Remarkable theater, rising-star concerts, one of the greatest movies of all time — and, perhaps most importantly, dogs at the ballpark. August rolls on with another great week of tickets to grab to events in and around Pittsburgh August 17-23.
Get Tickets to the Hottest Events in Pittsburgh August 17-23
Andy Thomas
Monday, August 17, Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
Andy Thomas, a jam-band vet who brings a range of influences to a progressive country sound, comes to town for a gig at Warrendale club Jergel’s Rhythm Grille. Thomas’s debut album, Highway Junkie, recalls the songwriter style of Steve Earle with plenty of honky-tonk swagger and old-school rock energy. It’s undeniable, infectious music — and the sort that will sound great in a live, intimate venue like Jergel’s. Thomas will be joined by locally based outfit Coalfire Run.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Detroit Tigers — Pup Night
Tuesday, August 18, Also September 1, 15 and 22, PNC Park
Your dog will naturally bark at most cats. It’d probably bark at tigers, if given the chance. But can you train it to bark at Detroit Tigers? Now is your chance to find out … provided, of course, you get a dog ticket for the next Pup Night at PNC Park (check out our guide to the venue if you’re going). Dog owners can bring one pooch per person to the ballpark for Tuesday home games (with advance purchase and proof that Fido is up-to-date on his shots); all the dogs congregate in the deck underneath the scoreboard, making it a canine social in addition to the ballgame. No dog of your own? Sit far along the third baseline to gaze upon the gathered pooches from afar.
Do the Right Thing
Wednesday, August 19, Also Daily, August 14-20, Row House Lawrenceville
Director Spike Lee decried the reaction — and lack of accolades — for his film Do the Right Thing in 1989, aptly claiming he and his collaborates were “robbed” when the film only received a pair of Oscar nominations, winning neither. Time would prove that analysis correct; in the most recent Sight and Sound survey, it ranked as the 24th best film ever made. If you’ve missed it until now, see why it has become one of the defining American films; if you’ve seen it many times, a refresher is always valuable. It’ll play at Row House’s Lawrenceville cinema all week.
Evening Hours
Thursday, August 20, Also Monthly on Every Third Thursday, Heinz History Center
Want to check out the exhibits and artifacts at the Heinz History Center without braving weekend crowds? Starting this week, the Strip District landmark will stay open late on the third Thursday of every month. Head over after work and enjoy the exhibits — plus a cash bar and guided tours of featured exhibitions, such as the excellent Planet Ice exhibition.
Pierre and Marie
Friday, August 21, Also August 7-8, 14-15 and 22, Iron Horse Theatre Co.
Ambridge’s Iron Horse Theatre Co. tucks an inviting and immediate performance space into an unassuming building in the heart of the river town. This month, they’ll present the historical romance Pierre and Marie, a tale of love and science about husband-and-wife trailblazers Pierre and Marie Curie. Don’t expect textbook material, though; the script is by Ron Clark, a longtime comedy master who penned High Anxiety and Silent Movie with Mel Brooks.
Meadowcroft Vintage Base Ball
Saturday, August 22, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village
Long before analytics, exit velocities and pitch counts, the game of base ball — yes, it was originally two words — was played with weird, tiny gloves and almost quaint rules emphasizing sportsmanship and skill. Each year, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village assembles a pair of teams that play under those rules, which have not been in vogue since sometime in the mid 19th century, for a pair of games on Vintage Base Ball Day. Arrive early for the 11 a.m. first pitch (another game starts at 1 p.m.) and grab hot dogs, peanuts or a root-beer float — and check back for our preview of the game next week!
Assassins
Sunday, August 23, Greer Cabaret
Lee Harvey Oswald, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, John Wilkes Booth: Now those are some Broadway stars! (Literally, in Booth’s case.) Stephen Sondheim’s musical Assassins, which the theater master considered to be his best work, brings a cast of American assassins to the stage for a thoughtful, if macabre, exploration of history — with some great music. It’ll be the debut production from the recently formed Rogue Artists Theatre of Pittsburgh (or RAT Pitt, for short), performing at Downtown’s Greer Cabaret Theater.
Plus, check out our calendar for other events this week and beyond. Or, view our guide for things to do in Pittsburgh anytime of the year.
Story and Photo by Sean Collier
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