Pittsburgh Opera Opens ‘Time to Act’ at Bitz Opera Factory; Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers Play the Thunderbird (Sat., 2/28/26)

TIME TO ACT (opera) by Laura Kaminsky, with libretto by Crystal Manich. Pittsburgh Opera. February 28 – March 8. 

1) Pittsburgh Opera continues its practice of going beyond the traditional repertoire to stage contemporary and unusual operas. Next up is the world premiere of a new one from Boston-based composer Laura Kaminsky, known in part for work that explores social issues from a deeply personal viewpoint. In developing Time to Act, she teamed with librettist Crystal Manich to get input from young people on the impacts of gun violence and school shootings. The one-hour opera is set in a high school where the drama club plans to perform Sophocles’ Antigone—itself a play loaded with controversial themes. Reports of a nearby shooting, combined with the arrival of a mysterious new student, prompt the students to rethink how they’ll do the play. Time to Act was co-commissioned by Pittsburgh Opera along with Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Opera Montana, and Opera Santa Barbara (whose artistic director, Kostis Protopapas, came up with the initial concept for the opera and moved the project forward). Pittsburgh Opera presents Time to Act at the company’s Bitz Opera Factory. 7 p.m. 2425 Liberty Ave., Strip District. (M.V.) 

Joe Grusheckyand The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty. They have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” In 2024 Grushecky released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and followed that up by releasing a fantastic new album with The Houserockers, Can’t Outrun a Memory. (See our story and interview with Grushecky regarding the making of the album.) A track from the LP, “This is Who We Are,” made Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Songs in the World 2024. The Houserockers’ latest release is the single “Living in a Blues Song.” Special guest is Rocket Loves Blue. Doors 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m. Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall, 4053 Butler St., Lawrenceville. (R.H.)

Share on Social Media