Rhiannon Giddens, Bhi Bhiman, and Leyla McCalla Sing African American Protest Songs at Club Cafe; Chris Higbee in Jergel’s Mental Health Benefit (Sun., 2/21/16)

1) Is there any genre Rhiannon Giddens can’t perform? She studied opera at Oberlin Conservatory, and, in 2005, cofounded the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The group promotes and performs African-American string band music. In addition to vocals, Giddens also contributes 5-string banjo and fiddle. Their fifth album, Genuine Negro Jig, scored the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album. Despite such accolades, Giddens was far from a household name. That is until Another Day, Another Time, a folk concert curated by T Bone Burnett to celebrate the music of Inside Llewyn Davis, a Coen brothers film. Giddens impressed the New York crowd with a performance of Odetta’s “Waterboy.” She’s since recorded Tomorrow Is My Turn, an album which sees her dabbling in country, jazz, and gospel and also appeared on Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes, a collection of Bob Dylan songs never before recorded. For her show at Club Cafe, Giddens will perform music by African-American protest singers and songwriters. Joining her will be Bhi Bhiman and former Carolina Chocolate Drops bandmate Leyla McCalla. 8 p.m. SOLD OUT. 56-58 South 12th St., South Side. (CM)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0WF3yiXJV8

2) Treatment and services for people who have a mental illness are severely underfunded. Those affected by mental illness can lead more productive lives if given the right support. Jergel’s is hosting the Hometown Throwdown to raise awareness and funds for the mental health support and advocacy organization NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Southwest PA. This years event—produced again by the ten-0-eight club—features a heapn’ helpin’ of some of Pittsburgh’s best country artists including Chris Higbee, Shari Richards (R&B), Frank Viera, Michael Christopher, Dawn Savage Band, Whiskey Creek, Dawn Marie, Justin Calcevic, Stevee Wellons, Katie Simone, and more. Tickets are only $12 and are purchased at the door on the day of the show. So get out there and help support your fellow-man (and woman) and have a blast listening to some great country performers! 4 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

3) The Man Who Fell to Earth – I remember when this movie opened in 1976; everyone I knew who saw it came back and were like “What the hell was that?” Nicholas Roeg directed David Bowie in his feature film debut as an outer space alien who comes to earth to get water for his drought stricken planet. To get back home he starts a multi-billion dollar tech company so he can build a rocket to take him there. But romance, to a sweet young thing named Mary-Lou and played by Candy Clark, complicates his plan. The movie also features something you never thought you’d ever see: Sex scenes with Rip Torn. 8 p.m. Last day. Regent Square Theater, 1035 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square. (TH)

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