Alanis Morissette blasts documentary ‘Jagged’ as ‘salacious’
NEW YORK — Just hours before the HBO documentary “Jagged” was to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday, Alanis Morissette criticized the film about her life as “reductive” and “salacious.” Morissette participated in the film, directed by Alison Klayman, sitting for lengthy interviews. But in a statement...
Chaka Khan headlines Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival
Chaka Khan will perform at the 11th annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival this weekend. The 10-time Grammy-award winning singer will take the stage at 8 p.m. Friday at the Benedum Center, Downtown. Khan’s musical repertoire encompasses rhythm and blues, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. She has released...
Justin Bieber wins artist of the year at star-packed MTV VMAsVideo
The MTV VMAs have embraced “Bieber fever.” Justin Bieber won artist of the year and kicked off Sunday’s ceremony with an energetic performance that featured him rappelling from the ceiling of Barclays Center” and launching into “Stay” with Kid LAROI and his single “Ghost.” The leading nominee heading into Sunday’s...
Poignant return for Met Opera after 18-month pandemic pause
NEW YORK — Even before the first note, there were a pair of standing ovations — one when the chorus filed in and another when concertmaster Benjamin Bowman walked on to tune up the orchestra. About 90 minutes later, when conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin relaxed his arms, the 3,600 people filling...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 10-12
It’s the weekend. The weather forecast looks good. Here are some ways to enjoy it. Taco Saturday The Original Pittsburgh Taco Festival will feature more than 25 food trucks selling authentic hand-held fried tortillas, folded and filled with seasoned meat, beans, lettuce, and tomatoes or a variety of ingredients. It’s...
Barrel & Flow Fest highlights Black brewers, musicians, artists in Pittsburgh
The collaboration is in perfect harmony. Inner Groove Brewing and Driving While Black Records, a label highlighting Black artists, combined to create “Got The Juice.” The beer will be released Friday at Inner Groove Brewing in Verona and served at Barrel & Flow Fest on Saturday at Pittsburgh’s SouthSide Works....
Munhall native Gabby Barrett lands 4 CMA nominationsVideo
Country stars Chris Stapleton and Eric Church will go toe-to-toe with each other at this year’s Country Music Association Awards, with both vying in the same five categories, including entertainer of the year. In nominations announced on Thursday, Stapleton leads with seven nominations including male vocalist, album of the year,...
Al Stewart postpones show at Greensburg’s The Palace Theatre
The “Year of the Cat” will have to wait until next year. Recording artist Al Stewart is postponing his scheduled appearance at The Palace Theatre Sept. 15 due to the ongoing pandemic. “Al Stewart has postponed all of his 2021 shows. He just does not feel safe going out on...
KISS reschedules canceled Star Lake concert for October
KISS is heading back to Star Lake to make good with Pittsburgh fans. The rock band’s Aug. 26 concert the Pavilion at Star Lake was canceled after front man Paul Stanley tested positive for covid just hours before the performance was about to start. Now, the group has announced on...
Indiana’s Appalachian fest combines music, contests, remembrance of sacrifice, success
The Northern Appalachian Folk Festival will return to downtown Indiana Thursday through Saturday with live music, vendors, workshops, children’s activities and storytelling and fiddle contests. On Saturday, there will be a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks and honoring two Indiana County residents who were killed...
The Palace Theatre’s mid-September lineup has string of big names
For singer Amy Grant, there’s always a risk in performing live — and it has nothing to do with covid conditions. “The risk of live music is that you can’t do it over, but that’s the beauty of it, too,” said Grant, who has a Sept. 17 show at The...
Latrobe dad, daughter develop song texting app for iPhone usersVideo
If you’re tired of texting words, photos and GIFs, a Latrobe father and daughter are hoping you’ll try a new app they developed that sends song clips. Lyritext launched Sept. 1 in the Apple App Store, offering brief clips from a catalog of more than 100,000 songs in numerous genres,...
5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Sept. 3-6
It’s Labor Day weekend — the unofficial end to summer. Here are a few ideas of how to spend it. Ribs, music, football The Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Festival is Friday through Monday at Heinz Field on the North Side. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and...
ABBA back after 40 years with new album, virtual stage show
LONDON — ABBA is releasing its first new music in four decades, along with a concert performance that will see the “Dancing Queen” quartet going entirely digital. The forthcoming album “Voyage,” to be released Nov. 5, is a follow-up to 1981’s “The Visitors,” which until now had been the swan...
Elton John pairs with Nicki, Miley, many more on new albumVideo
Elton John is releasing an album of collaborations with artists from several generations and genres, including Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Stevie Nicks and Stevie Wonder. “The Lockdown Sessions,” a collection of 16 songs featuring John with artists from Dua Lipa to the late Glen Campbell,...
2nd annual ‘Yinz Citizen’ concert fundraiser set for Sept. 16
Local nonprofit 412 Food Rescue will stream the star-packed second annual Yinz Citizen virtual concert on Sept. 16. The event is designed to raise money for food rescue and hunger relief. The concert is bringing together 13 local bands including Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Derek Woods Band, Josh Jams,...
Doobie Brothers concert at Star Lake postponed after ‘personnel’ covid case
The 50th anniversary tour of the Doobie Brothers won’t be making a stop Saturday at the Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown. The band announced via social media it is canceling this show because “a member of the touring personnel” tested positive for covid-19. Performances at three other venues —-...
The Monkees require vaccine, negative covid test for fans at Greensburg show
Fans of The Monkees will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative covid test to attend the 1960s pop group’s upcoming show at The Palace Theatre in Greensburg. Featuring the group’s two surviving members, Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz, the sold-out show is set for 7:30 p.m. Nov....
5 Broadway veterans coming ‘Back to Broadway’ for Greensburg show
Broadway is coming back, not just to New York City, but also to Greensburg. To celebrate the reopening of the Great White Way after an 18-month pandemic hiatus, Westmoreland Cultural Trust will present “Back to Broadway: An Evening of Timeless Songs From Classic Broadway Shows,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in...
Unity’s Victory Brinker ready for ‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinals
Time off between rounds of “America’s Got Talent” allowed Victory Brinker a week to just be a kid. Now the 9-year-old opera powerhouse from Unity is back in California, prepping for her Sept. 7 appearance in the second semifinal round. The first semifinalists performed Tuesday and the five contestants moving...
Pittsburgh Youth Chorus creates new BIPOC artist-in-residence position, institutes sliding tuition scale
The Pittsburgh Youth Chorus will kick off its 2021-‘22 season with a return to in-person rehearsals, an income-based sliding scale for tuition, and a new artist-in-residence program for Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). “PYC’s conducting staff is comprised of white women and men whose musical training is rooted...
Heavy rain from Ida forces Bonnaroo music fest to cancel
NASHVILLE — Heavy rain from Hurricane Ida have forced Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee to cancel as organizers say the waterlogged festival grounds are unsafe for driving or camping. The annual festival was scheduled to start Thursday on the site of a former farm in Manchester, about an...
Mr. Smalls in Millvale to require covid vaccination, negative test for concertgoers
Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale has released updated covid-19 precautions via Instagram. “At the request of the great majority of artists who are scheduled to perform at Mr. Smalls, all guests attending indoor performances at Mr. Smalls Theatre and The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls will be required to provide proof...
Allegheny County benefit music fest set for Sunday at Hartwood Acres
Looking for some live Labor Day weekend music that benefits a good cause? The 2021 Allegheny County Music Festival takes place Sunday at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater with opening acts slated to begin at 5 p.m. The headliner, local band The Commonheart, hits the stage at 8 p.m. Starting...
Norman Nardini and Curtis & the Shakerz to play at first responders concert at Shrine Center
A Tribute to First Responders concert will feature Curtis and the Shakerz and Norman Nardini on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center pavilion in Harmar. The show will pay tribute to local first responders and offer the public live entertainment, food and a cash bar. Admission is $5....