Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and Winger Play PBC’s Iron City Stage; ‘Full House’ Stars at Steel City Con; Over the Rhine Plays South Park Series (Fri., 8/8/25)

1) Joan Jett, is a talented rocker who also co-founded The Runaways. You can draw a line from Runaways songs, such as “Cherry Bomb,” to riot grrrl acts like Bikini Kill. After The Runaways dissolved in 1979, Jett went solo. She and her band, the Blackhearts, are best known for their 1982 number one hit, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” “Bad Reputation” was another great track. Outside of rock ‘n’ roll, she co-starred alongside Michael J. Fox in 1987’s Light of Day, and she played Columbia in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show. Jett and the Blackhearts in 2022 released an acoustic album, Changeup, their first ever acoustic album. Jett’s latest recording is 2023’s Mindsets. Winger, the namesake band of Kip Winger, lead vocalist is the special guest. The group also features guitarist Reb Beach of Pittsburgh. The New York City hard rock band is best known for hits like “Seventeen” and “Headed for a Heartbreak.” Winger’s most recent album is 2023’s, Seven. Pittsburgh Brewing Company’s Iron City Stage. 7 p.m. 150 Ferry St., Creighton. (C.M., R.H.)

2) One of the country’s biggest comic cons is occurring this weekend at the Monroeville Convention Center. The Steel City Con features 750 vendor tables, an artist alley, celebrity guests, celebrity Q & A’s, panels, celebrity photo ops, and the Artist Charity Quick Sketch. And if that’s not enough you can also take part in the Steel City Con’s cosplay, trivia contest and costume contests. The Con will be burning bright with celebrities including “Full House/Fuller House” stars Dave Coulier, Jodie Sweetin, Candace Cameron Bure, Scott Weinger, and Andrea Barber. Other stars scheduled include: Mike Tyson, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, Gaten Matarazzo, John Cusak, and Mary-Louise Parker. Certain celebrities appear on certain days. See the schedule on the website. Go for one day or buy the three-day pass. Continues through Sunday. 209 Mall Blvd., Monroeville. (R.H.)

3) As we’ve said before, crowds don’t lie. When people start bringing their lawn chairs in broad daylight to stake out spots for evening outdoor concerts, it’s because the music is free and the music is good. Such is the case with the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, staged summer-long at two locations: Friday evenings, 7:30 p.m. at South Park Amphitheater, and Sunday evenings, 7:30 p.m. at Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater. The lineup for the second half of this summer includes big-name acts in several genres. South Park has Over the Rhine (August 8), and Robert Jon & The Wreck (August 15). Highlights at Hartwood include, , KT Tunstall (August 10), Smash Mouth (August 17) and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (August 24)  3700 Farmshow Dr., South Park Twp., and 4070 Middle Rd., Allison Park. (R.H.)

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