The Pete Hosts Billy Strings; ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ Opens at Pittsburgh Opera; john eastman exhibit Opens at Double Dog (Sat., 11/5/22)

1) A Billy Strings concert in Pittsburgh was an early casualty when the Covid lockdown hit in March of 2020. Happily Strings is back on the road and stopping at the Petersen Events Center. Strings (born William Lee Apostol) in 1992, and has overcome many obstacles in his young life. Growing up in Michigan and then Kentucky, his father died of a drug overdose when he was two and drugs continued to be a part of his family’s life and eventually his as well. His family and his stepfather Terry Barber also had a taste for bluegrass music. His stepfather introduced him to bluegrass music. Luckily everyone got sober and Strings concentration on music saw him become very successful. He received the moniker Strings from his aunt who was amazed by his performance on several different traditional bluegrass instruments. For his latest album Me/And/Dad he teamed up with Barber. Although Barber is not his biological father, Strings considers him his dad. Strings has won a Grammy and a slew of other awards for his music. 8 p.m. 3719 Terrace St., Oakland. (R.H.)

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (opera) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. Pittsburgh Opera. November 5 – 13

Figaro and Susanna make beautiful music together in ‘The Marriage of Figaro.’ Photo: Dana Sohm for Lyric Opera of Kansas City. Pittsburgh Opera is using the same set and production design but with a different cast.

2) Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is counted among the best operas of all time. The story is centered around two servants, Figaro and Susanna, and how they outwit their philandering employer Count Almaviva to achieve their goal of getting married while Almaviva has Susanna in his lecherous crosshairs. The Marriage of Figaro is a commedia per musica (opera buffa) and has many humorous touches. It premiered in Vienna in 1786 and has been popular ever since. Pittsburgh Opera is producing the opera with bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as Figaro, soprano Natasha Te Rupe Wilson as Susanna, baritone Jarrett Ott as Count Almaviva, and soprano Nicole Cabell as Countess Almaviva. Music Director Antony Walker conducts. Benedum Center, 237 7th St., Cultural District. (R.H.)

3) Carnegie’s Double Dog Studios, owned by the husband and wife team of Dave and Pat Klug, presents artist john eastman’s, The Afterlife of Trees, an exhibit opening today with an artist reception from 6 – 9 p.m. According to Double Dog Studios, “The exhibit will feature three reiterations of trees, each representing new observations and utilities after they have passed on from life, perhaps inadvertently adding to the progression of humanity.” The exhibit features, all in series, includes sculptural wall sconces made from treated bark, hanging branch apparatuses and mobiles, and sculptural wood + rebar forms.

Work methods include the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban (method of wood charring), rebar form design, and fiber wrapping. The exhibit will continue through November 26. 317 Second Avenue
Carnegie.

Running back Israel Abanikanda is off to the races. (Photo: Ernest Borghetti and the University of Pittsburgh)

4) The Pittsburgh Panthers football team are coming off a tough loss against North Carolina and are (4-4, 1-3 ACC). Today they play a longtime rival, Syracuse, at Acrisure Stadium. The squad has been hampered by some key injuries and the development of a new quarterback. Today could be the day they turn it around. 3:30 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

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