Pops and piano man

The PNC Pittsburgh Symphony Pops has the next best thing to Billy Joel this weekend with Michael Cavanaugh, who received the blessings of the Piano Man himself to star in the Broadway hit "Movin' Out," Twyla Tharp's 2002 award-winning musical based on Joel's songs.

While he created a great "New York State of Mind" in that production, Cavanaugh appears to be versatile enough to spread the keyboard wealth around to other popular piano men, such as Little Richard ("Lucille"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Great Balls of Fire") and, of course, Elton John ("Crocodile Rock"). If Cavanaugh's energy and stamina in "Movin' Out" were any indication, expect a whole lotta shakin' in this rock 'n' roll keyboard extravaganza.

Cavanaugh hits the ivories at Heinz Hall tonight through Sunday, with tickets running $20-$79. Call 412-392-4900, go online at www.pittsburgh symphony.org or visit the Box Office at Theater Square.

-- Jane Vranish

Alia Musica

This plucky new-music collective isn't afraid to ask tough questions, even if some must go "Unanswered." The group will perform Charles Ives' atmospheric and unsettling "The Unanswered Question" at 8 p.m. at CAPA Theater, Downtown. Tickets are $10-$12.

But the real fun of Alia Musica's concerts are the works by its own composers, and this program has plenty of intriguing ones: Mark Fromm's "Aqua Regia," Suzanne Polak's "A Whim in Three Thoughts," Christopher Ruth's "The Sportsman and the Squirrel," Ivan Jimenez's "Songs of Light" and Matthew Gillespie's "Music for Twelve Players."

-- Andrew Druckenbrod

Mind speaker

Ursula Rucker isn't afraid to tell you how it is -- in rhyme, on stage and while rockin' a mighty 'fro.

The Philly-based spoken word artist cites Sonia Sanchez, Frida Kahlo and Zora Neale Hurston among her influences and speaks her mind on love, politics, sexism, you name it.

She put up with driving the turnpike to get out the word about her third and latest album, "Ma'at Mama." Check out her sound at www.ursula-rucker.com.

She'll be in town 8 p.m. at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, East Liberty. Tickets $10, $5 for students. 412-363-3000.

-- Kate McCaffrey

Hilarious tour

Louis C.K. will try to live up to the title of his tour -- simply "Louis C.K.: Hilarious" -- when he performs at the Palace Theatre in Greensburg on Saturday. The comic veteran and former writer for "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" has gained a reputation for his fearless riffs on marriage, children, sex and race.

He recently told Time Out Chicago that compared to his other shows, "Hilarious" "is the same in terms of ... half is about the world and half is about my kids and stuff. But I'm an older dad. I'm a better father than I was before. Sometimes when I look at the anger I had in 'Shameless' towards my kids I'm like, 'Dude. You just didn't know what you were doing. You just got frustrated because you were young and didn't know how to raise kids yet.' "

Along with the tour, the comic has a new special on Showtime, "Louis C.K.: Chewed Up," and will star next year with Ricky Gervais in the movie "This Side of the Truth."

The show is at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 to $30. 412-323-1919.

-- Scott Mervis

Dancing days

"So You Think You Can Dance" is gearing up for season five auditions in New York City next week, but in the meantime, season four's national tour is just winding down with its first stop in Pittsburgh at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday night at 7:30.

Fans can compare Joshua and Twitch, the top two street-smart winners, judge whether Will was voted off too early, spot Katee's signature move or see if Mark is as cute as he was on television.

They can also check out their favorite Mia Michaels routine and other dance designs from some of today's hottest choreographers. Only a few tickets are left at www.ticketmaster.com or 412-323-1919.

-- Vranish

Final frontier

A traveling exhibit featuring dozens of images of deep space objects is coming to Carnegie Science Center.

"Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe" is a collection of high-resolution images of planets, galaxies and black holes captured by the orbiting Hubble Telescope, along with several interactive displays.

The exhibit is a lead-in to a series of astronomy programs the Science Center is planning in conjunction with the International Year of Astronomy next year.

The Hubble exhibit is on the second floor, next to the Buhl Digital Dome. It opens Saturday and runs through Jan. 12. Information: 412-237-3400.

-- Adrian McCoy

It's handmade

Bracelets made from dominos. Clocks fashioned from bicycle chains. Pendants sporting pictures of comic book heroes. Baby onesies with a yeti on the front ... and matching hat. Origami paper turned into earrings. Messenger bags, silk-screened Ts, groovy clothes, prints, magnets, scarves, caps. It's all handmade, it's all unique, it's all this weekend. It's Handmade Arcade.

The funky not-your-grandma's-craft-fair is celebrating its fifth birthday. New this year: location and early-bird special bags. The fair, which began as a way for local crafters to sell their goods, has gone global. Mingled among local artisans like Ray-Min and Garbella are national and international peeps with an eye for the unusual and a deft hand with a glue stick.

You kids who can't help but show up at yard sales an hour early will be pleased. The early-bird special lets your ilk shop an hour before everyone else, plus a swag bag. For the privilege of eyeing up the merchandise without three people breathing over your shoulder? $15.

The goods are up for grabs, for the nonearly birds, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Hunt Armory, 324 Emerson St., Shadyside. Early bird tickets can be purchased at www.handmadearcade.com.

Yes We Can!

Anti-Flag will cap a historic week of politics with "Yes We Can! A Benefit for the Pittsburgh Food Bank" on Sunday night at Mr. Small's.

Frontman Justin Sane says that "due to the current economic crisis, the Food Bank is in dire need of food, money and volunteers."

Tickets are $5, with all proceeds donated to the Food Bank. In addition, everyone is also encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the door that will be collected and delivered to the food bank. Those bringing an item will be entered to win prizes such as CDs, shirts, stickers, skateboard decks and a "vegan" dinner with Anti-Flag drummer Pat Thetic. Joining them at 7 p.m. are Grand Buffet, Incommunicado and Girl Fight. Call 1-866-468-3401.

-- Mervis

• Jolie Holland, a contemporary folk artist who shares a label with Tom Waits and Sage Francis, plays the Thunderbird Cafe Sunday at 9 p.m. She's out with a fourth album that Paste says has a "more contemporary roots sound, which provides a more evocative backdrop for her signature vocals." Tickets are $16 to $18. 412-323-1919.

• Chicago band The Academy Is ..., a favorite with the younger emo and indie set, plays Mr. Small's at 7 p.m. Saturday with We The Kings, Carolina Liar and Hey Monday. Tickets are $17. Call 1-866-468-3401.

• Once a month, Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientists offer a deeper insight into the museum's ongoing research in the Meet the Scientists lecture series. This Saturday, Yasmin von Dassow, an instructor in the Division of Education, will talk about how the museum's collections are being used to explore the evolution and biodiversity of life on Earth. The talk will be at 1 p.m. at the entrance to the "Dinosaurs in Their Time" exhibit. It's free with museum admission.