HAVE SOME FUN
Whether you're a giddy Republican or a Democrat in the fetal position, this weekend may find you feeling like a kid again -- just in time for the reopening of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. (OK, sorry about the lame transition -- I did the best I could.)

Anyway, the Children's Museum has been busy lately experiencing a growth spurt. When the doors open Saturday, the 21-year-old museum will be four times its original size, the result of two historic landmarks -- the former post office and planetarium -- being linked to a new three-story structure topped with wind sculpture.

To the kids, it will be one cool-looking complex. Just wait till they get inside. They will find:

New "Real Stuff" exhibits including an Art Studio, a Backyard outdoor space, a Garage where they can tinker under the hood of a Mini Cooper and a Waterplay area where they can build a boat and launch it down a stream.

More than a dozen interactive art pieces including "Bubbling Mud," "Kinetic Ball Track," "Fantastic Inflatable Menagerie" and the "Art Machine."

The warmth and comfort of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

New spaces in which to house "The Saturday Light Brigade," a cafeteria and various learning programs.

It's in Allegheny Square on the North Side. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8 adults; $7 kids 2-18 and seniors. Call 412-322-5058 or go to www.pittsburghkids.org.

GLASS CAGES
In "Cages Dorees," or golden cages, Pittsburgh Glass Center artist in residence Nadege Desgenetez reflects on memories of childhood with sculptures using the colors and stripes she remembers from wardrobes past.

In her artist statement, she writes, "I have been inspired by the notion that we often relate to memories from our youth in glamorized or distorted ways. Objects can trigger vivid recollections of such memories. Through my work, I wanted to evoke moments shared with my parents and express the comforting power of such memories. I started making colorful, playful objects such as interpretations of clothing I remembered my mother, father and I wearing and objects that took on metaphorical meaning for me as a child."

Desgenetez intends for her work to be delicate and reflective with a lighthearted twist. An opening reception will be held at Pittsburgh Glass Center, 5472 Penn Ave., Friendship/East Liberty, from 6 to 9 tonight. It runs through Dec. 10. Call 412-365-2145 or go to www.pittsburghglasscenter.org.

SONIC ART
The new exhibit at Three Rivers Arts Festival (TRAF) Gallery takes a page or, more accurately, an album title from Sonic Youth. "Daydream Nation (through the perilous night)" is described as "a group show inspired by the inundation of commercial imagery, overload of information and power of consumerism that arose in the grand decade of the 1980s."

"Daydream Nation" picks up where the TRAF left off with site-specific installations produced by six artists including Craig Dransfield and Noah Lyon from TRAF's Graffiti Mural Invitational and Paper Rad (Jacob Ciocci, Jessica Ciocci, and Ben Jones), known locally for their "Troll Haven" as part of TRAF's 2004 storefront installations.

In addition, 20 artists, including Peter Burr, Elizabeth Deasy, Thad Kellstadt and Terry Young, will display their homemade merchandise including silk-screened prints and T-shirts, paintings, drawings, knitted apparel, altered clothing, buttons, toys, comics and zines.

Jacob Ciocci, of Paper Rad, says in the statement, ""In the '70s and '80s, cartoons and consumer electronics were bigger and trashier than ever and freaked kids out. ... Now these kids are getting older and are freaking everybody else out by using this same throwaway trash."

The reception is from 6 to 8:30 tonight with live performances by Double Dagger. It runs through Jan. 1. Call 412-281-8723 or visit www.artsfestival.net.

WINGS AWAY
The artists at the Wings & Wildlife Art Show aren't trying to make any kind of grand statement. They're just trying to capture the beauty, form and color of wildlife in its native habitat. More than 30 nature-themed artists from around the country will show photography, sculpture, carvings, paintings, wearables and more at the National Aviary this weekend. The featured artist is Robin Brickman, whose work has graced the pages of children's books. There will also be crafts for kids and demonstrations. The 22nd annual show runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. There is a preview reception tonight from 7:30 to 10. Tickets are $30. Call 412-323-7235, ext. 240.

WORLD OF DANCE
The Pittsburgh Dance Council presents a Canadian company performing a work by an Israeli choreographer. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal takes the Benedum stage Saturday for "Minus One," an 85-minute piece by Ohad Naharin that combines singing, dancing, cabaret and audience participation. Naharin, who began his training at the Batsheva Dance Company, originally came to the United States at the invitation of Martha Graham, who called him "a natural dancer." The performance is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 to $56. Call 412-456-6666 or go to www.pgharts.org.

CONCERT SCENE
Moe has proven to be more than a bunch of jam-rock stooges. In fact, the band from Buffalo is working to inherit the torch from Phish. A review of the band's last album, "Wormwood," in G1 Magazine called it "a high-water mark for jam-band albums." Moe plays the Byham Theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Ralph Stanley, something of a high-water mark himself, brings "O Death" and more of his vintage bluegrass to the Rex at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Ryan Cabrera, Ashlee Simpson's former squeeze and Texas pop sensation, hit the airwaves with his radio-friendly "On the Way Down." Tonight, he hits the Rock Club at 7:30.

Jem, a cool techno-pop artist who draws comparisons to Beth Orton and Dido, plays the World at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Dylan and R.E.M. aren't the only music choices Sunday night. Skinny Puppy, the menacing Vancouver band that helped define industrial rock in the early '80s has regrouped and, having just released "The Greater Wrong of the Right," will darken the door at the World at 8 p.m.

ROBERT RANTS
Ranting in public is generally frowned upon, but poet and journalist Robert Isenberg, being good at it, gets paid to do it during the first installment of the Pittsburgh Monologue Project, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. He'll present a series of two-minute diatribes based on actual conversations at La Prima Espresso, 811 Liberty Ave., at 8 tonight. Suggested donation is $5. Call 412-456-6666.

HOLIDAY ART
With its eye on the holidays, the fourth annual Penn's Colony Holiday Market opens with more than 100 exhibits of traditional and contemporary crafts at the permanent site in Saxonburg, Route 228, Butler County, today through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5.50; $4 seniors; $3 children 8-15. There is a nominal fee for the surrey ride. Call 724-352-9922 or visit www.pennscolony.com.

The Union Project presents Unwrapped, its third annual Holiday Art Sale benefit, on Saturday. The exhibit of work by local, regional and national artists features a concert by a String Trio of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a joint opening of Transition, a show in the Open Door Gallery at Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Oakland. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 412-363-4550 or go to www.unionproject.org.

WHAT ELSE?
Pittsburgh artist Michael Fratangelo used photographs to offer his impressions of the conflict in "Iraq -- Paintings of War," opening at the Bella Arte Gallery, 5880 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside, from 6 to 9 tonight. For details, call 412-362-7200.

The North Hills Chorale is joined by Mimi Lerner for a benefit for flood victims Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church, 517 Sangree Road, Ross. There is no admission fee; a goodwill donation to North Hills Community Outreach is appreciated.

Music for Mt. Lebanon presents the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, who performed in the Tony-winning "Crazy for You," at Mt. Lebanon High School at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 and $25. Call 724-941-9490.

The Compass Inn Museum in Ligonier, an authentically restored 1799 stagecoach stop, has been decorated for the harvest/Thanksgiving season with pumpkins, cornstalks and other natural accents. It will be open for candlelight tours with costumed docents from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 21. Admission is $6; $3 for students through high school, 5 and under are complimentary. Go to www.compassinn.com or call 724-238-4983.