Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Play Heinz Hall; Vintage Grand Prix Heats & Tailgaiting (CP’s Sat. 7/20/13)

1) The music business is fraught with peril and hardships, and a career that spans more than a couple of years is generally considered a significant accomplishment. Frankie Valli has reached  that level of  achievement. Born in Newark, N.J., Valli rose to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of The Four Seasons (They took the band name from a New Jersey bowling alley), and his fame train continues to chug as powerfully as ever Touring in support of the 50th anniversary of The Four Seasons’ first hit, “Sherry,” Valli comes to Heinz Hall in what is guaranteed to provide a harmonious joyride down melody lane. Opportunities to catch legends like Valli are increasingly scarce, so pen this one into your evening’s “high-priority” category. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave. Cultural District.

2) Drivers start your engines! Fans lower your tailgates! It’s the start of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix race weekend in Schenley Park.Today’s featured events include practice runs (8:15 a.m. – noon); race qualifying heats with over 150 vintage racers (1 – 5 p.m.); car shows featuring international & British cars (9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.). For a $40 charitable donation you can even take a lap around the course as a passenger in a vintage racer through the Sunoco Vintage Lap Experience (noon -1 p.m.). Race heats are tomorrow. Charities benefiting from race proceeds are the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School. Free.

3) The Grammy-winning country troupe Zac Brown Band comes to First Niagara Pavilion with opening act Levi Lowrey. Fusing the traditional southern-country sound with a relaxing, island-inspired feel, the Zac Brown Band has rocketed to fame and established itself as one of modern music’s hottest acts. In addition to winning a Grammy Award for Best Country Album in 2012 for Uncaged, the seven-piece jam band has amassed over 50 award nominations from prestigious organizations, including the Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards, and Country Music Television. 7 p.m. 665 Route 18, Burgettstown.

4)  The Pittsburgh Blues Festival  features the best local and national blues acts. There’s fun for the whole family with food and merchandise vendors; hot air balloon rides; a KidsZone with arts and crafts; blues for kids and games. Now in its 18th year, the Pittsburgh Blues Festival is the primary overall fundraiser for the Pittsburgh Food Bank each year. Today’s lineup includes Olga Watkins Band (2 p.m.), Gina Sicilia (3 p.m.), Pittsburgh Blues All-Stars ( 4:30 p.m.), Joe Louis Walker (5:30 p.m.), Eric Lindell (7  p.m.), and Los Lonely Boys (9 p.m.). Experiencing the blues can be a good thing. Come on out, have some fun and support the Pittsburgh Food Bank, who help so many! Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Concludes tomorrow. Hartwood Acres Park, Hampton and Indiana Townships.

5 ) Mixed martial arts (MMA) is one of the fastest-rising sports in the world, and Stage AE hosts one of the area’s hottest promotions tonight with Gladiators of the Cage’s North Shore Rise to Power II. The event will feature fighters battling each other with several types of martial arts including jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, karate, and others. Gladiators of the Cage has a billing featuring local standouts Chris Dempsey and undefeated professional Dominic Mazzotta. This event is sure to showcase the gladiator talents of the combatants. Gates open at 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore.

6) Rock out with beloved Pittsburgh native Joe Grushecky at the Monongahela Aquatorium. Active since the late ’70s, Grushecky and the Houserockers will light up the riverside stage with their trademarked heartland rock groove. Grushecky’s sustained success in the music business is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft. This effort led to a well-documented friendship with American rock legend Bruce Springsteen. Grushecky has over 15 releases including his latest We’re Not Dead Yet. Opening act Catchin’ Grooves ignites the festivities at 6 p.m., with Houserockers at 8 p.m. 200 Railroad St., Monongahela.

7) Rev up your night at Hard Rock Café with Mother Cool and After the Fall, longtime purveyors of unfiltered hard rock in the Keystone State. Fans of Mudvayne, Sevendust, and In Flames will flock to After the Fall’s detuned riffage and radio-ready vocal melodies, qualities that ensure something for metalheads of all varieties. Stick around after the show for a special CD release party from Mother Cool. 9 p.m. 230 W. Station Square Dr., South Side.

Share on Social Media