The Sun King Warriors Play Jergel’s; Pens vs. Hurricanes (Wed., 12/28/16)

1) 80’s group The Go Go’s once sang “We got the beat” and that can also truly be said of the highly talented Pittsburgh percussionist Jim Donovan. The original drummer for the multi-platinum album selling Pittsburgh group Rusted Root, Donovan co-wrote the song “Send Me on My Way” which was used in the films Matilda and Ice Age. He retired from Rusted Root to concentrate on his young family and work as a college professor. After a long hiatus he now fronts his own jam band—Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors. One of the ways that he has achieved this high level of percussive performance is through studying the rhythms and drumming of other cultures. Donovan has studied and performed African rhythms with various drum masters including Congolese drummer Elie Kihonia, Mamady Keita, and Mbemba Bangoura. Another mentor in African music for him was the well-known Kwabena Nketia from Ghana. Donovan is a scholar himself, earning a B.A. in Music Performance from the University of Pittsburgh and a Masters of Educational Leadership from Saint Francis University where he’s an instructor in the Fine Arts department. He’s even published a book, Drum Circle Leadership: Learn to Create and Lead Your Own Transformational Drum Circles, and believes drum circles can be used to enhance social connectivity and wellness. 2008 was a big year for Donovan, he was the winner of the Best Drum Circle Facilitator award, and was nominated for Best Percussion Performance in Drum! Magazine.

2016 is also a good year for Donovan and the Sun King Warriors having played some big local shows recently. In September they opened for his former band Rusted Root at the Allegheny County Music Festival and a few weeks ago opened for The Clarks at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre. The Sun Kings also have their first album out, a self-titled one, which Donovan worked on for five years in between his duties as a father, husband, and college professor. Now you can catch the groove rock group at the Hard Rock Cafe in Station Square. 10 p.m. 230 W. Station Square Dr., South Side.

2) The Pens are playing a home game at PPG Paints Arena tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Then the Penguins are off until Friday when they play the Montreal Canadiens.  The Pens are currently in second place, a game behind the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. Let’s go Pens! 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

3) Now open for a few years now, Istanbul Sofra is a welcome addition to that colorful culinary corner on South Braddock and Forbes across from Frick Park. Seinfeld’s Kenny Bania would proclaim their lentil soup the best, Jerry, the best. The falafels, hummus, and kebabs are also hard to beat.  Additionally cool: BYOB; outdoor seating and cay. That last item is pronounced “chai,” but don’t confuse it with those sugary lattés from Starbucks. A dark red tea, cay comes in tulip-shaped glasses and is a symbol of Turkish hospitality. Top off your meal with some Turkish coffee and baklava. 7600 Forbes Ave., Regent Square. (CM)

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