Harlem Globetrotters Take the Court at PPG; ‘Elf the Musical’ at Benedum; Club Cafe Hosts Bill Deasy (Wed., 12/26/18)

1) As that classic whistled version of “Sweet Georgia Brown” filters through the overhead speakers, the star-spangled Harlem Globetrotters will be at PPG Paints Arena today to show off their incredibly well-coordinated, stylish b-ball tricks. The Globetrotters once had a record of about 13,000 to six against their rivals, the Washington Generals. However, they no longer play the Generals. Maybe the Generals finally had enough. 2 and 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

2) Two big differences between the touring production of Elf: The Musical and the movie it’s based on: The musical has a guy named Eric Williams playing the human mistakenly raised as an elf in Santa’s workshop. And it’s at Heinz Hall. And Eric Williams and his friends can really sing! That’s three but the attribute is important when you have songs like “Sparklejollytwinklejingley,” which is hard to type on a keyboard let alone sing, and “Nobody Cares About Santa,” which isn’t true, but is part of the fun. Visitors are encouraged to embrace their inner Elf. And then go and embrace someone else’s, as long as it’s done appropriately! 7 p.m. Continues through December 30. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

3) Bill Deasy was already a name on the local music scene when he and a few locals got together for a jam session in a Grove City apartment. Those guys, and him, became The Gathering Field, a ’90s-era regional favorite. Since then, Deasy has stacked up a résumé that would help him “make it” in a place like New York or L.A. He’s had a contract with Atlantic Records, opened for Springsteen and Dylan, and his “Good Things Are Happening” was a theme song for a “Good Morning America” video. Yet he’s remained rooted in Pittsburgh. In particular, Deasy likes to celebrate the day after Christmas here with his annual Boxing Day show—that’s an official holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other British-related countries, as you may know—so join him for a tuneful Boxing Day at Club Cafe and you could hear a song like “Hallelujah.” 8 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. 

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