Cool Picks Friday June 22, 2012

June 22, 2012/Rick Handler

1) A really cool free music event happens this evening, the 15th Annual WYEP Summer Music Festival. Concert highlights include on-the-rise national acts. The event begins with established local talent Donora at 6 pm, Great Lake Swimmers at 7:10 pm, Sharon Van Etten, 8:25 pm, and finishes with Dr. Dog at 9:45 pm. Dr. Dog has a hot song out now called “That Old Black Hole.” The festival is in Schenley Plaza in Oakland, smack dab next to Carnegie Library and Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning. There’s food from the Schenley Plaza kiosks and the new Porch Restaurant or bring your own picnic basket. Also check out the “I Made It” craft market held on the grounds of the Library under the trees. There’s also some kid’s activities.

2) The Emily Rodgers Band and Will Simmons & the Bundt Cake Boys open for Boston indie rockers Hallelujah the Hills, at the Garfield Artworks. Show starts at 8 pm. Penn Avenue, Garfield.

3) Modest Mouse plays an outdoor show tonight at Stage AE, North. Warm up act is Talkdemonic. Gates open 6:30 pm.

4) BRGR in East Side is featuring the Charles Wallace Jazz trio from 10 pm to midnight on the patio. Eat a juicy burger and listen to some nice jazz. No cover.

5) Summer Sounds concert series continues tonight in Greensburg with Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra playing Mardi Gras Gospel music. That sounds like a great combination of two fine American musical traditions. Concert starts at 7 pm in St. Clair Park, Downtown Greensburg.