Bobby Brown Brings R&B Ladies Nite Out to Heinz Hall; Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers’ Special Holiday Show at Crafthouse Stage (Sat., 12/28/24)

The first thing to know about singer-songwriter-rapper Bobby Brown is that he’s still performing. This might surprise some people, as Brown was known for many things in the past, but hasn’t been in the spotlight lately. In 1978, at age 12, Brown teamed with youthful friends in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood to found New Edition, one of the first of the era’s boy bands. He left the group in 1986 and scored a mega-hit with his 1988 solo album Don’t Be Cruel, which went 7x Platinum. His song “On Our Own” was the theme for the 1989 film Ghostbusters II. From 1992 to 2007, Brown was married to Whitney Houston, in a stormy pairing that was documented in the raucous reality series “Being Bobby Brown,” but nonetheless lasted a decade and a half. At various times Brown has done other TV work and played occasional reunion shows with New Edition. Now Bobby Brown brings his R&B Ladies Nite Out concert tour to Pittsburgh, with Jagged Edge and special guest Ginuwine. It’s part of the CECEE Heinz Hall Presents series at (where else?) Heinz Hall. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (M.V.)

Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty that have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” Grushecky has recently released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and on July 12 released a fantastic new album, Can’t Outrun a Memory. Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers are riding the big success of Can’t Outrun a Memory with a Houserockers Holiday Extravaganza at Crafthouse Stage and Grill. The holiday show will also feature a special Iron City Houserockers reunion with Ned Rankin, Marc Reisman, and Gil Snyder. See our story and interview with Grushecky about the new release. 7:30 p.m. 5024 Curry Rd. Whitehall. (R.H.)

The Houserockers (l. to r.): Johnny Grushecky, Danny Gochnour, Joe Grushecky, Joffo Simmons, and Jeff Garrison.

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