September

“Wicked”—back by “popular” demand. The New York Times calls “Wicked” “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster,” and when it first played Pittsburgh in 2006, it broke box office records and sold out in record time. Catch it Sept. 3-Oct. 5 at the Benedum.

Join MCAI for a Celebration of Diversity in the Arts to mark its 20th anniversary on Sept. 5 at the New Hazlett Theater. The event includes a silent art auction and special guests Dwana Smallwood, Bill Nunn and honoree Thaddeus Mosley. Contact ProArts Tickets at 412-394-3353 to get your tickets for this special celebration.

Kente Arts Alliance presents “Commuters,” an exhibition of the batik art of Saihou O. Njie Sept. 6 from 4-9 p.m. MAKITAARA STUDIOS, 6545 Hamilton Ave., 412-725-3803, which will be an excellent segue to the first concert of the 2008 monthly Live @ the Hurricane series. All concerts are held at the Hill House’s Blakey Program Center on Wylie Avenue from 7-9 p.m. 412-392-4463.

Pittsburgh’s Black theater season opens Sept. 11 when New Horizon Theater presents “The Story” by Tracey Scott Wilson, a riveting drama about the elusive nature of truth as the boundaries between reality and fiction, morality and ambition become dangerously blurred. The production runs through Sept. 28 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty. To celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company is reprising “Dorothy 6” by James McManus in their intimate Sixth Street space Downtown with previews Sept. 11-12; the production also continues through Sept. 28.

The second weekend in the month finds the 2009-09 Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series launch of its 11th season with a reading by poet Claudia Rankine in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium of the University of Pittsburgh, 650 Schenley Dr. in Oakland at 7 p.m., Sept. 12.

The following evening brings the inaugural midwest tour of the sons of Larry Coryell (Julian), Brian Auger of Oblivion Express (Karma) and Joe Sample (Nicklas); collectively known as CAST to Moondogs, where they will prove that “the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.” The esoteric vibe continues on Saturday when City of Asylum’s fourth annual Free Jazz-Poetry Concert to protect and showcase endangered literary voices turns Sampsonia Way—a tiny inner-city alley on Pittsburgh’s North Side—into a site of world-class performances spanning the disciplines of art, literature and music; featuring the world premiere of “What is Home?” from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Jump ahead to the following weekend when the Yellowjackets with Mike Stern open the MCGJazz concert season Sept. 19 at the MCGJazz Hall on Metropolitan Street in Manchester. Flashback the next day as the

Kente Arts Alliance presents Generations of Agitation: Celebrating 40 Years of The Last Poets at the New Hazlett Theater at 8 p.m. with additional performances by Chen Lo, Yah Lioness and DJ Nate Da Phat Barber. For ticket information, call 412-681-7746. Cap off the weekend with some blue-eyed soul courtesy of Lady T—Teena Marie at Heinz Hall on Sunday for a 7 p.m. concert.

Pitt’s International Week includes a Steel Pan Drummers performance in the William Pitt Union Ballroom from 6-8 p.m., Sept. 23. On Sept. 24, Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society will present Blues at the Crossroads at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (6300 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh), featuring master musicians Cephas & Wiggins, the leading exponents of the Piedmont Blues in the Blues at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy International Hip Hop and Flow, 9-11 p.m. in the William Pitt Union on Friday night. For more information, call Danielle Colbert-Lewis at 412-648-1041 or access DMCL@pitt.edu.

International Week with an African Student Organization Workshop and Yabasso Dance Showcase includes the African art, game, clothing and history and ways of living, Sept. 26 from 5-9 p.m. William Pitt Union. Free and open to the public, Pitt’s International Week sponsors include the African Studies Program and the African Student Organization.

The Andy Warhol Museum teams with the August Wilson Center for African American Culture for an Off-The-Wall presentation of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Dael Orlandersmith’s “Stoop Stories.” She’s been described by The New York Times as “an otherworldly messenger, perhaps the sorcerer’s apprentice, or a heaven-sent angel with the devil in her.” See her Sept. 26 from 8-10 p.m. at the Warhol Theater, 117 Sandusky St. on  the North Shore. For reservations, call 412-237-8300 or visit TicketWeb.com.

October

October begins with a month-long run of August Wilson’s final play, “Radio Golf” at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Oct. 2-Nov. 2, or if you prefer something less dramatic, head to Manchester and check out trumpeter Chuck Mangione (remember “Hill Where the Lord Hides”?) holds court at MCG Jazz Hall, Oct. 2-5.

The Drue Heinz Lecture Series presents critically acclaimed author Edwidge Danticatt at the Carnegie Music Hall, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 6. On Wednesday, see naturalist photographer Dudley Edmondson’s show “In Celebration of Wild Places: Connecting People to Nature,” Oct. 8, 7 p.m. at Carnegie Lecture Hall For more information, call 412-622-8866.

KURTIS BLOW

Break out your Addidas! The second weekend in October begins with a treat for you students of the Old School—the All Stars Live Fest and Community Awards makes its debut Oct. 10 at Heinz Field featuring hip-hop pioneers Kurtis Blow, Dana Dane, Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force, Grandmaster Melle Mel, DJ Grand Wizard Theodore and Force MDs. For something more age appropriate, Grammy and two-time Latin Grammy Award-winner pianist Michel Camilo returns to a straight-ahead jazz trio setting when he performs at MCG Jazz Hall, Oct. 11-12.

If you want to get global, cross the river to the North Shore New Hazlett Theater Oct 13 and check out Vieux Farka Toure. Vieux Farka Toure’s debut represents a historic passing of the torch from father to son. A highly-talented guitarist, singer, songwriter and percussionist, Vieux crafts songs in the rich Sonrai tradition of his father, famed guitarist Ali Farka Toure.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and August Wilson Center for African American Culture bring detective author Walter Mosley to the Byham Theater Oct. 16 for a 7:30 p.m. presentation while the Kuntu Repertory Theater opens its season with “Diane’s Heart” by Rob Penny the same night. Filled with dreams of a happy future, newlyweds Diane and Austin Williams struggle to find their way in a world of many temptations. This play runs through Nov. 1.

Another season opening is the “Best of the Theatre Festival in Black & White” from the past five seasons.  Eight one-act plays will be presented, four each evening. With previews Oct. 16-17, the theater fest continues through Oct. 30.

MCGJazz continues to make beautiful music when Mike Taylor and Gerald Clayton team at MCG Jazz Hall Oct. 17. On Oct. 21, take in the visual art of high fashion on the catwalk when the Ebony Fashion Fair struts into the Byham Theatre. This year’s proceeds benefit Naomi’s Place.

The queen of Afro-pop, Angelique Kidjo will bring you to your feet at the Byham Theater, Oct 29 to round out the month.

November

The 11th month of the year gets off to a swinging start with Pitt’s 38th Annual Jazz Seminar Concert Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. in the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.

As you bask in the afterglow of the possible election of the nation’s first Black president, listen to the sounds of a brave new world when MCG Jazz presents Toshiko Akiyoshi in the MCG Jazz Hall, Nov. 9. End the week with the scatman, vocalist Al Jarreau in the intimate Byham Theater, Nov. 14.

If you like your music sophisticated, then you’ll really enjoy the luscious combination of Brazilian guitarist Ivan Lins with Nancy Wilson in Heinz Hall, also Nov. 14

Prepare for Thanksgiving Nov. 22 when the legendary Mavis Staples offers “A Tribute to Mahalia Jackson.” American Idols in Concert comes to Byham Theater, Nov 29.

For the “shawties”

Introduce your children to the theater with “Magic Tree House: The Musical.” An enchanting blend of song, story and stagecraft, “Magic Tree House: The Musical” is a breathtaking spectacle that will keep kids and grownups on the edge of their seats at the Byham Theater Oct. 3-4.

For more traditional fare, there’s Roger and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at the Byham Theater, Nov. 6-9.

The Cheetah Girls bring their One World Tour to the Peterson Events Center Nov. 26. Hannah Montana won’t be with them so you should be able to afford the tickets.

This is just a taste of things to come this fall. Be sure to check our New Pittsburgh Courier each week to get the latest and update information on Arts, Culture and Entertainment with you in mind.