Second City ‘Fully Loaded’ at The Public; Shadyside…The Arts Festival on Walnut Street Opens (Sat., 8/29/15)

Second City cast members Jo Feldman and Adam Schreck performing a skit. Photo: Jason Johnson

1) When it comes to comedy, The Second City is second to none. Founded in 1959, the Chicago-based company played a major role in developing and popularizing the modern form of improv comedy. (Its early members were pioneers of the art.) Since then the group has also created over 50 years’ worth of outstanding sketch comedy, while turning out a long list of famous “alumni” including John Belushi, Tina Fey, Amy Sedaris, Steve Carell, and Stephen Colbert, to name a few. This weekend you can catch some of their classic skits—along with new material—in the road-show revue Fully Loaded, performed by The Second City’s current touring company. Fully Loaded is brought to town by Pittsburgh Public Theater and it’s a chance to see top-notch comedy done by some of the nation’s up-and-coming stars. 5:30 and 9 p.m. Ends today. O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

2) The Art Festival on Walnut Street takes over the main thoroughfare in the popular Pittsburgh neighborhood of Shadyside. Enjoy beautiful and interesting works of art created by some of the best local and national artists. While there treat yourself to a tasty meal and some beverages at a Walnut Street eatery including Shady Grove, The Steel Cactus, Pamela’s, Thai Place, Cappy’s, China Palace, Girasole, Trapuzano’s, and The William Penn Tavern. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. tomorrow. Free. Walnut Street between Aiken and Negley Avenues.

3) From their band name to their lyrics, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars don’t mince words. They hail from the West African country torn apart by civil war throughout the 1990s. The original members knew one another before the war, but it wasn’t until relocating to a refugee camp in neighboring Guinea in 1997 that they formed the All Stars. For three years, the group would bounce around Guinean refugee camps but, wherever they were relocated, they always brought joy through their music. During this time, they caught the ears and eyes of American filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White. The duo filmed the group, who became the subject of their 2005 documentary Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. Living Like a Refugee, the group’s debut album, followed in 2006. It addresses the atrocities of the Sierra Leone Civil War but also touches on themes of hope and optimism. The ensemble’s toured the world since and even once opened for Aerosmith. They will contribute a song to The Long Road, an upcoming compilation album organized by the British Red Cross. Artists on the album will recount the stories of refugees living in Britain. For now, Pittsburghers can check out the All Stars at the Thunderbird Cafe & Lounge. 9 p.m. 4023 Butler St., Lawrenceville. (CM)

4) Our battlin’ Bucs take on the Colodado Rockies again today in a 7:05 p.m. game. It’s also a pre-game Saturday Block Party, featuring live entertainment, food and beer options, games and more. Stop by the Leinenkugel Bar and meet former Pirate Al Oliver. Plus first 20,000 fans will receive a Bill Mazeroski Replica Statue. Now that’s a cool premium! PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

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