FILM
Spanish trail walkers
“Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago” is a documentary about a walk — a very long walk. For centuries, pilgrims have been walking the bleak-but-beautiful westward path through Spain to Camino de Santiago: for spiritual enlightenment, for testing oneself, for reasons as various as the travelers themselves.
The crowd-funded, nonprofit documentary follows several people taking the 500-mile journey for the first time — including a 3-year-old and a 73-year-old — from all walks of life and all parts of the world.
“Walking the Camino” will screen July 23 and 24 at Pittsburgh Filmmakers' Melwood Screening Room in Oakland. Co-producer and featured pilgrim Annie O'Neil will be there to take questions. Admission is $8, or $7 for senior citizens, students and children.
Details: 412-681-5449 or pghfilmmakers.org
MUSIC
Natalie Merchant returns
Natalie Merchant was a major star in the late 1980s and ‘90s, first with 10,000 Maniacs and then with a solo career where her debut went platinum times five. She dropped off the pop-music map after her 2001 album, “Motherland,” and earlier this year released her first disc of new compositions since then.
Those years weren't spent lounging on the couch. Merchant is a divorced, single mom of a 10-year-old. She financed and recorded, with some 130 musicians, a double album that put children's poetry to music. She recorded folk covers and curated retrospectives on 10,000 Maniacs and her solo music. She's worked and done benefits for causes, particularly the anti-fracking movement. She served on the New York State Council on the Arts.
“Natalie Merchant,” her first album in 13 years, reveals an earthier, even soulful Merchant, particularly on the lead track “Ladybird.” She sings about divorce, aging, Hurricane Katrina, people displaced by war and old-time Hollywood on the album.
She performs at 7:30 p.m. July 22 at Carnegie Library Music Hall in Munhall. Tickets are $40 to $80.
Details: www.librarymusichall.com
ART
Early modern art
The 1950s American Modern Art and Design movement resonated strongly in Pittsburgh. Corporate design departments brought leading artists and designers into the city, creating an exciting, new streamlined look. And, over at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), art professor Samuel Rosenberg was leading the way in abstract art for legions of his students by creating his own art as an example of this Modernist movement.
Now over a dozen abstract works by Rosenberg, as well as a selection of artwork by artists who were his colleagues and students, have been assembled for the exhibition “Modernist Pittsburgh.” It opens on July 17 at Concept Art Gallery, Regent Square, with a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
The exhibit includes furniture created by noted Pittsburgh designer Orin Raphael, along with other classic design examples of the period, courtesy of pghModern and Finest 20th Century. Seen together, the viewer is provided with a snapshot of early modernism in Pittsburgh, connecting fine art and design.
The exhibit continues through Sept. 20.
Details: 412-242-9200 or www.conceptgallery.com
DANCE
Ballet and jazz
Texture Contemporary Ballet will present three world premieres in its “Life, Love and Jazz” program at weekend performances on the North Side. Company members and guest artists will bring the roster of dancers to 17.
Artistic director Alan Obuzor, one of Dance Magazine's “25 to Watch” for 2013, has created his new work in collaboration with Marty Ashby of the Manchester Craftsman's Guild. It will be performed with live jazz.
Co-director Kelsey Bartman's new piece is set to music by the indie pop band Fun. The program also includes Bartman's 2011 “Spinning Plates.”
Gabrielle Gafney Smith's new work employs music by Sylvan Esso and spoken word.
The performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. July 17, 8 p.m. July 18 and 19, and 2 p.m. July 20 at the New Hazlett Theater, North Side. Admission is $25, $20 in advance.
Details: www.showclix.com
MUSIC
upcoming Symphony concerts
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra showcases its versatility by presenting three concerts with contrasting musical appeal.
“Stayin' Alive,” at 7:30 p.m. July 17, is a tribute to the BeeGees with big-screen video clips, photos and dazzling imagery. Many of the band's hits, including “You Should be Dancing” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” will be performed by Tony Mattina as Barry Gibb, Todd Sharmin as Robin Gibb, Joseph Janisse as Maurice Gibb, Tom Wolf on drums and Chris Mullen on bass. Fawzi Haimor will conduct. Admission is $25 to $75.
“The Music of John Williams” will feature songs from “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones” and other iconic movie scores and be led by Lawrence Loh at 2:30 p.m. July 19. A similar program in January sold out.
Boys II Men, at 7:30 p.m. July 23, will reunite Nathan Morris, Wayne Morris and Shawn Stockman with the symphony, which will be led by Loh. Expect such hits as “Water Runs Dry,” “It's So Hard to Say Goodbye,” and “I'll Make Love to You.” Admission is $35 to $110.
All concerts are at Heinz Hall, Downtown.
Details: 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org
