Halloween Night Concert at Stage AE w/Japandroids and Cloud Nothings; North Side’s Subba Serves Nepalese Cusine (Tues., 10/31/17)

1) Stage AE has given concertgoers some one-of-a-kind ways to spend Halloween the past two years. Last year, it was the 1975. This year, it’s the one-two punch of Japandroids and Cloud Nothings. The former hails not from Japan but from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Japandroids are a guitarist and drummer; however, they arguably have less in common with the garage-rock duos that preceded them (The White Stripes, The Black Keys) and more in common with classic rock. “Near to the Wild Heart of Life,” the eponymous track from their newest album, released this year, throttles with Springsteen-esque carpe diem. Nearly five years passed between this album and 2012’s Celebration Rock, but it was worth the wait.

Cloud Nothings are from up the road in Cleveland, Ohio. The quartet’s sound harks back to ’90s alternative. If you missed them at WYEP’s Final Friday in Schenley Plaza in August, catch them when they open for Japandroids. Doors open 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

2) As a sign of Pittsburgh’s growing cultural diversification, Nepali cuisine has been cropping up around the Steel City, with the North Side’s Subba generating some serious buzz among foodies. Quick geography primer: Nepal, home of Mt. Everest, is a country bordering India to the northeast. Unsurprisingly, then, Nepali food is reminiscent of Indian food. But, if you’re a Pittsburgher looking for something more familiar, something, say, pierogi-like, try momo—Nepalese dumplings filled with chicken and spices. Get them pan-fried or steamed. Other popular favorites include mango lassi (a yogurt-based drink) and a variety of meat and vegetarian dinner plates. Subba also serves Indian and Chinese dishes. Although the restaurant’s inside decor may be bare, it’s the food that’s bursting with color. 700 Cedar Ave., North Side. (CM)

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