Jaggerz make Acrisure Stadium debut at bocce tournament

PITTSBURGH − "Been There, Rocked That," say official T-shirts for The Jaggerz, listing on the back 138 prestigious stadiums, music halls, festivals and universities where the Beaver Valley chart-toppers have entertained.

From Mellon Arena to Milwaukee Stadium, and "American Bandstand" to the Three Rivers Stadium, those venue names conjure memories for fans of the local band that gave the world the smash-hit "The Rapper."

The Jaggerz technically can add a new venue to their portfolio, after the R&B/rock band makes its Acrisure Stadium debut on Saturday.

The Jaggerz will headline the musical entertainment for the 11th Annual Bocce Tournament & Festival at its new location, the South Endzone, Gate A of Acrisure Stadium, formerly known as Heinz Field (already listed on The Jaggerz' T-shirts). Admission is free for spectators. The Jaggerz, fronted by Jimmie Ross, take the stage at 3 p.m.

The tournament benefits the Italian-American programs at the Sen. John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, hosts of the annual bocce event. Founded in 1990, the Italian American Program’s collection is one of the largest in the country and home to artifacts, archival materials, and oral histories that document the pivotal role Italian Americans play in shaping our region, a history center press release says.

Tournament hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It's a double-elimination tournament involving 36 four-person bocce teams.

Oldies band The New Pure Gold, (at 1 p.m.) and The Aces with special guest Shari Richards (11 a.m.), also will perform.

Food will be available for purchase from Common Plea Catering.

A bowling sport of precision and accuracy, bocce was popularized in Pittsburgh by Italian American immigrants who settled in the region at the turn of the 20th century, the history center release said. By providing a venue for socialization, bocce helped immigrants preserve the language and customs of the Old World and provided an important link for young Italian Americans to learn more about their past. 

The Jaggerz played at previous bocce tournaments held outside the history center, in the Strip District.

A month ago, the Steelers announced Heinz Field's name had been changed to Acrisure Stadium, after a Michigan-based insurance company purchased the naming rights. The name change hasn't sat well, so far, with many Pittsburgh area people.

More:Steelers say goodbye to Heinz Field, hello to Acrisure Stadium

More:Tull doesn't renew; Sewickley theater's naming rights will change

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.