5 Things To Do In Pittsburgh This Weekend: September 9-11

More than a month of free arts and cultural programming kicks off with the return of RADical Days, but that’s not all that’s happening this weekend in the Pittsburgh area.

radical idea

RADical Days 2022 kicks off Friday and continues through October 16, with more than 75 free events and experiences at more than 65 Allegheny County entities receiving funding from the Regional Assets District. Offers include free admissions and free performances.

Opening day will include a short film broadcast from Pittsburgh’s ReelAbilities festival; tours of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center; family fun “Alphabet Trail and Tales” at the Frick Park Blue Slide Playground on Squirrel Hill; and two performances of Pittsburgh’s CLO musical, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” at The Backyard at 8th & Penn, downtown.

For a complete RADical Days schedule, visit radworkshere.org.

elegant affair

A Fair in the Park, the annual contemporary fine arts and crafts festival, will take place this weekend in Mellon Park in Shadyside. Hours are 1 to 7 pm on Friday, 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

The event will showcase around 85 regional and national artists working in mediums such as clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, and two-dimensional art. About 60% of the artists are members of the Pittsburgh Artisans Guild, with the rest selected by a jury from a pool of national and international applicants.

The festival also includes food, music from a DJ, artist demonstrations, children’s activities and a scavenger hunt.

For information, visit craftsmensguild.org.

Erin a Bragh

The 31st Pittsburgh Irish Festival has a three-day weekend at Carrie Blast Furnaces, 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Rankin. Hours will be 4 to 11 pm on Friday, 11 am to 11 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday.

Festival features include Irish step and ceili dancing, music, storytelling, sports demonstrations, cultural demonstrations, genealogy pavilion, dogs, market, adult beverage tasting area, and food vendors.

The Leprechaun’s Landing will offer arts, crafts, music and games for children. An Irish Mass is scheduled for Sunday at 10am.

Advance ticket purchase is recommended at pghirishfest.org, where more information is also available. Online ticket price is $17; children under 12 years enter free. A weekend pass is $50.

all that jazz

MCG Jazz and Kente Arts Alliance have partnered for Jazz Weekend on the North Side, featuring these artists:

• Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner, Friday at 7:30 pm at the MCG Jazz Concert Hall. Simpson is a keyboardist and songwriter who has toured with Janet Jackson. Saxophonist Joyner’s career spans more than 20 years. Reserved tickets are $49.50 at mcgjazz.org.

• Catherine Russell, 7:30 pm Saturday at the New Hazlett Theatre. Vocalist Russell’s repertoire spans American popular songs from the 1920s to the present. She has performed at the Monterey and Newport Jazz Festivals and at the Kennedy and Lincoln Centers. General admission tickets are $34 at newhazletttheater.org.

asian art show

“Plain Silk, Uncarved Wood,” an exhibition of Asian-American artists living and working in Pittsburgh, will open with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, 100 43rd St., Unit 10, Lawrenceville.

Featured artists include Anny Chen, Eriko Hattori, Sarah Kim, Julie Lee, Karen Lue, Brent Nakamoto, Paul Peng, and Imin Yeh. Nakamoto is also the curator.

The reception will celebrate the Asian diaspora in Pittsburgh with performances by Caroline Yoo and exhibiting artist Anny Chen, food by Rafael Vencio of AmBoy Urban Collective, and music by DJ Formosa.

The exhibition will be open until November 5. For information on viewing times and related programming, visit aapgh.org.