The STEEL PONY EXPRESS, a motorcycle rally, rolls into town for its sixth year, building on previous success and popularity to expand to a four-day festival. To be held Thursday to Sunday at UNO Field bordering Lake Pontchartrain, the Steel Pony Express features local and national music, parties, food and, of course, motorcycles. On Thursday, Harley-Davidson of New Orleans (1208 Lafayette St., Gretna, 362-4004) holds an open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with free drinks and food plus door prizes while rally-goers pick up a pre-registration packet that includes the wristband needed for the weekend's parties. The Dock (1926 West End Park, 284-DOCK) hosts the official welcome party starting at 6 p.m. and featuring drink specials, the Blackened Blues Band, with pre-registration packets available for pick-up, including the wristband that allows free admission to The Dock "After Dark" rally parties all weekend. Throughout the weekend, attractions include appearances by biker babes the Purrfect Angels and Rhett Rotten and the Wall of Death, a "barrel" that allows showman Rotten the space to perform stunts on a vertical wall. The Team X-treem Sport Bike Free Style group uses sport bikes to risk life and limb with gravity-defying tricks. The "Big Rig Row" brings top motorcycle and related apparel manufacturers all together in one space to showcase displays of their goods, including speak peeks at 2004's coming attractions. Also, the Louisiana Food Pavilion prepares all sorts of local cuisine, including seafood, jambalaya, gumbo, alligator dishes, desserts such as white chocolate bread pudding and more. The music talent gathered for Steel Pony Express could constitute a festival itself. Friday brings Cajun fiddle wunderkind Amanda Shaw and Aaron Tippin. Saturday features Diamondback, Nathan & the Zydeco Chas Chas and headliner Styx (pictured, sadly, without Dennis DeYoung). On Sunday, headliner Creedence Clearwater Revisted plays after acts including Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters. Of course, Steel Pony's focus is still on the bikes, and guided rides such as the "Swamp Cycle" and "Old South Odyssey" are offered. For a complete listing of the myriad events and attractions, plus registration information, call (887) 991-RIDE or visit www.steelponyexpress.com. -- Frank Etheridge

James M. Buchanan lecture 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 Loyola University, Miller Hall, room 114, 861-5888 As holder of the 1986 Alfred Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, James M. Buchanan's work in developing the "public choice theory" of economics is recognized across the globe for its intrepid insight into how government economic policies are shaped by personal choices and non-economic factors. The theory will be discussed Wednesday night in a lecture sponsored by Loyola University's College of Business Administration, which hosts Buchanan for his lecture "Public Choices: The Origins and Development of a Research Program." Currently working as the advisory general director for the James M. Buchanan Center and professor emeritus of economics at George Mason University, Buchanan brings with him a long and distinguished resume that includes 17 honorary doctorates, work on 32 books and numerous awards. The lecture is free and open to the public. -- Etheridge

Black Keys 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 The Parish at House of Blues, 229 Decatur St., 529-BLUE The Black Keys caused quite a stir when they came out with The Big Come Up last year. Not only did the album revive blues-based rock, it actually reinvigorated blues itself. Barely in their 20s, the Akron, Ohio duo of Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach made music so raw and real, it reversed the ill effects of so much derivative blues-based music of the past century, once again turning young ears on to the flat third, as uttered by Auerbach's ripping guitar work. (It's true; he's better than Jack White.) For their second album, Thickfreakness, the Black Keys jumped on Oxford, Miss.-based label Fat Possum and recorded the whole scorching thing in 14 hours. The record wasn't quite as well received as their debut, but these guys have miles to go before they sleep. The Shams open. Tickets $8. -- Cristina Diettinger

The Groovemaster Series with the Johnny Vidacovich Trio 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS Astral Project drummer Johnny Vidacovich is an internationally recognized master of the groove, and the first feature of Tipitina's new Groovemaster Series. This Thursday, the second installment of the Groovemaster Series features the ever-changing Vidacovich Trio, this time with George Porter Jr. and special guest guitarist Adam Levy. Originating in Los Angeles, Levy has racked up an impressive array of musical credits during his career. His current stint with Norah Jones has taken him to new heights, playing in her band since its genesis and securing songwriting credits on the multi-platinum-selling album Come Away With Me. Levy has also worked with Tracy Chapman and Sex Mob, and held a post as editor of Guitar Player magazine. A recent New Orleans transplant, Levy is gigging with lots of local musicians before heading out on the road again with Jones. DJ Soul Sister opens. Tickets $7. -- Diettinger

Todd Haynes and Far From Heaven 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts/Riverfront, Lupin Hall, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900 Last year's Far From Heaven vaulted Todd Haynes from the fringes of American independent cinema into the mainstream. The director of such offbeat fare as 1987's SAFE, 1995's SAFE and 1998's Velvet Goldmine became a force to be reckoned with in his Technicolor ode to Douglas Sirk's melodramas of the 1950s (including All That Heaven Allows). Far From Heaven won Oscar nominations for Haynes (Best Original Screenplay), star Julianne Moore, cinematographer Edward Lachman and legendary composer Elmer Bernstein. Haynes kicks off the NOCCA Institute's very impressive Center Stage series with a screening of the film, followed by a moderated discussion and question/answer session with the audience. The Center Stage series also features the Brian Blade Fellowship (Nov. 22), the world premiere of NOCCA graduate Sakiko DeCell's ensemble the Graduates (March 6, 2004), essayist/humorist Sarah Vowell (March 27, 2004) and the American Repertory Ballet (April 16-17, 2004). Tickets $10. -- David Lee Simmons

Last Party 2000/Films by Fernando Arrabal 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, through Oct. 30/9:30 p.m. Friday-Monday, Oct. 24-27 Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 Zeitgeist kicked off its fall film programming with a bang in presenting The Weather Underground, but keeps the pace going with two exciting screenings: Last Party 2000 by Donavan Leitch and Rebecca Chaiklin and two surreal films by Fernando Arrabal: Viva La Muerte (Long Live Death) and J¹irai Comme un Cheval Fou (I Will Walk Like a Crazy Horse). Last Party is a sequel to 1993's The Last Party; both are documentaries that explore the political process from several angles. Robert Downey Jr. served as the first host, while Philip Seymour Hoffman takes over in this 2001 film, presented by Film Movement. For more info on Fernando Arrabal (words fail us here), visit www.zeitgeistinc.com). Tickets $6 general admission, $5 students/seniors, $4 members. -- Simmons

Rio Seco 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 24-25; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, through Nov. 15 Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 Gambit Weekly contributor Dalt Wonk certainly has had to walk a tightrope of sorts as he balances his duties as theater critic with his own aspirations as a playwright. And we certainly could be accused of nepotism for promoting his latest work, Rio Seco -- unless you take into account previous works such as Dangerous Gardenias (written years ago but staged in 2000) and 2001's Spiritual Gifts. Gardenias was an absurd, throwaway comedy that brought out the best in Greg DiLeo's charm and Veronica Russell's sexiness, while Spiritual Gifts dipped into the well of Tennessee Williams' fondness for desperation and denial in sketching the lost lives that frequent a French Quarter bar. Now Wonk comes with Rio Seco, a comedy about three wealthy sisters living in a border-town hotel and starring Adriana Bate, Rita Lovett, Grace Fraga, Claudia Baumgarten and Spiritual stars Kara Hadigan, Michael Sullivan and Bob Edes. But instead of working with veteran directors Carl Walker or Perry Martin, Wonk has tabbed Gary Rucker to direct. Color us intrigued. Tickets $21 plus a $6 bar minimum. -- Simmons

Michael Patrick Welch/The White Bitch 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 El Matador, 504 Decatur St., 569-8361 Whether he's writing slices of life from New Orleans as Michael Patrick Welch or freaking music lovers out as The White Bitch or writing about music for Gambit Weekly -- yes, it's Nepotism Week here -- Michael Patrick Welch is a force to be reckoned with. Not everyone can provide a fresh take on living in the French Quarter, but Welch takes a street-level view in his new book, The Donkey Show. And to celebrate, he's revealing his many personalities -- except, we hope, rock critic -- in this multimedia/multiple-personality-disorder show filled with music, reading and much more. See the White Bitch perform his Prince imitation (which is a startling mixture of Weird Al Yankovic and Greg Dulli), then laugh at the comedy of The White Bitch Playaz, then listen to a reading of The Donkey Show as well as letters Claire Harth received when she was an editor at Playgirl. And more. Admission $3 per person, $5 per couple, free with book purchase; free stuff will be given out. -- Simmons

Leo Nocentelli and Friends 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 Tipitinas, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS Leo Nocentelli gets friendly at Tipitina's on Friday. There are people on this planet who worship Leo Nocentelli. They foam at the mouth when they try to explain why. There is no small amount of reason to do so. Nocentelli played on many of the rhythm and blues classics that made New Orleans famous, including songs by Lee Dorsey and Earl King. But most of his fame comes from his time as guitarist for the Meters. Leo was a pioneer of the minimalist, chicken-scratch guitar that makes tunes such as "Cissy Strut" and "Groovy Lady" the funkiest tunes ever, and made him the guitarist of choice for people from Etta James to Peter Gabriel. He'll be joined at Tipitina's by long-time comrade Russell Batiste on drums, John Gros on keyboard, and secret weapon Chris Severin on bass. Rebirth Brass Band opens. Tickets $10. -- David Kunian

Deacon John and His Orchestra 10 p.m. and midnight Friday, Oct. 24 Sweet Lorraine's, 1931 St. Claude Ave., 945-9654 We can only hope that Deacon John is finally getting his break because he deserves it more than any musician in town. He has been playing in New Orleans for more than four decades doing studio work for stars like Ernie K-Doe and Benny Spellman as well as fronting his own tight ensembles. This could be Deacon John's moment with his new CD and DVD, Deacon John¹s Jump Blues highlighting his searing guitar, versatile voice, and magnetic stage presence. It's the best New Orleans rhythm and blues recording in a long time, and its reverence and love for the Crescent City is palpable. Few people have the old-school style of Deacon John, and no one can pull out the magic of New Orleans rhythm and blues better. (ABC even noticed this in its recent, glossy look at New Orleans.) His orchestra also is not to be missed with arrangements from the Creole Beethoven, Wardell Quezerque. Tickets $15. -- Kunian

Electric Six, Junior Senior 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 The Parish at House of Blues, 229 Decatur St., 529-BLUE Electric Six (pictured) performs along with Junior Senior on Saturday at The Parish at House of Blues. Photo by Pieter Van Hattem The 2002 rock revival craze has left the current hipster-pop landscape in a silly mood. It's hard to get a gig without a gimmick these days, which puts bands like Detroit's Electric Six and Danish duo Junior Senior right in line for "it" band status. Like their precursors from the White Stripes camp, the Six revisit several stages of rock history in their musical meanderings, but theirs are a bit more kitschy, more comical, and much more out. They tack flashier influences like disco, new wave, and metal onto the usual garage rock fare. After the wave of pompous rock revivalists that deluged out of Detroit last year, at least this one seems to be over itself. And that makes the Six a good match for Junior Senior, whose main "schtick" is that Senior's gay and Junior's straight. Though supporting critics and fans swear its not a mere novelty act, and the debut album D-D-Don¹t Don¹t Stop the Beat has some creative merit, their live show is ridiculously modernistic. Tickets $12. -- Diettinger

New Orleans Canal Street Projection Project 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, midnight Friday-Sunday; through Nov. 1 Downtown New Orleans The New Orleans Canal Street Projection Project hits the walls of downtown starting Saturday. The New Orleans Media Experience's favorite buzzword has been "convergence," mainly when discussing how different media -- film, music, gaming, advertising -- can somehow blend together in different ways. We like how the related New Orleans Canal Street Projection Project will blend images with the cityscape. It's one of the ultimate feasts for the senses when everything from video art, music videos, animation and just general eye candy will be projected against buildings around downtown. The opening night, with the theme "At the Movies," features an opening reception, a ceremonial ride down the new Canal Street streetcar line, and a tribute to sometime New Orleanian and legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope Studios with a screening of the remastered version of his One From the Heart. And tons more. For more info, visit www.neworleansmediaexperience.com or see related coverage in this issue. -- Simmons

R. Kelly 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct, 26 New Orleans Arena, 1500 Poydras St., 587-3822 Too many jokes have already been cracked about R. Kelly, but with his carnal music, his high-rolling image, and an alleged penchant for pedophilia, he's practically begging for it. (Even Chris Rock suggested that Kelly be seated far from the Olsen twins at the MTV Video Music Awards.) The Key in the Ignition Tour will be a good chance to see Kelly flesh out the woman-as-car metaphor live on stage. ("No more hopin' and wishin'," he sings all day long on pop radio, "I'm about to take my key and stick it in your ignition.") On his latest album, Chocolate Factory, Kelly revisits all of the following topics: sex, stretch Navigators, hotel rooms, Cristal, and any combination thereof. And he's mastered the R&B art-party video, the kind that feature cartoonishly sexy women prancing around a club, poolside or jungle. His latest "Thoia Thoing" (from the greatest hits album, The R. in R&B Collection: Volume One) features Asian women sliding down a pole to a catwalk while Kelly practices martial arts in a LeBron James jersey. Tickets $30-65. -- Diettinger

Kate Samworth: New Paintings Through Oct. 25 LeMieux Galleries, 332 Julia St., 522-5988 What is real? The answer is not always as easy as you might think. As former Saints coach Jim Mora used to tell the press corps, "You think you know, but you don't know." Artists and coaches tend to have visions that differ from the official reality. But this is where artists often have an advantage. Kate Samworth envisions worlds where animals are at least as prominent as humans in her "haunting narrative oil paintings through which she evokes a bizarre 'parallel universe' impossible to locate in a particular place or time," as her gallery puts it. An animal rights activist, Samworth for seven years honed her realist painting skills at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, where she is now an instructor. Unlike coaches, skillful painters often have a pretty good chance to determine the exact outcome of their visionary endeavors. -- D. Eric Bookhardt