Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SANTA CLARITA--Giddyap to Santa Clarita for the fifth annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, March 27-29, at the historic Melody Ranch, which was once owned by Gene Autry. There will be performances by musicians and poets, chuck-wagon cooking, a cowboy gear show, dances, tours and trail rides. 7-9 p.m. March 27, 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. March 28, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. March 29. Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio; shuttle parking off 12th Street in Santa Clarita. $6, includes access to festival grounds, entertainment and shuttle service. Limited tickets to poetry events, $7-$14; call ahead, (805) 286-4021.

EUREKA--The eighth annual Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival, March 27-29, will fill three melodious days with jazz, swing, gospel, blues, calypso and zydeco music, plus dance contests, an antique car parade, food booths and more. 5 p.m.-midnight March 27, 9 a.m.-midnight March 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29. Seven venues in downtown Eureka; free shuttle service. $15 Friday or Sunday, $25 Saturday, $50 all three days. (707) 445-3378..

INDIO--Dancing, pageantry and a colorful kaleidoscope of regalia from tribes across the U.S. and Canada are in order for the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Spring Powwow, March 27-29. Arts and crafts will be showcased, and Native American foods available. 5-11 p.m. March 27, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. March 28, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. March 29. Cabazon Band reservation, adjacent to Fantasy Springs Casino, north of Interstate 10 at Auto Center Drive and California Highway 111 exit. $4, $3 seniors, $2 for children 6-12, free under 6. (800) 827-2946.

NEVADA CITY--Cheer the end of hibernation at the 15th annual International Teddy Bear Convention, April 3-5. More than 100 artists and exhibitors will show and sell teddies and other bear-aphernalia at the event, which also includes contests, food, music and performances by the Swan Bros. Flying Teddy Bear Circus. Noon-5 p.m. April 3, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 4, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5. Miners’ Foundry, 325 Spring St. $6, $1 for children under 12, all bears free. Tickets good all three days. (530) 265-5804.

BARSTOW--Travel back to the Old West at the Calico Hullabaloo, April 4-5, with a stew cook-off, flapjack races, arm wrestling, horseshoe pitching, music, games and tobacco-spitting championships. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 4-5. Calico Ghost Town, exit Interstate 15 at Ghost Town Road, eight miles north of Barstow. $7, $4 ages 6-15, free under 6. (800) TO-CALICO.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.