Ellington

If you can sneak out of work a little early this afternoon, head over to PrissyKatz Boutique (Swinging Bridge Market, 24 Holiday Rambler Lane, Suite 305 Byram) to have author J. Auberney sign your copy of "Just a Shadow of Me" ($10 book) at 4 p.m. Or, hurry over to Lemuria (202 Banner Hall, 4446 Interstate 55 N.) at 5 p.m. where Nevada Barr will sign her new book, "Burn" ($25.99 book), and stick around to hear her read from the novel at 5:30 p.m. Afterwards, go groove your heart out at ArtRemix at the Mississippi Museum of Art from 6-11 p.m. The musical lineup includes Mr. Nick, Nash Street and Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, $25. Alternatively, check out what the fuss is about with a contra dance lesson at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.) at 7:30 p.m. with a dance at 8:30 p.m. It's free, but they'll be happy for a $5 donation. Late night, go catch Unkl Ryan, Larry Love and DJ Swamp at Sam's Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 S.) from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $10.

Saturday, roll out early and go Back to "Zool" at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capital St.) at 10 a.m., $7.20, $4.50 children ages 2-12, members and babies free. See how and what the animals do while they are at "zool" and meet zoo docents and education staff to learn what animal education is really like. Or, head over to Millsaps College Leggett Center (1701 N. State St.) for a free seminar on "Health Care Concerns in the Wake of Oil" from 10 a.m.-noon. Later on, head to Koinonia Coffee House (136 S. Adams St.) to perk up with java and an art reception for Lorenzo Miller at 3:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., get a free Spanish lesson at Lingofest Language Center (7048 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland). Refreshments and zumba dancing are included.

Save Saturday night for the Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights arts and music festival from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Held along Carlisle Street, Kentwood Place and in the Belhaven McDade's parking lot, performances include Virgil Brawley, Swing d'Paris, The Weeks and many more, $4, $1 children. At 8:30 p.m., "Congregation Gone Wild," a play about unruly church members, will be showing at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.); doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and up.

Sunday, grab the kids and go cool off at "Splash & Slide" at the Jackson Zoo from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $4.50 per child. You can also beat the heat at Southern Breeze Gallery (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland) and see artwork by Charlie Busler, Lee Gibson, Amy Giust, Virginia Shirley and Jackie Ellens from 1-5 p.m., free. Afterward, top off your weekend by going to rock out to Norman Clark and Smokestack Lightning from 6-10 p.m. at F. Jones Corner (303 N. Farish St.), free.

Want more entertainment options? Check out the JFP Music Listings and visit the Best Bets page for more weekend choices. Visit the JFP Events Calendar to see a complete listing of events including community and JFP sponsored happenings.

Is something missing? To make sure your event is listed on the JFP calendars, send the information to [e-mail missing] or [e-mail missing], or add your event yourself. It's easy!