The Elovaters at Mr. Smalls Theatre; Steel City Con at Monroeville Convention Center (Fri., 12/5/25)

1) Can a bunch of non-Rastas from Boston play reggae? Isn’t Boston supposed to be Dropkick Murphys territory? It is, it is, but then you have The Elovaters. Globalization means that all forms of music travel everywhere, and The Elovaters are one of the premier bands on the North American reggae-rock-dub-ska scene. They have opened for Ziggy Marley; they’ve toured and collaborated extensively. Their 2018 album Defy Gravity, featuring songs like “Live By the Day,” shot to number 1 on Billboard’s reggae chart. But maybe you know all that! And maybe you also know where to scrounge a ticket when you learn that The Elovators’ visit to Mr. Smalls Theatre is sold out. Fellow artists for the occasion are Kash’d Out and Coyote Island. Doors at 6 p.m., music 7 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. (M.V.)

2) One of the country’s biggest comic cons is occurring this weekend at the Monroeville Convention Center. The Steel City Confeatures 750 vendor tables, an artist alley, celebrity guests, celebrity Q & A’s, panels, celebrity photo ops, and the Artist Charity Quick Sketch. And if that’s not enough you can also take part in the Steel City Con’s cosplay, trivia contest and costume contests. The Con will be burning bright with celebrities including Katey Sagal, Hank Azaria, Ron Perlman, Dee Snider, Robert Patrick, Catherine Bell, Charlie Sheen, Linda Hamilton, John Stamos, and Robert Englund. Certain celebrities appear on certain days. See the schedule on the website. Go for one day or buy the three-day pass. Continues through Sunday. 209 Mall Blvd., Monroeville. (R.H.)

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