Los Lobos Plays Club Cafe; Bill Bellamy at Improv; barebones Opens ‘Rules of Seconds'(Fri., 1/26/18)

1) Los Lobos in Spanish means “the wolves.” In rock ‘n roll it means straight ahead songs with blazing guitar leads, strong percussion, melodic keyboards, hot brass, and a creative touch of other instruments. The band’s authentic musical mix adds ingredients from other genres as well including Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, and Latin soul. The pack is led by David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez whose close bond developed at an East Los Angeles high school over their love for an eclectic mix of musical acts. They then added a few more guys from their school: Frank Gonzalez, Cesar Rosas, and Conrad Lozano to complete the Los Lobos lineup in 1973. 1987 saw the band’s cover of the Ritchie Valens song “La Bamba” reach No. 1 on the charts in the U.S., the U.K, and other countries. Gates of Gold is the band’s most recent album release. 2015 saw Los Lobos nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They play Club Cafe in a show that sold out very quickly. 10:30 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (RH)

Los Lobos has fun driving as well as playing. Photo: Los Lobos.

2) Bill Bellamy is often cited by famous comedians as someone whose comedy they enjoy. Now you can as well, Bellamy will open a three day run at the Pittsburgh Improv beginning tonight with shows at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. He started his comedy career while an economics student at Rutger’s University and got his first major taste of success on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam.” During his appearance on the jam he is credited for inventing the phrase booty call. He spent many years at MTV as a VJ and host. Bellamy has hosted several TV shows included TV One’s “Who’s Got the Jokes” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.”  He also costarred with John Lovitz, Tim Meadows, and Vivica A. Fox on the syndicated program “Mr. Box Office.” It’s probably not a good idea to heckle Bellamy as his cousin is Shaquille O’Neal. 166 E. Bridge St, Homestead.

3) Braddock-based barebones productions returns to action with a new number by L.A.-based playwright John Pollono, who wrote the much-lauded Small Engine Repair presented at barebones a couple of years ago. The new play is Rules of Seconds. It’s a comic melodrama set in the 1850s, when men were men and they defended their honor by dueling with pistols. A stalwart but very fidgety (and hopelessly un-combative) young man is challenged when he accidentally offends a dastardly older dude. It looks like certain death, but help is on the way—along with plenty of complications and plot twists, including some that feature the young fellow’s plucky mama. Rules of Seconds premiered in March 2017 in Los Angeles, where it drew mucho laughs and critical praise: the Los Angeles Times called it a “satire … disguised as farce masquerading as a stage potboiler.” The barebones cast includes Cotter Smith, who plays FBI Unit Chief Shepard in Netflix’s Mindhunter. 8 p.m. Tonight’s performance is sold out. Continues through February 17. At the barebones black box, 1211 Braddock Ave., Braddock. (MV)

4) Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District is happening tonight; it features visual arts, musical performances, and interactive exhibits. All events are free and take place at a variety of galleries, art spaces, and venues. Some galleries offer drinks and hors d’oeuvres. What a great way to sample some of Pittsburgh’s great arts and entertainment! 5:30 – 9 p.m., Cultural District.

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