Beyoncè in Formation at Heinz Field; Hitchcock’s ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ at Row House (Tues., 5/31/16)

1) The radio hits began in 1997, yet, with each new release, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter sounds as if the best is still yet to come. Those first hits weren’t hers alone. “Say My Name,” “Survivor,” and “Bootylicious” all belong to her and fellow band members in the group Destiny’s Child. Then came “Crazy in Love.” Those horns, all braggadocio. and Jay Z’s rapping assist all contributed to making it a no. 1 hit in the U.S. and one of the best-selling singles of all time. It kicked off her debut solo album, 2003’s Dangerously in Love. Beyonce’s other contributions to the American zeitgeist include, but are not limited to, the music video for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” her marriage and creative collaborations with Jay Z, her critically acclaimed self-titled album, dropped on an unsuspecting music audience in late 2013. Coldplay may have been this year’s top-billed Super Bowl halftime show act, but many felt Beyoncé was the top performer after watching her run through a snippet of “Formation.” Following the premier of her visual album, Lemonade, on HBO, the audio album is now available for download across a variety of platforms. It features Kendrick Lamar, Jack White, and many more. Finally, there’s The Formation World Tour, which is sure to be an intensely choreographed, dazzling spectacle, coming to Heinz Field tonight. 7:30 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore. (CM)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdKYt21fK3Y

2) Shadow of a Doubt  – Everyone has their favorite Alfred Hitchcock film. (Or films.) But what was Hitchcock’s favorite Alfred Hitchcock film? His 1943 noir thriller Shadow of a Doubt. And all I can say is that Hitchcock sure had good taste. Set in Santa Rosa, CA, Shadow is the story of an American family and town… if not the quintessential American family and town. Thorton Wilder wrote the screenplay—and as the author of Our Town knew a thing or two about small burgs.

The happy, contented family at the center of the movie is in for a shock when the mother’s brother, played by Joseph Cotten, shows up out of the blue saying he needs a rest from the rigors of the big city. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s a serial killer trying to evade the police. His niece, Teresa Wright in a career-defining performance, is a young woman who has spent her life idolizing her uncle—but over the course of the film comes to see he’s evil and that she must try to stop him. It’s not your typical Hitchcock film with mind-blowing scenes of cinematic marvels, it’s a calm, steady movie where dread and fear builds inexorably to a heartbreaking ending. A must-see. 9:35 p.m. Screenings through June 2. Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville (TH)

3) Got a taste for BBQ? If you want some great grilled meat without the fuss, we have a place for you. Union Pig & Chicken started by Chef Kevin Sousa’s barbecue and fried chicken restaurant and bar—since sold to his employees—is serving up some delicious, tender beef brisket along with ribs, chicken, mac and cheese, greens…and pie in a jar. The East Liberty hot spot is open daily at 11 a.m., Sunday  10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for brunch and for regular service. Their second floor counterpart—Harvard and Highland—is open for cocktails until 1 a.m. 220 N. Highland Ave.

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