Foo Fighters to Rock First Niagara; Idina Menzel to ‘Let It Go’ at Heinz Hall (Tues., 8/25/15)

1) Foo Fighters, a Seattle, Washington, band created by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, co-opted their name from the term World War II pilots gave to UFOs and anomalies they would encounter while flying missions. Four Foo Fighters’ albums have won Grammys for Rock Album of the Year, a great accomplishment. Their music has a hard rock base with good rhythms and melody and strong clear vocals by Grohl, who also plays guitar and sometimes drums. In June Grohl fell from the stage in Gothenburg, Sweden. The rest of the band continued playing while he received medical attention. He continued through the rest of the concert sitting in a chair and singing while medics worked on his leg. After the concert Grohl flew to London and had six pins inserted in his leg during surgery, and now he and the band are on their newly christened Broken Leg Tour. He is still hobbling around, but making sure the fans enjoy a great show. Their latest release is 2014’s Sonic Highways. 7 p.m. First Niagara Pavilion, 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown.

2) In the past two years, Broadway star Idina Menzel‘s career (which was doing quite nicely already, thank you) has been unexpectedly hijacked by a song from a Disney movie. As the voice of Queen Elsa, who sings “Let It Go,” from the movie Frozen, Menzel’s fame has reached a whole new level. The Tony-award winning actress and singer had already been branching out to a new audience with a recurring guest role as Rachel Berry’s mother on the television musical “Glee.” But it’s the success of “Let It Go” that has driven her first-ever World Tour this year, with dates in the UK, Japan, and the Netherlands. The set list draws from her most successful stage roles in Wicked and Rent; her 2008 studio album, I Stand; and last year’s seasonal album Holiday Wishes. You can bet a certain popular Disney movie song will feature too. SOLD OUT. 8 p.m. Benedum Center, 237 7th St., Cultural District. (HM)

3) Few bars boast a volcanic interior, but Lava Lounge naturally does. Booths nestled among faux-rock formations beneath red lighting create an atmosphere both warm and private. Forget hole in the wall. A hole in the floor also provides subterranean seating for imbibing spelunkers. The cavernous decor and the house cocktails make this watering hole a favorite along the East Carson drag. There is a dance floor, too, and each day features a different theme, from ‘80s nights to live music. Taco Tuesdays are a popular night for one great reason: 85 cent tacos, both meat and veggie, from 5 p.m. to midnight. This night also sees $4 margaritas from 4 p.m. to midnight, plus their usual weekday happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. The friendly staff, anything but volcanic, awaits your order. 2204 E. Carson St., South Side. (CM)

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