[HALLOWEEN COVERS] + FRI., OCT. 14 – SAT., OCT. 15
For two nights, the annual Cat-tivo-Howl-O-Ween Bash will haunt Cattivo. Hear over a dozen cover sets including Brazilian Wax covering The Go-Go’s, Crooked Cobras tackling Spinal Tap and Love Dumpster crushing the B-52s. Wear a carefully crafted costume — there will be a Belle of the Bash and a Bash Boogeyman chosen each night of the event. Bring extra bones (dollars, of course, not real bones) for a craft sale and 50/50 raffles. The festivities benefit Kopy Kat Sanctuary and Proper Pit Bull, local organizations that find homes for homeless furry friends. Meg Fair 9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 14, and 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 15. 146 44th St., Lawrenceville. $7-10,or $13 for both nights. 412-687-2157 or www.cattivopgh.com
[FUTURE FUNK] + SAT., OCT. 14
Tonight, New Orleans-based Naughty Professor brings its futuristic funk to the James Street Gastropub. The music of Naughty P is a genre-bending blend of soul and jazz with progressive tendencies, and the result is a tantalizing, barely replicable style of improvisation, carefully crafted rhythm and the catchiest saxophone hooks of your life. If this NOLA goodness isn’t cool enough on its own, Jurassic 5 frontman Chali 2na will be on hand to provide vocals along with jazz vocalist Sasha Masakowski. Groovy hip-hop outfit Uptowne Buddha opens. MF 8 p.m. 422 Foreland St., North Side. $15. 412-904-3335 or jamesstreetgastropub.com
[R&B] + SAT., OCT. 15
Fresh off a tour with Justin Bieber, young up-and-comer Post Malone drops by Diesel tonight. His music has a hip-hop backbone, but while he cites UGK and Notorious B.I.G. as early influences, his sensitive, melancholy tracks will likely draw more comparisons to Drake. Check out his single “Déjà Vu” (on which Bieber appears), which hits all the same pleasure centers as “Hotline Bling.” Jazz Cartier and Larry June open the show. Margaret Welsh 8 p.m. 1601 E. Carson St., South Side. $35. All ages. 412-431-8800 or www.dieselclublounge.com
[FOLK] + SUN. OCT. 16
Austin folk-rockers Okkervil River know how to build on a good tale. Whether the band’s quiet acoustic sound soothes or its electric guitar rock rules, the root of every song and album is a long-spinning yarn. Joining the evening of musical storytelling at Mr. Smalls Theater is New York-based Landlady, a raspy lo-fi endeavor dripping with clever synth melodies. Lip Talk (also from New York) diversifies the night’s sound with psych-driven, rhythmically clever pop and airy vocal work. MF 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale. $18-20. All ages. 412-821-4447 or www.mrsmalls.com
[AFRO-PERUVIAN] + SUN., OCT. 16
If you geek out on Latin jazz and masterful musicianship, then find your comfiest dancing shoes and catch the Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet tonight at Club Café. The group embodies the heart and soul of Afro-Peruvian music. And if you’re into percussion, you have to see both the auxiliary percussionist and drum-set player tear it up and hold it down, easily navigating challenging and beautiful rhythms. MF 7 p.m. 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $20. 412-431-4950 or www.clubcafelive.com
