Kelsea Ballerini in Concert at PPG Paints Arena; C. Prentiss Orr in Local History Talk at Fort Pitt Museum; Other Arts Fest on Walnut Street (Sat., 4/12/25)

1) Kelsea Ballerini’s father, Ed, once worked as a sales manager for a country music station in their hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee. Kelsea continues her dad’s work in a similar vein, she has sold a multitude of her country singles and albums over her almost ten-year career. Ballerini has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. Her first two albums accounted for seven charted songs on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. She had five No. 1 singles on the latter. Her latest LP, Patterns, was released last year and it reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and debuting atop the country chart. That was the first time she had a no. 1 album on that chart. She is also now a coach on the NBC talent show, “The Voice” and was recently nominated for an ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year. Ballerini has moved up on this tour from Stage AE to PPG Paints Arena. Special guests are Sasha Alex Sloan and Marynn Taylor. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (R.H.)

Kelsea Ballerini performing at the Washington State Fair in 2017. (Photo credit: Jana Beamer and Wikipedia)

2) Award-winning author, editor, and publisher, and a member of the Entertainment Central team, C. Prentiss Orr will discuss his book, The Surveyor and the Silversmith this afternoon at Fort Pitt Museum. “In The Surveyor and the Silversmith, Orr offers a deep dive into the complex world of land speculation and surveying in the Ohio Country. Readers will learn how early surveyors and investors shaped the frontier, fueling expansion and conflict in the region.” Orr will explain the process of acquiring and settling virgin land. He will also discuss the roles our Founding Fathers played in organizing and assembling vast claims on Pennsylvania lands for which the taxes they owed created insurmountable debts. Orr will sign books after the event. Orr is also known as the principal author and editor of the popular illustrated reference book, “Pittsburgh Born, Pittsburgh Bred: 500 of the More Famous People Who Have Called Pittsburgh Home.” The publication was picked by the Heinz History Center as the official publication to celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary. Orr’s talk will take place on the first floor of the Fort Pitt Museum and is included with museum admission. 1 – 3 p.m. 601 Commonwealth Place, Point State Park.

May is a great month for strolling the tree-lined streets of Shadyside and enjoying the fine arts and crafts during the Art Festival on Walnut Street. (Photo: Rick Handler)

Share on Social Media