The controversy over the gay marriage bill should add numbers and energy to Pittsburgh Three Rivers PrideFest 2006, taking place this weekend.

PrideFest is the occasion for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to hit the streets. It will begin at noon Saturday with a march from the Eliza Furnace Trail, Downtown, to the festival grounds at Riverfront Park on the North Shore.

Following the opening ceremonies, there will be performances by Lenora Nemetz, Renaissance City Choir, Cindy Shaffer, Dreams of Hope, Brad Yoder and more, plus a Children's Activity Area, food booths and a dance stage with DJs from the Eagle & Pegasus.

Following the PrideFest there will be Pirate Pride Picnic at PNC Park with a special buffet and a portion of Pirate ticket sales will benefit the Gay & Lesbian Community Center.

Also associated with PrideFest:

The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company will showcase eight one-act plays touching on topics such as adoption rights and fractured marriages at the third annual Pittsburgh Pride Theater Festival. The playwrights include Michael Schwartz, Bridget Harris, Scott Sickles and F.J. Hartland. It begins tonight and continues for two weekends at the Company's space at 542 Penn Ave., Downtown. The plays will be performed in two alternating sets, Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 7 p.m., with matinees on Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets for each showtime are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 412-288-0358.

The Pittsburgh Lesbian & Gay Film Society (organizer of the Pittsburgh International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival every October) will screen the Pittsburgh premiere of "Say Uncle," starring Peter Paige and Kathy Najimy, at the SouthSide Works Friday at 7 p.m.

The Undeniable -- playing a fashionable style of neo-punk, shock rock inspired by the likes of Bowie and Marilyn Manson -- performs at a Pride Party with MISH at the Holiday Bar, 4620 Forbes Ave., in Oakland. It begins at 10:30 p.m. Friday. No cover. Call 412-682-8598 or go to www.holidaybar.net.

For more details on Pride events, go to the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Pittsburgh's Web site, www.glccpgh.org.