Christmas Classical Rockers Mannheim Steamroller at Bennedum; Backstage Bar Hosts Poogie Bell (Tues., 12/13/16)

1) Mannheim Steamroller will bowl you over with their combination of great holiday music, special effects, and innovative lighting. Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis founded Mannheim Steamroller—named in part after an 18th-century German musical technique, the Mannheim roller—in 1974 to play a blend of rock and classical music. No record company would produce their records, so Davis set up his own, American Gramaphone, which paved the way for the band’s success. Mannheim Steamroller hit a higher level of popularity in ’84 with its first holiday album and are now one of the highest rated Christmas music acts in entertainment. There is such a demand for their shows during the holiday season that two different tours crisscross the country spreading rock ‘n’ roll joy. The Red Tour will be the one visiting Pittsburgh this year. 8 p.m. Benedum Center, 237 7th St., Cultural District.

2) Poogie Bell is the featured jazz artist for the weekly performance series at the Backstage Bar at Theater Square. Bell is one of Pittsburgh’s top percussionists and has toured with jazz great Marcus Miller and played with numerous other big name musicians. His father, Charles, was a jazz pianist and band leader. Bell performed with his dad’s band at the early age of two and a half at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Music Hall. As a sideman, he has worked on three Grammy Award-winning albums: Chaka Khan’s 1992 album, The Woman I Am, which won the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance; Marcus Miller’s 2001 album, M2, which won the 2002 Best Contemporary Jazz Album; and Angélique Kidjo’s 2007 album, Djin Djin, which won the 2008 Best Contemporary World Music Album. Bell tours the world and has recorded five albums of his own. The latest is 2013’s Suga Top. Bell is also a noted music producer. No cover. 5 p.m. 655 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

3) Celli Dancing will be happening at Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle. Dancing starts at 7:15 p.m. with lessons for beginners, then live music and dancing go from 8-10 p.m. 2329 Penn Ave., Strip District.

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