SENIOR PROM 2002 If you got stood up, never had a date to your senior prom or were the epitome of uncool in your teen years, here''s the ultimate chance for redemption. Everyone, from seniors in high school to real-life seniors over 55, is invited to slip on the coolest outfit in the closet, skip down to the senior prom and tear up the dance floor to the liquid big-band beats of Wally''s Swing World. This celebration of eternal youth is sponsored by Magic 63 Radio. And who knows-you could be crowned prom queen!

7pm. Hyatt Regency, One Old Golf Course Dr., Monterey. $20 advance, $25 at the door. 649-0969.

Hot Cajun

JOHN GAAR It''s been a decade now since John Gaar stepped out of the shadows of two legendary Louisiana zydeco accordionists to make his own mark with his guitar. John started out playing behind his big brother, Burton Gaar, a favorite of zydeco fans, and went on to join Rockin'' Sydney, who had the only big-hit zydeco song in history, "Little Toot Toot." The whole time, John Gaar brought something to both of these bands: an emotionally powerful sense of the blues guitar. Since moving to the Bay Area and putting together his own band, Gaar''s sound has been driven by the blues. But his genuine Bayou roots are always evident, and that never fails to get the crowd heated up and dancing.

9pm. Sly McFly''s, 700 Cannery Row. Call for price. 649-8050.

saturday 5|18

Delectible Edible Thistle

ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL It''s everyone''s favorite vegetable. Okay, maybe that''s a stretch, but we''d bet our 401k plans that it''s the Yuppie green of choice, so long as it''s dipped in beer batter and deep fried with a side of aioli. Does that still count? The theme of this year''s festival is "Castroville: A Place To Grow." This weekend the little town is also a place to watch a parade, buy arts and crafts, listen to marching bands and participate in an artichoke-eating contest, a 10k run and a car show. Country singer Steve Azar, Cajun girl-rock band Mumbo Gumbo and Mexico''s Banda Los Lagos headline two days of entertainment. New for 2002 is Argo-Art. Rules are loose, but all art must include artichokes. It''s open to artists ages seven to 97, with $4,200 in prizes. And, of course, the weekend will be filled with incredible, edible artichokes, cooked every way imaginable and then some. Eat up!

10am-6pm Saturday, 9am-5pm Sunday. Most of the festivities take place on or around Merritt Street, Castroville. www.artichoke-festival.org. 633-2465.

Tour de Force

MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART SPRINGTIME FESTIVAL La Mirada''s spring fling boasts a Friday evening Roaring ''20s Silver Screen bash (period dress optional), an artisan''s fair at the beautiful museum itself, ikebana demonstrations (see page 22 for more info), live music and wine and tapas. But more than that, it offers a chance to tour the historic homes and gardens of the historic Monterey Mesa neighborhood, including the rarely seen Boronda adobe, which some believe is the oldest house in California. At the same time, a shiny new book, The Monterey Mesa: Oldest Neighborhood in California, goes on sale for the first time, with editor Julianne Burton-Carvajal on hand to sign copies.

10am-4pm. Monterey Museum of Art at La Mirada, Via Mirada, Monterey. Free parking at First Presbyterian Church, 501 El Dorado St. $25 (Friday night party is $45; wine and tapas tickets are $10). 372-5477.

Sun and Moon Cycling

24-HOUR BIKE RIDE It''s sick, it''s twisted, and it draws world-class and Olympic cyclists. "Believe it or not, the riders will ride for 24 hours, stopping only to change clothes and go the bathroom," says athlete relations and registration manager Robyn Gear. The solo competition will feature two-time Olympic rider Tinker Juarez pedaling against 1999 24-Hour champion Rishi Grewal. Last time they faced off, in 2001, both dropped out because of exhaustion (golly, fancy that). And while this little drama is going on, a local relay team will also be out competing for the national title while helping to raise money for the Sorenson family. Darren Sorenson is a premier local mountain bike rider and all-around sportsman who was paralyzed from the neck down in an accident last year that happened just weeks after the birth of his baby girl, Kiana. Darren and his wife Aimee are facing some tough times, and the relay team will be taking pledge money per hour of racing or in flat dollar amounts to help them out. For info contact Auspet Jordan at 899-9629.

Noon. Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Monterey. 905-944-9436.

Buzzing Lessons

PUPPET SHOW Being tormented by the buzz of a nasty bug in your ear can be one of the most annoying things in the world. If one could stop to listen and understand what the buzz is all about, this world would rotate a little more freely. This fun puppet show tells a fable about not listening to one another and what a big mess that can get people into. Inspired by a West African folk tale, it''s re-told here in a form funny enough for all ages. Produced by Kira Carillo Corser, who also made the silk puppets, the show stars Kate Renée Tamba Howard and showcases puppeteers Tiffen Shirey, Nick and Maraya Fisher, David Contreras and Jeanne Howard. Come watch and open your ears and mind to an interesting story of how the mosquito got its buzz on.

1pm. The Barnyward Gardens, Hwy. 1 and Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel. Free. 659-4774 or 626-8361.

And We Don''t Mean Hot Pants (Or Maybe We Do)

FESTIVAL OF SHORTS One hour of teen humor, if the teens aren''t funny, is barely preferable to an hour ingesting ground glass. But in this case, the high school students in question have put together a wry and savvy hour of comedy skits and one-acts ranging from an Onion headline-style newscast to a rendering of "Little Red Running Shorts." Produced with the cooperation of MPC''s outreach program, the Portable Theater, the Festival of Shorts shows on Saturdays prior to and on Sundays after MPC''s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Due to content, not recommended for very small children.

6pm Saturday and 5pm Sunday (repeats next weekend). SRO/Studio Theatre, Monterey Peninsula College, 900 Fremont, Monterey. $5. 646-4213.

sunday 5|19