DON’T MISS IT

BEN FOLDS

Luckily, he opted for a career in music instead of poker. (With his last name, he'd never be taken seriously.) The melodic irony drips at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $37.50-$40.50; call 632-7600.

KIDS' MIX

The fourth annual festival for kids of all ages features balloon art, carnival rides, face-painting and appearances by Marvel Comics' characters Wolverine and Storm and (even scarier) clowns from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The high-pitch squeals run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Park, Sunset Road and Eastern Avenue. Admission is $6, kids 3 and younger are admitted free; call 455-8200.

THREE DOG NIGHT

Technically, it's a two-dog night. (Third dog Chuck Negron split from the reunited Cory Wells and Danny Hutton in 1985.) But joy will still transpire at 9 p.m. today at the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill's, Interstate 15 South at Primm. Tickets are $10.95 and $27.45; call (800) 386-7867.

JIMMY BUFFETT AND THE CORAL REEFER BAND

You can visit Margaritaville on the Strip or in your mind. But neither will beat seeing Jimmy Buffett live at 8 p.m. Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden arena, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $76.25-$218 (lost shaker of salt not included); call 891-7777.

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

HELLDORADO EVENTS

Vegas' longest-running event (besides drought), Helldorado began in 1934 as a tourist attraction. This year bands and floats from high schools, car clubs and local businesses march north on Fourth Street, between Charleston Boulevard and Ogden Street, at 7 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks will follow the parade. A carnival will be part of the event beginning at 5 p.m. today and noon Saturday and Sunday in the Downtown Rodeo Arena, located at Las Vegas Boulevard between Mesquite Avenue and Stewart Avenue. And the Helldorado Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. today and Sunday and 9 p.m. Saturday. The parade is free; rodeo tickets are $12.50 for adults, $6.50 for kids, and free for kids younger than 12; the carnival is $3 or free with purchase of rodeo tickets; call 229-6776.