Violent Femmes Play Mr. Smalls; Music of Cream at Palace; August Wilson Ctr. Has ‘Cri des Nago’ (Fri., 10/26/18)

1) The Violent Femmes are in the middle of a renaissance. They released We Can Do Anything in 2016, the trio’s first album in 16 years. New songs, like “Memory,” stand alongside college radio classics like “Blister in the Sun” and “Country Death Song.” The year before that, they shared the stage with Barenaked Ladies and Colin Hay during an outdoor concert at Stage AE. The Violent Femmes returned to Stage AE in 2017 for a double-bill with Echo & the Bunnymen. Now they’ve sold out Mr. Smalls. This despite how the band is approaching the big 4-0. Bassist Brian Ritchie and drummer Victor DeLorenzo formed the Violent Femmes in Milwaukee, Wisc., in 1980. Vocalist/guitarist Gordon Gano soon joined. The trio has split and regrouped two times, and DeLorenzo quit in 2013. John Sparrow, who played in the group’s backing band, the Horns of Dilemma, has since picked up the sticks. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. 

2) Cream was a British power trio super group that performed from 1965-68. Composed simply, but powerfully, of Eric Clapton on guitar, Ginger Baker on drums, and Jack Bruce on bass, the band created some seminal early hard rock songs and laid the groundwork for later bands such as Led Zeppelin. During their brief, but amazing run Cream’s songs included: “The White Room,” “Sunshine of Your Love,” “I Feel Free,” “Badge,” and “Crossroads.” Unfortunately with the death of Jack Bruce in 2014, there is zero of chance of a reunion. However family members are carrying the banner forward with their The Music of Cream: 50th Anniversary concert. Performing are Kofi Baker (Ginger’s son), Malcolm Bruce (Jack’s son), and Will Johns (Eric’s nephew). 8 p.m. Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg.

AYIKODANS / CRI DES NAGO (modern dance) by Ayikodans of Haiti. Oct. 26-28, presented by Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts.

3) Ayikodans dance company of Haiti, founded by Jeanguy Saintus, is considered to be the premier professional dance company in the country. Their productions feature a new, contemporary Haitian aesthetic that is rooted in the traditions of the nation, but also reflects a modern Caribbean culture and creativity. Ayikodans presents the U.S. premiere of Cri des Nago here for the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts. The show’s modern dance is set to music with a Caribbean vibe. 8 p.m.  Continues through Sunday. August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Cultural District. 

4) Talented local country/rock artist Justin Fabus is playing his last show in Pittsburgh for a while as he leaves on his Remedy Tour. Working hard on his craft, like a Pittsburgh native does, he has had chart success and has opened for some top country recording artists. On his website Fabus says, “To me, country is all about songwriting,” he exclaims. “It’s hard-working. It’s blue-collar. That’s Pittsburgh in a nutshell. I write what I live. When I sing my songs, I feel them, and I mean them.” The title song to his latest album Remedy features some melodic guitar play as the steel, lead, and bass intertwine and are accompanied by beautiful piano, drums, and vocals. 9 p.m. No cover. Drum Bar, Rivers Casino, 777 Casino Dr., North Shore.

5) I recently did a travel story on the central Pennsylvania mountain town of Bedford. In the process I discovered that the town also has a good cultural scene. There is a Bedford Arts Cooperative that is very active. Tonight, one group from the cooperative, Off Pitt Street Productions, opens its production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the Bedford Arts Cooperative, located inside Locality Gallery. You can catch Macbeth in the mountains tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 3 p.m. Macbeth is sponsored by Fisher’s Pharmacy. 110 W Pitt St #2, Bedford.

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