Sometimes, you feel like you’re being stalked.

The woman two doors down keeps asking you to lunch or to join her after work or to check out her book club. You’ve politely (and not-so-politely) declined at least 10 times and she keeps on asking. She’s nice and all that, but you have no intention of having a new best friend—and even if you did, it wouldn’t be her.

But hold up. Maybe that hand of friendship she’s extending may change your life. That’s what happened to Alma, and in the new book “Red Hats” by Damon Wayans, she didn’t want that, either.

ATLANTA—Mo’Nique takes her position as one of the limited number of Blacks to ever host a nationally televised talk show very, very seriously.

In fact, during a recent phone call from her Atlanta residence, the 2010 Academy Award winner spoke on the significance of her Oscar award in addition to her successful late-night talk show on BET.

MO’NIQUE

Although she earned the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for the film, “Precious,” she downplays her acting abilities and out of respect for the acting artistry, continues to call herself a comedienne who happened to win the prestigious acting award.

“I still stand on the shoulders of pioneers like Hattie McDaniel and Butterfly McQueen,” she offered humbly, while naming Richard Pryor as her ultimate comedic hero. She didn’t provide any foresight on upcoming new movie roles. “I’ll let you know when it happens,” she said.

Cabaret series

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents its Late Night Cabaret Series with the Pittsburgh Improv Comedy Jam at 10 p.m. at the Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., Cultural District. Every Thursday until Sept. 23, the city’s best improv performances will take the stage. It’s fast, funny and sophisticated. Tickets are $5 and the event is for individuals 21 years and older. For more information, call Randy Kirk at 412-325-6766 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Friday 23

‘Bad Seeds’

The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater presents the Summer Series featuring the Alumni Theater Company’s “Bad Seeds” at 10 a.m. at 5942 Penn Ave., East Liberty. This is a performance of song, dance and impertinence. Hip-hop, Broadway and pop culture come together in an energetic and reflective music revue addressing how teens manage pressure. There will also be a 7:30 p.m. performance. For more information, call 412-363-3000 or visit www.kelly-strayhorn.org.

Friday jam session

The Galaxy Lounge and Entertainment Center presents their Friday Jam Session from 6-9 p.m. at 7246 Kelly St., Homewood. The evening will feature old school and jazz music followed by DJ Traci Lee at 9 p.m. For more information, call 412-727-1395.

Saturday 24

Jazz series

BNY Mellon Jazz presents their Citiparks Stars at Riverview Jazz Series at 7 p.m. at Riverview Park, North Side. The featured entertainer will be Joe Negri. This is part of a series that provides cultural and educational institutions with opportunities to offer the best in jazz artistry. For more information, call 412-255-8975 or visit www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks.

Wednesday 28

Jazz on the steps

Jazz Workshop Inc. presents Jazz On the Steps from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Homewood Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, 7101 Hamilton Ave., Homewood. Every Wednesday individuals are welcome to enjoy an evening of Pittsburgh’s finest in Jazz. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-244-0480 or 412-731-3080.

Summertime jazz

Duquesne University’s Office of Alumni Relations and Mary Pappert School of Music presents a Summertime Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Academic Walk and Lenglet Perron, 600 Forbes Ave., Uptown. The special concert will feature jazz musicians Joe Negri, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Paul, Gypsy Jazz Guitarist Kruno Spisic, Billy Kuhn and more. Tony Mowod will be the master of ceremonies. Tickets are $20. For more information, call 412-396-6209.

Sound series

The Andy Warhol Museum presents its Sound Series “Out in The Elements Festival” at 8 p.m. at the Warhol Outdoor Stage, 108 General Robinson St., Strip District. The featured entertainment will be the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International with Samba Mapangala along with special guest DJ Pete Spynda of Pandemic. This is a blend of high-energy soukous, rootsy Ghananian Highlife and African jazz that conjures sounds of the golden age of the African guitar bend. Also on July 29 at 8 p.m. there will be a performance of Naomi Davis Shelton and the Gospel Queens with special guest Deryck Tines Gospel Singers and DJ J. Malls. Each performance costs $12. For more information, call 412-237-8300.

Friday 29

Blues festival

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank presents the 2010 Pittsburgh Blues Festival at 4 p.m. at Hartwood Acres, 200 Hartwood Acres, Hampton Township. The featured entertainer will be Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, the Iguanas and Miss Freddye and Blue Faze. The festival will run through July 25 and include The Pittsburgh Blues All-Stars, Tinsley Ellis, theCause and more. This is the Food Bank’s largest fundraiser. For more information, call the Blues Hotline at 412-460-BLUE.

The Walt Harper Jazz Awards were presented at the annual jazz and art gallery at CJ’s in the Strip District, hosted by long- time Talk Magazine publisher Luther Sewell and wife, Roxanne. This year’s event featured free performances by the Roger Humphries Band, Dwayne Dolphin and countless other jazz musicians performing in and outside of CJ’s.

ROXANNE AND LUTHER SEWELL

“We have been doing this event for the past seven years and the main reason we do it every year is to keep jazz music alive in Pittsburgh,” Luther Sewell said. “Our city is known for jazz music and the musicians over the years. We need to keep introducing it to the younger generation as well. Since we have very few jazz clubs, we created a jazz festival. This way you get to listen to over 20- something musicians, who are all very good. Some of the musicians are national and others are local. We want to show Pittsburgh that we have great jazz and we present it to them for free. It costs nothing to come out and have a great time and listen to great music.”