Funk Group Lakeside Plays Hartwood Acres; Mr. Smalls Hosts Social Justice Disco CD Release Party (Sun., 7/8/18)

1) “Hey, come on, come along take a ride/There’s a party over there, that ain’t no jive/It’s live, live, it’s all the way live” are lyrics from Lakeside’s song “Fantastic Voyage.” And what a great voyage it is riding along on a sweet funk groove. The Dayton, Ohio, group scored a number one hit on the R&B charts with the song in 1981. Many of their songs provided a dance soundtrack in the ’70s and ’80s. Opening is The Bill Henry Band. The Original Lakeside show is part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. 7:30 p.m. Hartwood Acres Amphitheatre, 4070 Middle Road, Allison Park, PA. 

2) Social Justice Disco is a collaboration between area musicians Phat Man Dee and Liz Berlin. The former is a jazz singer; the latter is a founding member of Rusted Root. They call their music “songs to fight fascists by” in order to counteract intolerance and injustice. These songs include originals and covers, such as “Have You Been To Jail for Justice?” (That song was written by local musician and activist Anne Feeney and was popularized by Peter, Paul and Mary.) They are having a CD release party at Mr. Smalls, which Berlin co-owns. Other performers include Johnny Creed Coe & Family, Pastor Deryck Tines & the Lemington Gospel Chorale, Miguel Sague Jr., Leslie Ezra Smith, Holly Hood, Big Jus, Christina Springer, and Ms. Thea Trix. 7 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (CM)

3) Sunday mornings in summer mean church to some Pittsburghers, sleep-ins to others … and to many who address such needs without impinging on late morning, Sundays mean Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch. This popular outdoor pleasantry is sponsored by WQED-FM. Fans congregate at the East End’s lovely Mellon Park, bringing brunch or buying bagels from the vendor in attendance. Musicians play classical airs, which may have been composed by artists other than Bach or Beethoven, but are gladly received nonetheless. The performers vary from week to week. today’s group is River City Brass, and then onward into August. 10:30 a.m. to noon each Sunday. Mellon Park, 1047 Shady Ave., where Point Breeze meets Squirrel Hill. (MV)

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