Music Legend Diana Ross Performs at Benedum; Pittsburgh Irish Festival and A Fair in the Park Continue (Sat., 9/12/15)

1) This is a concert, not a history lesson. But Diana Ross, who’s visiting Pittsburgh for a show at Benedum Center, is a singer whose repertoire spans decades’ worth of pop, rock, jazz, and soul music. As a high-school student in Detroit in the late 1950s, Ross teamed with classmates to form the vocal group that soon rose to fame as The Supremes. They scored a string of number one hits during the Sixties for their hometown Motown label (here’s a vintage clip of “Come See About Me”), and since 1970 Ross has had a varied solo career. Venturing into old-time jazz on the big screen, she played the legendary Billie Holliday in the 1972 biopic Lady Sings the Blues, then rocked as a grown-up Dorothy in the 1978 film of The Wiz. Still youthful and in voice today—recently she has sung at venues ranging from The White House to a major arena in Tokyo—Diana Ross has won numerous awards and honors; she’s in town as part of her In the Name of Love Tour. 8 p.m. 237 7^th Ave., Cultural District. (MV)

2) The 25th annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival continues today at the Riverplex at Sandcastle. Great Irish musicians, storytellers, dancers and performers play all day on several stages. Entertainment kicks off at 11:30 a.m. highlights include: Makem and Spain (3:15 p.m., Celtic Spirit Stage), Irish Ghost Stories from storyteller Alan Irvine (7 p.m., Hedge School Stage)  Hooley and Ceili Dancing with Liz Shovlin  (8 p.m., Magners Pub Stage), The High Kings (9 p.m., Celtic Spirit Stage), and Gaelic Storm, of Titanic movie fame (9:30 p.m., UPMC Stage). Plenty of Irish food will be on hand and can be washed down with Irish beers, ciders and whiskies. Remember everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and during the Pittsburgh Irish Festival. 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Runs through tomorrow. 1000 Sandcastle Dr., West Homestead.

3) The 46th annual A Fair in the Park  is happening again today in Shadyside’s Mellon Park. Promoted as a contemporary fine crafts and arts show and sale, it includes performances, concerts, food, and children’s activities. The Fair is presented by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh and Citiparks. Today’s musical highlights include several concerts by chamber music group Cello Fury. Fair hours are 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Free. Continues through Sunday. Fifth and Shady Aves., Shadyside/Point Breeze.

4) Our battlin’ Bucs take on the Milwaukee Brewers again today in a 7:05 p.m. game. It’s also a pre-game Saturday Block Party, featuring live entertainment, food and beer options, games and more. Stop by the Leinenkugel Bar and meet former Pirate pitcher Dave Giusti. Get ready to hear some oohs and awws as there’s a post game Zambelli Fireworks show. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

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