DON’T MISS IT

QUEEN LATIFAH

All hail rap's returning queen at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill's, Interstate 15 South at Primm. Tickets are $21.95-$27.45; call (800) 386-7867.

BLUES BROTHERS

Jim Belushi is certainly not his brother. But that's a good thing, considering the condition of his brother since 1982. The rubber biscuits bounce at 11 p.m. Saturday in the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $40.50-$51; call 632-7600.

NATIONAL HOT ROD ASSOCIATION NATIONALS

Unless your name is Frank Marino, drag doesn't get more exciting than this. In fact, Ashley Force Hood, daughter of John Force, has a chance to be the first woman ever to win a funny-car championship. Engines rev when gates open at 7:30 a.m. today through Sunday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North. General admission for adults is $34 today and $55 Saturday and Sunday. General admission for ages 6-12 is $11 today and Saturday and $27 Sunday; call 644-4444.

FEAR

There is nothing to fear, punk fans, but lack of Fear tickets itself. The bashing commences at 10 p.m. Saturday in Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road. Tickets are $15; call 693-5583.

'LIFE IN DEATH: DAY OF THE DEAD'

This two-day festival features traditional Mexican altars honoring the dead, as well as art, live music, poetry reading, dancing and food from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Winchester Cultural Center and Park, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Admission is free; call 455-7340.

Don't Miss It is compiled by Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Corey Levitan. Contact him at 383-0456 or clevitan@reviewjournal.com.