Pgh International Jazz Fest Begins: Leslie Jones to Perform at CHMH; Texture Ballet Staging ‘Fragments of Time;’ Penn Brewery Oktoberfest (Fri., 9/20/24)

1) The time is at hand when you can hear more good jazz for less money. Most events at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival are free, and this year’s festival offers an amazing variety of acts and styles. One blast from the past is the Average White Band, a Scottish soul/funk group formed in the 1970s and still active, though far from average and no longer all-white. Hot new stars include the bassist and composer Endea Owens, who graduated from Julliard in 2018 and already has won a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Peabody Award. Fans will see and hear some familiar Pittsburgh jazz artists, like pianist Howie Alexander, combined on the bill with global talents such as the Brazilian singer-songwriter Luedji Luna. Local favorite Sean Jones is also in the lineup. Multi Grammy Award nominated blues singer Shemekia Copeland will be performing as well. The festival opens Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. with a special ticketed event: a performance by vocalist Maysa followed the annual Taste of Jazz party, featuring food from top Pittsburgh restaurants plus more live music. This occurs inside the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. 

Free concerts are slated from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, outdoors on Liberty Ave. next to the Wilson Center, with ongoing rotations of artists performing for about one hour each. Bring your own chairs and arrive early to be near the stage, as seating may stretch well down Liberty. Visit the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival website for complete schedules, profiles of all 18 featured acts, and links to buy tickets for events that require them. The 2024 festival is co-presented by the August Wilson Center and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. (M.V.)

2) Comedian and actor Leslie Jones, best known for her work in the cast of “Saturday Night Live” and movies such as Ghostbusters and Coming 2 America will be performing her stand up act this evening at Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall. Jones is also known for enthusiastic videos of her watching Olympic athletes compete. 8 p.m. 510 E. 10th Ave., Munhall.

Madeline Kendall Schreiber and Sophie Powell perform a dance from ‘Fragments in Time.’ (Photo: Rachel Harman)

3) Texture Contemporary Ballet is known for wonderful traditional ballet performances as well as more contemporary ones. For Fragments in Time, Texture is pushing the bounds of ballet even more. Artistic Director, Alan Obuzor, has taken a new creative leap by writing a spoken word selection which will be featured in his latest dance work. “I love that for each of our shows we are able to present something new,” says Artistic & Executive Director Alan Obuzor. “This is interesting and exciting not only for our audiences but also for our artists; this enables endless avenues for exploration and creativity,” Obuzor said. This program will feature Artistic Director’s Alan Obuzor’s 2016 work Un-Preservation of Humanism and his new spoken work dance piece What is a Life?, which explores concepts of the universe and an individual’s place in it. 8 p.m. Runs through Sunday. New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, North Side.

4) Penn Brewery is now in full-swing with its Oktoberfest celebration at the brewery, restaurant and bar complex. Plenty of fine Penn Brews, German food and entertainment are on tap. Today’s music lineup is: outside NorthCoast Mix 5 – 8 p.m., Heritage 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. Inside Kevin Solecki 6 – 10 p.m. 800 Vinial St., Troy Hill.

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