Busy Friday: Shania, Blue Oyster Cult, Jane’s Addiction, Gallery Crawl and More (Fri., 7/10/15)

1) It’s her first North American tour in more than a decade, and Shania Twain says it’ll be her last. But she’s had no shortage of time on stage in recent years, with the current 48-stop Rock This Country tour coming hard on the heels of a two-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, titled Shania: Still The One. The country star hasn’t released a studio album since 2002’s Up, after which she took a step back from performing due to voice problems. You couldn’t blame her for sitting back and admiring the trophy cabinet for a while. She’s one of the best-selling artists of all time, has collected five Grammys, and, with 1997’s Come On Over, claims the title of best-selling country album and best-selling album by a female artist. Featuring hits “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” and “You’re Still The One,” it was a country-pop-rock crossover juggernaut. While a new album has been promised, she’s not expected to be introducing new tracks on tour, so fans can expect to sing along with a catalog of hits. Twain plays at the Consol Energy Center with Gavin DeGraw. 7.30 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (HM)

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

2) Long before suburban sprawl, Long Island was known for its oyster industry—and then, in the strangest of cosmic convergences, the Island gave birth to Blue Öyster Cult. Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, Eric Bloom, and company have been among the heaviest of heavy-metal and genre-busting rockers for more than a generation. Now Roeser and Bloom with the current incarnation of Blue Öyster Cult play the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. Be prepared for songs including “Godzilla,” “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” and an oyster-y feast of many more. Opening is Gene The Werewolf. Free. 7:30 p.m. South Park Amphitheater. Brownsville and McCorkle Roads, South Park. (MV)

3) Jane’s Addiction rose out of the City of Angels in 1985 to become one of the hottest acts in the burgeoning alternative music scene. The Los Angeles group’s self-titled first album was a success, as were the subsequent releases Nothing’s Shocking and Ritual de lo Habitual.  Jane’s Addiction consists of founding member Perry Farrell (lead vocals), longtime members Dave Navarro (lead guitar and formerly of another L.A. band, The Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Stephen Perkins (drums), plus relative newcomer Chris Chaney (bass). The band has broken up and reunited several times since its first “farewell tour” in 1991. That tour was a Lollapalooza—the name Farrell gave it—and with other bands joining, Lollapalooza became a signature annual event in its own right.  After a couple of hiatuses Lollapalooza was reborn as a fixed-site festival in Chicago, with branch festivals now held in countries outside the U.S. as well. Meanwhile Jane’s Addiction is visiting Stage AE for a concert that will surely include several of the band’s biggest hits, like “Jane Says” and “Ocean Size.” Openers are Failure and Radkey.  Doors open 6:30 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore.

4) Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District is happening tonight; it features visual arts, musical performances, and interactive exhibits. All events are free and take place at a variety of galleries, art spaces, and venues. Some galleries offer drinks and hors d’oeuvres. 5:30 – 9 p.m., Cultural District.

One of the biggest parties of the year is also happening tonight in the Cultural District, the 9th annual fundraising gala for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust—Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh. The regular ticket includes drinks, desserts, and dancing at the African American Center (980 Liberty Ave.). VIP ticket also includes free parking, food prepared by noted local chefs, specialty cocktails, entertainment and music. Cultural District.

5) Pittsburgh Winery’s Songwriters in the Cellar series features a stellar local line-up this month. Brooke Annibale hosts three other songwriters, who are taking the stage without the backup of their usual musical cohorts. Casey Hanner of Donora, Judith Avers of the Early Mays, and Mark Ramsey of Cold Weather will be performing, sharing stories, and collaborating on stage. Vocalist from upbeat indie pop band Donora, Hanner has promised country break-up tunes, ’60s girl group pop, as well as pared-back Donora tracks for her solo show. Who knows what magic will be created when that’s combined with the talents of award-winning songwriter Avers, from the folk band the Early Mays, who are known for their sweet and intricate harmonies. Also add singer-songwriter Ramsey, the driving force behind chamber pop/folk indie Cold Weather. Ramsey and Hanner are likely to be already quite familiar with each other’s music—Jake Hanner (Casey’s older brother and band-mate) co-produced Cold Weather’s album, When Waking. 9 p.m. 2815 Penn Ave., Strip District. (HM)

6)  Our battlin’ Bucs take on the St. Louis Cardinals 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. If we can Pirate some games away from the Cards we can doubly gain on their first place position. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

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