The Park Plan, Brazilian Wax, Murder for Girls, and Dumplings Rockin’ Howlers; ReelQ Film Fest Screening ’54’ (Sat., 10/17/15)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=20&v=Db4u_XZPgoU

1) The Park Plan—a Pittsburgh group that blends socially conscientious lyrics with a sound reminiscent of surf rock and ’90s indie—is releasing its sophomore EP Junior Achievement on the 17th. The EP debut party will be held at Howlers with support from other talented bands Brazilian Wax, Murder for Girls, and Dumplings. Although a little newer on the scene, The Park Plan has been steadily gaining a larger following since members Adam and Jenn Jannon-Fischer, Joe Tarowsky, and Ian White made their concert stage debut together in November ’14. This is a good opportunity to see some rising Pittsburgh rock talent. 9 p.m. 4509 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. (CM)

2) 54—In 1998, Miramax Studios threw a lot of money at the unknown director Mark Christopher for a movie that examines the heyday of the notorious New York City disco Studio 54. Ryan Phillippe, Salma Hayek, Neve Campbell, and Mike Myers starred. It was a troubled shoot from the start, and by the end, producer Harvey Weinstein took the film away from the director, ordered a whole series of reshoots, and edited the thing himself. The film was a huge financial and artistic bomb when it was released. I vaguely remember seeing it and not liking it very much; it seemed to be about the straight people who hung out at Studio 54, which is maybe not the reason you’d make a film about the place. (I mean, you could make a movie about Paul Revere’s career as a silversmith, but that’s really not the reason we’re interested in him.) Reel Q is now showing the original director’s cut with 36 minutes of never-before-seen footage—so it could be worth your time to check it out again. One thing I hope hasn’t changed, Myers unbelievably brilliant performance as Studio 54’s legendary owner, Steve Rubell. Part of the ReelQ Film Festival which concludes today. 7:30 p.m. Harris Theater, 809 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. (TH)

3) The Pens take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 7 p.m. game at the Consol Energy Center. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G7Ju035-8U

4) The Shining—In 1977, Stephen King wrote what many people consider to be one of his best novels, The Shining. It’s all about an evil hotel in Colorado that possesses the souls of its caretakers, forcing them to commit horrible acts of violence. In 1980, noted auteur Stanley Kubrick took King’s novel and turned it into a sumptuous visual masterpiece. There was just one problem: He threw out most of the book, substituting his own vision, and changed the ending. At the time King said of movie: “I gave Stanley a hand grenade … and he threw himself on it.” (King would later write a far more faithful adaptation for a 1997 television mini-series.) Here’s your chance to check out the Kubrick version starring Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson in what can most charitably described as a scenery-chewing performance. Midnight, today only.  The Manor Theater, 1729 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. (TH)

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