Spin Doctors Perform at Hartwood; South Park Amphitheater Hosts Texture Ballet; Arts Festival on Walnut (Sun., 8/29/21)

1) The Spin Doctors will perform a free, outdoor concert at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater as part of the 2021 Allegheny County Summer Concert Series. The band, which formed in New York City, is arguably best known for the songs “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes.” Both songs are from their debut album, 1991’s Pocket Full of Kryptonite. The album’s title, a reference to Superman’s weakness, comes from lyrics to the opening tune, “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues.” Jimmy Olsen, meanwhile, is Superman’s pal―except in this song when he tries to win over Lois Lane. Pocket Full of Kryptonite was a sleeper hit, not hitting the mainstream until 1992. As the ’90s progressed, some members quit, but the classic lineup reunited in 2001. Their latest album in 2013’s If the River Was Whiskey. Gene the Werewolf opens. 7:30 p.m. 4070 Middle Rd., Allison Park. (C.M.)

2) Texture Contemporary Ballet is back at South Park Amphitheater for it’s second show of the summer. According to Texture, “For this performance, company dancer Madeline Kendall premieres a new work that takes inspiration from the creations of Salvador Dali. The piece explores the artist’s surrealism through movement and music, and highlights how art can make you think and feel.” Sounds surrealistically cool!

Also on the program Alan Obuzor and Kelsey Bartman will be performing pieces from their 2016 work Laurie Blue which is set to the music of Adele. And Christopher Bandy’s 2019 work, ’til the wheels come off, is set to some spooky, fun music by Tom Waits. Pittsburgh-based band Camelia Road performs as the musical guest. 100 Farmshow Dr., South Park Township. 7 p.m.

August is a great month for strolling the tree-lined streets of Shadyside and enjoying the fine arts and crafts during the Art Festival on Walnut Street. (Photo: Rick Handler)

3) “Hip”—as in “Get hip,” rather than “Get a hip replacement”—is one of the oldest American slang terms still in wide use, and Shadyside’s Walnut Street is perhaps the longest-running hip district in Pittsburgh. Incredibly, it gets even hipper during the Art Festival on Walnut Street in late August. The Festival is popular, in part, because there’s so much art. The Walnut biz district is closed to motor vehicles and packed with booths where artists and craft people display paintings, prints, ceramics, handmade jewelry, and so forth ad infinitum. In addition: Some Walnut Street merchants bring out selected goods for sidewalk sales. Exotic food vendors descend. Established restaurants, coffee shops, and night spots operate in peak mode. And, music being the food of love and other good things, musicians play on. Official hours for the art and craft booths are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. August 28 and 29, but you can bet that on Saturday the 28th, merrymaking will continue into the night. Walnut St. between S. Aiken and Ivy Streets with further activities adjacent, Shadyside. (M.V.)

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