Lock and load
It was Johnny Cash's mama who said, "Don't take your guns to town, son, leave your guns at home." The folks at the National Rifle Association, their mamas didn't tell 'em that, or else they're not listenin', 'cause they done brought their guns to town this weekend.

The NRA has set up camp at the David Lawrence Convention Center for a good ol' time of gun talkin', gun showin', gun shootin' and game callin'. Imagine four acres of guns and gear. Tricky Dick Cheney's gonna be there. Terrible "Ted" Nugent's gonna be there. Protestors, too. It's gonna be like a scene outta "Bowling for Columbine." If you wanna join either side, jus' go down to the DLCC anytime today through Sunday. And leave your guns at home, son.

Old school
Elsewhere, this is shaping up as a good weekend for those people who like to, if not live in the past, at least partake of it generously. There's the war game recalling the French and Indian War, a flashy antiques show at Carnegie Museum, a centennial celebration of Balanchine and a show of horses that are living antiques.

Let's start at the Carnegie Museum, where the collection of old things has broadened this weekend, as 40 dealers from around the country are packing their stuff in for the Carnegie Museum of Art's 12th Annual Antiques Show. Presented by the Women's Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art, the show benefits the museum's exhibition fund and has generated $1.5 million for museum acquisitions over the past 11 years. Admission price is $10; $15 for nonmembers. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 412-622-3131.

Back to Balanchine
How do you honor a legend like Balanchine when there are hundreds of works to his credit? Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre chose to split its program this weekend with the best of two worlds: one story ballet and one of his most popular stand-alone pieces. The PBT will present the first act of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," his enchanting 1962 ballet set to music by Felix Mendelssohn, in the first part of the program. The PBT will contrast that with "Serenade," the first ballet Balanchine choreographed in America (1935) and the signature piece of the New York City Ballet. Performances are 8 tonight; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14 to $78. Call 412-456-6666.

War horses
In a perfect world -- for hockey fans -- there would be a playoff game at the Mellon Arena this weekend. Maybe next year, or at least sometime in the next decade. In the meantime, the Penguins' folly is a plus for equestrian fans who can see the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions there this weekend. Lipizzans originally were bred by the Spanish 400 years ago as war horses for their power and leaping ability. This rare, noble breed faced extinction during World War II but were saved due to the efforts of Gen. Patton. Now they tour arenas, doing musical production in the hands of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. The shows are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $21 to $27.50. Call 412-323-1919.

Aradia dances
What were the hot dance steps in the 17th century? And why do we care? We can answer the first question with: the minuet, the gavotte and the sarabande. We'll leave the second one for Aradia to win us over this weekend. Presented by the Renaissance & Baroque Society of Pittsburgh, the Canadian group will perform the range of French baroque music happening at the court of Versailles, composers such as Lully and Couperin. Adding to the experience, Aradia will outline the steps and notation of the dances. It's at 8 p.m. Saturday at Synod Hall, Oakland. Tickets are $8 to $30. Call 412-682-7262.

Speaking of Canadian groups and historic music, I Musici de Montreal is the latest of the cultural tourists to visit Pittsburgh as part of the Quebec Festival, although the music is not necessarily French-Canadian. The program of the 16-musician group is Tchaikovsky and folk music of Armenian and Romanian sources. There is also a piece by contemporary French Canadian composer Denis Gougeon. It's at 8 tonight at the Byham. Tickets are $20 to $25. 412-456-6666.

Born to ride
On a much noisier note, the Rev & Roll Motorcycle Expo roars into the ExpoMart in Monroeville with a showcase of new cruisers, sport bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs and all the fun doo-dads that go with them. Other attractions include the Horsepower Dyno Jet Shoot-out, the Custom & Vintage Bike Competition, safety workshops and the creation of a custom bike on-site. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9; $5 kids 13-17. www.revandroll.com.

SCI-TECH TRIP
A trip to the Carnegie Science Center this weekend isn't going to be like any old trip to the Science Center. The North Side site is buzzing with new things for the fifth annual Pittsburgh International Science and Technology Festival, more pithily known as the SciTech Festival. Between this Saturday and next Sunday, visitors to the Science Center will be able to play the Earth Harp, the worlds' largest stringed instrument; learn about African-American innovation in the theatrical performance "1001 Black Inventions"; thrill to the Robostilts, cyber-creations with more than 1,000 sound effects synchronized with their movements; and experience "A Wrinkle in Time," a Prime Stage Theater production that travels the time/space continuum.

There will also be more than 25 interactive exhibits focusing on robotics and other local technologies. On Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., there is a family program at the Mattress Factory on sound and visual art presented by artists Jeremy Boyle and Rolf Julius.

For all the details on the festival, which spreads out to other North Side locations during the week, call 412-237-3335 or go to www.SciTechFestival.org.

GREAT SHOOTERS
Twenty-three of Pittsburgh's finest photographers are showcased in PIN UP, a show curated by Murray Horne and Jen Saffron, opening tonight at Space, Downtown. The work -- by emerging artists and established shooters such as Sue Abramson, Pam Bryan, Aaronel de Roy Gruber, Clyde Hare, Heather Mull and Lorraine Vullo -- ranges from "pinhole to digital, small to large scale, political to abstract." The opening reception, from 5 to 8 tonight, features music by DJ Soy Sos. The show runs through June 19. Call 412-325-7723.

New grass

Although the names Mike Marshall and Darol Anger may not ring a bell, their music may ring a few. The guitarist/mandolinist and violinist, respectively, were founding members of the David Grisman Quintet and then went on to play together in the folk-jazz group Montreux Band and the progressive bluegrass group Psychograss. According to Dirty Linen, they "tread in that somewhat dangerous genre-bending territory betwixt bluegrass and jazz." If you're game, Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society has them at Carnegie Lecture Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday with the Pittsburgh Mandolin Orchestra. Tickets are $23. Call 412-394-3353.

Back in action
It hasn't been easy for Todd Rundgren fans. The tuneful master who gave us such hits as "Hello, It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends" hasn't cut a record of all-new material in more than two decades. Now, he seems to be back on track with "Liars" and a tour that brings him to the Rex at 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $35. 412-323-1919.

Likewise, Melissa Manchester has just released "When I Look Down That Road," her first all-new studio album in 10 years. Among the highlights are a collaboration with Beth Nielsen-Chapman on "Lucky Break" and a guest spot by Keb' Mo' on the first single, "After All This Time." Manchester will offer a taste of the new record while revisiting old hits like "Don't Cry Out Loud," "Midnight Blue" and "Whenever I Call You Friend" when she performs with the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops at Heinz Hall at 8 tonight and Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19-$69. Call 412-392-4900.

The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players might just have the genre of "indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop band" pretty much to themselves. The Trachtenburgs -- dad Jason on piano, guitar and vocals; daughter Rachel on vocals and drums; mom Tina on slides -- build pop-rock songs based on the vintage slide collection they have acquired from estate sales, garage sales and the like. They play Mr. Small's Theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 advance; $14 at the door. Call 412-323-1919.

What is Poplorica?
Did you ever consider the effect that air conditioning has had on who gets in the White House? Well, when things cooled down a bit in the South, more people moved there, creating a stronger foothold in the red states. Simple as that. How these innovations effect the culture is the subject of "Poplorica: A Popular History of the Fads, Mavericks, Inventions and Lore that Shaped America," a new book by former Pittsburgh Press reporters Martin J. Smith and Patrick J. Kiger. "Poplorica" also ponders the impact of the electric guitar (excellent!), the disposable diaper (excellent!), the TV dinner (not so great) and panty hose (eh), among other things. Smith and Kiger will be at Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont at 7 tonight to discuss their book and sign copies. For details, call 412-828-4877.

What else?
The Oliver Miller Homestead opens Sunday with Artists in Aprons, demonstrations and exhibits of old-style quilting, sewing, ironwork, cooking and more from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the site in South Park. Donation is $1. Call 412-835-1554.

Looking for the next Clay Aiken? The next William Hung? He (or she) might be on stage when the St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation presents the North Park Clubhouse Idol Talent Contest at 7:30 tonight at the Kean Theatre in Gibsonia. More than 25 contestants will perform to raise funds for needy nursing home patients. Tickets are $10; $5 students. Call 724-444-5521.