records for largest Jeep parades; Jeep historical exhibits with a WWII encampment; family-friendly activities; vendors; food; and a variety of on- and off-road Jeep driving events, including an obstacle course. Camping is offered too. The event is produced by the nonprofit The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA). The Jeep Parade is in downtown Butler and many other events are at Cooper’s Lake Campground, 205 Currie Rd, Slippery Rock. (R.H.)

2)  “Cruel To Be Kind” is musician and producer Nick Lowe‘s biggest hit and was a staple of the early MTV years. He is bringing his Quality Rock and Roll Review to the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. And a quality rock and roll review it will be with the masked instrumental rockers, Los Straitjackets. 7:30 p.m. Cultural District.

3)  Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers will once again play the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series at South Park. Joe Grushecky’s latest album is 2018’s More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows. There is also currently a 25th Anniversary edition reissue of Grushecky and The Houserockers’ classic, American Babylon, which was produced by Bruce Springsteen. 7:30 p.m. South Park Amphitheater, 3700 Farmshow Dr., South Park. 

Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers in Asbury Park, New Jersey for a 2018 concert. (L.to r.) Jeffrey ‘Joffo Simmons, Grushecky, Johnny Grushecky, Jeff Garrison, and Danny Gochnour. (photo: Jesse DeFlorio)

4) Feralcat & the Wild are on the loose tonight at Club Cafe. Feralcat is the alter ego of saxophonist Roger Rafael Romero, he wants to create music that makes you feel good—mind, body, and soul. It’s prog rock, jazz fusion and art rock in equal proportions with prominent guitar parts and melodic saxophone playing. Feralcat has a self-titled debut EP out now. Royce joins as special guest. 8 p.m. 56-59 S. 12th St., South Side.

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