Chris D’Elia Stands Up at Improv; Chris Higbee Fiddles at Rivers Casino (CPs Thurs., 7/31/14)

1) Comedian Chris D’Elia performs tonight at the Pittsburgh Improv. Perhaps best known for co-starring as Whitney Cummings’ fictional husband on the NBC TV show “Whitney,” D’Elia has a comedic talent that is most discernible when he’s on stage with a microphone in his hand. His standup is brash and kinetic, whether imitating a creepy German serial killer, a drunken party girl, or a wounded deer. (“This is a good deer impression, by the way, for a human,” he says, though conceding that “there’s other deer that could probably do it better than me.”) He moves around on stage more often than he stands still, and his shows are high-energy, due not only to the aforementioned animation, but also to his vocal impressions. Besides “Whitney,” D’Elia has appeared on “Comedy Central Presents,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Live Nude Comedy,” and “Workaholics,” and is currently starring in NBC’s “Undateable.” 8 p.m. Through Aug. 2. 166 E. Bridge St., Homestead.

2) Pittsburgh native and country singer-songwriter Chris Higbee stops by the Rivers Casino for an outdoor show in the Live from the River Summer Concert Series. Higbee got his start in professional music as a founding member of the band PovertyNeck Hillbillies in 2000, with whom he toured and performed for seven years before striking out on his own with the Chris Higbee Project. A  God-fearing American patriot (and a self-proclaimed redneck), Higbee also stands out as an expert violinist. As he professes in the song “Fiddles Rock,” he’s a fiddler at the core, and his love of the instrument began with the classics (Bach and Beethoven). “Drums are cool and the lead guitar is hot,” he sings, “but fiddles rock.” 7 p.m. 777 Casino Dr., North Shore.

3) Briar Rabbit, acoustic pop/folk singer-songwriter, swings by Club Cafe on a national tour celebrating his newest album, From Your Bones. To an extent, Rabbit might have genetics to thank for his musical talent and artistry—he’s the nephew of legendary blues guitarist B.B. King. Rabbit keeps that family torch burning brightly through his musical style: Though his career is relatively young, he’s already mastered the art of musical narrative, weaving authentic, romantic tales through his textured, imagery-laden tunes. His voice is smooth and clean, and—unsurprisingly—his skill with the guitar remarkable. Those two elements combine for a finished product that is at once beautiful and bittersweet. From Your Bones is Rabbit’s third album and the follow-up to his 2011 The Great Routine. Joined by Conner Gilbert and Sol Persona. 8 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side.

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