Ellington

Today, Arts Alive! Kicks off at Smith Park (Yazoo St.) and runs through May 5. The annual festival includes music, food, and art exhibits. Performers include the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Legacy and Swing de Paris. Free admission; call 601-326-3450. The play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf" debuts at 7:30 p.m. at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.) and runs through May 6. Tickets are $7 (cash or check); call 601-948-3533, ext. 222. See the play "Animal Farm" at 7:30 p.m. at Actor's Playhouse (121 Paul Truitt Lane, Pearl); runs through May 6. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors and students; call 601-664-0930. Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas perform at 8 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall. Tickets are $48.50-$58.50; call 800-745-3000. The Banditos play at Ole Tavern. Need more options? See our Best Bets.

On Saturday, enjoy discounts on train rides during Train Day at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Admission is $9, $8.20 for seniors and $6 for children ages 2-12, members/babies free; call 601-352-2580. The Magnet Galaxy of Cars and Bikes Show is at 9 a.m. at Richland Community Center (410 E. Harper St., Richland). The even is free but vehicles must be registered; vehicle registration is $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the event; call 601-815-4878. The Pickin' and Paddlin' Outdoor Festival is at 10 a.m. at Mayes Lake at LeFleur's Bluff (115 Lakeland Terrace). Performers include the Delta Mountain Boys, Backslash and the Irish Ramblers. Proceeds benefit the Neighborhood Christian Center. Admission is $10, children 10 and under get in free; for information visit nccjackson.com. Babalooza: A Festival in Fondren is at noon at Duling Green (Duling Ave. And Old Canton Road). The music lineup includes the Revelations featuring Tre Williams and the Patrick Harkins Band. Admission is $10, children 14 and under get in free; call 601-292-7121 or 601-832-3020. Mose Allison headlines the Township Jazz Festival at noon at The Township at Colony Park (1111A Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). Free admission; call 601-856-6001. Crossin' Dixon's farewell show is at 1 p.m. at Bourbon St. in the Quarter. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Jammin' for Joints is at 7 p.m. at Duling Hall; Liquid Pleasure performs. Benefits the Arthritis Foundation. Tickets are $65 in advance, $75 at the door and $120 for couples; call 601-853-7556. The Wishmaker's Bash is at 7 p.m. at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). JamHaus performs. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi. Admission is $100; call 601-366-9474, ext. 1+305. The Mega-Man Comedy Explosion is at 8 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall. Tickets are $20; call 800-745-3000. The Nameless Open-mic is at 9 p.m. at Suite 106. $5 admission, $3 to perform; call 601-720-4640. For more events, check out the JFP Events Calendar.

The "Animal Secrets" exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive) closes today. Tickets are $4-$6, children under 3 and members get in free; call 601-576-6000. See the ballet film "The Bright Stream" at 2 p.m. at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Tickets are $16; for information visit http://www.msfilm.org. Eddie Cotton performs at The Med Grill at 6 p.m. Also, be sure to take some time to support a local restaurant such as Bon Ami, Two Sisters Kitchen, Julep, Cool Al's, or Cerami's. If you want more dining options, see
JFP Restaurant Listings and the Menu Guide.

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!