EXTRA FIZZY

If you haven't seen the relationship between Diet Pepsi and Mentos in action, well, let's just say it's explosive. It's also science, which brings "mad scientists" Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz to the Carnegie Science Center for SciTech Spectacular.

Ron Keith Swamp-rock and thrashabilly fill out the stage when Southern Culture On The Skids checks into the Rex Theatre Friday night.

They will combine 280 liters of Diet Pepsi and more than 500 Mentos mints to create their own mint-powered version of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas. They will also address the questions: "What makes the soda fly out of the bottle?" and, more importantly, "Will you explode if you drink Diet soda and eat Mentos?"

The seventh annual SciTech Spectacular opens Friday and runs through Oct. 22 with activities and events for all ages that probe "what's cool and cutting-edge" in science and technology in Pittsburgh and beyond.

According to Linda Ortenzo, executive director of the SciTech Spectacular, "The event is the region's version of a 21st-century World's Fair -- combined with music and the arts to appeal to all types of people."

The Diet Pop/Mentos performers will be there this Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can also ride the Segway obstacle course this Saturday and Sunday (and Oct. 21-22) and experience the Rinspeed Senso car, which runs on CO2-reducing natural gas and "senses" the driver (also Saturday and Sunday).

The Hi-Tech Sports Zone offers a chance to touch ice that won't melt and green-friendly golf tees that disintegrate after 30 days, compare your athletic ability with those of a pro and play football with the women of the Pittsburgh Passion (Saturday and Oct. 21-22).

In the Tech Zone, corporations and universities demonstrate breakthroughs like the cryomicroscope, a 3-D trip through the human body using a supercomputer and a way of comparing your DNA traits to other visitors.

It all begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. with a Kick-Off Party ($10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3-12) and seniors. Admission for the rest of the Spectacular is $14 adults; $10 children (ages 3-12) and seniors (ages 62+). Go to www.scitechspec.org.

TODAY

Besides having a truly impressive stage name, Kid Congo Powers has quite a track record, having started his career with the Gun Club before being recruited by the Cramps. The guitarist now has a band called the Pink Monkey Birds and is touring with "Philosophy and Underwear," a new slab of noisy garage punk. They play the 31st Street Pub at 9 p.m. with the Deliberate Strangers, Crow Flies Trio and True Crimes (from Brooklyn). Admission is $10. Call 412-391-8334.

Bob Malone won Best Live Album at the 2004 Just Plain Folks Music Awards, and Bob Malone is just the kind of guy who appeals to plain folks. He's a raspy-bluesy singer-songwriter from L.A., via New Jersey, who sounds a little like a poor man's Randy Newman, with a touch of Dr. John thrown in. He just released a record called "Born Too Late" and he'll make his Pittsburgh debut at 7:30 p.m. at Cefalo's, in a benefit concert for Voice of the Wetlands. Call 412-276-6600.

Michael Glabicki steps out of Rusted Root to unveil his solo material with a new band that features Rob James of the Clarks. It's at 9 tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe as part of the Rocktoberfest Event to Benefit Breast Cancer Research. Bandmates Liz Berlin and Patrick Norman will then team up for the same cause there on Wednesday. Both shows begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7.

The Mustard Plug, still proud purveyors of ska-punk, rock Mr. Small's Theatre at 8 p.m. with Against All Authority, Westbound Train, The Code and Masters of the Universe. Tickets are $15. 1-800-594-8499.

ALL WEEKEND

The 21st Century Platters are so named because no one in the group was a Platter during the group's '50s heyday, when they created such doo-wop classics as "Only You," "The Great Pretender," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." The modern version, one of many to exist, joins Principal Pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to open the 2006-07 PNC Pittsburgh Symphony Pops season at Heinz Hall. This one features singer J Michael and was given the blessing of Platters manager and producer Buck Ram and his wife, Jean Bennett. Concerts are 7:30 tonight; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19.50 to $72. Call 412-392-4900; www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

The main events of the Eighth Annual Black Sheep Puppet Festival take place next weekend with puppeteers from across North America. But the Brew House on the South Side will be open from 6 to 9 tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday as Beth Nixon works on her installation in progress -- and she would like your help. She will provide the sticky goo and "plenty of friendly instruction (best suited for ages 10+)." Also, on Saturday, it's Make Your Own Puppet Day at The Tom Museum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Black Sheep organizer Tom Sarver. This is a free day at the Tom Museum. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis at 410 Sampsonia Way, next to The Mattress Factory. On Sunday at 2 p.m., Pittsburgh puppetry historian Gregory Knipling will give a lecture titled "Life with Strings," the history of Marionette Theater. See www.tommuseum.com for more info. Call 412-381-7767.

Like a "Funnel Cloud," Hem blows into Mr. Small's Friday night, sharing the bill with Ollabelle.

FRIDAY

Even if you don't listen to WYEP and never bought "Rabbit Songs," you've probably heard of Hem. The Brooklyn band's elegant folk song "Half an Acre" is used in that beautifully cinematic Liberty Mutual commercial where people on the street are performing random acts of kindness. The band, very much in the vein of the Cowboy Junkies, are now two albums past that debut, having just released "Funnel Cloud," another set of pretty, quiet and well-crafted contemporary folk-rock. Along with James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins, this one features a guest spot by Ollabelle singer Amy Helm (daughter of Levon) who will be with them, and the rest of Ollabelle, when they play Mr. Small's at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. 1-800-594-8499.

For the complete opposite of quiet, elegant and finely crafted, check out Southern Culture On The Skids at the Rex Theatre. The North Carolina band, led by Rick Miller, Mary Huff and Dave Hartman, are masters of swamp-rock and thrashabilly, as heard on the new album "Double Live and Wide." The show is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16. Call 412-323-1919.

The Grammy-winning New York Voices will offer a sneak peek at their new album-in-progress when they play the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Formed in 1987, the ensemble works in the spirit of Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, incorporating Brazilian, R&B, classical and pop influences in its jazzy mix. Founding members Peter Eldridge, Darmon Meader and Kim Nazarian are joined by newest member Lauren Kinhan, along with pianist Andy Ezrin, bassist Paul Lewinsky and drummer Marcello Pelletieri. Tickets are $42.50. Call 412-322-1773.

This is a Friday the 13th in the haunted month of October. Hollywood marks the occasion with "The Grudge 2." This time around, in Tokyo, Amber Tamblyn is exposed to the same mysterious curse that afflicted her sister (Sarah Michelle Gellar).

Filmmakers Galleries will exhibit "Slivers and Fragments" by artist Jill Larson, owner of Fe Gallery in Lawrenceville, and the Pittsburgh Chapter of American Society of Media Photographers' annual show, titled "OS12," through Nov. 20. The two shows have a free opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the galleries at 477 Melwood Ave., Oakland. 412-681-5449.

Sound Bytes, a mix of music and art, will fill the Wood Street Galleries Friday and Saturday nights throughout October. This week: Natura Nasa on Friday and Centipede E'est on Saturday. It begins at 9 p.m. and is free. Call 412-471-5605 or visit www.woodstreetgalleries.org.

SATURDAY

Eve Ensler's "The Good Body" at City Theatre isn't the only women's show in town this weekend. The fourth annual Pittsburgh Women's Show opens at the Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville, and it's had a baby. A new addition to the show is The Pittsburgh Baby Fair, where moms and moms-to-be can shop for cribs, strollers, clothing, toys and things while learning about health information, daycare providers, stay-at-home-work opportunities, doctor care, easy-care dinners, quick makeovers and, most important of all, handling stress. The Women's Show features shopping for beauty and fashion accessories, demonstrations, fashion shows, prize giveaways and lots more. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7; under 16 free. For details, go to www.PittsburghWomensShow.com or call 412-851-0292.

Pagliacci may be a clown, but he refuses to play the fool in this production by the Pittsburgh Opera. Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" is a tragedy of a jealous clown who goes off on a rage when he suspects that his wife is running around. The Opera is billing it as "the perfect first opera, only 90 minutes long and full of lush, gorgeous music." It begins at 8 p.m. at the Benedum Center, Downtown. Tickets are $16 to $130. After the Saturday opening, around 9:30 p.m., opera-goers can head to the Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom for an Opera Blast, a late-night party with live music by Protege, dancing, cocktails and desserts ($50; 412-281-0982, ext. 225).

The fowl along the Allegheny River will have some company in the form of 15,000 yellow rubber ducks that will race to a finish line in the fifth annual Ducky Derby. The event is a benefit for PolioPlus Campaign and other charities supported by Rotary District 7300. You can "parent" a duck for $10, or go for six for $50 or 13 for $100. At stake are prizes such as an Alaskan vacation, a week in Belize and a diamond bracelet. It begins at 2 p.m. on the North Shore near Heinz Field and continues with music, games, food and family entertainment. Call 412-471-6210 or go to www.rotarypgh.org.

New York rocker Jesse Malin, who made his name in D Generation, is between albums right now, working with Ryan Adams on the follow-up to his second solo record, "The Heat." He makes a tour stop at Club Cafe at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 advance; $14 at the door. Call 412-323-1919.

An abrasive good time is promised when P*essed Jeans, a Sub Pop hardcore punk band from Allentown with hints of Fang, early Nirvana and Black Flag, hits ON Gallery, Friendship, with shards of guitar noise, metallic riffs, throbbing rhythms and screaming rants on songs like "I'm Sick" and "Closet Marine." Matt, the singer, told the Webzine Blastitude that "The idea was to start a different kinda Punk band focused on dead ended carnal cravings, sexual depression ... that sort of thing. Mainly we just wanted to bludgeon the listener with dull, monotonous droning rock music that just sucks the energy out of you, the musical equivalent to watching a toilet flush." Joining them are Brutal Knights, Brain Handle and Slices. It begins at 8 p.m.

On the poppier side, Japanese punk rockers Gito Gito Hustler bring their "Love & Roll" tour to the 31st Street Pub at 10 p.m. Call 412-391-8334.

AIR (Artists Image Resource) goes from noon to midnight for its fifth Annual Benefit Celebration with hands-on activities, food, films, and music by DJ Mary Mack, Vale and Year (8 p.m.) and Death Vessel (9 p.m.; call 412-321-8664 to reserve tickets). Admission is $10. It's at 518 Foreland St., North Side.

Guitar Society of Fine Art presents Sergio & Odair Assad, who blend styles and time periods with a repertoire that ranges from original pieces to transcriptions of great works written by Bach and Couperin to adaptations of Gershwin. The show is at Synod Hall, Oakland, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25; $22 seniors and students. Call 412-394-3353.

LABCO Dance opens up the lid on Black Box VI, a collection of informal studio performances and presentations by local established and emerging artists including Dawn L. Bohn, Kristin McClintock-LaBeau, Elisha T. Clark, and LABCO's own Stephanie Thiel. The evening features music duo of Adrienne Totino and David Weitzman (voice and piano). It's at the Breathe Yoga Studio, 1113 E. Carson Street, South Side at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5. Call 412-848-7999 or visit www.labcodance.net.

Will Power -- actor, rapper and playwright -- presents an intimate autobiographical performance of Hip Hop Theater at the New Hazlett Theatre, North Side, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20; $15 students. Call 412-394-3353.

SUNDAY

Drive-By Truckers, last seen here with the Black Crowes this summer under the tent, return for a headlining show at Mr. Small's Theatre at 8 p.m. If you know Patterson Hood and The Truckers, they are well-described as "Equal parts back porch historians, runaway drunken firecrackers, and poets of the hard life and how to live it," as their bio states. The band is touring on its seventh record, "A Blessing and a Curse," which continues to deal in heavy themes of love and loss with gritty characters and even grittier Southern rock. The Drams open the show. Tickets are $20. Call 1-800-594-8499.