Millvale Music Festival Features Many Bands; ‘Hercules Didn’t Wade in the Water’ at Pgh Playwrights (Sat., 5/13/17)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNuB2YKFBMM

1) Is Millvale really the new Lawrenceville? Find out at the annual Millvale Music Festival, which showcases this rebounding municipality across the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh. Over 100 area musical acts will play 16 venues during the day-long event. Some venues are all ages, some are 21+, but the festival definitely feels like a family affair. Why, punk-rockers Nox Boys, who headline the GAP Park Main Stage, have an uncle on slide guitar. Tupelo & Jeremy are also billed. Tupelo Donovan is the son of Jim Donovan, original drummer for Rusted Root and frontman of the Sun King Warriors. Tupelo & Jeremy aren’t playing at Tupelo Honey Teas, though a few other bands are. Rather, they are playing Element Church. One longtime Pittsburgh act is The Weird Paul Rock Band, fronted by the irreverent and bowlcut Weird Paul himself. The band plays Bar 3 Millvale. The festival also includes Chrome Moses, Drowning Clowns, Nameless in August, Murder for Girls, Hedonism Bots, Alma Mura and many more. 11:30 a.m. – midnight. Millvale. (An unofficial after party runs from 11:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls. Dinosoul, William Forrest, and Sikes and The New Violence will perform.) (CM)

2) The year is 2005, two men are on a roof top holding on for dear life as the filthy waters continue to rise. Hundreds of miles away are two women who are working hard to achieve love and success. These two subplots are the foundation for Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company’s world premiere of Hercules Didn’t Wade in the Water. Set against the backdrop of one of the nation’s worst natural disasters, the play is written by Michael A. Jones and directed by the noted Wali Jamal. 8 p.m. Performances run through May 21.937 Liberty Ave., Third floor, Cultural District.

3) First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Songspace series welcomes internationally known singer/songwriter Matt Nakoa. He’s recently performed at The White House, throughout India, and regularly with folk icon Tom Rush. Nakoa was raised on a small goat farm in rural New York State, discovered music as a teenage and trained to be a concert pianist. Ultimately he was accepted as a vocalist to the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he studied with soon-to-be Grammy winners St. Vincent and Esperanza Spalding.  After graduating Nakoa made a name for himself in New York City’s lively piano bar scene. His career has taken off ever since. Also on the bill is Pittsburgh musician Brad Yoder who’s edgy, poetic and funny music runs the gamut from folk to indie rock. Sounds like a nice opportunity to chill and hear some great music. 7:30 p.m. 605 Morewood Ave., Shadyside.

4) Baja Bar & Grill will be jamming tonight as the band Nightlife performs some groovalicious dance and funk hits. Songs from Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, and Rick James could be played! 9 p.m. 1366 Old Freeport Rd., O’Hara Township.

5) The Pens continue on to the conference finals round of the playoffs tonight with their first home game of the series against the Ottawa Senators. Let’s go Pens! 7 p.m. PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

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