THE HOT LIST
THURSDAY
Greensky music
Greensky Bluegrass, a longtime favorite at jam-band festivals, pulls into Stage AE, North Shore, touring behind the ironically titled new album “All for Money.”
For the past 18 years, the band from Kalamazoo, Mich., has been going all over the map, stylistically, from folk to psych-rock, while retaining some bluegrass elements. The band’s seventh album was recorded at Echo Mountain Recording in Asheville, N.C., with co-producers Dominic John Davis (Jack White’s longtime bassist) and Glenn Brown.
“The title of the album comes from a song with the same name. I thought on this concept for a long time,” mandolin player Paul Hoffman said in a statement. “This paradox that exists in doing what you love or having your dreams come true.
Billy Strings opens. Doors at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $28.50-$30; ticketmaster.com.
FRIDAY
‘Distilled’ opening “Distilled,” the Pittsburgh Filmmakers/ Pittsburgh Center for the Arts’ spring exhibition, opens at the PF/PCA Galleries in Shadyside with 66 works by 38 artists, including members, teaching artists and staff.
“‘Distilled’ is a cross section of our community at PF/PCA,” co-juror and gallery programs manager Jessica Brown said in a statement. “The works in this show come from a range of different artists —some well-established, some early in their career — but the unifying factor is that each of these artists is an important part of our organization. We hope this exhibition will not only help showcase their work but help celebrate PF/PCA as well.”
Along with work in 2D and 3D mediums, it will include two large-scale murals by Seth LeDonne and Danny Devine created specifically for the galleries.
The free opening reception runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and will include light refreshments; pfpca.org.
Xiu Xiu solo
The Warhol Sound Series continues with Jamie Stewart, founder and only constant member of the San Jose, Calif., experimental rock band Xiu Xiu, playing a solo show on the day the group releases its 11th album, “Girl With Basket of Fruit.”
He will offer songs from that album along with others that date back to the band’s 2002 debut, “Knife Play.”
It begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20; warhol.org.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Monster mash
It’s that time of year for roaring engines and spinning wheels at PPG Paints Arena, Uptown.
Monster Jam Triple Threat Series returns, promising “adrenaline-charged, highflying, four-wheel excitement” from Monster Jam trucks, speedsters and ATVs. Hitting the dirt track will be Blue Thunder, El Toro Loco, Grave Digger, Monster Mutt Rottweiler, Pirate’s Curse, Soldier of Fortune, Monster Energy and Zombie.
Times are 7 p.m. Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $27 to $95; ticketmaster.com.
Hot wheels
The 58th annual Max Motive World of
Wheels takes over the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, with hundreds of custom cars, classics, hot rods, trucks, motorcycles and race cars.
The highlights will include the Steel City Award of Excellence competition, the Master Builder Award, Drag City USA and the motorcycle section presented by Thunder Roads Magazine.
Joining the party will be WWE superstar Roman Reigns (6-8 p.m. Friday); NASCAR legend Tony Stewart (noon to 2 p.m. Saturday); Dave Kindig, from “Bitchin Rides” (4-8 p.m. Saturday); and John Schneider, from “Dukes of Hazzard” (1-4 p.m. Sunday).
Saturday highlights also include a pinball tournament (3-5 p.m.); The Pittsburgh Car Scene Tuners and Exotic’s Showcase (noon to 10 p.m.); Salute to Veterans (2:30 p.m.); and Motorcycle Fashion Show (7 p.m.).
Hours are 3-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $19, $7 kids 6-12, and 5 and under free. Discount tickets available at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores. More information at worldofwheels.com.
The gift
An early play by Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company’s Mark Clayton Southers, “Savior
Samuel” is set in 1877 and features the PG’s 2018 Performer of the Year, Wali Jamal. Monteze Freeland (PG Performer, ’17) directs.
Making her debut is 10th-grader Aaliyah Sanders, a student at The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. She portrays Essie Clayson, the new mother of a child who gives Essie a gift that guides her to peaceful healing. The cast includes Cheryl El-Walker, Jonathan Berry, Dominique Briggs, Sam Lothard, Marsha Mayhak and Susan McGregor-Laine.
This weekend’s previews are 7 p.m. FridaySaturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Showtimes vary through March 16. Check pghplaywrights.org. Performances are at the Trust Arts Education Center (note new digs during renovations), 805 Liberty Ave., Downtown. $30; pghplaywrights.org.
Quantum’s ‘Gun Show’
In an unusual move even for nonconformist Quantum Theatre, the latest show is going on the road to three different communities. “The
Gun Show (Can we talk about this?)” will open at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh — Homewood (Feb. 8-17) and move on to CCAC-Allegheny Campus West Hall (Feb. 20-24) and The Tull Family Theater, Sewickley (Feb. 27-March 3).
After the open-carry protest and counterprotest marches Downtown on Jan. 7, what could be more relevant than a play that strives to lean neither right nor left while jumping into the middle of the gun-control debate? Sheila McKenna directs Andrew Smith in the EM Lewis solo work.
Opening weekend shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday, then times and days of the week vary. For dates, directions and special events, check www.quantumtheatre.com. Tickets are $33-$50 by event and day, with student discounts available; www.quantumtheater.com or 412-362-1713.
SATURDAY Mammal music
Over an almost 20-year career, Hudson Valley, N.Y., roots band The Mammals, fronted by fiddler/singer Ruth Ungar and multi-instrumentalist Mike Merenda, have been blending folk, rock, soul and old-time music.
The Washington Post declared, “The Mammals don’t suffer from multiple genre syndrome; they celebrate it as if gleefully aware that the sound barriers separating old-timey music, vintage pop and contemporary folk are as permeable as cotton.”
Last year, they released “Sunshiner,” a new album with a title track that was nominated by the International Folk Music Awards for 2018 song of the year.
Calliope brings the band to Carnegie Lecture Hall, Oakland, for a show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35, $20 full-time students; calliopehouse.org.
Hearts and crafts
The I Made It! Market, Pittsburgh’s nomadic indie craft marketplace, makes its first trip to the South Hills with a pop-up marketplace at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 164 Fort Couch Road, Bethel Park,
I Made It! Sweet, timed for Valentine’s Day, showcases 60 new and returning artists with 2D art, clothing, toys, bath and body products, ceramics, fiber art, glass art, homewares, jewelry, leather goods and more.
It runs from noon to 5 p.m. Free; imadeitmarket.com.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY American Girls
“American Girl Live” at the Byham, Downtown, has nothing to do with Tom Petty. Rather, it’s a new touring musical featuring the American Girl doll characters.
The production, which sports all-original songs, finds the American Girls away at sleepover camp, sharing their dreams and learning the power of friendship.
Performances are 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $40.25; trustarts.org.