Thursday, June 28, 2012

Ya Gotta Regatta!

The Delaneys

Chris Pastoirus, the Director of Viral Communications with the 2012 EQT-Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, dropped us a note to help spread the word about this year's show. The annual happening brings 600,000 visitors to the Point and town to party around the showcase river racing contests. This year, there will be plenty of bands jamming to add to the action.

In celebration of its 35th year, the Regatta will run from June 30th to July 4th. For this anniversary, the event also returns to its old musical roots. They're particularly pumped about tribute acts Abbamania and Beach Party Boys, but have a boatload of local and national bands making music, too.

The shows start Saturday, June 30th, at 4PM on the Point State Park (PSP) lawn when the US Marine Corp Drum and Bugle Corp strut their stuff.

Sunday, July 1st, will feature "Dancing Queen" Abbamania on the PSP Main Stage at 8PM. The opening acts will be country rockers John Kiger and the Kiger Band at 12:45PM followed by local rockers Bishop Clay at 2PM

Monday, July 2nd, will start with rock 'n' roll locals The Delaneys at noon on the PSP Main Stage. Country singer Jamie Bruno will appear at 2:15 PM. The main act will be The Ernie Fields Show Band, an oldies group famous for doing the original "Some Kind of Wonderful," who will begin at 8PM.

On Tuesday, July 3rd, Springsteen tribute band Asbury Fever and Jimmy Buffet tribute gang Parrotbeach will perform at the Rivers Casino Amphitheater at 7PM. For those enamored of the California surf sound, Beach Party Boys will sing at the PSP Main Stage at 8PM. That card will open at noon with country band North of Mason Dixon (NOMaD). Jamie Bruno will be the afternoon show at 2:50PM and then indy rockers Music From Another Room play at 4:30PM.

On Wednesday, July 4th, America will be at the Rivers Casino Amphitheater at 8PM with their "Horse of No Name." Playing opposite them will be the Air National Guard Band at the PSP Main Stage at 8:15PM. Bishop Clay will be the first group at 6PM.

There will also be dance ensembles prancing around, so it will be a great long weekend of contemporary performing arts to go with powerboat displays.

The last bands of the night will be followed by a laser show at 9:30PM, except on the Fourth when the EQT "Flashes of Freedom" Fireworks Fantasia will blast away with the rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air. Admission, as always, is free. Hey, ya gotta regatta!


NOMaD - "American Boy"

Monday, June 4, 2012

City 2012 Concerts In The Parks

Mellon Square Concert, image from City of Pittsburgh Citiparks

Hey, the county released its list of summer shows. Now it's the City's turn:

Bach Beethoven and Brunch, held Sundays from 10:30-noon at Shadyside's Mellon Park:
June 17th - Edgewood Symphony Orchestra
June 24th - Eastern Watershed Klexmer Quartet
July 1st - Carnegie Brass
July 8th - Allegheny Brass Band
July 15th - Cello Fury
July 22nd - River City Brass
July 29th - Aeolian Winds
August 5th - Cincopation
August 12th - East Winds Symphonic Band

Mellon Square Downtown, held Thursdays from 11-1 (incomplete schedule):
June 14th - TBA
June 21st - Ben Valasek & the Growlers
June 28th - TBA
July 12th - Tarra Layne
July 19th - Nick Marzock
July 26th - The Game Changers
August 2nd - Bluz Machine
August 9th - Sleepy V
August 16th - TBA
August 23rd - TBA

The Reservoir of Jazz, held Sundays from 5-7 at Highland Park (Highland Ave & Reservoir Dr):
August 5th - Spanky Wilson 
August 12th - World Jazz with Preach Freedom & Friends
August 19th - Kenny Blake
August 26th - Dave Throckmorton featuring bassist Tony Grey

Stars At Riverview Jazz Series, held Saturdays from 7-8:30 at Riverview Park:
June 9th - Roby "Supersax" Edwards
June 16th - Roger Humphries
June 23rd - Alton Merrell
June 30th - Chico's Quintet
July 7th - Jevon Rushton
July 14th - George Heid III
July 21st - Mark Lucas
July 28th - Poogie Bell
August 4th - Cecil Brooks II
August 11th - Mark Strictland
August 18th - Eric Johnson
August 25th - Sean Jones

All the shows are free, and weather dependent.