Yanni Brings His Worldly Music to Pittsburgh; Jam on Walnut Ensues (CPs Sat., 8/16/14)

1) The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents Yiannis Chryssomallis, better known as Yanni, at Benedum Center. This legendary composer and pianist truly defies classification; his largely instrumental compositions borrow from cultures all over the world. He and his sizable orchestra employ a mind-blowing variety of both traditional and exotic instruments and borrow from an impressive assortment of musical modes and genres, from jazz to classical to soft rock, as well as a commendable collection of traditional ethnic music. The venues that Yanni has chosen during his more-than-30-year career are equally varied, ranging from the Taj Mahal to the Kremlin to the Forbidden City in China. Yanni has left as much of an impression with his career in general as he has with his music itself, given that, globally, he has accrued dozens of gold and platinum albums and has performed his high-energy live show for millions of people from many countries. 8 p.m. 803 Liberty Ave., Cultural District.

2) Bittersweet is the moment when you realize that tonight’s Jam on Walnut is the third and final of the summer. As usual, proceeds from the block party, which stretches from S. Aiken Ave. to Ivy St., benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Western Pennsylvania Chapter. And, though we brace ourselves for the end of Pittsburgh’s warmer months, we might as well go out in style: Kelsey Friday performs for the sixth consecutive year and Radio Tokyo for their fourth consecutive year. Kelsey Friday self-identifies as a “Rocker Mom” and primarily performs with her children’s music band, aptly named the “Rest of the Week”; still, she is quite capable of performing for adult audiences as well, given her previous musical stint with her alt-rock band, Brownie Mary, in the ‘90s. Radio Tokyo features five hard-working 30-something dudes who love to party and perform a wide range of hits, from top 40 to hip-hop to rock. In three months when we’re getting whipped around in a polar vortex or some other such wintery nonsense, you’ll be glad you took advantage of the nice weather while you could, so get out there and enjoy it. Live music from 7 – 11 p.m. Walnut St., Shadyside.

3) Hop, skip, duck, roll, muck, sprint or, y’know, drive your way over to Seven Springs for Mud in the Dark. What’s normally our own regional winter wonderland, up in the Laurel Highlands serves tonight as a seven-mile mud run coursewhich “winds its way up, down and through some of the most challenging terrain in Pennsylvania.” The first wave of 300 runners heads out at 9 p.m., after which further waves will leave in 15-minute intervals—and of course, it will only get darker with each departure. Before the run, a pre-race toast takes place; after the run, limp over to Seven Springs’ Foggy Goggle bar to hear war stories from the run, cool off with icy beverages, and enjoy live entertainment. Likewise, for parents, Seven Springs will host a pajama party daycare service from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. for kids ages 3-10, which includes crafts, face painting, movies, snacks, and more. 9 p.m. 777 Waterwheel Dr., Seven Springs.

4) The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in town for their first home game of the 2014 preseason, hosting the Buffalo Bills. Whether you buy into the inevitable hype of a fresh NFL season or the equally inevitable forecasts of doom and gloom (there’s plenty of both to go around here in Pittsburgh), it’s too early to tell. 7:30 p.m. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

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