Weekend Hotlist, 7/14/05

By Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WET AND WILD

Lots of big outdoor events planned. Lots of rain predicted. What to do? Make mudpies!

THURSDAY

The Jamboree in the Hills, a four-day camping event, could be the perfect spot for that. It's one thing to spend a night with Toby Keith in Burgettstown or Kenny Chesney at Heinz Field, but if you really want to immerse yourself in country music and all its ragged glory, there's no substitute for four days in Morristown, Ohio. It starts today and rolls through the weekend with headliners like Brooks & Dunn, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr. and Trace Adkins.

Povertyneck Hillbillies are headed for the Hills on Saturday, but first the local country stars play a free lunchtime show in Market Square at noon.

Not to be outdone, Mellon Square counters at noon with rocker Joe Grushecky, who, we don't have to tell you, has some history in this town.

There's only one band we can think of that plays surf-rock wearing Mexican wrestling masks, so if that's what you want to see, head for the Rex Theatre on the South Side at 8 p.m. for Los Straitjackets. They are on tour with the World Famous Pontani Sisters, who will revive the dance crazes of yesteryear in a Summer Twist Party. Tickets are $16. 412-323-1919.

If it's one of those hot sticky weekends, you can cool off at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, which opens in Frazer today and celebrates this weekend with children's activities, face painters, cartoonist/storyteller Joe Wos, a model search, fashion show and visits by Spider-Man, Strawberry Shortcake and the Cat in the Hat. Along with the shopping, you can find an Imax Theater and a Lucky Strikes Bowling Alley there.

FRIDAY

It's been a rough summer in Hollywood with too many of the blockbusters going bust, at the box office and with critics. At metacritic.com, where they average the reviews of critics, out of a 100, the scores have been "War of the Worlds" (72), "Batman Begins" (70), "Herbie: Fully Loaded" (47), "Fantastic Four" (38), "Bewitched" (34), to name a few.

Hoping for sweeter returns is the much-anticipated "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp in the role made famous by Gene Wilder in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." It opens in theaters, but if you want it biggie-sized, you can see it at the Rangos Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center.

3 Doors Down, a no-frills heartland rock band, proved a few hits ago that it's not a one-hit wonder. Its third record, "Seventeen Days," featuring the hit single "Let Me Go," debuted at No. 1 and went platinum the first week. Joining them at the Post-Gazette Pavilion at 7 p.m. are Staind, the post-grunge band that's about to release "Chapter V" in August, and Breaking Benjamin. Tickets are $21-$60. 412-323-1919.

The Opera Theater and the Pittsburgh Symphony join forces to present the first Pittsburgh staging of Wagner's "Ring." It begins with the first two operas, in slightly condensed version, this weekend at the Byham: "Rhinegold" on Friday, and "The Valkyrie" Saturday, both at 8 p.m. On Sunday, both operas are offered back to back beginning at 3 p.m., with dinner as an option.

Bill Deasy, an artful Pittsburgh singer-songwriter with a delicate musical touch, celebrates "Chasing Down a Spark," his third solo CD, with a release party at 8 p.m. at Dowe's on Ninth.

Patty Griffin played a sold-out show at Dowe's back in April. Now the fiery redhead with the gorgeous voice is back for a free show at 8:15 p.m. in South Park. Last year, she released "Impossible Dream," another intimate record filled with the kind of contemporary folk sound and intricate storytelling that has made her a sensation with the WYEP listeners.

There's no free show at Hartwood this weekend because that's where the Pittsburgh Blues Festival has set up shop to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. It runs through the weekend with headliners Edgar Winter (Friday), Elvin Bishop (Saturday) and Dickey Betts & Great Southern (Sunday), plus Shemekia Copeland, Jimmy Thackery and more. See page W-4.

Robbie Fulks, country in a way that's too subtle and, perhaps, too urban for the Jamboree, plays Club Cafe at 7 p.m. He's touring on a new record called "Georgia Hard." Tickets are $10-$12. Call 412-323-1919.

Mon Yough Riverfront Entertainment and Cultural Council presents William Dell and Wee Jams playing oldies for free at McKeesport Riverfront Park at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

We mentioned Dickey Betts playing the Pittsburgh Blues Festival on Sunday. One day earlier and he may have bumped into his former mates, the Allman Brothers Band, somewhere on the road and patched things up. The Allmans, with Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks ably handling the guitar work, bring their classic Southern blues-rock to the Post-Gazette Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. with special guest moe. Tickets are $12.50-$28.75. 412-323-1919.

"Remembering Braddock's Defeat," a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War, moves to Fort Necessity National Battlefield Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for encampments, re-enactors, firearms demonstrations, lectures, exhibits and a service at Braddock's Grave Sunday at 10 a.m. Admission is $5; $2 kids 16 and under. The site is on Route 40, 11 miles east of Uniontown. Call 724-329-5512.

SUNDAY

The Oliver Miller Homestead in South Park looks back in time as well with Whiskey Rebellion Day, remembering the people's tax revolt against the federal government in 1794. There will be a short skit at 2 and 3 p.m. and a discussion of whiskey making and the Miller family's role in the Rebellion. It runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $1.