This week, even period music enthusiasts are getting into -- yes -- "Pittsburgh 250" mode, with Concerto Caledonia, the School of Drama of Carnegie Mellon University and the Chris Norman Ensemble uniting for the multidimensional performance, "Battle at the Forks." Although it makes sense to explore the history of the Battle of Fort Duquesne on its anniversary, perhaps Norman, "The finest wooden flute player in the world," according to the Halifax Mail Star, should wait until we get around to "Pittsburgh Celebrates Wood." It can't be long now.

The program, a world premiere commissioned by the Renaissance & Baroque Society of Pittsburgh, promises "Music of Monteclair, Reid, Lully as well as traditional American, Acadian, Scots, English, and First Nations music" combined with "a tapestry of music reflections from the diaries of George Washington, General John Forbes, Benjamin Franklin and others."

The main event is at 8 p.m., Sat., Sept. 27 -- a concert at Synod Hall in Oakland. Norman gives a pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.; a Q&A session wraps up the evening. Tickets are $15-30 ($10 students) and are available on the R&B Web site, at 412-361-2048, or at the door. Some seating options are already sold out.

You can also catch a sneak preview at 1 p.m. on Thu., Sept. 25, at the Heinz History Center.