Carly Rae Jepsen (‘Call Me Maybe’) at Mr. Smalls; Special Pittsburgh Bicentennial Gallery Crawl (Fri., 3/18/16)

1) In Canada, just as in the States, you don’t need to come in first on “Idol” to have a successful career. Carly Rae Jepsen may have placed third on season five of “Canadian Idol” but “Call Me Maybe,” her breakthrough single, won on all fronts. Commercially and globally, the single sold over 18 million copies. Critically, it garnered two Grammy nominations. The song’s video also has over 790,000,000 views (and counting) on YouTube—a delectable cover version with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, played on classroom instruments, has over 25,000,000. That single was released September 2011 in Canada and February 2012 in America. It also appeared on 2012’s Kiss, Jepsen’s first internationally released album. The very catchy “Call Me Maybe” is somewhat amazingly one of the best-selling singles of all time! She followed that with 2015’s Emotion, an album which harks to the sounds of ‘80s mega stars like Cyndi Lauper and Prince. For proof, see “I Really Like You.” And, yes, both Tom Hanks and Justin Bieber are in that song’s music video. Jepsen, originally of Mission, British Columbia, Canada, is now based in Vancouver and this month plays Mr. Smalls. Cardiknox and Fairground Saints open. 8:10 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

2) 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. What a great way to sample some of Pittsburgh’s great arts and entertainment! This is a special crawl with the additional of historical documents and exhibits for Pittsburgh’s founding as a city 200 years ago on display at the City-County Building (414 Grant St.). 5:30 – 10 p.m., Cultural District.

3) Talented blues artist Jarekus Singleton forges together blues, rock, and R&B with sizzling guitar licks and strong vocals for a hot, unique mix. Singleton hails from the same musically fertile Mississippi region that gave us Charley Patton, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King. He’s touring in support of his Alligator Records debut Refuse To Lose and will be appearing at Moondogs in Blawnox tonight. 8:30 p.m. 378 Freeport Rd.

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