Winger in Concert at Jergel’s; Last Week for CLO Cabaret’s ‘Pump Boys and Dinettes’ (Wed., 4/26/17)

1) Seems like we have a lot of bands visiting Pittsburgh that were big during the ’80s hard rock era. One of which are Winger, the New York City hard rock band known for hits like “Seventeen” and “Headed for a Heartbreak.” Right at home with their glam metal peers—Bon Jovi, Tesla, and Van Halen— these guys shred, screech, and combine to form a sound worthy of an arena. Presumably, not unlike the aforementioned Van Halen, Winger derives their name from the surname of the band’s founder, Kip Winger, who played with Alice Cooper before striking out on his own. Today Winger is composed of Winger, Reb Beach (of Whitesnake and from Pittsburgh), Rod Morgenstein, Paul Taylor, John Roth, and Donnie Wayne Smith. As is common for bands like Winger, their histories aren’t free of tumult—in 1994, as glam metal diminished in popularity and other musical forms took its place, Winger disbanded for about seven years. In 2001, however, the band reformed and has continued to rock on. Their latest release is 2014’s Better Days Comin’. Silk9 and Horus Maze open. 7 p.m. Jergel’s Rhythm Grille, 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale. (EC, RH)

Winger jamming in a 2007 photo (l. to r.) John Roth, Kip Winger, and Reb Beach. photo: Rick Audet and Exxolon.

2) Return with us now to those long-ago days of the early 1980s when V-8 Pontiacs prowled the roads, when a Macintosh was just an apple you could eat, and when country music and small-town country characters were still amusing novelties to us sophisticated Northern urbanites. It was during those days, in the unlikely bowels of New York City, that a cabaret musical titled Pump Boys and Dinettes was born. The plot? Shucks, who needs one? This is a singin’, pickin’, and stompin’ revue-type of show with a bunch of sketch-comedy bits worked in. And the composers? Why, a bunch of nightclub performers called none other than Pump Boys and Dinettes themselves. The setting is a place down in North Carolina where a gas station and a diner sit side-by-side. And wouldn’t you know, Pump Boys and Dinettes took off so well that the show made it to Broadway … and then across to London, England … and it remains in the repertoire today. 7:30 p.m. Performances run through April 30.  The living evidence awaits at CLO Cabaret, 655 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

3) Our battlin’ Buccos play the Chicago Cubs tonight. There’s no promotions tonight just good ‘ol baseball. Let’s rally behind the players on the squad who are still playing hard and not in trouble with the law or the league! 7:05 p.m. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

4) You made it through winter cold and April showers, so now reward yourself with a tasty local brew. Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week 2017  begins on April 21 and continues through April 27. The week-long celebration of Western Pennsylvania’s craft brew culture features education, collaboration and cooperation, and responsible consumption of fine craft beers. The many events take place at various times and locations throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. See their website for a complete rundown.

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