Austin, Texas, becomes a mecca in the month of March for bands on the verge of getting somewhere. South by Southwest, a music festival and industry schmoozefest, draws bands from all over the country, and as they make their way to or from Austin, New Orleans is a prime TOUR STOP. The biggest name passing through this week is N.E.R.D. (pictured) opening for the Black-Eyed Peas (Wednesday at House of Blues). The band is the side project of production team the Neptunes, who helped Britney Spears find more mature sounds in addition to producing hits for Jay-Z and Nelly. There's a hip-hop sensibility at the core of "She Wants to Move," the single from the upcoming Fly or Die, but it's a pop song, complete with crunching guitar and a sense of fun that often gets lost in dance music's odd seriousness. It's hard to imagine two more different approaches to roots rock than Moanin' Michelle Malone and Trailer Bride (Wednesday at Tipitina's). Those who wish Lucinda Williams would step on the gas will love Malone, and the title of Trailer Bride's most recent album, Hope Is a Thing With Feathers, hints at singer Melissa Swingle's Emily Dickinson-like fragility and reserve on stage. The Butchies (Thursday at The Howlin' Wolf) features Team Dresch's Kaia Wilson, and on Make Yr Life, the Butchies play a pop-punk so catchy that the pictures of the girls in the band blowing bubble-gum bubbles say it all. As atmospheric as the Butchies are poppy, Calexico (Sunday at The Howlin' Wolf) makes pop songs that sound like movies set in the American Southwest made by European directors. In the sound, there's the same elegant space you see as the director pans 360 degrees revealing nothing but a few mesas in the distance. Stellastarr* (Monday, March 22, at The Parish at House of Blues) seems like a label's dream --' a young, good-looking band playing songs that sound like 1980s New Wave with a singer who sounds like The Damned's Dave Vanian. With contemporary sensibilities though, the self-titled first album sounds a little contrived, but the hooks and energy suggest a satisfying live show. (Call clubs for ticket and showtime info.) -- Alex Rawls

B-52's, with Junior Senior 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE Writing off the B-52's as either a novelty or nostalgia act ignores the reality that, over their 25 years, the novelty is a permanent fixture and the nostalgia is for something timeless. Few bands could dance at the intersection of psychedelia, gay camp and New Wave music and create something utterly original. Few should be shocked by the overlapping of (true) Deadheads and B-52's fans, for their shared sense of funky, peace-and-love communalism resonates even today. I'll take the B-52's, thank you, from that eponymous 1979 debut (named last fall by Rolling Stone as one of rock's greatest) through the even superior 1989 comeback, Cosmic Thing, following the death of Ricky Wilson. Because in almost every song, from "Rock Lobster" to "Roam," you could sense a band in harmony with both itself and its audience, where everyone could dance this mess around. That Cindy Wilson is back in the fold after a brief hiatus makes it even more special. Junior Senior opens. Tickets $39.50. -- David Lee Simmons

New Orleans Home & Garden Show Wednesday-Sunday, March 17-21 Louisiana Superdome, Sugar Bowl Drive, (800) 469-0990 For its golden anniversary, the New Orleans Home & Garden Show pays homage to a time that spawned both the event itself and what organizers dub the "happy homeowner" spirit: the 1950s. The post-World War II boom period saw an explosion of new housing, with the phenomenon of the suburbs; with that came an exposition of the latest and greatest goods and services to make the home complete. The 1950s theme is carried out with audio and visual icons, including a recreation of the 1954 Home Show at the Municipal Auditorium, the "Ultimate Tool Shed" (featuring tools from the '50s), and Frank Davis' '50s Diner exhibition. The Show will feature more than 500 exhibits of current home and garden products, special attractions such as the "MetalPro Home in the Dome," and more. For more info, visit www.neworleanshomeshow.com. Tickets are $9 adults, $3 children ages 6-12. The show runs 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. -- Frank Etheridge

John Fohl and Joe Krown 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18 Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 539-9600 Keyboardist Joe Krown and guitarist John Fohl, each a keen student of his instrument's tradition, make an inspired choice for the Ogden's Thursday night "Ogden After Dark" music series. The two work together regularly in the Joe Krown Organ Combo, and each plays a regular solo gig, giving them a lot of latitude in a duet setting. Krown, on piano for this appearance, will play some of the material from his fine solo recording, New Orleans Piano Rolls. Fohl, whose pre-New Orleans musical incarnation included a stint as lead guitarist with the neo-swing band the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, will counter with his dazzling, finger-picking guitar work. Krown's longstanding relationship with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and Fohl's position as Dr. John's regular guitarist should make for a lively interview portion of the program. And what gallery event would be complete without the ubiquitous free white wine? Admission $10 for general public, free for members. -- John Swenson

Sonny Fortune with the David Torkanowsky Trio 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 18-19 Snug Harbor, 626 Frenchmen St., 949-0696 Sonny Fortune is one of the unsung veterans of the jazz scene. His range of work is wide, whether playing with McCoy Tyner's forward-looking groups of the early '70s, taking up the whirlwind challenges of drummer Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine, or blowing snaky saxophone and flute lines in Miles Davis' fully improvisational space-jazz-funk of the mid '70s. More recently, his mid-90s Blue Note albums have been full of solid writing and innovative, yet tasteful solos. It is always good when one of the East Coast jazz veterans comes down here to play a gig. He gets to see what's going on in the birthplace of jazz, and we can see what is the latest from the center of the jazz world. David Torkanowsky's trio will be backing him up and assuring that this cultural exchange is full of flavor and energy. Cover $15. -- David Kunian

Bach Around the Clock 8 p.m. Friday, March 19, to midnight Saturday, March 20 Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520 Albinas Prizgintas presents an expanded version of his annual Bach Around the Clock Friday night through midnight Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church. "Some people say, 'How could you be doing this Bach?'" says Manon Prizgintas, wife of pianist-composer Albinas Prizgintas, creator of the annual Bach Around the Clock festival. "But others say, 'If Bach were still alive, this is exactly what he would be doing.'" Such from-beyond inspiration coming from the accessible genius that is Johann Sebastian Bach's timeless music has served Prizgintas for the past six annual Bach Around the Clock events, a 28-hour celebration of art, music, life, community, spirituality and, above all, Bach. This year's expanded offerings include dance (Olé Flamenco Olé!, Lula Elzy Dance Co., Komenka Dance Ensemble), yoga, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra players, ensembles such as the 15-piece New Orleans Trombone Choir, and a 24-hour reading of Shakespeare. In all, the event features more than 300 artists, with non-stop flow from 8 p.m. Friday to midnight March 20. Free admission, refreshments served. -- Etheridge

Something Cloudy, Something Clear 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 19-20; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 21; through April 4 Beloved playwright Tennessee Williams admitted it --' the drama Something Cloudy, Something Clear was "one of the most personal plays I've ever written." He later confessed in a 1981 interview with Michiko Kukatani about the work that "to me it has been Š a great act of providence that I was able to turn my borderline psychosis into creativity." Set in 1940 in the Cape Cod village of Provincetown, the play's story focuses on Williams' summer of self-discovery. Heady stuff, for sure. Carrying out the tall order is the crew of troupe DRAMA!, this time under the direction of Luis Q. Barroso. Michael-Chase Creasy stars as August, with Kenneth Thompson, Megan Sauzer Harms, Mark Burton, Marinda Woodruff, Joan Blumas, Carlos Gonzalez and Jason Little rounding out the cast. Tickets $12 general, $7 students in advance, $15 day of for all tickets. For more info visit www.DramaNO.org. -- Etheridge

Pat McLaughlin 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 19-20 Martine's, 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 831-8637 Nashville-based Pat McLaughlin had a solid reputation as a songwriter with a couple of indie albums under his belt when Capitol Records signed him in 1988 to make the now out-of-print classic Pat McLaughlin. The album, produced by Mitchell Froom, featured McLaughlin in elite company with a band that included Billy Bremner and David Lindley on guitars, Jim Keltner and Carlo Nuccio on drums and cameos from NRBQ's Terry Adams and harmonica whiz Norton Buffalo. The qualities that distinguish McLaughlin's work today were fully in evidence back then --' a songwriting vision expansive enough to keep him from being pigeonholed, great rhythm guitar skills and a tough-minded voice informed by the Memphis/Muscle Shoals soul tradition. McLaughlin later helped form Tiny Town, which used his "I'm Sorry Baby" as the album opener, as well as "Baby Ain't Got No Home" and "New Day." Look for him to showcase songs from his latest album, Next 5 Miles. Cover $10. -- Swenson

Six Flags New Orleans season opening 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20 Six Flags New Orleans, I-10 at I-510, 253-8100 What a difference national corporate backing can make. Jazzland's conversion to Six Flags New Orleans last year meant 14 new attractions, better landscaping and overall improvement. This year, the family-friendly fun zone dredged from a swamp continues its upward, onward momentum. This year features a continuation of pretty much the same rides as last year, which combined new thrills such as Batman: The Ride roller-coaster and old Jazzland faves such as the Mega-Zeph. This year will see a focus on music to complement the rides; slated for the season are national touring acts Three Dog Night, Little River Band and .38 Special, along with plenty of local music from all genres and park regulars American Rock, boy band New Image, Looney Tunes: We Got the Beat and Gator's Hot Country. Admission is $34.99 adults, $24.99 children less than 48 inches tall and seniors, $21.99 in advance from Winn-Dixie. For more info, visit www.sixflags.com/parks/neworleans. -- Etheridge

Fete Francaise 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20 Danneel Park (St. Charles Avenue at Octavia Street) In the centers of small towns and in Paris' jardins, the puppet Guignol is king. Before weekend shows, kids chant his name until the curtains open, and Guignol --' identified by his single long, black braid of hair --' emerges to loud applause. The story often follows popular folk tales, and Guignol also engages in a little Punch and Judy-style stick-hitting, which might account for his popularity. This Saturday, the Guignol Puppet Theater from Lyons, France --' where Guignol was born in the 19th century --' brings the tradition to New Orleans, for the Fete Francais, an annual benefit for Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orleans. Family games and French gifts are available, and the roster of participating restaurants includes La Crepe Nanou, Herbsaint, Lilette and Chateaubriand, among many others. Real-live performers include Tony Green and Gypsy Jazz, and Cajun fiddler Allen Fontenot. Free admission. -- Michael Tisserand

Tails But No Black Tie 4 p.m. Saturday, March 20 City Park, Equest Farm, Filmore Avenue at Marconi Drive, 483-9398 The second annual Tails But No Black Tie is an equestrian evening that also serves as a unique, elegant fundraiser for City Park's Building and Endowment Fund. Capped off by a horse race that is New Orleans' only Grand Prix Calcutta (with more than $100,000 in prize money), the event also features food, children's activities and gaming. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., "family fun time" offers pony rides, face painting, a spacewalk and Kiddi Grand Prix. Cocktails start at 5 p.m., just in time for the parade of horses at 5:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. Grandstand ticket-holders are served a catered dinner with open bar; general admission ticket-holders can order food from local restaurants' concessions. Grandstand tickets also qualify for a Calcutta-style betting competition for favorite horse and rider team, with other gaming opportunities available for the general admission crowd. More info online at http://tailsbutnoblacktie.org. Tickets $5-$1,200. -- Etheridge

Skip Heller Quartet 8 p.m. Saturday, March 20 Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 Los Angeles-based jazz guitarist Skip Heller celebrates his new release, Fakebook, with super-fine support from saxophonist Robert Drasnin, organist Joe Doria and drummer John Wicks. Heller rejuvenates the infamous groove/organ combos of the '60s and '70s, but the guitarist doesn't simply mimic the tried and true. The quartet lays down an ultra-hip vibe, evidenced by reengineering Dylan, Monk and soul/pop numbers. Heller is a consummate soloist, especially within a given melody line, but it's the three-way interaction among his bandmates that often delivers the knockout blow. The artist derives influences from various musical genres, which subliminally enlightens his musical palate. Because of this, the quartet's appearance is a mandatory event for jazz aficionados throughout the region. Tickets $6. -- Glenn Astarita

Uptown/Downtown Series: Jane Comfort and Company's Asphalt 8 p.m. Saturday, March 20 Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805 Musician Wu Man performs as part of the CAC's Uptown/ Downtown Series on Monday, March 22. The CAC's Uptown/Downtown Series continues with two drastically different but equally compelling presentations. Jane Comfort and Company's Asphalt is a dance opera set to the instrumentals of DJ Spooky, poetry of Carl Hancock Rux and choreography of Jane Comfort --' all in service to the story of a DJ who comes to grips with his rough past. Wu Man, whose playing of the pipa, a Chinese lute instrument, has earned her collaborations with Philip Glass and the Kronos Quartet, follows with a performance on Monday. The Chinese-born Wu Man is considered one of the prime interpreters of the Pudong School of pipa playing, a signature of classical music from the Imperial China culture; she became the first instrumentalist to receive a master's degree in the form. Tickets for Asphalt are $25 general admission, $20 CAC members/students; Wu Man tickets are $20 general admission, $12 CAC members/students. -- Simmons

The Crystal Method 9 p.m. Sunday, March 21 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE The Crystal Method led the charge in the late 1990s that dragged electronic music, kicking and screaming, out of the all-night club underworld and to the forefront of turn-of-the-millennium future music. Signed to a major label by 1996, the duo (Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan) wore its hip-hop and pop-rock influences on its sleeve, making music palatable enough for mainstream America --' especially in ad campaigns for lifestyle products such as extreme sports, video games and even Gap. With early club hits like "Keep Hope Alive" and an instant classic debut album (1997's Vegas), The Crystal Method had already garnered enough scene cred to carry it through a pop-world push. Still a must-see for electronic music fans, the duo is currently on the largest tour ever by an electronic artist, supporting their latest release on V2 Records, Legion of Boom. The album's first single "Born to Slow," featuring guitar riffs by Limp Bizkit's Wes Borland, is making a sizeable splash in rock radio. DJ Hyper opens. Tickets $20. --' Cristina Diettinger

Liz Phair 8 p.m. Monday, March 22 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-2583 Liz Phair changes the pop mainstream from within Monday, March 22, at House of Blues. Back in indie-rock's glory days, Liz Phair was a walking wet dream for rock's smart set, the cunning queen of literate smut whose Exile in Guyville won her a place in the male-dominated rock pantheon. Most female artists today are still confined to the all-too-narrow musical spectrum that currently runs from Avril to Britney and back, which is why Phair's openly acknowledged attempt to go mass-market with her recent "comeback," the Matrix-produced Liz Phair, was such a provocative --' and critically unpopular --' choice. "I don't think you can go after radio and have a critically acclaimed album," Phair says. "But --' and I can be very political about this --' if you want to change the mainstream, you have to go there." Not that deliberately penning a pop record meant that she lost any of her swagger. Who else besides Phair could name-check Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray in a song (the frighteningly catchy and surprisingly dirty "H.W.C") about how sex is the most important part of any beauty routine? Tickets $20. -- Cynthia Joyce

Friends: Walter Anderson, Archie Bongé, George Wiggins and Paul Ninas Through April Walter Anderson Museum, 510 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, Miss., (228) 872-3164 Samella Lewis (whose own work can be seen at the Stella Jones Gallery) once said, "Art is not based on the theories you learn, but on the way of life that you choose to develop." So true, and the new show at the Walter Anderson Museum in Ocean Springs focuses on four artists who lived their art in the 1920s and 1930s, when that was far from easy to do. Anderson was, of course, the New Orleans-born "Van Gogh of the Gulf Coast" who sometimes lived like Robinson Crusoe on Horn Island. More social earlier on, his cronies included Paul Ninas, the influential New Orleans modernist. As a sampling of four unique visions, Friends provides a good excuse for a side trip now that spring is almost upon us. -- D. Eric Bookhardt