Sam Hunt Tops 5 Things To Do In Dormont-Brookline This Weekend

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Before launching his solo career, Sam Hunt wrote singles for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Billy Currington and Reba McEntire. His 2014 debut album “Montevallo” sparked five hit singles, of which four hit number one on the country airplay chart.

But don’t get the idea that this guy sticks to the stereotypical twang of country music. The critically acclaimed artist, who has won an American Music Award and been nominated for a grammy, incorporates elements of rhythm and blues and pop into his songs.

Hunt has yet to release his second album, but gave fans a preview in February with the release of the first single from the forthcoming “Body Like a Back Road.”

He’ll bring the 15 in a 30 Tour to the Key Bank Pavilion in Burgettstown on June 17 at 7 p.m. Sam Hunt tickets start at $32.

Other weekend highlights:

• Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, June 17, 8:15 p.m., June 18, 1:35 p.m., PNC Park, North Shore

What better place to take your Dad on Father’s Day weekend than to a game at America’s best ballpark? Not only do the Pirates play the world champion Chicago Cubs, but there’s also giveaways this weekend. Take Dad on Saturday and he’ll get a Jordy Mercer bobblehead; take him on Sunday when fathers and kids both get military replica caps. Pirates tickets start at $25.

• Banks, June 17, 7 p.m., Stage AE, North Shore

The haunting electro-rhythm and blues songstress comes to town for an all-ages show promoting her most recent album, “The Altar.” Once described by Billboard as “a magnetic writer with songs to obsess over,” Banks also quite probably has the most ethereal voice of anyone named after financial institutions. Banks tickets start at $41.

• Ella & Louis: All That Jazz, June 17, 8 p.m.; June 18, 2:30 p.m., Heinz Hall, Downtown

It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t there to swing. The ominous grammatical implications of that last sentence aside, Ella Fitzgerald was one of jazz’s greatest voices and Louis Armstrong helped give jazz its swing. This tribute, which concludes the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s PNC Pops season, features the blazing brass of Byron Stripling and the sultry voice of Marva Hicks. Ella & Louis: All That Jazz tickets start at $22.

• Jim Florentine, June 17, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; June 18, 7 p.m., Pittsburgh Improv, The Waterfront, Homestead

The co-host of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show" and the voice of "Special Ed" and "Bobby Fletcher" from Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers" brings his act to the comedy club. His new album "Terrorizing Telemarketers Volume 5: Wanted Dead or Alive" recently was released and probably is no threat to topple Bruno Mars from the top of the charts. Jim Florentine tickets are $20.

Photo by Garrett via Creative Commons.