Cool Picks Saturday August 18, 2012

August 18, 2012/Rick Handler

1) Actor, comedian Jim Gaffigan, who you may remember as a humorous, die-hard fan in a series of 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates TV commercials (check “You Tube” for clips), is back in town at the Benedum Center. Gaffigan and Conan O’Brien have teamed up on an animated crime fighting short called “Pale Force” that appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and led to Broadband Emmy and Webby nominations. 7 p.m. Benedum Center, Downtown.

2) Jam on Walnut is happening tonight on Walnut Street in Shadyside, featuring bands Donora and Radio Tokyo. Beer, food, fun. Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 7-11 p.m. Free.

3) Yesterday we brought you a “Cool Pick” for the Farmer’s Olympics at Westmoreland County Fair. Today, to show you we are on top of the FAIR beat, we bring you another agricultural fair event: the Milk Chugging Contest at Washington County Agricultural Fair. 6:30 p.m.; Demolition Derby, 6 p.m. Washington, PA.

4) Girlz in Black Hats, a female group that bill themselves as “country music with a touch of sass” are appearing (7 p.m.) at the Westmoreland County Fair. Following the “Girlz” is U.S. National Lawn Mower Racing’s “Keystone State Mow Down (7:30 p.m.).” Don’t you just love county fairs? Blue Ribbon Lane, Pleasant Unity, PA .

5 ) Guitarist Eric Johnson plays Citiparks: “Stars at Riverview” Jazz Series. Sponsored by BNY Mellon and ARAD, “Stars at Riverview” is located on Observatory Hill, Riverview Park. 7 p.m. Free.