Friday, May 9

* Critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Kendra Shank, who started as a folk singer-guitar strummer, performs tonight at The Seasons, 101 N. Naches Ave.

With a voice described by noted music critic Terry Teachout as "warm-toned, fine-grained, quietly sexy," Shank's latest album, "A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook," was released last year with Lincoln's blessing and comes after a more than 10-year friendship between the two.

Shank, along with her group -- Frank Kimbrough on piano, Dean Johnson on bass and Tony Moreno on drums -- play at 7:30. Tickets cost $20 and are available through The Seasons box office, 453-1888, or at www.seasonsmusicfestival.com.

Saturday, May 10

* One of the year's biggest star parties -- National Astronomy Day -- is Saturday. That's when astronomy lovers across the country will share their passion with the astronomy-curious.

Locally, the Yakima Astronomical Society will offer views of the sun, moon, planets and deep space objects from 7 p.m. to midnight in the open field just south of Randall Park, which is off South 48th Avenue between Viola and Washington avenues.

For more information, visit www.perr.com/yvac.html.

Sunday, May 11

* It's Mother's Day. Do something nice for Mom.

* There will be some rootin', some tootin', some singin' and some strummin' during the singing cowboy double feature in the Great Hall of the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive.

Held in conjunction with the museum's ongoing "Cowboys on the Silver Screen" exhibit, the 2 p.m. matinee features the 1934 Ken Maynard film "In Old Santa Fe," and Gene Autry in 1935's "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." Admission is free.

For more information, call the museum at 248-0747.

Thursday, May 15

* Next week, Yakima Valley Community College's Diversity Series closes out the season with a return visit from acclaimed solo theater artist Jade Esteban Estrada, who will perform a one-man show, "Pico de Gallo," at 7 p.m. at The Seasons, 101 N. Naches Ave.

Like last year, when Estrada performed "Tortilla Heaven," another one-man show, this year's show features Estrada examining the face of 21st century Latinos in the U.S. From one character to the next -- illegal immigrants, politicians, schoolteachers, bartenders, flight attendants, Dr. Phil, opinionated grandmothers, socialist taco vendors -- Estrada will present a multitude of stories, songs and humorous contradictions in celebration of the heartbeat of Latino culture.

Admission to "Pico de Gallo" is free. For more information, call Maria Cuevas at 574-6800, ext. 3151.

On May 16, Estrada will perform another one-man show, "A Lullaby for Ryan: The History of HIV/AIDS in America," at 7:30 p.m. at the Rainbow Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church, 225 N. Second St. Tickets cost $10. For more information, call 457-6454.

Friday, May 16-Saturday, May 17

* Just in time for the anniversary of Mount St. Helens' eruption, local author Terry Winet (pen name T. Lloyd Winetsky) will sign copies of his novel "Grey Pine" and discuss how he incorporated the May 18, 1980, St. Helens blast into his novel.

The book, which deals with alcoholism, depression and suicidal thoughts -- but also includes nuggets of humor -- tells the story of Phillip Stark, a teacher in his late 20s who lives with his alcoholic father. In the opening scenes, he battles the St. Helens ash fall in the fictional Washington town of Ponderosa.

Winet's book signings are at:

-- 5-7 p.m. May 16 at Borders, 1700 E. Washington Ave. in Union Gap.

-- Noon-2 p.m. May 17 at Inklings Bookshop, 5629 Summitview Ave. in the Chalet Place shopping center.

Saturday, May 17

* For Lonestar, "Tequila Talkin'" brings on next-day regrets. But happily, for Joe Nichols, "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off."

And it's these two popular country acts that will kick off the outdoor summer music season when they play the Yakama Nation Legends Casino outdoor arena next week.

The hunky, deep-voiced Nichols opens the show at 6 p.m., followed by Lonestar, best-known for the hit ballad "Amazed."

Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $30 for reserved seats. Tickets are available through the Legends Casino gift shop, 877-726-6311, ext. 5271, or Ticketmaster, 453-7139, www.ticketmaster.com.