Weird Al Plays Star Lake with Puddles Pity Party; Tacos and Tequila Fest with Fat Joe and Pretty Ricky (Sat., 8/1/26)

Parody has been called a lesser art form, but that was before Weird Al came along. His “Foil” is much more than a send-up of Lorde’s “Royals.” It’s a fascinating neo-absurdist journey in itself, an appraisal that applies equally to classics like “White and Nerdy,” “Amish Paradise,” and many others. Weird Al has parodied a Nobel Prize winner and done it with lyrics in which every line is a palindrome. Altogether, his body of work could rightfully be called an alternate history of modern rock, pop, and rap. It helps that Weird Alfred Yankovic has serious musical chops. He can really sing, across a spectrum of styles, and he plays a mean polka accordion. He is also a convincing actor—maybe not on the level of Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed him in the 2022 mock biopic Weird—though he’s plenty good enough to sell the various roles he assumes in his songs. In recent years Al hasn’t turned out new parody hits at the pace he once did, but neither is he merely beating the horse he rode in on. He’s been writing original material, voicing animated characters, tinkering with the Broadway-musical format (including through some interactions with his friend Lin-Manuel Miranda), and honing his live touring show. Weird Al and company visit The Pavilion at Star Lake, with guest artist Puddles Pity Party. 8 p.m. 665 PA Rte. 18, Burgettstown. (M.V.) 

How about this for a fun event: Tacos, Tequila, and some of the top throwback rappers in the game? That’s exactly what’s happening at EQT Park in Washington. Hip-hoppers on the bill are Fat Joe, Pretty Ricky, Ginuwine, Too Short, Frankie J, Bubba Sparxxx, Yung Joc, Murphy Lee, Mims, and DJ Ashton Martin. Fat Joe rose out of New York City and was part of the Diggin’ in the Crates Crew before starting his solo career. Fat Joe’s latest studio album is 2024’s The World Changed on Me. Pretty Ricky is a hip-hop group named after a character on the TV show “Martin.” Their city of origin is Miami and they too have had a highly successful recording career. Other fun activities at the Tacos and Tequila Festival include craft margaritas, a tequila shot bar, locally crafted tacos, lucha libre wrestling, art installations, and even a Chihuahua beauty pageant. One Washington Federal Way. (R.H.)

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