Vans Warped Tour at Keybank Pavilion; Deutschtown Music Festival Opens (Fri., 7/14/17)

1) The Vans Warped Tour—which at its core is a punk rock showcase—long ago expanded to include dubstep, hip-hop, metal, reggae, and other genres. Begun in 1995, the Warped Tour is not only the largest touring music festival in the United States but also the longest-running. The tour launched Green Day, Blink-182, even Katy Perry. This year, with dozens of acts playing the tour’s KeyBank Pavilion date, there’s too many to list. Bowling for Soup, who recently made the Rex Theater party like it was 1985, are on the bill. American Authors are no strangers to the Pittsburgh area either. They played the Regatta last year. Hometown natives Anti-Flag are also billed. Set times and performance locations are not determined until the day of the show, so attendees should arrive early and seek the performance schedule, which is printed not on paper but on a giant, inflated billboard. 11 a.m. 665 Rt. 18, Burgettstown. (CM)

2) 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. Now in its fifth year, what was once a Saturday event has spilled into Friday night too. Deutschtown’s borders are porous, so expect a few groups from out of state. The main stage features one great Pittsburgh act after another, from Shelf Life String Band through Nevada Color. 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, see the festival’s website. Food trucks and art vendors will be on scene. East Allegheny Community Council hosts. 5 p.m.–midnight Fri., July 14 and 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Sat., July 15. Free. Deutschtown (East Allegheny), North Side. (CM)

3) Sommore, who is billed as the Queen of Comedy, makes a royal appearance at the Pittsburgh Improv for a five-show run. Known for her combination of “sass and class,” Sommore has appeared in such films as Family Reunion (2002), Soul Plane (2004), Something New (2006), and Dirty Laundry (2007). She has also been a guest on many  television shows, including “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The View,” and “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,” and was even a roaster on Comedy Central’s celebrity roast of rapper Flavor Flav. Cedric the Entertainer chose her to be in his TV movie The Urban Circus. 166 E. Bridge St., The Waterfront, Homestead. (EC, RH)

4) Drink regional and national craft beer while helping animals. Pittsburgh Summer Beerfest returns to Stage AE with proceeds going toward Animal Rescue Partners, a nonprofit which supports rescues, adoptions, and spay/neuter programs. Over 120 breweries will be on site for this two-day event. Area breweries include Arsenal Cider, Block House, Church Brew Works, East End, Fat Heads, Helltown, Voodoo, and many more. Designated drivers can buy a discounted ticket online. All attendees can partake in the live music and food trucks. A map of brewery distributors is on the event’s website or at the venue’s entrance. A regular-admission ticket includes a five-ounce souvenir sampling mug. An early-admission ticket includes 6:30 p.m. admission and an eight-ounce mug. 7:30 – 11 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (CM)

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