Styx, Joan Jett, and Tesla Play KeyBank; Vintage Grand Prix Revs Up Schenley Park; Deutschtown Music Fest Day 2 (Sat., 7/14/18)

1) Styx is the mythical river in Greek mythology that sets the boundary between Earth and Hades. It’s also the name of a Chicago rock band whose major success was between the chronological boundaries of 1972 and 1984. During that period, the band had four consecutive multi-platinum albums and 16 top-40 singles on the U.S. charts. The hit parade included songs like “Lady” and “Come Sail Away.” Oh, and of course Steeler fans love Styx’s “Renegade,” which is often played at home games. Their latest album is 2017’s The Mission.

Styx co-headlines a concert at KeyBank Pavilion with Joan Jett, who co-founded The Runaways. You can draw a line from Runaways songs, such as “Cherry Bomb,” to riot grrrl acts, like Bikini Kill. After The Runaways dissolved in 1979, Jett went solo. She and her band, the Blackhearts, are best known for their 1982 number one hit, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” “Bad Reputation” was another great track. Outside of rock ‘n’ roll, she co-starred alongside Michael J. Fox in 1987’s Light of Day, and she played Columbia in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show. Her latest album is 2013’s Unvarnished.

Opening is Tesla, who is named after inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla. The band hit its stride in the early ’90s with a tight group, the rich vocals of Jeff Keith, and the ability to craft some popular power ballads. Tesla’s best known songs include “Love Song,” “What You Give,” and “Signs.” The band has sold over 25 million albums. Their latest album is 2014’s Simplicity. 7 p.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (EC, CM)

2) Drivers start your engines! Fans lower your tailgates! It’s the start of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix race weekend in Schenley Park. One of America’s largest vintage race events. Today’s featured events include practice runs (8:30 a.m. – 11:50); race qualifying heats with over 150 vintage racers (1 – 5 p.m.); car shows featuring international and British cars (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.). The BMW is the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix’s Marque of the Year 2018. Race heats are tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Charities benefiting from race proceeds are the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School. Free.

Two older vintage, open-wheel racers jockey for position. Photo: Rick Handler.

3) The Deutschtown Music Festival helps to promote local music and a neighborhood hidden in plain sight. Also known as East Allegheny, Deutschtown is east of the Children’s Museum and Allegheny Commons Park. The neighborhood is home to some lively bars and restaurants; many will serve as venues as will seven outdoor stages. Now in its sixth year and once a Saturday-only event, the festival has spilled into Friday night. The lineup features over 200 Pittsburgh acts, including Murder for Girls, Slugss, Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors, the Nox Boys, As Ladders, little good bad, and Ferdinand the Bull. Bluegrass, punk, rap, rock, and other genres are represented. Some venues, like Penn Brewery, are outside Deutschtown. For a complete list of venues and acts, check out the festival’s website. Food trucks, art vendors, and a beer garden will be on site.1 1 a.m.–1 a.m. Sat., July 14. Free. Deutschtown (East Allegheny), North Side. (CM)

4) Phase IV is a rockin’ cover band from Cranberry, which is nice since they are playing Jergel’s Rhythm Grille tonight in the neighboring community of Warrendale. The Phase IV band is a highly social animal, playing well-known covers and prized back-catalog goodies from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, while making sure the audience is having a great time. The band is composed of the talented and charismatic Anthony Bertonlino on bass guitar, Dustin Bush handling lead vocals and guitar, Ron Roman on drums and backing vocals, and Mark Redilla on guitars and backing vocals. Hit songs in Phase IV’s repertoire include “Big Country,” “Hard to Handle,” “American Girl,” and “Hey Jealousy.”  This is a fun band to get out and party with. 9 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

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