Sesame Street Live at Consol; Heffron at Improv (CPs Fri., 1/10/2014)

1) Join Elmo, Bert, Ernie, and the rest of the gang for some family fun with Sesame Street Live at the Consol Energy Center. This performance, titled Can’t Stop Singing, is just that, filled with tunes so catchy you can’t help but sing along. Coupled with upbeat dances and plenty of colors and shapes to stimulate young minds, the show will remind you why this is your favorite imaginary street. What happens when Elmo gets a hold of Abby Cadabby’s magic wand? You’ll have to stop by to find out. 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Through Jan. 12. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

2) Funny man John Heffron invites you join him for some yuks at Pittsburgh Improv. After winning NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” Heffron has made appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” as well as having his own performance on “Comedy Central Presents.” His material has matured as he has, including making light of meeting women at bars (and inevitably the “We gotta go girl“), Stupid things we do when we drive,” and the “Dangerous things our parents let us do as kids.” It’s been cold this week, and you deserve to warm up with some laughter. 8 and 10:15  p.m. Through Jan. 12. 166 E. Bridge St., Homestead.

3) If you think local talent stopped with The Clarks or The Gathering Field, you may rethink that notion after seeing Katie Hate (formerly Water Damage) at Mr. Small’s. Influenced by punk rock and reggae, the Penn Hills trio brings a fresh feel to alternative rock that’s been missing in Pittsburgh since the Buzz Poets were looking for a Copenhagen Girl. Katie Hate’s high school talent show performance included a cover of Don McLean’s “American Pie” as a tribute to their late English teacher, which became an instant hit within the school. If we’re lucky, they may give us a taste of their first studio album, anticipated out this spring. Other homegrown acts include Cynimatics, Fiveunder, My Thoughts in Color, Pressin On, and Exempt. 6:30 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.

4) Pittsburgh loves its classic rock, and it’s silly to fight it. Be a lover, not a fighter, and relive (or, if you were born too late, experience) the arena rock shows of the 70’s with The Classic Rock Experience: Midnight Special featuring Aretrospect at the Altar Bar. Hear the songs that are best heard in an arena, including covers by Led Zeppelin, Queen, Boston, STYX, and plenty others. Sprinkled with one-hit wonders (Nazareth, anyone?) to jog your memory of the most rockin’ decade of the past century, Aretrospect will transform you back to your 70’s self. 8 p.m. 1620 Penn Ave., Strip District.

5) Truth is stranger than fiction, so they say. When it comes to eerie author and poet Edgar Allan Poe, that certainly seems true. Join the Pittsburgh Playwrights for a night of mystery and horror with Poe’s Last Night at the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre. The early 19th-century writer best known for his macabre writings  (“Fall of the House of Usher,” “Telltale Heart”) was found on the streets of Baltimore in desperate need of medical attention in October 1849. In a matter of days, he was dead, but the mystery remains as to how he had gotten to such a low state. Playwright and star David Crawford attempts to solve that mystery by taking us through Poe’s downfall and his mindset in the days leading to his death. 8 p.m. Through Jan. 19 (which, so happens to be the 205th anniversary of his birth). 937 Liberty Ave. (3rd floor), Cultural District.

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