New Kids On The Block Top 5 Weekend Things To Do Around Dormont-Brookline

DORMONT, PA - Go to the attic and grab those early ‘90s No Fear T-shirts and light-up LA Gear shoes.

It’s nostalgia night at PPG Paints Arena, as a trio of throwback acts - New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men - will attempt to reacquaint you with your inner Urkel.

NKOTB, as they are acronymnically known, will appear minus Mark Wahlberg, of course. Abdul is touring for the first time in 25 years and the Boyz are back in town with their distinctive R&B romantic ballads 26 years after their debut release “Motownphilly.”

As we’ve noted before, these groups probably should be calling themselves New Midlifers On the Block and Men II Men. But we doubt their fans don’t care about their age-inappropriate branding. New Kids On The Block tickets start at $28.45.

Other weekend highlights:

• Pirates vs. San Francisco Giants, July 1, 4:05 p.m.; July 2, 1:35 p.m., PNC Park, North Shore

If the Pirates were in any other division in baseball, they’d already be so far out of the race that talk would be turning to next season. But the National League Central Division thus far has proven to be as weak as a chocolate lover’s willpower in a candy store, and the team amazingly remains in contention for the division title. You can check them out against the Giants, a team even more disappointing than the Bucs this year. Pirates tickets start at $25.

• Rock 4 Vets Music Festival July 1, 2:30-11:30, Moondog’s, 348 Freeport Road, Blawnox

This annual music fest at the legendary Blawnox bar benefits the Wounded Warriors project. Bands performing include Thieves & Lovers, We Control the Weather, Brett Staggs & The Daylight Moon, Stone Cold Killer, Laura & The Fredricksons, The Dirty Charms, 13 Saints, Blackened Ground and Big Atlantic. Rock 4 Vets admission starts at $5.

• Weather Permitting, July 2, 5-9 p.m., Shadyside Nursery, 510 Maryland Ave., Shadyside

This outdoor weekly concert series features bands, beer from local breweries, food trucks and a marketplace. This week’s bands are the Beagle Brothers, Wreckids, Danny Rectenwald and PA Dirt. The food trucks are Gyros ‘Nat, Brassero Grill and Piebird. Weather Permitting admission is $10 for adults but kids are free.

• Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Billy Price, July 2, 7 p.m., Rivers Casino, North Shore

For those unfortunate souls who actually have to go to work on Monday, we can’t think of a better way to conclude the weekend then by getting down to the casino’s amphitheater on Sunday night. Not only do you get to see Grushecky, a guy who has written songs and performed with Bruce Springsteen, but also legendary Pittsburgh blues and soul singer Billy Price. Speaking of price, there is none for this show. It’s part of the casino’s Free Summer Concert Series.

Photo by bobnjeff via Creative Commons.