A/E Highlights

The Russians are going, the Russians are going!

There's a lot of damn fine art over at the Arts Factory these days, but unfortunately the rain scared away a lot of folks last First Friday. Now's the time to check it all out before it's purged for May's event. The Russians Emerge features photos by Heidi Hollinger. Imagine Annie Leibowitz with lots of really pale Rooski celebrities and proletariat. The show closes April 31. The Arts Factory is at 101 E. Charleston Blvd. It is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Info: 676-1111.

Can we be your Dixie Chicken?

True, we have no idea what that means, but we just like the sound of it. Imagine introducing yourself at a party. Would you rather tell people you're in cost analysis or that you're a Dixie Chicken? We thought so. We suspect the position involves tight jeans and a wallet on a chain, but we'll have to check with Little Feat to make sure. Fortunately, they're in town Friday at 8 p.m. playing at the Joint along with Gov't Mule. Tickets are $38. Info: 693-5066.

Carnies, of course

You could go to the Spring Carnival, presented by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, for the rides, food and games, but you know that's not the draw. You know you really want to go to see carnies in their native environment, convincing people whacked out on funnel cakes to risk good money for cheap trinkets. Think of it as the protoplasmic slot club. It takes place Friday and Saturday starting at 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. Check it out at the Fiesta hotel-casino, 777 W. Lake Mead Drive, in Henderson, of course. Info: 565-8951.

Not exactly My Fair Lady

For those of you who thought musicals we're all about happy little love stories, fluffy bunnies and the flowers that bloom in the spring (tra la), witness this weekend's offerings. Floyd Collins, the bluegrass musical based on a true story about a guy trapped in a cave, plays UNLV's Black Box Theater, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10. Info: 895-3801. Across town at the Horn Theater on CCSN's Cheyenne Campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne, they're performing Sweeney Todd, a cheerful little farce about a 19th century homicidal barber and cannibalism. That goes on at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10-$12.50. Info: 651-4351.

Don't look now but we're surrounded

Maybe it's the fine spring weather, maybe it's a heretofore unknown rivalry between the upscale communities that bookend our valley, but there are two competing arts festivals this weekend. Up in Summerlin there is the Art Walk, featuring more than 100 artists and craftspeople, acoustic music and a kids carnival. It'll be at the Trails Village Center. Info: 521-1215. Down in Boulder City they're having the 19th annual Boulder City Fine Arts Festival, featuring 140 artists displaying fine art exclusively. Well, okay, and some food. That's at Bicentennial Park. Info: 293-2138. Both events are free and run Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Take my pulse....please

Steven Wright is so deadpan that he makes Ben Stein look like Jack Black. This is actually a pretty major advantage in a town with too many airplane gag comics and pseudo-Seinfelds. As a bonus, his character is one of the two to survive in Reservoir Dogs. There's trivia for you. He's at the House of Blues Saturday at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $37-$52. Info: 632-7600.