ALL WEEKEND

FREEZING HOT

The Freezing Hot Summer Kickoff, running today through Sunday at the Carnegie Science Center, will feature firewalkers, solar observation and freezing demonstrations.

Today, the USS Requin will shoot snowballs into the river with slingshots, cannons and catapults. Those who saved a snowball over the winter and bring it to the Carnegie Science Center will get free admission.

On Friday, people will get free samples of chilled products courtesy of WISH 99.7. Visitors will be able to view the sun with telescopes and NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory satellites. The Kitchen Theater will show the chemistry of fire with fruit flambees. In the Works Theater, Liquid Nitrogen will be used on balloons and batteries to show chilling effects.

On Saturday and Sunday, David and Raven Willey will walk down a path of red-hot coal at 5 p.m.

-- Cody McDevitt

TONIGHT

SOLSTICE SHOW

Traditional singer Ellen Gozion will present "Across the Blue Mountain," a concert of ballads, songs and dance tunes from the Southern United States and the British Isles, at the Andrew Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie at 8 p.m.

"Gozion is a singer and pianist who favors traditional ballads," wrote Dirty Linen, "and does a fine job with a selection of them ranging from 'Waly Waly' and 'Black Is the Color' to 'Bright Morning Stars.' The love and respect [she has] for the music ... comes through clearly in [her] performances."

Tickets are $9. Call 412-242-7769.

-- Cody McDevitt

FRIDAY

TIME FOR A CRAWL

There's a special reason to take in The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Gallery Crawl from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday: The premiere of a new work by nationally prominent installation artist Michael Hardesty that was commissioned by Wood Street Galleries. It's in -- and the title work of -- an exhibition at the gallery, "Echo," that also includes two other contemplative, room-sized works by the artist, "Offering" and "Was/Is."

Hardesty will give a talk at 1 p.m. Saturday at the gallery, 601 Wood St., Downtown (412-471-5605).

Other Crawl highlights include the opening of "Conflict," a photography show at SPACE (812 Liberty Ave.) with music by Blindsider; new print work by Belgian artist Jean Kirsten at Future Tenant; and Philly funk/soul band The Blue Method at Katz Plaza.

After the Crawl, the Trust is throwing a party, Cosmopolitan Pittsburgh, on the Theater Square Parking Garage rooftop. Tickets are $50, which includes membership in the Trust's Partners program ($30 for those with current membership). For tickets -- or a full listing of the dozen or so galleries participating in the Crawl, and other concurrent events -- visit www.pgharts.org or call 412-456-6666.

-- Mary Thomas

FOLK ART

"Made in Pennsylvania: Folk Art Tradition" -- an exhibition of 400 examples of salt-glazed stoneware, tanware, painted furniture, textiles and fraktur -- opens with a free public reception from 7 to 8:30 Friday night at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg.

One thing that makes this show, of mostly Western Pennsylvania work, special is that it's divided into four sections, each of which has been carefully organized by a guest curator with a special interest in his subject. Greene County stoneware collector Frank Swala borrowed more than 200 pieces of stoneware and tanware from private collectors in six Western Pennsylvania counties to exhibit, most for the first time. Harley N. Trice, of Pittsburgh, chose 33 19th-century samplers from seven near counties, four coverlets and a rare commemorative Civil War quilt. R. David Brocklebank of Ligonier has studied Western Pennsylvania fraktur for 35 years and selected 80 works, half from the western and half from the eastern parts of the state. And Charles R. Muller, of Groveport, Ohio, and author of "Soap Hollow: The Furniture and its Makers," chose 18 pieces from Somerset County, including unique pieces not before shown.

For information on related events or a Sept. 14 symposium, or for reception reservations, call 724-837-1500, or visit www.wmuseumaa.org.

-- Mary Thomas

SATURDAY

JIMMY-FEST

Parrotheads: ignore the next few paragraphs. You already know it. Everyone else: pay attention.

Jimmy Buffett, the singer, writer and entrepreneur will perform in front of a sold-out crowd at the Post-Gazette Pavilion. It's pointless to try to get tickets through Ticketmaster. My suggestion ... try to buy some off a scalper or bid on eBay.com, where tickets are as low as $86 and as high as $252.

Buffett has said, "Searching is half the fun: Life is much more manageable when thought of as a scavenger hunt as opposed to a surprise party."

Not sure whether he thought it was fun to spend a bundle of money during the search, though.

-- C.M.

YEP FESTIVAL

Few artists have had a stormier relationship with the pop world than Sinead O'Connor, who has been unheard and unseen for years.

But now, she's back with a new record called "Theology" (yes, there are religious themes) and looking to re-establish the good name she had when she was on the charts with "Nothing Compares 2 U."

O'Connor is the scene-stealer at the diverse WYEP Summer Music Festival at Allegheny Landing Park on the North Shore. She is joined by the potent and popular jam band moe, local singer-songwriter Jon Check, Kim Richey and the Ike Reilly Assassination. It begins at 5 p.m. Admission is free.

-- Scott Mervis

COLORFUL 'CARNAVAL'

Steel drums will greet the arrival of "?CARNAVAL!," a new exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History that transports visitors to eight locations where Carnival rules, including New Orleans; Venice, Italy; Laza, Spain; Tlaxcala, Mexico; Basel, Switzerland; and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

It combines 49 colorful costumes with 15 short video programs and 80 large-scale photomurals shot on location.

It opens Saturday with music by the Caribbean Vibe Steel Band from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; a 1 p.m. talk by exhibit curator Barbara Mauldin; and a dance performance by the Latin American Cultural Union from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

It runs in the R.P. Simmons Family Gallery through Jan. 6.

-- S.M.

SUNDAY

CARS AND CRAFTS

The South Park Summer Rev Up & Roll Car Cruise and Craft Festival will lift the lid on hundreds of classic and antique cars and more than 70 craftspeople.

The music lineup will begin with oldies band American Pie at 11 a.m., followed by Mad Hatter playing covers from the '70s to '90s from 3 to 5 p.m. and The Drive-by Fix from 6 to 8 p.m.

A kids' activities area will feature large inflatables, a climbing wall and carnival-type games. There will also be a 3WS Sports Challenge on the field from noon to 2 p.m.

It runs from 10 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the South Park Fairgrounds. Admission is free. All proceeds benefit the Bethel Park Community Foundation. Call 412-212-1266 or visit www.revupandroll.com.

ANYTHING ON WHEELS

Car, train and boat lovers will get the opportunity to see 50 antique cars, listen to oldies and take trolley rides at the "Anything on Wheels: Summer Trolley Fest" at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Patrons will also be able to see antique boats and tractors, watch a blacksmith demonstration or talk to World War II interpreters.

The show costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (62 and up), and $4 for children (3-15).

-- C.M.

IAN'S BLUF

Mellencamp is coming to town on Sunday, but not the one you think. Ian Mellencamp, nephew to the singer of "Jack and Diane," will bring the alt-rock band Bluf to Moondog's at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Ian has not pursued any collaboration with his famous uncle. "I'm just trying to see what I can do on my own," Mellencamp told The Cincinnati Post. "I just really enjoy playing and want to see where it goes. I've talked to him a little and want to talk to him more about the business and get ideas about that. I certainly don't want to get anything from him."

Has the songwriter of "Hurt So Good," "I Need a Lover," and "Small Town" taught him anything?

Apparently, he has learned about the importance of good lyrics. "There's a ton of bands out there that have guitar players that are technically up there. But songwriting is what it comes down to," he said.

-- C.M.

NEED TO KNOW

Alt-country singer Robbie Fulks, who just released a double live album, plays Club Cafe Friday at 7 p.m.

In conjunction with the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center's newest exhibition, "Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs," local Pulitzer Prize winner John Kaplan will join a panel of experts to discuss the power of still images during a special public program Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. It is free with general admission. Go to www.pghhistory.org.

"Innerstate," a documentary that chronicles the lives of three people -- a NASCAR racer, an aspiring country and a restaurant worker -- afflicted with chronic, life-altering diseases, screens at the AMC Loews Theater at the Waterfront at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by a health fair. Register for a seat at www.MyINNERSTATE.com.