A & E

On Saturday, the Creative TreeHouse in Bellevue will sponsor "Capture Pittsburgh," a photography exhibition that explores Pittsburgh through the lenses of more than a dozen photographer's cameras.

Intended to showcase the many facets of the city with photos featuring various places, people and perspectives, the exhibit highlights not only Pittsburgh's obvious beauties -- architecture, geography and stores -- but also its inner life.

Music will be provided throughout the evening by Paul Luv, Bad Buddha, and Paul Labrise and the Trees, followed by Analog A-Go-Go.

Admission is $3. Some drinks and food are provided, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own. The event runs from 6 p.m.-midnight.

Creative TreeHouse is at 517 Lincoln Blvd., second floor.

Details: 724-910-9947 or www.CreativeTreeHousePgh.com

-- Kurt Shaw

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Rock
Musical observer

Singer Steve Forbert hasn't let up, releasing 11 CDs in the past seven years.

"Strange Names and New Sensations," his newest album, is sure to provide some of the material he performs with his new band The Soundbenders on Saturday at Club Cafe.

He believes "Music should be truthful and real, but it should also be healing and uplifting," as he sings tropical love songs and offers wry observations about life.

Born in Meridian, Miss., in 1955, Forbert moved to New York City when he was 21. Starting as a street musician, he worked his way up to a Top 10 hit with "Romeo's Tune" in 1979. After record business legal hassles in the '80s he moved to Nashville, which has proven a fruitful environment for him.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the singing starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at 58 S. 12th St., South Side. Admission is $15 if purchased in advance, $17 day of show.

Details: 412-323-1919.

-- Mark Kanny

Festival sounds

The Allegheny County Music Festival returns Sunday , with a familiar and popular headliner, Blues Traveler. The band, which performed at the same event in 2002, will again fill Hartwood Acres, Indiana Township, with its genre-busting sound that ranges from rock to rhythm and blues.

Childrens activities begin at 3 p.m.; the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $10 per car load, and proceeds go to children served by the Allegheny Department of Human Services.

Details: 412-350-2773, www.county.allegheny.pa.us/dhs/acmff/aspx.

Punk to pop

It's almost a Cinderella story, from hardy punks without a nickel to spare to one of the more successful rock bands of the past 15 years. That's what happened to the Goo Goo Dolls, Buffalo's most famous export save for those great wings. But when the group turned increasingly pop oriented with a string of hits -- including "Name," "Iris" and "Black Balloon" -- the punk purists couldn't disavow them fast enough.

Success, however, is hard to argue with, and any band that's lasted 22 years has to be doing something right.

The Dolls perform Sunday at the A.J. Palumbo Center, Uptown, with Lifehouse. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $39.50.

Details: 412-323-1919, or www.ticketmaster.com.

Harmonica night

No disrespect to Bob Dylan and Neil Young, but for harmonica playing that doesn't sound like an ancient, squeaky hinge on a door, you must consult the blues. It's always been the perfect instrument for the blues -- endlessly expressive, yet cheap and portable -- fit for a back pocket while working the chain gang, or a shirt pocket for lounging on the front porch.

Mark Hummel, one of the reigning masters of blues harmonica, is coming to town, headlining the "Harmonica Blowout" at the Thunderbird Cafe, 4023 Butler St., Lawrenceville, at 8 p.m. Sunday night, with Lazy Lester and Billy Boy Arnold. The show costs $25. Details: 412-682-0177.

-- Michael Machosky

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Theater
Stripped down

Leave the kids at home as the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera bares it all with "The Full Monty" next week.

Beginning Tuesday, Jack O'Brien , Terrence McNally and David Yazbek's musical adaptation of the 1997 British film will begin performances at the Bendum Center, Seventh Street at Penn Avenue, Downtown.

It's the story of six out-of-work steelworkers in Buffalo who decide to raise some desperately needed cash by taking it off in a Chippendales-style strip show of their own devising.

The fact that they're out of shape and rhythmically challenged are but two of the stumbling blocks the guys must conquer before opening night. On their way to the stage, the guys develop friendships, take charge of their lives and discover their hidden potentials.

Television star Sally Struthers, last seen at CLO in its 2003 production of "Annie," returns as Jeanette Burmeister, one of the aspiring performers' wives.

"The Full Monty" runs Tuesday through Aug. 5 as the final show of the CLO's summer subscription season.

Performances: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Aug. 4 (, 2 p.m. Aug. 4 and 5 and 7:30 p.m. Aug 5 .

Admission: $21.50-$57.50.

Details: 412-456-6666 or www.pittsburghCLO.org.

-- Alice T. Carter

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Oldies
Golden opportunity

The Contours, The Vogues, The Jaggerz and Pure Gold are among the bands that will celebrate oldies-but-goodies Saturday at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington, Washington County. The "Salute to the Classics" concert begins at 12:30 p.m., and doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets cost $24-$30. Guests who purchase lawn seating tickets must bring their own chairs. Details: 412-323-1919.

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Jazz
Poolside tunes

Boyce Park's Wave Pool in Plum will be making a bigger splash than normal Saturday when it is the site of the fifth annual Monroeville Jazz Festival.

Joe Negri, the guitarist also known as "Handyman Negri" from the "Mister Rogers Neighborhood" children's show, will be joined by up-and-coming pianist Craig Davis and his trio.

But the big star is Marlene VerPlanck, a jazz singer from the New York City area, who has an approach that can be so mellow her shows can take on a cabaret nature.

The festival is jointly sponsored by its organizing group, which has the same name, the state Department of Community and Economic Development, the municipality of Monroeville and WDUQ-FM (90.5).

The music goes from 5-9:30 p.m. and is free. Details: 412-372-4332.

-- Bob Karlovits

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