Love stinks

Mullets aren't just for office wear these days. Everyone's favorite business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back hairstyle will be flaunted onstage during "The Wedding Singer," the Broadway musical.

Why mullets? 'Cause it's set in the most atrocious decade ever -- the '80s. The play, for those who missed Adam Sandler's big-screen version, revolves around Robbie Hart, a wedding singer. A bad breakup embitters the poor guy, and he proceeds to wreak havoc on carefully planned weddings. Of course, since no one likes depressing endings -- a new love interest is on the horizon. What can the ending possibly hold for poor Robbie?

Know a stressed-out bride-to-be? This is the perfect play to make her relax.

It's at the Benedum Center at 8 tonight and Friday night; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. See review, page W-16.

-- Kathleen McCaffrey

Moody indies

Seattle has given us the Seahawks, Starbucks, Pearl Jam and now Minus the Bear, a moody indie-rock band that enjoys tampering with time signatures. When it plays Friday night at Diesel, on tour with "Planet of Ice," the focus will likely be on guitarist Dave Knudson, who makes the most of his array of pedals.

Along for the ride will be Portugal. The Man, a more experimental band from Alaska that blends heavy guitars with loops and funk-soul vocals, and The Big Sleep, a psych-noise trio from Brooklyn.

It begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 advance; $19 at the door. 412-323-1919.

-- Scott Mervis

A world of sound

Ten years ago, an unfamiliar set of instruments arrived at Pitt: its newly acquired Javanese gamelan. Comprising many various percussion instruments -- gongs, metal-keyed instruments and drums -- specifically tuned to each other, a gamelan performance is a sight as well as a sound to behold.

The University of Pittsburgh Gamelan Ensemble, led by Andrew Weintraub, will accompany three renowned Indonesian artists in a concert at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Bellefield Hall in Oakland. In addition to Nano Suratno, Ening Rumbini and Rita Tila, the program also includes a performance by Dangdut Cowboys. The Pitt-based band plays dangdut music, a pop amalgamation of Indonesian, Indian and Middle Eastern styles. It will feature faculty member Mathew Rosenblum (saxophone). Tickets are $5-$10 (Pitt students free); call 412-624-4125.

-- Andrew Druckenbrod

Shaham plays a classic

Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor is one of the most popular of all concert pieces, which means fatigue sets in for some listeners. That's understandable at Heinz Hall given how often the Pittsburgh Symphony performs it, but this weekend offers the chance to hear it played by one of the greatest violinists now working, Gil Shaham.

He will perform it under the direction of Juraj Valcuha, a conductor making his U.S. debut. Also on the program is Weber's "Overture to Oberon," Dvorak's "The Water Goblin" and the Suite from Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier." 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19-$75; call 412-392-4900.

-- Druckenbrod

New porn

The Carnegie Library Music Hall of Homestead is quite the haven for indie-rock this week. First Spoon on Monday, and now one of the premier indie-rock tours of the year hits with The New Pornographers and Okkervil River.

The mostly Canadian Pornographers, led by A.C. Newman and Neko Case, are known for displaying a range from Kinks-style power-pop to the folk-rock of the Mamas and the Papas.

Sometimes the band turns up without Case, but she finished her solo tour in February and is back with the eight-piece unit that hit the road again this week. It's the second run for the band's fourth record, "Challengers," a more subdued effort.

Newman told the Allentown Morning Call last fall, "The last two records [2003's 'Electric Version' and 2005's 'Twin Cinema'], we haven't been able to play every song. Usually we just make the records, then we learn how to play them [live] later. This one, we know how to play everything on it."

This will be the first pairing with Okkervil River, an Austin, Texas, band with its own cult following. For more on Okkervil, see page W-15.

-- Mervis

Tributes

• With Robert Plant tied up with Alison Krauss, the prospects for a Led Zeppelin reunion tour this year aren't good. The next best thing? Probably the White Stripes, but we won't be seeing them either.

So, can we interest you in Get The Led Out?

This is Philadelphia-based group with six musicians -- six -- paying tribute to Led Zeppelin by attempting to re-create the exact studio sound of the British giants.

"Led Zeppelin are sort of the classical composers of the rock era," says singer Paul Sinclair in the band's bio. "I believe 100 years from now they will be looked at as the Bach or Beethoven of our time. As cliche as it sounds, their music is timeless."

The Patriot News declared: "Get The Led Out didn't just pass Zeppelin 101 with flying colors -- they're working on their Ph.D."

Wow -- think how many doctors there would be if you could get your Ph.D in Zeppelin!

They play the Rex Theatre Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $23 advance, $25 at the door. Call 412-381-6811.

• Kiss Army, a tribute band for the fab four from Detroit, requires a few more props and a little less chops in the show. It hits the stage for an over-21 show at Altar Bar in the Strip at 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 advance; $12 at the door. Call 412-323-1919.

-- Mervis

Dirty Ball

Attack Theatre is at it again. This year the group is taking the "Dirty Ball," with all of its salacious sounds, luscious libations and flirty dirty dancing, including the premiere of "Dirty Burt's Traveling Western Revue," to the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company Warehouse at 25th and Smallman Streets in the Strip District on Saturday.

The performers are filling it with steel catwalks, elevated stages and cozy corners to produce an environment that is part Thunderdome and part loft party. Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center will contribute one-of-a-kind special effects for the Ball, which has been called "the most fun I've had with my clothes on ..."

Tickets: $45 in advance, $50 at the door beginning at 8 p.m. Call 412-394-3353 or go online at www.proartstickets.org.

-- Jane Vranish

Hideous! Kinky!

What does the phrase "vintage belly dance" mean to you? Or "vaudevillian ukulele virtuosity?" Or "sideshow arts?" My curiosity is way beyond piqued. Pittsburgh's Zafira Dance Company's PR people really know what they're doing.

Questions will be answered during Zafira's "Hideous! Kinky!: Speak-Easy Cabaret." The event features, in simpler terms, belly dance, comedians, music and West African dance. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the V-Day foundation, an anti-violence against women and children organization. So you can satisfy your curiosity and make a monetary contribution toward a better society at the same time.

Grey Box Theater at Black Bird Lofts, Lawrenceville, Saturday at 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. www.zafiradance.com.

-- McCaffrey

Dodos live

Meric Long started as the Dodo Bird, a one-man acoustic act with loops and keyboards in 2006. Now, he's making twice as much noise with drummer Logan Kroeberin as the San Francisco psych-folk-pop duo The Dodos.

The Dodos toured in 2007 with Les Savy Fav and Akron/Family and recently played SXSW, showcasing songs from the band's second record, "Visiter." Pitchfork rated "Visiter" an 8.5 out of 10 and noted, "With more exposure, the record reveals the celebratory acoustics of Led Zeppelin III or a more song-oriented take on tourmates Akron/Family."

The Dodos are joined Saturday at Garfield Artworks by The Hidden Twin (Phil from Modey Lemon), Dean Cercone, and Pontiak (from Brooklyn & VA). The show is at 8 p.m. Admission is $7. Call 412-361-2262. For a sample of the music, go to www.myspace.com/thedodos.

-- Mervis

'Squad' for Science

The PBS series "Design Squad" is headed for the Carnegie Science Center this weekend.

The weekly reality series "Design Squad," in which teams of teens design and build engineering projects and compete for scholarship money, also shares a mission with the Science Center -- sparking interest in careers in science and technology. "Design Squad" airs locally Sundays at 7 p.m. on WQED-TV.

Design Squad Weekend at the Science Center will feature activities and challenges designed to test visitors' engineering skills, such as building a bridge out of newspaper that is strong enough to support weight, and designing a paddle boat powered by rubber bands.

Visitors can watch the first episode of the second season of "Design Squad" on the Science Stage Saturday at noon and 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

"Design Squad" cast members Krishana and Deysi will be on hand in the Works Theater to meet visitors and sign autographs Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Information: 412-237-3400.

-- Adrian McCoy

Alloy jam

The Dance Alloy is going down the rabbit hole for the last time this weekend at The New Hazlett Theater in Beth Corning's "Feed Your Head Cafe."

A mix of "Alice in Wonderland," "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Alice's Restaurant" and Grace Slick's classic rock song "White Rabbit," anything goes in this surreal dreamscape. And there's a real Feed Your Head Cafe to boot.

Times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $20-$25 at the door. (Sunday's performances are pay-what-you-can admission.) For more information, call 412-363-4321 or contact lauren@dancealloy.org.

• Would Frederic Chopin have played piano in smoky jazz bars instead of salons had he been born in the 20th century? The Jagodzinski Jazz Trio throws the question out with a night of improv on Chopin works. Presented by the Polish Cultural Council, the concert takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Trimont Plaza, Mount Washington. Tickets are $15-$30; call 412-871-3347.

• The Diamonds ("Little Darlin' "), The Four Dots and The El Capris headline A Night of Doo Wop, a benefit for the Baby Ella Cancer Fund. It raises money for 13-month-old Rose Ella DePew, who has a rare form of cancer. It takes place at 8 p.m. Saturday at Springdale High School, Springdale. Tickets are $20. Call 724-274-6330.

• Music for Mt. Lebanon presents Dallas Brass, playing a repertoire of classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music. It will also be joined by students from the Mt. Lebanon High School band, orchestra, percussion ensemble and chorus -- along with the 85-voice South Hills Chorale. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Lebanon High School. Tickets are $30; $15 for students. Call 412-264-3354 or visit www.musicformtlebanon.org.

• Comedian Greg Behrendt, co-author of the best-seller "He's Just Not That Into You," continues to tap into the treacherous waters of romantic relationships in his stand-up routine, which he brings to the Pittsburgh Improv at the Waterfront, West Homestead, today through Sunday. Tickets: $22 (full-menu showroom), 412-462-5233 or www.symfonee.com/Improv/Pittsburgh/.

• Carrie Newcomer, a folk-pop artist who's been around now for 11 releases, plays Club Cafe tonight at 7:30. Once again, Newcomer takes a traditional, straightforward approach on her latest record, "The Geography of Light." Tickets are $15.

• Indie singer/songwriter John Vanderslice performs at The Andy Warhol Museum Friday; folk/pop band Spanish Prisoners is the opening act. Admission is $12 for this all-ages show; 412-237-8300 or www.warhol.org.

• Pittsburgh hard-rock band Chip DiMonick promises "an aphrodisiacal cocktail of a rock show" for "The Chip DiMonick Fantasy Birthday Show," celebrating its frontman's big day. He says "we'll combine an audio assault with sexy visuals" at the 31st Street Pub Friday at 10 p.m. with The CosmoSonics and Zilch. Call 412-391-8334.