Once the lights dim, the 132nd RINGLING BROS. AND BRANUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS is likely to present a typically dazzling spectacle this week, complete with big-top (all right, big-arena) stars like Sara the Tiger Whisperer; the Mystical Mei Ling, who balances on one hand atop her 750cc Yamaha Virago; and ringmaster Kevin Venardos (pictured), a soap-opera actor and the 33rd performer to hold the coveted center-ring spot. Crazy Wilson, aka Wilson Dominguez, does daredevil feats on the Wheel of Wonder, a steel gyroscope that looks a little like the wheel in a hamster cage, spinning 50 mph and suspended 40 feet in the air. And this year's star clown is David Larible, an Italian-born, seventh-generation circus performer and winner of the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival's Golden Clown Award. Meanwhile, the 132nd's human cannonball is Jumpin' Jon Weiss, who in addition to having been shot out of a cannon more than 5,000 times since 1987, is doubly nicknamed Jon "the Jaw" because he allegedly owns the world's strongest chin. But you won't see the Jaw balancing ladders and chainsaws (and more delicate things like feathers and women's shoes) unless you arrive an hour early to the Big Show. That's because Weiss hosts what is really the most fun time in the whole Ringling pageant, the Three Ring Adventure. For one magical hour, fans can go inside the rings themselves to try on the glittery costumes, learn to juggle, and join in the general clownfoolery. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. shows added on Saturday, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. shows only on Sunday. Ticket prices range from $9-$27. For more information, contact the box office at 587-3800, Ticketmaster at 522-5555 or visit the circus Web site at www.ringling.com. -- Michael Tisserand

There's a Lady That's Sure: New Works From Austria and the Netherlands 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 With a history of the offbeat and avant-garde, Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center reveals the premier of There¹s a Lady That¹s Sure: New Works From Austria and the Netherlands, a series of short films dealing with thought-provoking topics such as female sexuality and identity. The showcase will be presented by Ralph McKay, renowned Austrian film curator and programmer, and United States representative for Sixpack Films, an experimental Austrian film company based in Vienna. There¹s a Lady will continue to tour the southern United States this summer featuring works such as The Egg Jump Ethiopian Bikini Dance, The Stairway at St. Paul¹s: The Hysteria of Hidden Messages Played Backwards and The Future of Human Containment Identification Possible, A Search for the Next Broadcast Frequency. Tickets $8 general admission, $6 Zeitgeist members. -- Kris Bares

David Driskell: Tapestries of Life, Series VI Through July 30 Stella Jones Gallery, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050 David Driskell's Tapestries of Life, Series VI is on view through July 30 at Stella Jones. "I've always felt that art is a special or particular calling. I've even described it as being priestly in its function." So said painter, writer and historian David Driskell, who is really more of a renaissance man. The son of a Baptist preacher from the rural South, Driskell was a country boy who made good back in the bad old days of segregation. Undaunted, he became a teacher and eventually rose to prominence as Curator of the Bill Cosby Collection of Fine Arts and founder of the David C. Driskell Center for the Study of the African Diaspora at the University of Maryland. Despite such obligations he never stopped painting, a passion he pursues with unstinting diligence. His paintings reflect his roots in the verdant South as well as his sophistication as a citizen of the world. -- D. Eric Bookhardt

Flicker One Year Anniversary Party 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24 The Howlin' Wolf, 828 S. Peters St., 957-3614 For an evening that is supposed to be a celebration, ten18's bash sure has a competitive spirit. This anniversary of the establishment of Flicker in New Orleans will certainly be a party, with Jeremy Lyons kicking off the evening with a live set. But then it gets serious; local filmmakers will present recent works that will be judged both by audience members and a jury panel. Winners of either category will have their works shown in other Flicker satellite cities: New York City; Los Angeles; Richmond, Va.; Asheville and Chapel Hill, N.C.; Athens, Ga.; and Austin, Texas. Local filmmakers submitting their work include Pamela Burke, Carlos Cantu, Nicole Eden, Kimberly Gibb, Eric Laws, Louise Matthews and Mark Morris. Artists Award judges are Rick Delaup, Courtney Egan and Aaron Walker. For more info, call 957-3614, email jeremy@ten18.org, or visit www.ten18.org. Doors open at 8 p.m., with Lyons performing at 8:30 p.m. and the films scheduled to roll at 9:30 p.m. Tickets $7. -- David Lee Simmons

The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash 10 p.m. Thursday, July 24 Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747 Unlike singer-songwriter Hank Williams III, who's a direct descendant of a country giant, the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash are not really upshots of the adventures of the Man in Black. In fact, they hail from San Diego, of all places. But their raw country sound sings the praises of country's most-hailed legends of lawlessness. The spirit of Cash, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard ring strong in the Sons' material, a bent that helped them ride the roots music resurgence of 2001 and 2002 (O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Norah Jones, etc.). In the thick of it, they released two well-received albums: 2001's I Walk Alone and 2002's Distance Between, both of which enjoyed regular airplay on country radio stations. In a live setting, the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash are nearly frictionless. So though they are roots country throwbacks with a few little twists, their show is heaven for honky-tonks. Admission TBA. -- Cristina Diettinger

Wes Cunningham 9 p.m. Thursday, July 24 The Parish at House of Blues, 229 Decatur St., 529-BLUE Singer-songwriter Wes Cunningham is often compared to John Mayer and Jack Johnson, but that's not quite right. He's actually far less polished than those pseudo-sensitive songwriting men -- and more out there. Cunningham incorporates slightly edgier textural elements than mere acoustic guitar strumming -- like drum machines, echo effects, and synth embellishments, and his voice has more character than precision. It cracks at times, whispers at others, and often slides into quirky falsetto. There isn't much angst or insight to be found in his lyrics. His latest album, Pollyanna, depicts him drunk with love, resorting to the most basic cliches on the subject. "My love is so profound," he coos, "I have to write it down." And so he does, on simple songs with giddy titles such as "I Love Eleanor," "I Fall for Her (Over and Over)," and "Good Good Feeling." Canadian singer-songwriter (of the Tragically Hip) Gordon Downie & the Country of Miracles are also on the bill. Tickets $15. -- Diettinger

David Egan & The 20 Years of Trouble 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26 Maple Leaf, 8316 Oak St., 866-LEAF After two decades as one of Louisiana's esteemed sidemen -- for his former band File and his current band Lil' Band o' Gold -- pianist/vocalist/songwriter David Egan is finally stepping center stage. Egan recently released his debut CD, 20 Years of Trouble, a superb piece of blue-eyed soul and R&B that evokes comparisons to vintage Mose Allison and Boz Scaggs. With early response to the album overwhelmingly positive -- the track "I Just Can't Do Right" is the pick of the week for the July 29 edition of the nationally syndicated House of Blues Radio Hour -- Egan's taking the songs on the road. Backed by a rhythm section and saxophone, the superb vocalist and piano man will be offering songs from his debut CD and some tasty blues, folk and roots covers. And, of course, Egan will also be performing original tracks like "First You Cry" and "Even Now," which have been covered by the likes of Percy Sledge and Johnny Adams. Admission $10. -- Scott Jordan

Christmas in July ­ French Quarter Business Women's Network 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, July 25 Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., 598-1700 Dress to impress in your best Hawaiian shirts, sarongs and clam diggers at this shindig. Hosted by the French Quarter Business Women's Network, Christmas in July will benefit Crescent House for Battered Women and Their Children, University of New Orleans Scholarship for Non-Traditional Women Students, and the French Quarter Improvement Project. Performers include the Mayuri Trio and Hollie Vest, Las Vegas impersonator and owner of Magnolia Mansion, in a New Orleans premiere tribute to Tina Turner. Food donators include the Court of Two Sisters, New Orleans School of Cooking, Benedict's, Steamboat Natchez, Dominique's, Holiday Inn Chateau Lemoyne, Hard Rock Cafe and others. Private donations for a silent auction are expected to reach at least 100, with gifts from House of Blues, Iris Shop, The Ritz-Carlton, Acme Oyster House, Bottom of the Teacup, New Orleans Tours and others. Reservations required by July 18. Tickets $45 per person or table of 10 for $425. -- Bares

Russell Batiste & Orchestra From Da Hood 10:30 p.m. Monday, July 28 Maple Leaf, 8316 Oak St., 866-LEAF Russell Batiste & Orchestra From Da Hood get funky at the Maple Leaf on Monday, July 28. Funky Meters drummer Russell Batiste is one of the most physical drummers in New Orleans, pounding out serious syncopation with relentless ferocity. But that's just one facet of Batiste's musical personality; he's also a composer with a flair for jazz, reggae and brass band sounds. All those components come into play on his forthcoming sophomore CD, The Clinic. The CD takes its title from the heavy-duty performances on the album by Batiste and a who's-who of New Orleans heavyweights, including saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., keyboardist Ivan Neville, pedal-steel guitarist Dave Easley and bassist/vocalist Nick Daniels. Batiste also plays multiple instruments on the album, occasionally handling keyboard, bass and guitar duties on The Clinic. It's a family affair, too. He credits his father and uncle -- his bandmates in the Batiste Brothers -- with opening up his ears and exposing him to old-school funk and soul, and they also appear on the CD, along with his brother Jamal and his son, "Lil' Russ." Cover $7. -- Jordan

Decaffeinated 9 p.m. Saturday, July 26 State Palace Theatre, 1108 Canal St., 522-4435 Thanks to James "Disco Donnie" Estopinal's raves at the State Palace Theatre, New Orleans was a major destination in the electronic music world a few years ago. Estopinal and the theater's owners ran into a legal battle when their events came under scrutiny by the Drug Enforcement Administration, but many rave-scene insiders agree that the atmosphere and music at the parties made for some of the best dance experiences they've known. Julie Drazen's documentary on the events, titled Rise -- The Story of Rave Outlaw Disco Donnie, is set for release on DVD this fall. In the meantime, the film's soundtrack is ready to go, with tracks from many of the events' most renowned DJs, like techno giant Josh Wink (who also served as music director for the film) and turntablism pioneer DJ Qbert. To celebrate the record's release, the State Palace will hold "Decaffeinated" this Saturday, featuring performances by soundtrack contributor Tommy Sunshine and at least 20 other DJs, including Nigel Richards, DJ Icey, and Dieselboy. All proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit Electronic Music Defense and Education Fund, an organization focused on battling threats to the dance music industry by offering legal assistance and raising awareness. Tickets $20. -- Diettinger

Morning 40 Federation 11 p.m. Saturday, July 26 El Matador, 504 Esplanade Ave., 569-8361 It seems like the boys in Morning 40 Federation have been laying low for the past six months or so, but they haven't. The six-piece drunken-horn-rock band from downtown New Orleans has been tearing through appropriately dirty clubs in the Northeast and Midwest in a 29-foot converted shuttle bus, and this fall they'll take on the West Coast for the first time. On Saturday, they'll return to their hometown and treat us all to an excuse for midsummer debauchery at El Matador. The 40s haven't recorded since last year's Trick Nasty, the follow-up to their 2000 debut, Your My Brother, both required listening for anyone who thinks they can roll with the downtown party set. The group is notorious for its natural talent at sweating out the catchiest drinking songs this side of Dublin, so we're expecting some new material to surface soon. Of course, this weekend's crowd will be equally happy with 40s standards like "One in a Bottle." The sing-along song warrants a slurred-in-unison "yeah-you-right" between every verse. -- Diettinger