[ELECTRO-RAP] + FRI., JUNE 13
So, the idea of a white dude doing funny raps might sound at best overdone, and at worst a really bad idea — but bear with us. Andy D, from Bloomington, Ind., makes electronic beats and raps in a way that's not serious, but also isn't just a bunch of silliness or offensive shtick. He gets raunchy, yes, but he also stands up against date-rape culture; he's funny, but he doesn't play into stereotypes or make the jokes that are low-hanging fruit. He plays Howlers tonight with two local funny dudes: Tommy Amoeba's Amoeba Kneivel, and Weird Paul. Andy Mulkerin 9 p.m. 4509 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield. $10. 412-682-0320 or www.howlerscoyotecafe.com
[SOUL] + FRI., JUNE 13
Some artists are bred into the music world. Such is the case with Curtis Harding: He spent time traveling with his mother as she sang gospel on the road, on occasion bringing the young Curtis on stage to sing with her. His debut album Soul Power is an enigma, grounded in soul, rock, R&B and blues. Harding has the capability to groove and to rock, and at times do both, making him and his sound unclassifiable by genre. The artist plays the Dollar Bank Stage at the Three Rivers Arts Festival tonight. Zach Brendza 7:30 p.m. Point State Park, Downtown. Free. All ages. www.3riversartsfest.org
[FUNK] + SAT., JUNE 14
The "Queen of Funk" is taking to the streets, literally: Chaka Khan performs on Liberty Avenue as part of 2014 Pittsburgh Pride, the annual festival celebrating the LBGT community. Pride in the Street, the concert, will take place on Liberty Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets. The 10-time Grammy-winning funk and R&B singer hasn't released new music since 2007's Funk This, but she's sure to play hits like "I'm Every Woman," "Ain't Nobody" and "I Feel For You." With Ayah Marar, Vita Chambers and Lazaro Arbos. ZB 5 p.m. Liberty Avenue, Downtown. $40-50. All ages. www.pittsburghpride.org
[INDIE ROCK] + SAT., JUNE 14
Last time Pity Sex was scheduled to come to town, the show was canceled due to dangerous wintry conditions after the Ann Arbor, Mich., band spun out and nearly drove off an overpass. This time around, they won't have to brave the early-January tundra. The band's first full-length, Feast of Love released last June, hones its sound further: With elements of shoegaze, indie and emo tied in, Pity Sex is a fuzzy-sounding force and a standout act on Run For Cover Records. The band plays the Smiling Moose tonight with Run Forever, Somos and Driver. ZB 6 p.m. 1306 E. Carson St., South Side. $10-12. All ages. 412-431-4668 or www.smiling-moose.com