Country Music Star Merle Haggard Plays Palace; Jergel’s Hosts Balcony Big Band (Mon., 8/10/15)

1) Legend. It’s a word Merle Haggard eschews—too lofty. But with dozens of hits plus plenty of crossover success, it’s hard to describe him as anything less. There’s also his numerous accolades: Country Music Hall of Famer, Grammy Award Winner, and Kennedy Center Honoree. Haggard rose to prominence in the late ‘60s. He writes and performs songs that are sometimes about gritty Americans, sometimes related to his spell doing time at San Quentin. 1967’s “Branded Man,” one of his first songs to go to No. 1 on the U.S. country music charts, details life upon release from prison. Many more number ones followed, and Haggard has continued to tour and release music into this decade. He also has a slight Pittsburgh connection. Haggard, like other country musicians, covered Thomas H. “Slim” Bryant’s “Mother, the Queen of My Heart.” (Bryant, a local country legend, used to play regularly on KDKA radio and television.) Pittsburghers can see Haggard at The Palace Theatre. 8 p.m. 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. (CM)

2) The Balcony Big Band with a special guest are hitting only high notes in a Monday night performance at Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. The 18 member group makes a big, beautiful sound. Although recovering from the recent death of founder/drummer H.B. Bennett, the band soldiers on, because as we all know enjoying music is good therapy. 7 p.m. No cover. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

3) Infinitely Polar Bear – Maya Forbes (the writer of, among others, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Monsters vs. Aliens) has written and directs this semi-autobiographical story about her family. The movie is set in Cambridge in 1978 and opens with Cam, the father, (played by Mark Ruffalo) recovering from a recent mental health breakdown. Cam suffers severely from bi-polar disease and his life has been a series of hard-fought battles with the illness. And things are only about to get more difficult when Cam’s wife, Peggy, (Zoe Saldana) decides she needs an education since it’s up to her to support the family and while she’s back in school Cam needs to take care of their two teenage daughters. Keir Dullea also stars, and playing the young sister based on Maya is Imogene Wolodarsky … who, in fact, is Maya’s daughter in real life … move over Mamie and Meryl. 8 p.m. Ends August 13. 1035 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square Theater.

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