Counting Crows Bring “Mr. Jones” to Stage AE; U.S. Womens Soccer Team vs. Costa Rica (Sun., 8/16/15)

1) Counting Crows released their debut album, August and Everything After, in 1993, at a time when grunge dominated alternative rock radio. But singer Adam Duritz’s whine and the rest of the group’s Americana instrumentation harked more to Van Morrison and The Band than to Nirvana or Pearl Jam. Yet listeners fell in love with their sound and August … went on to sell 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. The rest of the Berkeley, California, band’s career breaks down roughly as follows: more ‘90s hits, an Oscar nomination for Shrek 2’s “Accidentally in Love,” slight commercial/popularity decline in the mid-2000s, a covers album, and 2014’s Somewhere Under Wonderland, arguably their best work since 1999’s This Desert Life. Songs like “Palisades Park” display Duritz at his poetic peak; it, plus other cuts from the album, have been all over adult contemporary radio this past year. They’re promoting the record with a tour, one which stops at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE. Citizen Cope and Hollis Brown open. Doors open 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

2) The U.S. women’s national soccer team—who recently defeated Japan for the World Championship—are playing what is called an International Friendly match against the Costa Rican national team at Heinz Field. This is a great opportunity to watch world-class soccer and its players including U.S. team members Pittsburgh native Meghan Klingenberg, Hope Solo, and captain Christie Rampone. As the saying goes, soccer is a kick in the grass! 1:30 p.m. Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

3) Even if you don’t know a pirouette from a penché, this a great chance to see poetry in motion. The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre performs tonight at Hartwood Acres amphitheater as part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. The Pittsburgh Ballet was founded in 1969 and is one of the country’s top ballet companies. With generous community support, the company has achieved new heights since 1997 under the direction of Terrence S. Orr, former ballet master and principal dancer at New York’s American Ballet Theatre. Head on out and get a little culture and beauty in your life. 7:30 p.m. There are also several fun family events prior to the performance starting at 5 p.m. Middle Rd., Hampton township.

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