Festivals highlight May Day, Cinco de Mayo

FRIDAY, MAY 1

"Frontier Days: Georgia Between the Wars"

Take a trip into our state's past and experience 100 years of Georgia history, from pre-Revolutionary War days to the Civil War.

• 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 1; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 3. $10; $8 parking. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, www.stonemountainpark.com.

Dom Irrera

Dom Irrera grew up in an Italian-American family in South Philadelphia, which provides much of the fodder for his stand-up comedy.

• May 1-3. $22.50.The Punchline, 280 Hilderbrand Drive N.E., Sandy Springs. 404-252-5233, www.punchline.com.

OutlantaCon

Science fiction and gaming convention for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

• 5 p.m.-midnight May 1; 10-1 a.m. May 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 3. $45 weekend pass. Holiday Inn Atlanta Northeast/Doraville, 2001 Clearview Ave., Atlanta. 404-403-9902, www.outlantacon.org.

West End Tour of Homes

Home tours are just part of the fun, as the Fourth Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra and Maria Howell will perform beginning at 7 p.m. May 1.

• 7-11 p.m. May 1; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2; noon-5 p.m. May 3. $25 concert (advance $23); $15 tour ($12 advance). Wren's Nest House Museum, 1050 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. S.W., Atlanta. 404-753-7735, www.atlantawestend.com.

The Black Kids

This Jacksonville outfit — touted as one of Rolling Stone's 10 Artists to Watch for 2008 — should appeal to folks who have a thing for the poppier side of the Cure, or a yen for the '80s in general.

• 9 p.m. $20; $17 advance. The Loft, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-885-1365, www.theloft-atlanta.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Concerts on the Square

This yearly series kicks off with the Decatur Green Fest, featuring music all afternoon and into the evening.

• 3 p.m. Free. Decatur Square, West Ponce de Leon Avenue at Clairemont Avenue, Decatur. 404-371-8262, www.decaturga.com.

"Moore in America"

Opening weekend for this exhibition of British artist Henry Moore's sculptures includes guided tours, hot-air balloon rides, scavenger hunts, bronze-pouring demonstrations, afternoon tea, cash bars and entertainment.

• May 2-Oct. 31. $12; $9 senior citizens and ages 3-17; ages 2 and younger free. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-876-5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Concert in the Quarry

A concert 300 feet below ground with performances by Bo Bice (of "American Idol" fame) and Shaw-Blades (Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades). Benefits South Forsyth High School band program and Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes.

• 7:30 p.m. $40; $25 ages 18 and younger. Martin Marietta Forsyth Quarry, 3561 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee. 678-261-7531, www.concertinthequarry.com.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Itzhak Perlman

The renowned violinist makes his conducting debut with the ASO and serves as soloist on Bach's Violin Concerto in A Minor.

• 8 p.m. May 2; 8 p.m. $21-$78. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.

Ben Harper and Relentless7

Rock adventurer and multi-instrumentalist Harper makes an Atlanta tour stop with his new band just a few days before the May 5 release of their debut album "White Lies for Dark Times."

• 8:30 p.m. $35. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Fiesta Atlanta

This family festival celebrates Latino culture and Cinco de Mayo with live performances, vendor booths, arts and crafts and authentic Latino foods.

• 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Centennial Olympic Park Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-350-0200, www.fiestaatlanta.com.

Serenbe MayDay Celebration 2009

This idyllic South Fulton community toasts spring with food and drink, activities for families and kids, artists, animals and live music.

• 1-5 p.m. Free. Serenbe, 9110 Selborne Lane, Palmetto. 770-463-2609, www.serenbe.com.

"Blues for an Alabama Sky"

Jasmine Guy stars in Pearl Cleage's Harlem Renaissance-set "Blues for an Alabama Sky," produced by True Colors Theatre Company.

• May 3-31. $20-$40. Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road S.W., Atlanta. 404-588-0234, truecolorstheatre.org.

Daddy A Go Go

Local musician John Boydston and sons Jake and Max (now 16 and 14, respectively), aka Daddy a Go Go, do kid-friendly rock.

• 4 p.m. Free. Alfred and Adele Davis Academy, 8105 Roberts Drive, Atlanta. 678-812-4174, www.atlantajcc.org.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

New York quartet melds shimmering pop melodies to fuzzy, ramshackle guitars to generate maximum sweet-and-sour indie rock power.