Perhaps you breathed a deep and weary sigh of relief at the close of Jazz Fest, relieved in thinking the long and dizzying local festival season had closed. But this year, a cerebral tone and righteous cause are combined in SAINTS AND SINNERS, an alternative literary festival geared toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Though heralded as a weekend of "books, booze and beads," Saints and Sinners offers a variety of readings, workshops and special events Friday through Sunday throughout the French Quarter, with the Cabildo, the Shim Sham Club and O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Pub featured as hosts for the readings and panels. The festival benefits NO/AIDS Task Force, a local nonprofit working to provide myriad services -- from primary medical care to home-delivered meals to talk therapy -- for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Event organizers' goal extends beyond raising money for NO/AIDS to work for community awareness, stating in a news release: "this event will show another side of the GLBT community other than the one shown during times such as Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence." Featured authors include Dorothy Allison (pictured), Katherine V. Forrest, Felice Picano and Patricia Nell Warren. Writers will present a variety of workshops ranging from "Cliches & Crossroads: Ancient Wisdom and New Directions in Queer Spirit Writing" to an erotica reading hosted by Gennifer Flowers. Publishing industry figures will be on hand as well, with Alyson Publications (heralded as one of the first sources of books for gay teens, including 1983's One Teenager in Ten), Kensington Press and Bella Books represented. And though much of the focus is on gay, lesbian and sexual themes in literature, many of the panel discussions and workshops take a broader approach. Examples are "Writing About Place," with French Quarter Fiction contributors Leonard Earl Johnson, James Nolan and Julie Smith speaking, along with moderator Joshua Clark, the anthology's editor, and the pragmatic "The Creative Process, or, I Can't Write Without My Special Magic Bunny Slippers," hosted by Marshall Moore. Though the focus is on the GLBT community, event organizers extend the invitation to "all readers and writers." For registration and a complete listing of Saints and Sinners events, visit www.sasfest.com or call 821-2601, ext. 217. -- Frank Etheridge

Seussical the Musical 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, April 6-10; 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, April 8 and 10-11 Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 524-2490/522-5555 The last of the Saenger's Broadway in New Orleans shows for this season has a decidedly familiar ring. Seussical the Musical combines elements from Horton Hears a Who!, The Cat in the Hat, Horton Hatches the Egg and other Dr. Seuss writings in more than two dozen musical numbers. This show is a tribute to Dr. Seuss' influence, which went a long way in shaping the world of children's books as we know it today. Two-time Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby takes a turn as the loose-limbed Cat in the Hat, taking audiences on a colorful adventure through the land of Dr. Seuss' imagination. Other highly recognizable characters include Horton the elephant, Yertle the Turtle and the Grinch. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, collaborators for the past 20 years, created the music and lyrics, which combine the influences of pop, gospel, blues and R&B. Military discount available; call for details and prices. -- Deborah M. Stein

Clive Pates: The Light in August Through May 31 Sylvia Schmidt Gallery, 400-A Julia St., 522-2000 What do the Tuscany region of Italy and the Tombigbee River region of northwest Mississippi have in common? In all honesty, probably not much -- except that British artist Clive Pates likes to paint them both. Pates is a "plein air" painter, which means that he paints what he sees as he sees it, outdoors, by natural light, without any photographs, sketches or any other of the visual aids so commonly relied on by artists. In Tuscany, his images consist of "the siennas and ochres of the dry, Italian countryside sprinkled with umbrella pines and massive oaks." But his Mississippi paintings "ooze the gothic darks of the shade of riverside trees under the intense humidity and heat of the light in August." Pates' work in both places reflects his ongoing fascination with the most immediate experiences of perception. -- D. Eric Bookhardt

Contamination Tour with Cephalic Carnage 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 Zeppelin's, 3712 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, 889-0955 It'll be easy to scour all memories of Jazz Fest roots overload with one trip to Zeppelin's for the "Contamination Tour." The bill features merciless metal bands from Philadelphia-based label Relapse Records, including Mastodon, Dysrhythmia, Uphill Battle, and Cephalic Carnage, a veteran death-metal must-see. Over its 12 years of existence and several personnel shake-ups, Cephalic Carnage has mastered the art of grotesque heavy rock. After a late-90s stint with aptly named Italian label Headf--ker records, the band settled on Relapse and released Exploiting Dysfunction in early 2000. With unpredictable, bottom-heavy meanderings, the album jumps rhapsodically from grindcore to jazz breaks, leaving the listener a defenseless victim of brain-scramble. The band's latest release, Lucid Interval, expands on a nearly absurd penchant for musical complexity, utilizing snatches of stoner rock, flamenco and other styles that go by too quickly to identify. Local metal favorite Soilent Green is also on the bill. Admission $8. -- Cristina Diettinger

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 Shim Sham Club, 615 Toulouse St., 299-0666 The indie-rock world held its breath in 1999 when Pavement announced its indefinite hiatus. When lead singer/songwriter Stephen Malkmus released his solo debut in early 2001, it breathed a sigh of relief. Not only did Malkmus' eponymous debut album retain Pavement's urgency, but he also seemed more alive and creative without the confines of a 10-year-old band. Now on round two of a current stint with his post-Pavement band, the Jicks, Malkmus released Pig Lib in mid-March. The album wasn't as hotly anticipated as his last one, and not nearly as satisfying to critics and fans. But Malkmus seems at home with the Jicks, who, unlike his Pavement cohorts, follow his lead flawlessly. Plus, he hasn't lost his knack for songwriting, and the band's live chops are commendable. So, while there may still be a nostalgic longing for Pavement in the back of our minds, Malkmus' material with the Jicks makes it less urgent. Dead Meadow opens. Admission $12. -- Diettinger

A Street Church Revival: Benefit for Backstreet Cultural Museum's White Buffalo Day Seventh Generation Children's Fund 9 p.m.Wednesday, May 7 Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-8477 Cyril Neville and the Rev. Goat Carson are spearheading this benefit show for the Seventh Generation Children's Fund, a program the Backstreet Cultural Museum instituted to help educate area youth and give them an alternative to street life. The combination of Neville and Carson's drive (and Rolodexes) and the community respect for the Backstreet Cultural Museum's mission of preserving Mardi Gras Indian heritage has yielded a stellar lineup of talent for the cause. Headliners include Dr. John, Cyril & Gaynielle Neville, Charles Neville, Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Charles Taylor of the White Cloud Hunters, Big Chief Smiley Ricks, Monk Boudreaux, and a special appearance by Tootie Montana and Phil Givens. Tipitina's will also be rocked by Anders Osborne, Tab Benoit, Coco Robicheaux and June Yamagishi. John Sinclair will read poetry, and the Rev. Goat Carson will chant his warm messages accompanied by Dave Easley on pedal-steel guitar. The benefit's goal is: Educate, Educate, Educate! Admission $ 10. -- Manny Lander

Bat Boy: The Musical 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 8-10; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11; through June 1 Southern Repertory Theater, The Shops at Canal Place, third floor, 522-6545 With such stirring productions as Spinning Into Butter and In Walks Ed, Southern Rep showed why everyone was calling it the theater to watch this season. As expected, artistic director Ryan Rilette has indeed been a breath of fresh air for the space. So who's putting money down on Bat Boy: The Musical? After grappling with racism (with a surprising sense of humor) in Butter and paying tribute to black-exploitation films (with a surreal Don Guillory) in Ed, Southern Rep's presentation of a parody of musical theater seems like another day at the office. Based on a tabloid's series of articles about a half-boy, half-bat found in a cave in West Virginia, Bat Boy was named Best Off-Broadway Musical by the Outer Critics Circle and the Lucille Lortel Awards; USA Today named it one of the 10 best shows of 2001. Guest director Emma Griffin works with musical director/co-star Andre du Broc, Lara Grice, Amy Alvarez, Jerry Lee Leighton and others. Tickets $10 to $20. -- David Lee Simmons

Songs of the South 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11 Fuhrmann Auditorium, Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson St., Covington, (985) 792-1392 'Tis the season to close seasons, as we learn in the month of May. Many of the area's cultural institutions are starting to shut it down for the long, hot summer. The Northlake Performing Arts Society (NPAS) is going out with a bang, honoring the Southern hospitality of mothers everywhere with its Songs of the South program. Artistic director Meg Hulley will lead the nearly 60-member NPAS Chorale in a celebration of some of the South's classics, including "Shenandoah," "Amazing Grace," "Deep River," "Georgia on My Mind" "Jolie Blonde," Walk Together Children" and the late Gov. Jimmie Davis' "You Are My Sunshine." The Layers of the Ozone quilting organization will be on hand displaying its prowess in the lobby, and wine and other goodies will be provided at intermission. This is about as family (and particularly Mom) friendly as it gets. (P.S. Yankees welcome, too.) Tickets are $10 and available at The Grapevine, Lighting Inc. and at the door. -- David Lee Simmons

Joe Krown Organ Combo with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown 10 p.m. Friday, May 9 Maple Leaf, 8316 Oak St., 866-9359 Role reversal: Guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown plays sideman for the Joe Krown Organ Combo on Friday at the Maple Leaf. Pianist Joe Krown has shown his diverse musical chops in a number of projects, from the eclectic swing and country-tinged set lists of Amy & the Hank Sinatras to the deep blues of the Sansone, Krown & Fohl trio. That sweeping range is undoubtedly influenced by his role in Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's band; the legendary Slidell-based guitarist has been a stylistic chameleon his whole career, playing everything from big band jazz to bluegrass fiddle breakdowns. The Joe Krown Organ Combo shows one of Krown's specialties: hard-hitting Hammond B-3 organ-fueled groove jazz, funk and R&B modeled after the likes of Booker T. & the MGs and Jimmy Smith. For this special gig, Gatemouth is going to join the Organ Combo to spice up the mix with his signature swingin' finger-picking. And as anyone who's heard Brown's sideman work with Professor Longhair on Longhair's classic Gumbo album, Brown's as great a sideman as he is a bandleader. Admission TBA. -- Scott Jordan

Mother's Day at Audubon Zoo 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 11 Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., 581-4629 Don't let Mom's free admission fool you; taking her to the annual Mother's Day celebration at Audubon Zoo is a true gift. A tradition now in its 20th year, Irma Thomas presents her annual concert, perhaps the only outdoor event on Mother's Day where everyone longs to hear the words "It's Raining." Built around Thomas' performance, the day also features a variety of other attractions, including an earlier performance by Johnny Angel and the Swingin' Demons, accompanied by a parade of the zoo's animals that will showcase the warm-and-fuzzy among Audubon's collection. Last-minute gifts can be found at the Jewelry Fair. For the kids, there's a workshop and new carousel rides. Food offerings include Jamaican chicken, crawfish pasta and red beans and rice. Mother's Day hours at the zoo are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission for everyone but Mom is $10 adults, $6 seniors and $5 children ages 2-12. For more information, visit www.auduboninstitute.org. -- Etheridge

Evanescence 6 p.m. Monday, May 12 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE It's hard to switch on the radio this month without hearing the epic single "Bring Me to Life" by dark-rock newcomer Evanescence. The quartet's eerie signature sound centers around quintessential goth lead vocalist Amy Lee. With enough torch power to rival Christina Aguilera, the 20-year-old singer's style is more chilling than soulful, and her dynamic range takes the listener on a roller coaster ride of dejection and pointed desperation. Her piano ballads call to mind Tori Amos, while the band's harder-edged songs combine the crunch of hard rock with mellow spookiness akin to Portishead. Though much of Evanescence's material is not immediately accessible to the mainstream listener, "Bring Me Back to Life" is a catchy duet between Lee and Paul McCoy of Mandeville-based labelmate 12 Stones. The single, also included on the soundtrack to the hit movie Daredevil, rocketed Evanescence's debut album, Fallen, to platinum status. Juliana Theory, Revis, and Reach 454 are also on the bill. Admission $18. -- Diettinger