PNC Pops! Goes to Broadway and Beyond; “House” Music at Carnegie Library Music Hall (CPs Thurs.10/17/13)

1) PNC Pops! is just one part of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s season, but these shows encompass a wide span of music from movies and  plays to cartoons. For a four-day stint starting today, the Pops! is getting theatrical with Broadway and Beyond. Two Tony-winning professionals are visiting Heinz Hall to sit in with the PSO: conductor Ted Sperling (whose credits include revivals of Guys and Dolls and South Pacific) and vocalist Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ragtime, Man of La Mancha, Les Miserables). The program has not been listed, but given the duo’s résumés of classics, expect at least a few old favorites. 7:30 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

2) To paraphrase an old cough syrup commercial: Hugh Laurie is not a doctor, but he’s played one on TV, and medicine might be the only field Laurie hasn’t dabbled in. The one-time star of the medical TV drama “House” is also a director, comedian, novelist, screenwriter, and musician. He just released his second album of jazz/blues standards, delivered in a gruff but sentimental style you might expect of someone who played the volatile but deep-down caring Dr. Gregory House for eight season. Not treating it as just an off-hand side project, Laurie is touring in support of his musical career and stops at the Carnegie Library Music Hall tonight. 7:30 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall.

3) Internships have taken criticism recently as unpaid labor leading nowhere. But the one Mitch Fatel had seemed to work out. Fatel, now a comedian, was once an intern for the Howard Stern Show. (Yes, in a lawsuit waiting to happen, Stern has interns.) This is probably where he learned to talk about boobs, which he does at length in a slow, simple, squirrelly style. A comedic sampling: “I don’t even know why I like breasts. They don’t do anything. They just bounce up and down, and it makes me happy.” If that kind of observational humor gets a giggle out of you, he’ll be at The Improv all weekend. 8 p.m. 166 E. Bridge St., Homestead.

4) The bellowing voice and interesting fashion choices of jazz chanteuse Phat Man Dee have been heard and seen around Pittsburgh for over a decade now. Putting in that much time on the scene, Ms. Dee has built up quite the Rolodex and evidentially brought it out for tonight’s Show of Shows and Cavalcade of Stars at Mr. Smalls. Also on the bill of this varied and colorful event: a couple of burlesque performers, some belly dancers, emcee HollyHood, Latin rock outfit Machete Kisumontao, stuntman-costumed punk rocker Amoeba Knievel and more! 7 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.

5) Few things happening tonight are as fun and as accurately titled as the Thunderbird Café’s 3Band Evening. On the bill is Lawrenceville-based, modern-day honky-honk singer Slim Forsythe and his ruckus backing ensemble; Los Angeles-based Tom Kurlander and PaleBlueSound, who have an epic arena rock thing going on; and local amp-blowing hard rock outfit Bodhi Watts. Yep, that’s definitely three awesome bands! 9 p.m. 4023 Butler St., Lawrenceville.

6) Jammin’ With Andy, Jazz at The Warhol promises to be a fun evening with music from the Benny Benack Band, tasty food, cocktails, and full access to the Warhol galleries. Event benefits a great cause, the Allegheny County chapter of Mental Health America.

Share on Social Media