Brad Paisley “Crushin’ It” at First Niagara; The Public’s “Buyer & Cellar” Continues (Fri., 6/26/15)

1) Country musician Brad Paisley is doing a little bit of everything these days, it seems. He’s hosting Country Music Awards, opening for the Rolling Stones in Nashville, making appearances on ABC’s Rising Star, doing a voice cameo and writing songs for the Disney film Planes: Fire & Rescue, animating his own music videos, and playing for troops in Afghanistan, as well as putting out hit records. Luckily for local fans, he’s also somehow finding time to play some gigs. The Crushin’ It World Tour is promoting his 10^th studio album, Moonshine in the Trunk. The first single “River Bank” is a catchy, summery ode to the simple joys of messing about in the water with an inner tube. The tour is named for the album’s third single, “Crushin’ It”, which features a music video depicting country stars as superheroes. And if the animation seems a little rough around the edges, that’s because Paisley drew it himself (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t tried to draw themselves as a superhero). It’ll be interesting to see whether he brings out his alter ego “Steel Moonshiner” on stage at the First Niagara Pavilion. Justin Moore and Mickey Guyton open. 7:30 p.m. 665 Route 18, Burgettstown.  (HM)

2) A one-man comedy by Jonathan Tolins, Buyer & Cellar stars Tom Lenk of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” as Alex More, a gay, underemployed actor who takes an unlikely job in Barbra Streisand’s Malibu basement. He’s the sole attendant in a strange and sad galleria of shops displaying the stage diva’s vast collection of stuff. As stated from the outset, everything that happens in the play is a work of fiction, but its bizarre setting is not. The visit to Streisand’s dream house and her strange underground mall seems to sum up so much about the loneliness and isolation of fame. Pittsburgh Public Theater closes its 40th anniversary season with this show that manages to find high humor in the depths of diva-hood. 8 p.m. Continues through June 28. O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

3) Our battlin’ Bucs take on the Atlanta Braves tonight in a 7:05 p.m. game. It’s also Free Shirt Friday, with the first 20,000 fans receiving a Pirates T-shirt. Tailgate before the game at the Friday Night Block Party featuring live entertainment, food and beer options, games and more. Let’s hope the Pirates don’t give any Braves fans the occasion to do the Tomahawk Chop. PNC Park, 115 Federal St.,  North Shore.

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