EQT Three Rivers Regatta: Anything That Floats and F1 Boat Races; Gathering Field and Brownie Mary Play Hartwood Acres (Sun., 8/6/17)

Qualifying heat for the Powerboat Superleague North American Championship on the Allegheny River in 2013. Photo: Martha Rial.

Denise McClain, age 5, flashes a thumbs up when asked about the Beach Burgh sandbox. photo: Martha Rial.

1) America’s largest inland regatta, the 2017 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, continues today along the banks of and on the Allegheny River near Point State Park. Today’s attractions include the USF1 Powerboat Races, jet ski stunts, Anything That Floats Race, Frisbee Dogs, AAA Beach, sand sculptures, the Wheel of Lights, concessions and vendors, fireworks, food, bands, Cool Off Kid’s Zone and more. Alt-country band The Defibulators headline the evening with an 8 p.m. show. The Wreck Loose are another highlighted musical performer (3 p.m.) Check site for other performers. This is the Regatta’s 40th Anniversary. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Free. Ends today. Point State Park, Downtown.

2) One of Pittsburgh’s hottest bands during the ’90s—Gathering Field—reunites occasionally with the original lineup of Bill Deasy (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Dave Brown (lead guitar), Jim DiSpirito (percussion), Eric Riebling (bass), Ray Defade (drums), and Clark Slater. Gathering Field gained rock radio success in the mid-’90s with the song “Lost in America” and was signed to Atlantic Records. The band members created their first studio album in many years, Wild Journey, in 2014 and are performing tonight with another top Pittsburgh band from the 1990s that reunites occasionally, Brownie Mary. The band is set on a foundation of Kelsey Friday as the wailing lead singer and guitarist Rich Jaques. Friday (formerly Barber) has a professional career and several children. Most of the time now she sings about the sun, being happy, and why it’s OK to be afraid sometimes, as the leader of the cutely named children’s music outfit Kelsey Friday and the Rest of the Week. She’s not relying on that material tonight however. She and her Brownie Mary bandmates will be ripping it up. Special guests are Scott, Rob, and Greg of the Clarks playing an acoustic set. This strong Pittsburgh rock performance billed as Nick’s Fat City Night is part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Hartwood Acres Amphitheater, 4070 Middle Rd., Allison Park. 

3) With coal in the news so much recently, a play set in a mining town may be in order, for art often creates empathy. Moon over the Brewery by Pennsylvania playwright Bruce Graham follows Miriam Lipsky, who waits tables for a living. However, her passion is painting.Guided by a miner’s lamp and moonlight, she paints at night. She also wants a husband, but her 13-year-old daughter, Amanda, scares away potential suitors. Amanda has an IQ of 160 and an imaginary friend, Randolph. When Miriam brings home mailman Warren Zimmerman, it appears history is going to repeat itself as Amanda aims verbal jab after jab at Zimmerman. He not only gains the upper hand but also guides Amanda back towards reality and helps bring the family together. 3 p.m. Ends today. Mountain Playhouse, 7690 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown. (CM)

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