Rapper Future Arrives at Key Bank Pavilion; Staycee Pearl Dance Presents ‘Abbey: In the Red’; Pens (Thurs., 5/25/17)

1) Guns N’ Roses did it with Use Your Illusion I and II in 1991. Bruce Springsteen did it with Human Touch and Lucky Town in 1992. Sweat and Suit saw Nelly trying his hand in 2004. I write of releasing two albums on the same day. With Future and Hndrxx, Atlanta rapper Future tried something nearly the same: releasing two albums one week apart. A slight tweak on an old schtick made all the difference. Future became the first artist to consecutively debut two albums at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. The success continued when “Mask Off,” the second single from Future, became his highest charting song yet, peaking at seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song deviates from Future’s usual style of filtering his lyrics through Auto-Tune. Future comes to KeyBank Pavilion. Noted rap trio Migos, also from Georgia, open as do Tory Lanez, Kodak Black, and Zoey Dollaz. (CM)

2) Staycee Pearl and her Staycee Pearl Dance Project are getting prime exposure lately. The troupe performed at the Ecolution Fashion Event  during Earth Day week at the Fairmont. Then they previewed a number they will be performing at the Three Rivers Arts Festival at the TRAF media preview. That takes care of April and June, but what’s happening with them in May you ask? Staycee Pearl, her dance project, and her husband DJ/Producer Soy Soz (Herman Pearl) are producing Abbey: in the Red. The production is a dance and music tribute to the life and music of the  multi-talented Abbey Lincoln. She was a jazz vocalist, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist, In addition to Staycee Pearl Dance Project, other contributors are musicians: Anqwenique Wingfield, Ben Opie, Ben Barson, Paul Thompson, and Elisa Kohanski. The Legacy Arts Project Dancers and design artists Idia’Dega and Atticus Adams will also be taking part. 8 p.m. Performances through Saturday. August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District.

3) This is it, winner moves on to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Pens continue in the last game of their conference finals round of the playoffs tonight against the Ottawa Senators. Let’s go Pens! 8 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

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